Department of Insurance

North Carolina insurance regulators are clearing the largest rate increase in nine years for dwelling policies that cover residential rentals and other properties that are not owner occupied. Full story...

Two weeks before an election deciding whether he keeps his job, North Carolina's insurance commissioner is telling companies they'll have to prove they should get to increase premiums by an average of nearly 18 percent. Full story...

If you want to have your say about a proposed hike in homeowners insurance that could cost residents in coastal counties up to 30 percent more, you're running out of time. The deadline for the public to submit comments on the insurance companies' request to raise homeowners insurance rates is tomorrow. Full story...

Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin today announced the arrests of Alfonzo Bethea, 39, Wilmington; Antonette Denise Waters, 29, of 621 N. 10th St., Wilmington; and Crystal Paige Waters, 30, of 1003 S. 14th St., Wilmington. Each has been charged with two counts of insurance fraud, two counts of attempting to obtain property by false pretense, and one count of filing a false police report. Full story...

Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin today announced the arrest of Nell Marie Griffin, 34, of 140 Douglas Drive, Holly Ridge; she is charged with one count of embezzlement by an insurance agent. Full story...

Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin today announced the arrest of Gregory Steven Gurney, 49, of 5418 ½ Park Ave., Wilmington. He is charged with six counts each of insurance fraud, obtaining property by false pretense and corporate malfeasance. He is charged with three counts of altering or forging certificates of title or applications, and one count each of possession of a stolen motor vehicle and transferring a stolen motor vehicle. Full story...

If someone owes you money you can take them to small claims court. But what if that person can't be found? That's what one family was dealing with, until they watched WWAY and learned the person they were looking for was just arrested for insurance fraud. Full story...

Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin today announced the arrest of Stephanie Jean Holanek, 40, of 118 Trombay Drive, Wilmington; she is charged with four counts of insurance fraud, three counts of obtaining property by false pretense, and one count of attempting to obtain property by false pretense. Full story...

A local insurance agent has been arrested and charged with embezzlement. Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin says Earl E. Gay, 58, of Leland is charged with 14 counts of embezzlement by an insurance agent. Full story...

Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin today announced the arrest of Lakeia C. Freeman, 28, of 136 Parsley St., Leland; she is charged with one count each of insurance fraud and obtaining property by false pretense. Full story...

Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin today announced the arrest of Joshua Rex Walston, 26, of 1567 Lanvale Road, Leland; he is charged with one count each of insurance fraud and obtaining property by false pretense. Full story...

North Carolina's top insurance regulator says industry-backed changes in state law would lead to higher auto insurance rates. Full story...

Sometimes tough times call for desperate measures. In this economy, people are coming up with ways to get a little bit of cash in their hands even if it means breaking the law. Full story...