Baton Rouge- A former Metairie insurance agent was arrested today in the latest investigation of alleged insurance fraud across the state, acting Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Robert Wooley has confirmed.

Rodney Tilton Loar, 43, of the "A First Metro Agencies" of Metairie, 9031 E. Airline Highway, Metairie, was arrested today in the wake of a collaborative effort conducted by the La. Department of Insurance Fraud Section and the La. State Police Insurance Fraud Unit on a warrant issued in Jefferson Parish. He was charged with forgery, theft, misrepresentation of himself as an insurance agent, and misappropriation of premium funds. In subsequent action, Department of Insurance Fraud Unit investigators served Loar and "A First Metro Agencies" of Metairie with Cease and Desist orders. "The suspect is alleged to have been accepting insurance premiums without a license and pocketing the money," said Wooley.

A life and health insurance license was first issued to Rodney Tilton Loar in 1987, and a property and casualty license was issued in his name in 1997.

Today's arrest is one of a series in the past several months involving the Department of Insurance and the State Police Insurance Fraud Task Force. "We expect to make more arrests in the coming months as we continue our anti-fraud activities across the state," Wooley said.

"The cooperation of the insurance industry as well as local law enforcement is key to
halting fraud and providing maximum protection to policyholders who are victims of all types of insurance fraud," Wooley said. "Insurance agents, company officials and other insurance industry professionals are required by law to report all suspected fraudulent insurance activity to the Department of Insurance."

Policyholders who bought insurance from Rodney Tilton Loar and the A First Metro Agencies of Metairie should call their insurance company directly if they have concerns about their insurance coverage. Anyone who has trouble reaching the insurance company can call the Louisiana Department of Insurance, at (225) 342-5900, or toll-free, at 1-800-259-5300, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays for assistance.