Ohio Insurance Director Orders Toledo Agency to Stop Selling Insurance

Ohio Department of Insurance Director Lee Covington issued a Cease & Desist Order against the Baron Insurance Agency as well as a Notice of Opportunity for Hearing to owners Matthew J. Bower and Abigail Bower, both of Toledo. He informed the agents of his intent to take disciplinary action against them including the potential revocation of their licenses as insurance agents.

Both Matthew and Abigail Bower were accused of six counts misappropriating or converting to their own use money belonging to policyholders. Between May 7, 1999, and Sept. 29, 1999, the duo collected $9,100 in premiums from three couples, one individual and one business, but failed to remit the payments to an insurance company. The Department alleges that the Baron Insurance Agency, 5629 Sloan Drive, Toledo, has been operating as an unlicensed insurance agency and issued an order for the agency to immediately cease and desist from engaging in insurance activities. According to the Ohio Revised Code, agencies must be licensed in order to solicit, negotiate, effect, procure, place, write, deliver, renew, or bind a policy of insurance.

In addition, Matthew Bower is accused of two counts of knowingly misrepresenting the terms of an insurance policy, two counts of failing to inform an applicant for insurance the identity of the insurer or the identity of the general agent known to be involved in the sale of the insurance policy, two counts of committing unfair trade practices, and 10 counts of engaging in fraudulent or coercive practice in connection with the business of insurance.

Those who suspect fraud or have had had dealings with Matthew Bower, Abigal Bower or the Baron Insurance Agency can call the Department’s Fraud Hotline at 800-686-1527.