Commissioner Stewart Provides Tips and Information for National Fire Prevention Week
Dover, DE–Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart recommends that all Delaware residents take a few minutes this week to test their smoke alarms, review fire escape plans with their families, and ensure that they have the proper insurance coverage in case their home catches fire. October 5 through 11 is Fire Prevention Week and this year’s theme is Smoke Alarms Save Lives: Test Yours Every Month.

Various data suggests that fires cause almost $4 billion in property damage and around 3,500 deaths each year in the U.S. So far in 2014, five people in the state of Delaware have died in fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association, NFPA, almost 60% of reported home fire deaths that occurred between 2007 and 2011 resulted from fires in home with no smoke or alarms or alarms that were not working. The NFPA says that working smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half.

It’s recommended that you replace the batteries in your smoke alarms twice a year. Most people find it easy to remember to replace the batteries in the spring and fall when you change your clocks for daylight savings time. Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the home and inside each bedroom. Smoke alarms should also be replaced every ten years.

Every home, with the various types of heating and cooking equipment available, poses its own risk. It’s important to discuss various hazards with your children and to create a fire escape plan for your family that you practice at least annually—during the day and night is ideal.

“Simple measures like keeping fire extinguishers in your home, especially one that is rated for grease fires in the kitchen, can make the difference between a burned cabinet and a burned-down home,” says Commissioner Stewart. “Chimney fires are also quite common in homes where people use fireplaces and woodstoves regularly. Now is a great time to hire a professional chimney sweep to inspect and clean your chimney, if necessary. The old saying that ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’ applies to all of these situations.”

We all know that a fire has the potential to destroy your entire home and everything inside of it but even a small fire can have a huge impact on your home and belongings. It’s essential that you have the proper insurance coverage to protect yourself from devastating losses—whether you own your home or rent. Renters should be aware that a landlord’s insurance coverage does not extend to your personal belongings. The proper insurance coverage can help pay for you to live in another location while your home or apartment is being cleaned or repaired.

When it comes to replacing all of the items in your home that have been damaged or destroyed in a fire the process will be much faster if you have previously completed a home inventory. The Delaware Department of Insurance offers a free home inventory PDF that you can print and fill out as well as a link to a free app for smartphones called MyHome Scr.APP.book. It’s important to keep duplicate copies of important forms in a fire-proof safe, another location outside your home, or saved electronically to your e-mail or online storage account.

For more information about Fire Prevention Week visit www.nfpa.org/safety-information/fire-prevention-week. Parents, teachers and other educators can find great resources for kids at www.sparky.org. For more information about insurance and to find home inventory resources please visit the DOI website: http://www.delawareinsurance.gov/

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Delaware Department of Insurance: “Protecting Delawareans through regulation and education while providing oversight of the insurance industry to best serve the public.”

Commissioner Stewart Reduces Highmark Rate Requests

 Rates on small employer individual grandfathered plans affect 3,300 Delawareans

Dover, DE – Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart announced today that she has reduced to 9.9% a request from Highmark BlueCross BlueShield for a health rate increases on small employer grandfathered individual plans.

Highmark filed requests for increases in the rates for nine plans.  Four of the plans requested an increase of 17.6%. Five additional plans sought a 15% hike. After reviewing the filings and taking into account the interests of consumers, Commissioner Stewart reduced the amount approved to 9.9% for 8 plans and refused to grant one plan any increase at all.

The rates go into effect immediately and affect approximately 3,300 Delawareans.

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For more information: 

Jerry Grant 302-674-7303

For more information about the Delaware Department of Insurance visit www.delawareinsurance.gov.

Our mission: “Protecting Delawareans through regulation and education while providing oversight of the insurance industry to best serve the public.”

Insurance Commissioner Urges Use of Stop-Smoking Programs

Commissioner Stewart advises consumers who want to quit tobacco use to
check with employers and insurers about stop-smoking services and benefits

Dover, DE–Smokers in Delaware who need help quitting smoking should check their insurance policies for coverage of stop-smoking programs and tobacco cessation medications/products.

Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart recommends that people who want to stop smoking check with their health insurance companies or employers regarding coverage for smoking cessation services. The Commissioner signed a departmental bulletin Friday urging insurers domiciled in Delaware to offer stop-smoking coverage.

“Both of my parents were heavy smokers, and their lives ended too soon,” said the Commissioner, whose father died at age 49. “So this issue is important to me.”

In May, the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and Treasury announced that most health insurance policies and employer health plans should cover tobacco use interventions and counseling. The policies may not result in out-of-pocket costs for consumers or require prior authorization.

An insurance plan is considered to be in compliance with this requirement if it covers both screening for tobacco use and, for those who use tobacco products, at least two tobacco cessation attempts per year.

Each cessation attempt consists of four sessions of telephone, individual or group cessation counseling lasting at least 10 minutes each per quit attempt (including telephone counseling, group counseling and individual counseling). An attempt also includes FDA-approved tobacco cessation medications (including both prescription and over-the-counter medications) for a 90 day treatment regimen when prescribed by a health care provider.

“Everyone who wishes to stop smoking should speak to their insurance company or employer to learn about specific smoking cessation benefits provided under their policy,” said Commissioner Stewart. “Some health plans may offer additional smoking cessation services and programs beyond what the federal government suggests.”

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For more information: Jerry Grant 302-674-7303

Dover, DE-Delaware Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart announces today that based on the agreement between the Delaware Department of Insurance, the Delaware Compensation Rating Bureau and the Ratepayer Advocate, she has approved the re-submission of the Delaware Compensation Rating Bureau (DCRB) workers’ compensation rate filing regarding the residual market rate and the voluntary market loss cost.

The annual filing was carefully reviewed and analyzed by the Delaware Insurance Department’s actuaries, as well as the Rate Payer Advocate’s actuary. The reports were posted on the Department’s website. The lower increases approved reflect a more appropriate balance in the cost of insurance premiums compared to the cost of the system. The Commissioner and the Rate Payer Advocate, along with their actuaries, concurred that the increases of 11.4% in residual market rates and 14% in voluntary market loss costs met the requirements in Delaware law that rates must not be inadequate, excessive, or unfairly discriminatory. The effective date of the increase is retroactive to December 1, 2013 for new and renewal business.

Commissioner Stewart stated “While three different actuaries have all concluded that an increase is indicated, I must weigh more than actuarial considerations in making my decision. The difficulties seen by Delaware employers as emphasized during the three public information sessions, the need for our economy to grow, and the rising costs faced by insurers must all be included in my final decision. This decision represents a savings of more than 45 million dollars to Delaware employers from the original submission. We encourage the DCRB and legislative leaders to continue to work toward a common goal of identifying and addressing the underlying cost drivers in Delaware’s workers’ compensation rates.” Stewart believes that continued momentum behind legislative reforms introduced in 2013 and those sought in 2014 to ensure that future rate requests are small will help to keep our economy strong and attract and retain businesses in Delaware. Stewart added “Unfortunately, a rate increase is necessary this year for worker’s compensation insurance in Delaware. My commitment to the consumer is unwavering; and I will continue to work with all parties to create further reform that we expect will result in a reduction in the overall cost drivers in the worker’s compensation system.”

For more information about the DCRB annual rate filings, visit the Delaware Department of Insurance website at www.delawareinsurance.gov.

Please see attached statement from the Rate Payer Advocate.
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Delaware Department of Insurance: “Protecting Delawareans through regulation and education while providing oversight of the insurance industry to best serve the public.”

Dover, DE – Much of Delaware has already seen snow this year, ahead of the official start of winter. “Winter weather and its impact on our vehicles and homes is a good reason for consumers to review their insurance policies and make necessary updates, if needed,” says Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart. The Delaware Department of Insurance has some tips and suggestions to help ensure peace-of-mind during the Holidays and in the year ahead.

Driving in a Winter Wonderland: As mentioned, many Delawareans have already had to deal with driving in snow and slush this December. Check your auto policy to confirm that it is appropriate for your needs. A new luxury vehicle will require a different level of coverage than an older car. You should also check your liability limits to make sure you have adequate protection against injury or damage if you cause an accident. Some discount policies do not cover uninsured motorists. If you aren’t sure if your policy has you covered for situations such as this call your agent or insurance company to find out if you should enhance your coverage.

Do you know what to do if you are involved in an accident? Always keep a copy of your insurance card and your insurance provider’s contact information in the car. To take the stress out of filing a claim after an accident, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) created WRECKCHECK, a free smartphone app that walks you through the process of gathering information following an accident. You can then email the report directly to your insurance agent. WRECKCHECK is available for iPhone and Android devices. There is also a PDF version available for download. Visit the Department of Insurance website at www.delawareinsurance.gov for links to download the apps.

Home for the Holidays: Your homeowner’s or renter’s policy can protect you against common holiday debacles, so check your policy before you deck the halls. If someone slips and falls on your icy driveway, your homeowner’s policy will pay for some medical expenses, but ask your insurance provider if you have adequate liability limits. In addition, in the unfortunate event that your gifts are stolen, check to see if they are covered by your policy.

When you’re reviewing your policy you should confirm if you have “actual cash-value” coverage or “replacement cost” coverage. With actual cash-value coverage you will only be reimbursed for the current cost of the property at the time of the claim, minus the deductible. If you have replacement cost coverage, you will be reimbursed for the full value of the replacement item, minus the deductible.

A standard homeowner’s policy will also provide coverage, subject to your deductible, if your home suffers damage during a winter storm or a house fire. Some policies offer additional living expenses if you are unable to live in your home during repairs. Check with your insurance provider to determine what your policy covers. If you heat your home by woodstove or fireplace and haven’t had your chimney inspected or cleaned recently you should consider having a qualified chimney sweep confirm that yours is safe for use for the season.

Insurance Commissioner Stewart expressed that, “Anyone with a homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy should have a home inventory, but numerous surveys show that 45% to 55% of consumers do not track their belongings. The holidays are a great time to create your first home inventory or update the one you have currently.” This will help ensure your homeowner’s or renter’s policy provides enough coverage for your belongings, as you may need a separate rider for high-cost items like jewelry, art or electronics. The NAIC’s free smartphone app, myHOMEScr.APP.book, makes the process of creating a home inventory quick and easy. You can download the app for Apple devices in iTunes and Google Play, or you can download a PDF version. Include as much information about your items as you can, such as receipts, photos and serial numbers.

In the unfortunate event that any of your Christmas gifts are damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase and you bought the item(s) with a credit card call the card issuer to see if you qualify for a free purchase protection program. The benefits offered vary widely but some cards will provide 60-day or 90-day returns on items that are damaged or stolen. The per-incident dollar amount varies by card and you must follow all requirements for filing claims but there are numerous stories of consumers saving hundreds of dollars by utilizing these benefits. These services could potentially save you from filing a claim on your homeowner’s or renter’s policy saving you money on the deductible and potential premium increases.

Health: It’s important to do an insurance check-up on your current health plan – especially if you are considering new options, such as updated plans offered by your employer or your state marketplace. Make sure to check provider lists and take note of your co-pays for in- and out-of-network providers. Once you have decided on a plan, read through your policy and keep your insurance card handy in the event of winter illnesses or accidents. Your health insurance may offer alternatives to waiting at the doctor’s office or a trip to the emergency room. Ask your insurance provider if they have a nurse help hotline that can answer questions about your symptoms or if your pharmacy has an urgent care center that will accept your insurance.

If you are traveling over the holidays, review your policy and make a list of pharmacies, urgent care centers and hospitals that accept your insurance in your destination city. Prior to leaving town, it is also a good idea to check with your insurance company about in-network healthcare providers at your destination. If you receive care from an out-of-network provider, you could pay more for treatment. Bring this information and health insurance cards for all family members with you when you travel.

More Information: If you have questions about your insurance options or insurance coverage, contact the Delaware Department of Insurance at 1-800-282-8611 or visit our website, www.delawareinsurance.gov. For tips on picking the best insurance coverage that fits you and your needs, visit www.InsureUOnline.org.

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Mission of the Department of Insurance: Protecting Delawareans through regulation
and education while providing oversight of the insurance industry to best serve the public.