FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 21, 2023

Commissioner Donelon Takes Emergency Action to Suspend New Orleans Area Producer and Agency

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon has taken emergency action to suspend New Orleans area insurance agent Syed Azizuddin Baghdadi and his agency, Gator Insured LLC, following an investigation by the Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI) Office of Insurance Fraud. The investigation determined that Mr. Baghdadi and Gator Insured had falsified information and misappropriated premiums in several instances, leaving multiple customers uncovered during parts of the ongoing hurricane season.

LDI investigators received a report of suspected fraudulent activity from Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation alleging Gator Insured issued two letters with false information regarding policies and properties including policy numbers, effective dates and property addresses. Additionally, the LDI received complaints and evidence alleging that on multiple occasions, Mr. Baghdadi collected premiums from title companies during the close of real estate transactions, but failed to remit or delayed remittance of those premiums to the insurer. Mr. Baghdadi admitted to failing to timely remit premiums.

“Louisiana residents rely on our licensed agents to honestly conduct their policy transactions and remit their premiums to secure coverage on their homes,” said Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon. “For an agent to falsify policy information and fail to remit premiums puts residents in grave danger of losing their homes and other assets, especially during hurricane season.”

Mr. Baghdadi was issued a resident producer license on August 18, 2020. He is listed as the designated responsible licensed producer for Gator Insured, which was licensed by LDI as a producer agency on October 5, 2020. Mr. Baghdadi and Gator Insured have addresses filed with the LDI in Kenner and Metairie. The summary suspension was effective October 31, and Mr. Baghdadi has 30 days from that date to request an administrative appeal of this action.

Individuals or businesses who have conducted insurance business with Mr. Baghdadi or Gator Insured are encouraged to confirm they have coverage in place. Anyone who believes they have been a victim of Mr. Baghdadi should contact the LDI Office of Insurance Fraud at 225-342-4956 or report it online at www.ldi.la.gov/reportfraud.

About the Louisiana Department of Insurance: The Louisiana Department of Insurance works to improve competition in the state’s insurance market while assisting individuals and businesses with the information and resources they need to be informed consumers of insurance. As a regulator, the LDI enforces the laws that provide a fair and stable marketplace and makes certain that insurers comply with the laws in place to protect policyholders. You can contact the LDI by calling 1-800-259-5300 or visiting www.ldi.la.gov.