Cragg, Navarro vie for insurance commissioner
The race for insurance commissioner features two men from New Castle County who have never held a statewide office – Democrat Trinidad Navarro and Republican Jeff Cragg. Navarro defeated Democratic incumbent Karen Weldin Stewart in the September primary. In 2012, Cragg lost to Gov. Jack Markell in the governor’s race. The insurance commissioner is tasked, among other things, with protecting insurance consumers, regulating companies to ensure they pay claims, licensing agents and brokers, and reviewing rates submitted by insurance companies.
Party: Democrat
Age: 47
Education: Bachelor's degree from Wilmington University
Occupation: New Castle County sheriff
Residence: Bear
Family: Wife Melissa, son Jordan, and daughters Kylie and Hannah
Relevant experience: Licensed health and life insurance agent in the early 1990s; 20-year career as police officer with New Castle County Police; six years as New Castle County sheriff
• Jeff Cragg •
Party: Republican
Age: 55
Education: B.A. in Economics, Carleton College; fellow, Life Management Institute; associate, Academy Life Underwriting
Occupation: Investor, owner – My Mailbox Store, Wilmington
Residence: Wilmington
Family: Wife, Terry, married 25 years; Spouse; sons Chase, Tyler and Grant and daughter Madison.
Relevant experience: 24 years in insurance industry, with a background in sales, marketing, underwriting, claims administration, information technology, and reinsurance.
• How would you make Delaware’s insurance marketplace more competitively priced for Delawareans?
Trinidad Navarro – I would actively recruit companies from outside the state. Delaware currently has some of the highest rates in the nation. The added competition should put pressure on the marketplace to make rates more in line with neighboring states. For workers’ compensation insurance, I would look to the recommendations made by the governor's task force from 2014. One in particular would be to seek pricing input other than the Delaware Compensation Rating Bureau. Working within the state, I would take a close look at insurance fraud and seek solutions to reduce it.
Jeff Cragg – Put my experience and educational background in insurance to work for Delaware insurance consumers and businesses. The department has been too passive in challenging premium increases and must be aggressive in obtaining justification from insurers for rate actions in the future. In addition, longer term, we need more insurers competing for voters’ premium dollars. Under my leadership the department will aggressively court insurers to increase their presence in Delaware, providing much-needed competition. How do you fight an 800-pound gorilla? With another 800-pound gorilla! We will bring competition back to Delaware's insurance markets.
• What is your single largest issue with the state’s insurance office?
T.N. – Consumer protection is my primary issue. This includes not only insurance rates, but making sure the insurance companies follow the law and abide by their contractual obligations to insurance consumers. I would strengthen the consumer protection division of the office to ensure Delaware insurance consumers are given prompt and fair attention to their insurance issues.
J.C. – The office and its commissioner have been out of sight, and thereby ineffective. We must raise the activity and make the office more visible. Insurance markets in Delaware exist to improve the lives of Delawareans through the effective use of the principles of insurance. I learned at a young age the value of life insurance, auto insurance, homeowners insurance, etc. and that in our modern world, insurance is absolutely necessary. The department must be an effective advocate for all Delawareans providing consumer protection and consumer education, guaranteeing that the insurance you buy works to improve the lives of all Delawareans.
• Both candidates are from Wilmington. How can you make sure Sussex County residents are taken into account during the decision-making process?
T.N. – I take issue with that. I grew up in New Castle. My opponent is from another state, moving to Delaware as an adult. I would make efforts to address issues that affect all of Delaware. There is a substantial manufactured housing population in Sussex, as well as a lack of competition for homeowners insurance near the beaches. I am hopeful that I can convince companies to come to Delaware and address some of the needs of Sussex residents in particular. In addition, I feel that Sussex deserves better access to the services of the Insurance Commissioner's Office.
J.C. – I pledge as insurance commissioner that all matters utilizing public hearings will include public hearing locations in Sussex County. More importantly, I also own a home in Sussex County and spend a considerable amount of time in Sussex. My wife and I purchased the home with the intention, like many residents, of retiring to Sussex County. We find the recreational activities, the low taxes, and increased quality of life very appealing. I am also aware the county extends westwards and am sensitive to needs of all residents and parts of Sussex, including western Sussex.
