Dale Issues C&D Orders in Mississippi

Mississippi Insurance Commissioner George Dale announced he issued cease and desist orders against one individual and three companies that are allegedly attempting to sell medical malpractice to doctors in his state.

Dale said the Mississippi Department of Insurance has received several inquiries about the operations of the companies. C&D orders were issued to Jim Jarboe of Atlanta, Atlantic Standard Reinsurance Co. and Reliance General Insurance of Littlehampton, England, and First Actual American Insurance Co. of Canby, Oregon.

The department has no record of Jarboe or the companies being licensed to solicit or sell insurance in Mississippi. Additionally, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) could find no record of the companies being licensed to sell medical malpractice insurance.

Some Mississippi doctors have been receiving faxes or e-mails directly from entities purporting to be insurance companies or agents representing these companies soliciting medical malpractice coverage, claiming savings of 30 to 50 percent off current premiums.

If a physician receives one of these questionable solicitations, they should contact the Mississippi Department of Insurance’s Consumer Services hotline at (800) 562-2957.

Dale recommended that doctors and hospitals contact his office before buying medical malpractice insurance to determine whether the company and the agent are authorized operate in Mississippi.

“If it seems too good to be true then it probably isn’t true,” Dale said.