Public Hearing by the Delaware Department of Insurance for Proposed Workers’ Compensation Rate Increase Filing has been Re-Scheduled

Dover -The public hearing scheduled for November 20, 2012 has been re-scheduled to December 20, 2012 to provide the Delaware Department of Insurance the opportunity to perform a complete target examination prior to the public hearing.

The PUBLIC HEARING will be held on Thursday, December 20, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at the Carvel State Office Building, 820 North French Street, 2nd Floor Auditorium, Wilmington, DE 19801.

Pursuant to 18 Del. C. §§ 2605 and 2610, and 29 Del. C. §§ 10121-29, the purpose of the hearing is to allow for public comments and to determine whether a particular proposed rate is excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory and whether such rate is in compliance with Chapter 26 of Title 18 of the Delaware Code, namely, Delaware Compensation Rating Bureau Filing No. 1201 filed with the Delaware Department of Insurance on August 14, 2012. The docket number assigned to this hearing is 2074-2012.

The hearing will be conducted in accordance with the Delaware Administrative Procedures Act, 29 Del. C. Chapter 101. A party has the right to present evidence, be represented by Delaware counsel, and to appear personally or by other representative. The Delaware Department of Insurance is obligated to reach its decision based on the evidence received.

Comments are being solicited from any person. Comments may be in writing or may be presented orally at the Hearing. Written comments must be received no later than Thursday, December 13, 2012 by 4:30 p.m., and should be addressed to the attention of Rhonda West, Regulatory Specialist, Delaware Department of Insurance, 841 Silver Lake Boulevard, Dover, DE 19904. Also, those intending to provide oral comments at the hearing must notify Rhonda West at 302.674.7379 or Rhonda.West@delaware.gov, no later than 4:30 p.m., Thursday, December 13, 2012.


The Delaware Department of Insurance Re-Schedules Public Information Sessions Scheduled For October 30th

As Delaware braces for hurricane Sandy to arrive next week, Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart has decided to reschedule the public information sessions regarding the rate increase proposed by the Delaware Compensation Rating Bureau (DCRB). The information sessions will be conducted on November 13, 2012 and the locations and times are listed below.

The Public Information Session will be held on:

Tuesday, November 13-4:00 pm-6:00pm
Delaware Department of Insurance
841 Silver Lake Blvd.
Dover, DE 19904

Tuesday, November 13-7:00 pm-9:00pm
Delaware Technical & Community College – OWENS CAMPUS
William Carter Partnership Center
Lecture Hall – Room 529
Georgetown, DE 19947

For any additional information related to the information sessions, please contact the Delaware Department of Insurance at 302-674-7300 or visit the department website at www.delawareinsurance.gov.


The Delaware Department of Insurance Announces Public Information Sessions Related to Proposed Increase in Workers’ Compensation Rates

Dover – The Delaware Department of Insurance will be conducting public information sessions regarding the rate increase proposed by the Delaware Compensation Rating Bureau (DCRB). The purpose of these sessions is to inform the public on the process as it pertains to the rate filing of the DCRB (Workers’ Compensation). Members of the DCRB and two independent actuaries, contracted by the Delaware Department of Insurance, will be present for comment.

The Public Information Sessions will be held on:

Wednesday, October 24, 2012 -6:00 pm-8:00pm
Carvel State Building
820 North French Street- Mezzanine Level
Wilmington, DE 19801

Tuesday, October 30, 2012 -4:00 pm-6:00pm
Delaware Department of Insurance
841 Silver Lake Blvd.
Dover, DE 19904

Tuesday, October 30, 2012 -7:00 pm-9:00pm
The Cheer Community Center
20520 Sandhill Road
Georgetown, DE 19947

The DCRB filing that requests an increase in workers’ compensation rates was filed with the Department. The Department is charged with reviewing and evaluating the filing in accordance with statutory standards. The Department has retained two independent actuaries and an expert on rating bureau matters to assist with that evaluation. Insurance Commissioner, Karen Weldin Stewart has appointed the Honorable Joshua W. Martin, III as Hearing Officer to conduct a public hearing on the DCRB request, to be held on November 20, 2012, and to prepare a report containing recommended findings of fact and conclusions of law for the Commissioner. Based on the hearing officer’s report and the entire hearing record, the Commissioner then must issue a final order determining whether the requested rates are excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory.

Commissioner Stewart is statutorily prohibited from commenting on this matter in advance of a public hearing and is steadfast on educating the public on this process. The Commissioner has posted the two independent actuarial reports on the Department website at www.delawareinsurance.gov. Commissioner Stewart agrees with the Markell Administration which stated that “the proposed rate increase deserves critical analysis and substantial public attention”.


Delaware Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart Schedules Public Hearing on Proprosed Workers’ Compensation Rate Increase Filing

DOVER – INSURANCE COMMISSIONER KAREN WELDIN STEWART, CIR-ML, hereby gives notice that a PUBLIC HEARING will be held on Friday, November 2, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at the Department of Justice, 820 North French Street, 6th Floor, Wilmington, DE 19801.

Pursuant to 18 Del. C. §§ 2605 and 2610, and 29 Del. C. §§ 10121-29, the purpose of the hearing is to allow for public comments and to determine whether a particular proposed rate is excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory and whether such rate is in compliance with Chapter 26 of Title 18 of the Delaware Code, namely, Delaware Compensation Rating Bureau Filing No. 1201 filed with the Delaware Department of Insurance on August 14, 2012. The docket number assigned to this hearing is 2074-2012.

The hearing will be conducted in accordance with the Delaware Administrative Procedures Act, 29 Del. C. Chapter 101. A party has the right to present evidence, be represented by Delaware counsel, and to appear personally or by other representative. The Delaware Department of Insurance is obligated to reach its decision based on the evidence received.

Comments are being solicited from any person. Comments may be in writing or may be presented orally at the Hearing. Written comments must be received no later than Friday, October 19, 2012 by 4:30 p.m., and should be addressed to the attention of Rhonda West, Regulatory Specialist, Delaware Department of Insurance, 841 Silver Lake Boulevard, Dover, DE 19904. Also, those intending to provide oral comments at the hearing must notify Rhonda West at 302.674.7379 or Rhonda.West@delaware.gov, no later than 4:30 p.m., Friday, October 19, 2012.

Members of the public may view this filing in advance of the session by going on-line to the Delaware Compensation Rating Bureau website, click on “Filings”, and then click on “Filing No. 1201 December 1, 2012 Rate and Loss Cost Filing.”