Washington State Bars Iowa-Based Agent

Washington’s Office of the Insurance Commissioner has ordered a Des Moines-based, former insurance agent to immediately stop selling what are apparently fake insurance policies.

Brenda L. MacLaren-Beattie and The MacLaren Group have been told to immediately cease and desist from:

* transacting the unauthorized business of insurance in Washington,
* acting or holding herself out to be a Washington insurance agent or broker,
* trying to sell Washingtonians any product requiring an insurance license.

MacLaren-Beattie became licensed to sell insurance in Washington in 1997 and had an insurance agent’s license in Washington until March 12, 2009.

Her license has expired and will not be renewed due to admitted acceptance of premium payments without actually obtaining the insurance.

Currently, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner is investigating eight such complaints against MacLaren-Beattie. All are from dentists or oral surgeons who thought they had purchased business coverage from her.

MacLaren-Beattie was served with a search warrant in Des Moines last week. The insurance commissioner’s office is also notifying businesses who may have been victims.

Topics Agencies Washington