DOVER, DE—In response to the Delaware Compensation Commission’s recommendation for pay raises for top state officials, Delaware Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro issued the following statement:

“I am opposed to these pay raises. Our State is experiencing considerable budgetary and financial issues, including a potential $350 million shortfall. As such, it is not appropriate to consider such a measure. Moreover, it is unfair to the countless hardworking and dedicated state employees who have gone years without significant pay increases. I stand with Governor-elect Carney in pledging not to accept any pay raise if it is offered.”

###

Contact:  Vince Ryan

(302) 674-7303

This winter, Delaware Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro is offering insurance and safety suggestions to Delawareans:

 Winter activities

If you’re traveling and ready to jump on a lift to take your board or skis down your favorite slope or get your ice skates laced up for the rink, check your homeowners or renters policy, as well as your health insurance, to ensure you know what to do in case of an accident or a loss.

Generally, equipment you own will be covered, up to a specific amount by your homeowners or renters policy. Check the limit in your policy and decide if that will be enough to replace damaged or stolen equipment. Remember to factor in your deductible. If you think you need more coverage, ask your insurance agent about an additional rider.

Another consideration is air ambulance rides if you’re skiing or snow-boarding in a remote location. Check out this Air Ambulance Alert for more information.

If you are out of town without access to your physician or local health care center, review your emergency medical treatment requirements:

• Are you required to seek medical treatment at a certain hospital or urgent care center that is in your insurer’s network?
• Will you have a copay?
• If you need to fill a prescription, do you have to go to a certain pharmacy?

Make a list of these details and carry your insurance card with you when you travel.

Cold & flu season

Doctors’ offices are often crowded during the winter months, meaning you may have a time-consuming wait when seeking treatment for a sore throat or an earache. Your health insurance may offer alternatives. Ask whether your plan includes options such as phone or web consultations with health care professionals who can answer questions or provide remote diagnosis. Additionally, mini-med or urgent care centers may accept your health insurance and are likely more cost-effective than a trip to the ER. However, for any prolonged or acute illness, it is best to visit your doctor.

Snow plowing

If you plan to remove snow from your driveway with your own plow attached to your vehicle, your personal auto policy should cover your liability and any property damage you might cause. But before offering to help friends and family, read through your policy or talk with your auto insurance agent to make sure you are covered if something were to happen.

If you are using your plow to make a little extra cash this winter, your personal auto insurance policy will not likely provide coverage if an accident occurs. Ask your agent if an endorsement is available to add to your existing policy or if a commercial auto policy – one that includes coverage for plowing – makes sense before committing your services.

Snow removal at home

If you plan to remove snow from your driveway with your own plow attached to your vehicle, your personal auto policy should cover your liability and any property damage you might cause. But before offering to help friends and family, read through your policy or talk with your auto insurance agent to make sure you are covered if something were to happen.

If you are using your plow to make a little extra cash this winter, your personal auto insurance policy will not likely provide coverage if an accident occurs. Ask your agent if an endorsement is available to add to your existing policy or if a commercial auto policy – one that includes coverage for plowing – makes sense before committing your services.

Travel insurance

Traveling in the winter months can be full of surprises. Even if you’re traveling somewhere warm, bad weather can cause delays. To help mitigate the cost of rebooking a flight or an unexpected overnight stay, travel sites and airlines offer travel insurance that may cover unexpected delays or cancelations. Check out this Travel Insurance Consumer Alert for more information.
Travel insurance can cover everything from lost luggage to delays and cancellations. Make sure to closely read any policy you consider.

###

Contact:  Vince Ryan

(302) 674-7303

Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart Announces New Search Service

Dover, DE – Do you believe your deceased loved one has a life insurance policy that you cannot find? The Delaware Department of Insurance can help you try to locate it.

Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart today announced that the Department now provides Delaware residents and their families with a free search service that can help locate missing life insurance policies or annuity contracts left behind by loved ones who have passed away.

“I’m happy that the Department has set up this new service to help Delawareans locate lost insurance policies that were purchased in our state,’ said Commissioner Stewart. “Our search will enable eligible persons to contact every life and annuity insurer licensed in Delaware in order to look for a lost policy or contract. I’m always fighting for consumers and this new service should help many of them find the benefits to which they are entitled.”

The service works like this: An executor, beneficiary or legal representative of a deceased resident or former resident of Delaware may file a search request with the Department of Insurance. To submit a request, print out the Missing Life Insurance/Annuity Search Request Form on the DOI website at

http://www.delawareinsurance.gov/services/missingpolicy.shtml.

The form should be filled out, then signed before a Notary Public. Be sure to attach a copy of the decedent’s certified death certificate. Then place the documents in an envelope marked “Confidential” and mail it to the address printed on the form.

Please note that the Department of Insurance does not guarantee that every requested policy will be found. Upon receipt of the request form, the Department will send the search request and any attachments to all Delaware-licensed life insurance companies for review. An insurance company must process a policy and/or contract if they have information about a life insurance policy or annuity contract on the deceased person’s life. The insurance company will contact the requestor directly if money is to be paid to them.

Call the Consumers Division at 1-800-282-8611 if you need additional information.

###

 Health Care, Flood Insurance among Topics for Discussion with Federal Delegation       

DOVER, DE – Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart and fellow members of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) were in Washington, D.C. this week to discuss insurance issues with members of Congress. Key topics included retirement security, flood insurance, cybersecurity and health reform.

Nearly 40 chief state insurance regulators and senior staff gathered for the 2016 Commissioner Washington, DC Fly-In. Before meeting their congressional delegations, the regulators were briefed by Senator Susan Collins from Maine and Congressman Sean Duffy from Wisconsin. Political analyst Stu Rothenberg also gave a presentation on the impact that the 2016 elections may have on states.

“My department is in regular contact with Representative Carney and Senators Carper and Coons on the important matters that face Delawareans,” said Commissioner Stewart. “The Fly-In is a great opportunity to sit one-on-one with our federal delegation and find ways to collaborate on issues such as health care, captive insurance companies and flood insurance.”

NAIC members spent two days meeting with their respective congressional representatives to highlight the NAIC’s legislative agenda, discuss the impact of policy initiatives in the states and brief lawmakers on international insurance regulatory developments.

###

DOI Will Publish Names of Companies Who Violate State Insurance Regulations

​Dover, DE – The Delaware Department of Insurance now publishes fines imposed by Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart against insurance companies who violate state insurance regulations.

Commissioner Stewart fined the following companies a total of $83,300 during the first quarter of 2016:

Name                                                        Fine                              Date

21st Century                                          $27,500.00                 1/21/2016

Teachers Insurance Co.                       $25,000.00                  2/04/2016

Homesite Insurance Co.                      $15,000.00                  3/17/2016

Jackson National Life Ins. Co.                $3,800.00                  3/22/2016

Progressive Direct                                  $5,000.00                  3/03/2016

Progressive Northern                            $7,000.00                  3/04/2016

The Department previously announced that penalties assessed against Aetna and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware earlier in January totaled $483,000.

Fines generally result from a “market conduct” examination of a company’s practices performed by the Department, or from DOI’s participation in a multi-state examination conducted by several jurisdictions.  Details of the companies’ particular violations may be found in the Stipulation and Consent Order entered into by the parties and listed under “Consent Decrees” in the Enforcement Actions & Fines section of the Department website at http://www.delawareinsurance.gov/departments/documents/enforcement/actions.shtml.

Click on the PDF link in the right-hand column to read the consent decree in its entirety.

For more information, call the Department at 1-800-282-8611.

###