Louisiana Tells Illinois Pair to Cease Unlicensed Insurance Business

The Louisiana Department of Insurance has issued a Cease and Desist Order against Shel St. Clair and Richard Rinalo, doing business as Integrity Claims Consulting and/or Red River Insurance Construction. The department alleges the pair have been conducting business in Louisiana without a license; they were each fined $1,500.

According to the LDI, Shel St. Clair, owner of Integrity Claims Consulting and/or Red River Insurance Construction, is a resident of Illinois and has been doing business in Louisiana since the fall of 2009, acting as a public adjuster in the Shreveport/Bossier area without being licensed.

Richard Rinalo is also a resident of Illinois and has been doing business in Louisiana since the fall of 2009, acting as a public adjuster in the Shreveport/Bossier area without being licensed.

Both St. Clair and Rinalo have assisted several homeowners in the Shreveport/Bossier area with claims resulting from tornados in the area in late 2009. The department alleges the pair would advise the homeowner that they could “rush” the claim with the insurance company. In most instances, they collected the homeowner’s deductible up front in order to secure the job.

St. Clair and Mr. Rinalo were also acting in the capacity of general contractors; however, they are not registered and/or licensed with the State Licensing Board for Contractors. They will also be served a Cease and Desist Order from the State Licensing Board for Contractors.

St. Clair and Rinalo would sometimes start the remodeling to the homeowners residence; however, in some instances, the work would not be started, completed to the homeowner’s satisfaction, or completed at all.

The Department of Insurance, Fraud Section, has been working in conjunction with the Louisiana State Police Insurance Fraud and Auto Theft Unit along with the State Licensing Board for Contractors in an effort to protect the residents of Louisiana.

Source: Louisiana Department of Insurance