North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced that Jessica Nicole Hunter, 36, of 4214 Simmerson Road, Linwood, was charged with insurance fraud and obtaining property by false pretense, both felonies.
Special agents with the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division accuse Hunter of falsely claiming that her home, which had been damaged by lightning, was uninhabitable when she requested an extended hotel stay.
According to the criminal summons, the repairs had already been completed and the house had been sold at the time of the extended hotel stay request.
The offense occurred on Aug. 4, 2023, resulting in a $13,785.55 payment from Travelers Insurance Co.
Hunter is due in Davie County District Court on Jan. 11.
“Property and casualty insurance fraud costs insurance customers an estimated $120 billion a year in increased premiums,” said Commissioner Causey. “The Department of Insurance has beefed up its fraud-fighting staff in an effort to make more arrests to keep fraud from driving up insurance costs.”
If you suspect insurance fraud or other white-collar crimes, please report it. You may anonymously report fraud by calling the N.C. Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840 or toll free from anywhere in North Carolina at 888-680-7684.
Information is also available at www.ncdoi.gov.