Mike Causey Coverage

Mike Causey rejects request for 42% hike to home insurance rates

This year's request was significantly higher than normal: An average of 42% higher rates statewide.

NC Insurance Commissioner rejects industry request for 42% hike to home insurance rates

Insurance companies frequently petition the state for permission to raise rates, but this year's request was significantly higher than normal: An average of 42% higher rates statewide, driven in part by rates that would nearly double in some parts of Eastern North Carolina, particularly on the coast.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

DRAUGHON DRAWS: Driving Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey

Monday, Jan. 22, 2024 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

Chief NC fire marshal, 2 others reinstated after being fired in power struggle

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey reinstated three high-ranking state officials after firing them as part of a power struggle with the General Assembly. State law required him to.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

NC Insurance commissioners fires three in power struggle over fire marshal's office

NC Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey, recently stripped of his fire marshal title by the legislature, fired key employees in the marshal's office Tuesday. Causey says he's being undermined. A state senator called the firings "bizarre."

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

Fire safety concerns in new budget? NC's top fire marshal slams fellow Republicans over secretive changes

State Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey says a provision that strips him of a key fire-safety role was tucked away in the budget without any prior public debate.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Companies once owned by bigtime NC political donor now suing him

Greg Lindberg at one point controlled dozens of companies, mostly in the life insurance industry. Policyholders and creditors of three of those companies are the latest to file suit against him.

WRAL News

Blue Cross reform bill easily clears NC legislature

A top priority for Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, the bill would let the nonprofit company move assets to a newly created holding company that would be further from regulators' reach.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

TUNDE SOTUNDE: Keeping Blue Cross and Blue Shield of N.C. mission-driven

Friday, May 26, 2023 -- The bill would modernize Blue Cross and Blue Shield North Carolina's structure and give us the best chance to remain a mission-driven North Carolina not-for-profit.

NC's insurance commissioner blasts bill as 'all about corporate greed'

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina wants to reorganize, and nearly 100 state lawmakers are sponsoring the bill. The state's Republican insurance commissioner is sounding an alarm.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

Blue Cross Blue Shield NC seeks lawmakers' help to restructure

North Carolina's top health insurer wants state lawmakers to allow it to reorganize and create a parent holding company.

NC's top insurer seeks lawmakers' permission to restructure

North Carolina's top health insurer wants state lawmakers to allow it to reorganize and create a parent holding company. Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina says the change is needed to help it compete with other big insurers. But critics say it could lead to higher rates and less coverage.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

Once NC's biggest political donor, Greg Lindberg faces criminal charges again

Durham insurance executive Greg Lindberg's contributions to the state Republican Party led to a nationally watched bribery case. His conviction was overturned last year, but now he has been charged with business fraud.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Insurance companies request 28.4% rate increase for auto insurance in North Carolina

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey is set to review the request to determine whether the requested increase is justified and to negotiate with the rate bureau.

Mark Bergin, WRAL Staff

Lindberg pitches sale to avoid liquidation, but regulators say he hasn't provided details

The NC Department of Insurance is trying to liquidate insurance companies owned by a man accused of a "massive fraudulent scheme." The owner wants to sell instead.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

Lindberg insurance companies to be liquidated, NC court rules

The state Department of Insurance says the decision will allow more policyholders with Colorado Bankers Life Insurance and Bankers Life Insurance to recoup losses.

Bryan Anderson, WRAL state government reporter

State moves to liquidate companies in Lindberg insurance saga

Policyholders, in limbo for years, hope a new push will recoup investments, but Greg Lindberg and the holding company he founded are expected to fight the state Department of Insurance's effort.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

Bribery conviction overturned in major North Carolina political scandal

The U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a bribery conviction Wednesday in one of the state's biggest political scandals, saying the judge who tried the case two years ago gave the jury bad instructions on a key element of the case.

Travis Fain, state government reporter

NC mega-donor gets 7+ years for bribery; former congressman gets probation

Judge says the rich are buying and selling government "like sacks of potatoes."

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

In federal suit, indicted bail bonds owner alleges conspiracy by top state officials

After years of back and forth, a new lawsuit targets North Carolina's insurance commissioner, but witnesses disagree on what he said in a key conversation.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Harnett County takes down pictures of maskless meeting

The state insurance commissioner, a senator and others gathered at a rural fire station without masks.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Some Council of State leaders urge Cooper to reopen NC

Tuesday's Council of State meeting focused on what state agencies are doing in response to the coronavirus pandemic, and some Republican members called to reopen small businesses quickly.

Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau chief

'Tip of an iceberg': Evidence in NC bribery case hints at more intrigue

Dan Forest, Roy Cooper, Tim Moore: Some of North Carolina's most powerful politicians are name-checked in evidence from donor Greg Lindberg's federal bribery trial.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Durham businessman found guilty of bribing NC official

Federal jury says NC's largest political donor tried to bribe state Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey with $2 million in campaign donations.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Dozens of texts, emails added to evidence in NC political donor's bribery trial

Judge in the case says "there must be a great deal of money" to be made, based on the evidence.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter