Insurer loses license for selling phony policies

Jul 12, 2010

The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services revoked the license of a Washington insurance agent who collected more than $135,225 worth of premiums for business insurance from dental specialists in Oregon but did not actually provide the insurance.

From late 2001 through May 2009, Brenda MacLaren-Beattie convinced 18 oral and maxillofacial surgeons in Oregon to buy business insurance from her, according to the department. The policies would have protected buyers from such things as theft or a client's fall on their property.

However, while the agent collected premiums on dozens of policies, she was not appointed to represent the insurers she said she represented and she never purchased insurance. She did, however, bill the victim business owners.

"If you buy insurance and do not receive an actual policy soon afterward, you should check to see if you have legitimate coverage," said Teresa Miller, administrator of the department's Insurance Division.

As part of the June 29 order against her, MacLaren-Beattie has agreed never to seek an insurance license in Oregon or work in the industry again.

In September 2009, Washington insurance regulators ordered MacLaren-Beattie to stop selling insurance as a result of similar violations in that state.