DE General Assembly Votes to Establish Auto Insurance Task Force

Legislation to examine auto insurance rates passed in both the Delaware Senate and the House. Senator Spiros Mantzavinos had introduced legislation that would establish the Automobile Insurance Reform Task Force. This measure is intended to help ratepayers save money and mitigate the financial burden shouldered by low and middle-income families. Senate Concurrent Resolution 111 creates the Task Force with the following objectives: suppress rising insurance costs, reform medical payment structures, and help residents and businesses keep more of their wages. The Task Force has not yet formed, but updates will be posted at this link: https://legis.delaware.gov/TaskForceDetail?taskForceId=477

Additional Information from Legislative Hall:

“Over the last several months, we’ve heard unprecedented concern from constituents struggling to keep up with soaring electricity bills and the rising cost of living,” said Sen. Spiros Mantzavinos. “With car insurance rates now climbing too, SCR 111 brings together issue-area experts in insurance, auto repairs, law, and health care to find real solutions and deliver much-needed financial relief to Delaware families.”

“As consumers and insurers alike face economic pressure, this resolution reflects a critical opportunity to develop meaningful, balanced cost-containment strategies—building on proven successes—to ensure fairness and affordability in mandatory coverage,” said Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro. “There are many justified reasons for rising insurance rates, which are not a result of insurer profitability — in fact, the most recent data shows Delaware auto insurers operating at a loss. While we can’t control the cause of every increased cost, meaningful rate reductions are possible when we all come to the table with transparency, collaboration, and a shared commitment to long-term solutions.”

SCR 111 aims to adapt state systems and standardize one of the largest drivers of auto insurance expenses: the cost of medical care after car accidents. This measure is intended to help ratepayers save money and mitigate the financial burden shouldered by low and middle-income families.

“In order to legally operate a vehicle in Delaware, the law requires that you have automobile insurance coverage. However, it is not always affordable or accessible,” said Rep. Bill Bush. “While we have worked to lower insurance costs for our residents, there are various costs contributing to the rise in insurance premiums beyond our control. But we aren’t giving up. By establishing the Automobile Insurance Reform Task Force, we are bringing together the state’s leading experts on the topic to find a solution that will ensure everyone in Delaware can afford insurance without having to make sacrifices.”

The task force also aims to provide proactive, data-driven reforms around climate adaptation.

“The reality of rising auto insurance premiums is not simply the result of economic bad luck or corporate excess,” said co-sponsor Sen. Stephanie Hansen. “Severe weather events, more frequent and destructive due to global warming, have delivered heavy losses to insurers. Delaware is no stranger to flooding, wind damage, or the effects of storms that strain national supply chains. The bill itself acknowledges these ‘significant insurer losses during climate events’ as part of the reason rates are climbing.”