ERLANGER, Ky. -- The Kentucky Department of Insurance is investigating whether a Kenton County insurance company has been selling insurance policies without a license, Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders said.
Investigators carried out a search warrant Tuesday at Stars Insurance, LLC at 510 Graves Ave. in Erlanger. The business was accepting applications for insurance quotes through their website, Sanders said.
Michelle and Michael Fleckinger were listed as the owners of Stars Insurance, Sanders said. The company has been in business since 2016, and the company is not licensed with the Kentucky Department of Insurance.
Michelle Fleckinger has an agent's license to sell property and casualty insurance, but she is not licensed to sell the auto, boat, RV or health insurance policies advertised on the company website, Sanders said.
WCPO attempted to contact Michelle Fleckinger for comment, but the calls were not immediately returned.
Sanders called the situation “troubling.”
"Kentuckians buy insurance to ease the pain of an unexpected loss," Sanders said in a release. "But that's certainly not the time to find out the policy you've been paying for is worthless … The Kentucky Department of Insurance requires insurance underwriters and insurance agents to be licensed to prevent exactly what appears to be going on in this case.”
Sanders’ office is investigating the company with the Kentucky Department of Insurance, Fraud Investigation Division. No charges have been filed at this time.
Investigators are still looking into how many fraudulent policies were sold, Sanders said, and anyone who has bought a policy from the company should call Josh Rayburn of the Kentucky Department of Insurance, Consumer Protection Division at 502-782-5356.
Sanders said the Kenton County Grand Jury will hear the details of the investigation once it is complete.
