Ohio Lt. Gov. Taylor announces top state department of insurance fraud cases

COLUMBUS — Mary Taylor, Ohio lieutenant governor and and Department of Insurance director, announced the department’s top fraud and enforcement cases for 2011 and cited that the agency opened 233 insurance fraud cases last year, handled 1,678 agent misconduct cases, took administrative action against 240 individuals and entities and referred 72 individuals for prosecution.

“Because insurance fraud impacts everyone in the form of higher insurance costs, fighting fraud is a top priority at the department,” Taylor said. “We have a team of fraud-fighting professionals working on behalf of Ohioans bringing to justice those who break the law.”

Taylor advises Ohioans to check with the department to confirm that an insurance professional or entity is licensed to do business in the state. It is also important to carefully compare and review insurance products with a trusted advisor or a family member, and to not be pressured into selecting a product.

Ohioans can call the department’s fraud hotline at 1-800-686-1527, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. to report suspicious behavior or a deceptive sales practice. Information about how to prevent and report insurance fraud is available at www.insurance.ohio.gov.