OFIR orders Henrickson Hoppens Agency out of business for unlicensed activity

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
November 24, 2009 
Contact: Jason Moon 517-335-1700
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LANSING - The Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (OFIR) has ordered Northville–based insurance agency, Henrickson Hoppens Agency, and insurance agents Steven and Germaine Hoppens to immediately cease and desist from the sale, solicitation, or negotiation of any line of insurance in Michigan. The company violated the Michigan Insurance Code by selling insurance without a license and the agents knowingly sold insurance through an unlicensed agency.

“Michigan law requires the licensing of all insurance agencies in order to protect the state’s consumers against unscrupulous activity,” said OFIR Commissioner Ken Ross. “Consumers can contact our office to find out if an insurance company, agency or agent is licensed to do business in the state.”

OFIR can be contacted by calling (877) 999-6442 or through its website www.michigan.gov/ofir.

Through a consumer complaint, OFIR received information that Henrickson Hoppens Agency was acting unscrupulously in its issuing of insurance certificates and was operating without a license.

Failure to comply with OFIR’s order will subject Henrickson and Steven and Germaine Hoppens to one or more of the following:

• A civil penalty of not more than $1,000 for each violation, not to exceed a total of $30,000.
• A civil penalty of not more than $25,000 for each knowing violation, not to exceed an aggregate civil fine of $250,000.
• Complete restitution to all persons in the state damaged by the violation.

To view OFIR’s cease and desist order, visit: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dleg/Henrikson_Hoppens_Agency_-_Order_to_Cease__Desist_301190_7.