The Louisiana Department of Insurance shut down an Alexandria insurance agency amid charges of misappropriation of premiums. The department said it is the second Alexandria agency to be closed in just over a month.
According to the LDI, its Department of Insurance Fraud Unit investigators, in cooperation with investigators from the State Police Insurance Fraud Unit, issued cease and desist and summary suspension orders to James D. Dauzat and the A Plus Insurance Agency of Louisiana.
On Nov 6, Department of Insurance investigators shut down the Blaisdell Clarius & Associates agency, also in Alexandria.
A search warrant was executed by State Police, and Dauzat was arrested when he was found hiding in a closet. He was charged with possession of Schedule II and III narcotics. Insurance records were seized during the search. The acting commissioner says the insurance investigation is continuing.
Melissa Dauzat, wife of James D. Dauzat, was also issued a cease and desist order today at a separate location in Pineville. The cease and desist order alleges that she has been selling insurance without a license and orders her to cease and desist from all activity in the business of insurance.
The department alleges that Mr. Dauzat collected hundreds of dollars in premiums from at least four consumers and “issued or caused to be issued proof of insurance to these persons that is false or fraudulent.” He supposedly collected premium money and kept it for his own use instead of sending it to the insurance company to secure coverage.
Department records show that James D. Dauzat, 35, has been licensed as a P/C insurance agent since 1993. He was also licensed to sell Life & Health insurance from January 1997 through May of 2000. He is the officer and controlling person in the A Plus Insurance Agency of Louisiana, 5612 Jackson Street Ext., Alexandria. Department records indicate that the A Plus agency may have also operated from a Natchitoches office for an undetermined period of time.
Consumers who purchased insurance or conducted other insurance business with James D. Dauzat or the A Plus Insurance Agency of Louisiana should contact their insurance company or companies right away to learn the status of their insurance. If consumers have trouble contacting the company or find they have paid out money that the insurance company or companies has not received, they should contact the Department of Insurance, (800) 259-5300 as soon as possible, the department said.
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