North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the arrest of Christopher Lamarr Outlaw, 29, of 2167 Eric Sparrow Road, Deep Run. Outlaw was charged with two felonies – insurance fraud and attempting to obtain property by false pretense – and making a false report to police, which is a misdemeanor.
According to the arrest warrant, Outlaw reported to an insurer, Permanent General Assurance Corp., that front-end damage to his 2013 Dodge Charger occurred during a collision with a deer on March 21 when the damaged actually occurred during an earlier collision on March 8.
In addition, Outlaw falsely claimed all the damages from the March 8 collision had been repaired before March 21 but later admitted that only the headlight had been replaced, the warrant says. An insurance claim for the March 8 collision had been denied because of insufficient coverage, the warrant says.
Special agents with the N.C. Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division also accuse Outlaw of reporting the false deer collision damage to the State Highway Patrol.
The offenses occurred between March 21 and March 29. Lenoir County sheriff’s deputies arrested Outlaw on June 22. He was placed under $7,500 unsecured bond.
Insurance fraud costs American consumers approximately $80 billion dollars a year. According to Commissioner Causey, fraud costs North Carolinians between 15 and 20 cents of every dollar paid on insurance premiums -- and it’s getting worse.
“I am determined to stem the tide of insurance fraud in this state in order to save residents money,” said Commissioner Causey. “That’s why I am dedicated to the mission of our NCDOI law enforcement officers who investigate and prosecute claims of insurance and bail bonding fraud.”
To report suspected fraud, contact the N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigation Division at 919-807-6840. Callers may remain anonymous. Information is also available at www.ncdoi.gov/fraud-control.