Delaware Inaction on Workers’ Comp Disappoints Insurers

The Delaware General Assembly concluded its 143rd legislative session late on June 30, 2006 without addressing comprehensive reform of the workers’ compensation system.

But the Assembly did maintain an exemption for property-casualty insurers in the security freeze legislation (SB 109) that was signed into law.

This workers’ compensation issue was not only a top priority for the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) member companies but for Gov. Minner as well.

PCI analyzed the results of the 2005/06 session and found that there were serious discussions about a number of key issues including insurance scoring, fraud, security breach and homeowners coverage.

While insurer-backed changes to workers’ comepnsation and to the state’s receivership statutes were not passed, the sessions were not without merit, according to the insurer group.

“We believe 2006 provided us with important opportunities to discuss the issues, express our views, and push for our positions on the issues,” said Richard Stokes, regional manager and counsel for PCI. “We are grateful that the General Assembly did not pass any bills that would significantly hamper our ability to do business in Delaware.”

Stokes said he believes some issues will be addressed either in a special session this year or early next year.

Source: PCI