LATEST NEWS
Chief Deputy Jackie Obusek set to retire from Department of Insurance
RALEIGH | August 17, 2026
North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today announced the upcoming retirement of a longtime department leader who is recognized as one of the nation’s top insurance regulators. Chief Deputy Commissioner Jackie Obusek will step down, effective Oct. 1. Obusek’s 30-year tenure will end a career dedicated to protecting North Carolina consumers and making sure insurance companies who operate in the state are financially sound. “I am grateful for the dedication Jackie has given the department for 30 years,” Commissioner Causey said. “Jackie’s depth of financial experience and leadership will be missed.” Read More
Time to Change North Carolina’s Unique (and Antiquated) Rate Bureau System?By Jerry Theodorou | July 9, 2025
Insurance Journal
Insurance markets differ in important ways from state to state, and North Carolina’s stands out for two reasons. First, insurers responded to an exceptionally catastrophic storm in 2024—Hurricane Helene. The Tar Heel State bore $60 billion of the hurricane’s $80 billion in damages. Second, North Carolina is the only state that continues to promulgate insurance rates using its own statistical rate bureau. This Real Solutions analysis explains the dynamics of the state’s homeowners’ insurance market and presents solutions to strengthen it, advancing the twin objectives of policyholder protection and insurer solvency. Read more
Higher auto insurance bills on the way for many in NC, especially new drivers
Will Doran, WRAL News, 7/02/25
Many drivers in North Carolina could now pay more for auto insurance under changes to state law that went into effect this week. People who are about to start driving can now be charged significantly more for their auto insurance under the law that went into effect Tuesday. While the change applies to all new drivers, it could disproportionately affect teens or parents who assist with their insurance costs. Other new changes are aimed at raising rates on people with multiple speeding tickets or other dangerous driving habits, or who have the minimum level of coverage. The increases from the new laws, which passed the legislature with bipartisan support, are in addition to rate increases that will also go into effect in October for all drivers in the state. The state’s insurance commissioner is charged with negotiating rates with insurance providers. The insurance industry won permission from state Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey to raise rates by an average of 5% on North Carolina drivers starting in October. Causey negotiated that increase after rejecting the industry’s original request for a nearly 23% rate hike. Read more
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