Released: May 16, 2006

Pineville - A former Pineville insurance agent has been issued a cease and desist order for allegedly misappropriating insurance premiums.

Donelon said a Louisiana policyholder's right to file suit on a homeowners insurance claim is limited to 12 months in most cases. "Given the unprecedented number of claims following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, one year is simply not going to be enough time for many policyholders and insurance companies to work out a settlement that is in the best interest of both," Donelon said.

Pamela Carol Lee, 39, was ordered to cease and desist from engaging in the business of insurance by Department of Insurance Fraud Unit Investigators.

Lee was terminated in January 2005 from the agency with which she was employed for allegedly accepting cash payments from customers for the purchase of various insurance products and then failing to remit those payments in a timely manner. It is further alleged that Lee kept the premium money for her personal use and later made an attempt to replace those monies. She is also charged with failing to remit premiums for three policy applications that were submitted to her.

Department of Insurance records list Lee's residence and business address as 101Ridgecrest Drive, Pineville. She held a property and casualty insurance license from March 1999 until May 1, 2005; and a Life and Health license from May 2005 until May 1, 2006.

Commissioner Donelon urges consumers who feel uneasy about any insurance-related transaction to call the Department of Insurance Fraud Unit at 225-342-4956 or1-800-259-5300. If callers don�t want their names used, they can request that their involvement be kept confidential.

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