North Carolina Department of Insurance

Mike has a degree in civil engineering from Wake Tech Community College and in environmental engineering from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. He also has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from High Point University, an MBA from High Point University, and an Executive Management Certificate from Purdue University. He is originally from Guilford County, and still lives there with his wife, Hisae.

Mike has over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry. He is also a U.S. Army Veteran, where he served as a military policeman.

Mike was elected as Commissioner of Insurance in 2017 and is serving his second term.

Candidate website

The candidate's website says, "As Commissioner, Mike has worked with the state legislature to double the number of fraud and abuse investigators in the Department of Insurance... Criminals are now being investigated and prosecuted for gaming the system... so there is a fair playing field for the hard-working men and women of North Carolina."

The candidate's website says, "Commissioner Causey’s mission has been to make sure policyholders and consumers in North Carolina receive citizen-friendly service... It’s about cutting the bureaucracy and the red tape... who will take on the insurance industry and hold them accountable."

The candidate's website says, "Prior to Commissioner Causey taking office, consumers would call the commissioner of insurance’s office and feel like they did not have a voice or any power against the insurance companies."

The candidate's website says, "Mike Causey is making a difference and implementing needed reforms by cutting red tape, increasing transparency, and reversing years of consumer frustration over insurance claims."

Has began implementing reforms like reducing red tape, increasing transparency, and addressing consumer frustration over insurance claims.

The candidate's website says, "Most importantly, Commissioner Causey has opposed efforts to impose more government mandates and control over your healthcare insurance. Mike has supported efforts to pass Association Health Plans, which makes healthcare coverage more affordable and provides real competition in the marketplace."

Opposes "efforts to impose more government mandates and control over your healthcare insurance" and supports" efforts to pass Association Health Plans."

The candidate's website says, "Mike Causey believes that more competition in North Carolina’s insurance industry will provide lower rates for consumers and greater access to better products."

Believes that more competition in North Carolina’s insurance industry will provide lower rates for consumers and greater access to better products.

The candidate's website says, "North Carolina is the only remaining state with a Rate Bureau. Mike Causey is helping reform an antiquated bureaucracy that kills free enterprise and rewards bad drivers at the expense of good drivers."

Wants to get rid of NC's Rate Bureau (which calculates insurance rates based on community data), saying it is "an antiquated bureaucracy that kills free enterprise."

Opposes insurance rate hikes, supports consumer interests, and has combated insurance fraud, resulting in over 1,000 arrests to reduce costs for North Carolina policyholders.

As Insurance Commissioner, he said he has opposed rate hikes on homeowner's insurance and car insurance.

The candidate's website says, "Mike Causey is putting taxpayers first by making the commissioner’s office more accessible, improving customer service, and increasing access to “real people” who resolve problems."

Wants to make the commissioner’s office more accessible, improving customer service, and increasing access to “real people” who resolve problems.

- Opposes "efforts to impose more government mandates and control over your healthcare insurance" and supports" efforts to pass Association Health Plans."
- Believes that more competition in North Carolina’s insurance industry will provide lower rates for consumers and greater access to better products.
- Wants to get rid of NC's Rate Bureau (which calculates insurance rates based on community data), saying it is "an antiquated bureaucracy that kills free enterprise."
- As Insurance Commissioner, he said he has opposed rate hikes on homeowner's insurance and car insurance.
- Wants to make the commissioner’s office more accessible, improving customer service, and increasing access to “real people” who resolve problems.

Insurance

As Insurance Commissioner, his office has arrested "more than 1,000 people who were gaming the system, which costs all of us."

The candidate's website says, "Upon being sworn-in to office, Commissioner Causey was astounded to learn the department had only 20 sworn law-enforcement to investigate thousands of insurance fraud cases. The investigators were so overwhelmed that they weren’t able to be effective."

Wants to employ more insurance investigators so that cases of insurance fraud cases are examined thoroughly.

- As Insurance Commissioner, his office has arrested "more than 1,000 people who were gaming the system, which costs all of us."
- Wants to employ more insurance investigators so that cases of insurance fraud cases are examined thoroughly.

Consumer Protection

The candidate's website says, "North Carolina’s fire and rescue departments stand on the front line for public safety in our state... Prior to taking office, Commissioner Causey was blown away by the number of local fire departments that had not seen an official inspector, in some cases as long as 25 years..."

The candidate's website says, "Commissioner Causey went to the state legislature and requested additional fire department inspectors — then went to work."

As Commissioner, he requested additional fire department inspectors to ensure quality and safety standards.

- As Commissioner, he requested additional fire department inspectors to ensure quality and safety standards.

Fire Safety

Supports the Department of Insurance's efforts in clearing inspection backlogs and enhancing fire department safety ratings, resulting in lower homeowner insurance costs across North Carolina communities.

- Supports the Department of Insurance's efforts in clearing inspection backlogs and enhancing fire department safety ratings, resulting in lower homeowner insurance costs across North Carolina communities.

Housing & Urban Development

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Mike Causey

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Natasha is from Brockport, New York. She earned her bachelor's degree in public policy from Hamilton College and her law degree from Duke University School of Law. She is the mother of two adult daughters and lives in Davidson. Natasha has served on the Davidson Town Advisory Board as an organizer for Organizing for America and Organizing for Action, a parent volunteer for the Charolette-Mecklenburg schools, and a foster parent with Lake Norman Humane. 

Natasha previously worked as assistant director of development at the Ada Jenkins Center, as a judicial clerk for a US district court, and as a litigation associate at the Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphery, & Leonard law firm. 

Ballotpedia

Natasha Marcus is a state senator for North Carolina's 41st Senate District. She was first elected in 2018 and is serving her 3rd term. She previously ran for state representative in the North Carolina State House District 98, but did not win.

Supports affordable, reliable insurance for homes, vehicles, businesses, and healthcare in North Carolina; advocates for mitigating climate impact on insurance rates and weather-related losses through knowledge and experience in law and state legislation.

Supports affordable, reliable insurance for homes, vehicles, businesses, and healthcare in North Carolina.

Opposes Commissioner Causey's tenure for allowing frequent insurance rate increases, neglecting to challenge hikes, and not holding insurers accountable, earning him the moniker "Rate Hike Mike" for not keeping his promise to fight rate hikes.

Opposes frequent insurance rate increases.

Said, "We need a new Commissioner of Insurance who will do the job right, advocating for the people's best interests and forcing insurance companies to justify their rates at public hearings..."

Said, "We need a new Commissioner of Insurance who will do the job right, advocating for the people's best interests and forcing insurance companies to justify their rates at public hearings."

Supports attracting additional insurers to North Carolina to provide more competitive policy options.

Supports regulating prices on long-term care to support seniors.

Supports requiring coverage for breast cancer screenings.

- Supports affordable, reliable insurance for homes, vehicles, businesses, and healthcare in North Carolina.
- Opposes frequent insurance rate increases.
- Said, "We need a new Commissioner of Insurance who will do the job right, advocating for the people's best interests and forcing insurance companies to justify their rates at public hearings."
- Supports attracting additional insurers to North Carolina to provide more competitive policy options.
- Supports regulating prices on long-term care to support seniors.
- Supports requiring coverage for breast cancer screenings.

Said, "I will be a Commissioner of Insurance who helps consumers avoid paying "consent to rate" (CTR) excessive rates and find better alternatives when they are hit by CTR notices." CTR notices notify consumers that they are paying above the suggested rate for insurance, usually due to increased risks. 

Plans to use the Department of Insurance sworn law enforcement officers to investigate large-scale fraud.

Plans to reinstate the Blue Ribbon Taskforce to investigate and address worker misclassification leading to inadequate coverage for employees.

Supports reform to Pharmacy Benefit Managers to reduce prescription drug costs.

- Said, "I will be a Commissioner of Insurance who helps consumers avoid paying "consent to rate" (CTR) excessive rates and find better alternatives when they are hit by CTR notices." CTR notices notify consumers that they are paying above the suggested rate for insurance, usually due to increased risks. 
- Plans to use the Department of Insurance sworn law enforcement officers to investigate large-scale fraud.
- Plans to reinstate the Blue Ribbon Taskforce to investigate and address worker misclassification leading to inadequate coverage for employees.
- Supports reform to Pharmacy Benefit Managers to reduce prescription drug costs.

North Carolina Candidate Survey

Supports collaboration with the State Fire Marshall and local fire departments to promote safety.

- Supports collaboration with the State Fire Marshall and local fire departments to promote safety.

Said, "The challenges we face— rising sea level, more frequent storms, chronic flooding—are already impacting our state, from the coast to the mountains. I am committed to addressing these issues, which lead to greater property damage, costly insurance claims, and rising insurance premiums."

- Said, "The challenges we face— rising sea level, more frequent storms, chronic flooding—are already impacting our state, from the coast to the mountains. I am committed to addressing these issues, which lead to greater property damage, costly insurance claims, and rising insurance premiums."

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Natasha Marcus

- The Commissioner of Insurance regulates the insurance industry, handles complaints related to insurance companies, and licenses insurance agents.
- The Commissioner of Insurance regulates how stocks and equity securities for insurance companies are traded within the state.
- The Commissioner of Insurance appoints the State Fire Marshal. The Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM) duties include training fire and rescue personnel, reviewing construction plans for state building projects, as well as getting property insurance for state owned property.  
- The Commissioner of Insurance oversees an office of over 400 employees. They are elected for a four-year term. The position has no term limits.

North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance

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