MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES

Fourteen people from northern Michigan face felony charges in a scheme to defraud an insurance company out of $3 million, the state announced Monday. The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) and Ogemaw County Sheriff’s Office teamed up on the investigation and found enough evidence to charge the 14 individuals. Here are the 14 people charged in the scheme. “These fraudulent claims make insurance more expensive for all of us.”People can report suspected insurance fraud online or by calling 877-999-6442. RELATED STORIES4 charged with stealing $725,000 in unemployment pay from Michigan14 charged in alleged fraud scheme to obtain pandemic unemployment payments16-year-old girl suspected of charging $9K to customer accounts at Jackson Best Buy, police say

If you’re concerned that a call from a local health department may be a scam, write down the name and number of the person who called you, then reach out to your local health department to confirm the legitimacy of the call.

FLINT, MI -- A former Flint insurance agent has been sentenced to 24 months of probation for selling fraudulent automobile insurance certificates to his clients,Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services announced the development Friday, Nov. 19, after Dillen Leonard, 25, appeared before Genesee Circuit Court Judge David J. Newblatt. In early February, Leonard pleaded guilty to four counts of insurance fraud, a four-year felony, and one count of using a computer to commit a crime; a seven-year felony. Dillen is also responsible for paying restitution of $25,000 to the MDIFS, the Department of Attorney General said in a news release. During July 2016, Leonard sold at least 30 fraudulent certificates, the attorney general’s office says. Related:Former Flint insurance agent pleads guilty to felony insurance fraudFlint man accused of selling fake automobile insurance certificatesSee how new police dogs Sledge and Groot are trained by a Michigan public safety department

“It is clear that the new auto insurance law is putting more money in the pockets of Michiganders. Read more: Michigan’s new auto insurance law brings excitement, concernUnder Michigan’s old auto insurance law, each driver had to purchase unlimited personal injury protection medical coverage and pay the MCCA assessment, which reimburses insurers for catastrophic medical claims. Read more:Michiganders to see $120 reduction in auto insurance fee next yearMichigan’s auto insurance law completely changes after July 1. Here’s what to consider when picking your new planWill Michigan drivers change their policies once new auto insurance law takes effect? Whitmer signs bill overhauling Michigan auto insuranceMichigan orders auto insurance refunds due to ‘extreme reductions in driving’

FLINT TOWNSHIP, MI - A former Genesee County insurance agent has been sentenced to prison for embezzling more than $90,000 from her clients and providing them with phony insurance certificates, leading them to believe they had insurance for their homes or cars when they actually didn’t. In many instances, Swain issued her clients false insurance certificates, leading her clients to believe they had homeowners or auto insurance coverage when they did not. The Department of Insurance and Financial Services took enforcement actions against Swain in 2003, 2006 and 2009. In 2013, the department summarily suspended Swain’s insurance producer license and permanently revoked it in December 2014 for misappropriating client’s premiums, the state said. In 2014, Swain continued to sell insurance without a license while working at her ex-husband’s insurance agency, Select Insurance Agency, the state alleged.

These agreements cover more than 92% of the commercial health insurance market in Michigan. Insurers who have agreed to waive cost-sharing:· Aetna Better Health of Michigan· Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Blue Care Network· HAP, Alliance Health· Humana· McLaren Health Plan· Meridian Health Plan· Molina Healthcare Michigan· Paramount Care of Michigan· Physicians Health Plan (PHP)· Priority Health, Priority Health Insurance Co.· Total Health CareThe waived cost-sharing applies to commercial health insurance products from the insurers named in the state agreement. Consumers seeking COVID-19 testing or treatment should contact their insurance company to find out about their coverage. Insured consumers who pay up front or receive a bill for COVID-19 testing or treatment should contact their insurance company for assistance. In addition, the Michigan Health Insurance Consumer Assistance Program can provide shopping tips and help answer questions about health insurance including Special Enrollment Periods for those experiencing job loss or an income reduction.

DETROIT Michigan drivers should have the choice of cutting their auto insurance costs starting this week. Michigan lawmakers approved bipartisan auto insurance reform legislation last spring aimed at cutting costs for Michigan drivers who have paid the highest insurance rates in the country. This gives drivers a choice regarding level of coverage -- but they will likely have to take action. And under the new law the 20% of Michiganders who are currently driving without insurance will be able to get legal without facing a penalty. Insurance Alliance of Michigan member companies are committed to doing their part to educate their customers about the upcoming changes to Michigans auto no-fault law and helping drivers find the right plan for them and their family.

Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services on Monday announced that DIFS Director Anita Fox has ordered all auto insurers in Michigan to issue refunds or premium waivers to consumers as a result of insurance companies reduced risk due to extreme reductions in driving during the COVID-19 pandemic. Michiganders have been staying safe and staying home and they should see the benefit in reduced auto insurance rates during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Whitmer. Every family is feeling added financial pressure due to this virus, and this order will provide some much-needed relief to drivers.DIFS Order No. Whitmer lifts stay-at-home order across state, reopening restaurants, moreThis order will ensure all insurers are issuing appropriate refunds or premium waivers to their customers, said Fox. Contact DIFS Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 833-ASK-DIFS (275-3437) or by emailing autoinsurance@michigan.gov.

The projected PIP savings are based on the first six auto insurance company filings approved by the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. Gretchen Whitmer says Michigan motorists, on average, can expect big savings on a key part of their auto insurance bills. Filings from Michigan auto insurance companies show savings for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage that not only equals, but exceeds, the savings promised under an auto insurance reform package signed into law in May 2019, Whitmer said in a news release. The projected PIP savings are based on the first six auto insurance company filings approved by the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services, representing one quarter of Michigan's auto insurance market, the release said. Last year, we worked across the aisle to pass a historic, bipartisan auto insurance reform to bring down costs for drivers everywhere.