HELENA – Montana’s state auditor issued a cease and desist order against a Tennessee man for selling fake auto insurance policies to Flathead Valley residents.
The State Auditor’s office knows of approximately 20 Montanans, mostly in the Flathead Valley area, who have purchased policies from Mervin Graber through a company called Tennessee Christian Mutual Motorist Aid.
State Auditor Matt Rosendale says the policies do not qualify as car insurance for Montana drivers.
Rosendale says both Graber and TCMMA are not authorized to sell insurance in Montana, and the company does not have the financial backing required to qualify as a lawful insurance company.
Insurance companies must meet minimum financial requirements and be able to pay out claims to be licensed in Montana. All insurance companies and agents are required to be licensed to sell policies.
“If you have purchased car insurance through this company, you should contact my office and immediately buy a legitimate insurance policy,” Rosendale said.
“If you’re being offered insurance from a company that you don’t recognize, you should verify that the company is authorized to do business in Montana.”
The State Auditor became aware of Graber and TCMMA thanks to Mary Barry, the deputy city attorney for Whitefish, who contacted Rosendale’s office when she saw one of these fake insurance policies.
Rosendale is pursuing legal action against Graber for his alleged unlawful actions.
View the cease and desist order here. View the notice of proposed agency action here.
Montanans can verify whether their insurance company and agent are properly licensed by going to the insurance commissioner’s website.
