In one enforcement file, a producer willfully violates a cease-and-desist order (violation one), and separately commits a routine violation of the North Carolina Insurance Code for which no specific penalty is otherwise provided (violation two). Which penalty ranges attach to each?

Why D is correct

North Carolina keeps its penalty tiers separate. A willful violation of a cease-and-desist order forfeits not less than $1,000 nor more than $5,000 per violation under G.S. 58-63-50, while an ordinary Chapter 58 violation with no other specific penalty draws the Commissioner's general civil penalty of $100 to $1,000 per violation under G.S. 58-2-70(d). The trigger — defying an order versus a routine violation — decides which range applies, and the tiers are never blended.

Why the other options are wrong

• A) Treating both as $100 to $1,000 ignores the dedicated $1,000 to $5,000 forfeiture for willful cease-and-desist violations under G.S. 58-63-50.
• B) Treating both as $1,000 to $5,000 misapplies the cease-and-desist range to a routine Code violation, which carries $100 to $1,000 under G.S. 58-2-70(d).
• C) The ranges are reversed, and $2,000 to $10,000 is the entity fine for willful false statements under G.S. 58-2-180 — not a penalty on a producer for either violation here.

Memory hook

Defy the order: 1k–5k. Routine breach: 100–1k. Never swap them.