Department of Insurance releases 2024 data

The 105 team members with the Delaware Department of Insurance are highlighting key achievements from their service to Delaware residents in 2024 including consumer assistance, attraction of new companies, expansions of coverage, supporting enhanced primary care access, and substantial funds contributed to the state.

“Our team’s annual report provides not just insight into our achievements; it offers Delawareans a better understanding of the diverse work of our department and the role we play in our state and across the globe. From protecting and advocating for consumers, to combating fraud, to ensuring a fair and resilient insurance market, our contributions to our community continue to grow, as do our duties,” said Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro. “Insurance regulation remains a changing landscape. But what remains unchanged each year is our dedication to meeting the challenges and opportunities of the future with a consumer-focused mindset and our ability to deliver results.”

The Delaware Health Insurance Marketplace has continued to grow with roughly 45,000 policyholders in 2024. Among them, 7,971 participants had a premium at or below $10/month. During open enrollment for 2025 plans, a record-setting 52,931 Delawareans enrolled in high-quality coverage from four carriers.

Health insurance rates are submitted alongside affordability standards data to the department’s Office of Value-Based Health Care Delivery, which endeavors to support a robust, high-quality primary care environment. They reviewed a total of 10 affordability standard template submissions across large-group, small-group and individual markets. Their work includes a mandate for designated spending in primary care, which will reach nearly $59 million for 2024, an increase of $17 million year-over-year. Figures include a projected $15 million in direct, prospective payments to primary care providers engaged in care transformation, an increase of $8 million year-over-year.

In addition to supporting healthcare providers, the department also provides substantial funding to state entities. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, the department’s work resulted in $159.1 million to the state’s general fund and special funds that provide vital resources to volunteer fire companies, police, ambulance and other services.

Resident-focused programs continued to succeed in 2024 as well. Consumer Services staff processed a total of 5,223 complaints and inquiries, nearly 1,000 more than the prior year. They successfully recovered over $6 million of about $13.4 million in dispute. The Medicare Assistance Bureau held 4,864 one-on-one counseling sessions, working to save consumers an estimated $2.21 million. The Medicare Assistance Bureau hosted and participated in 56 public events. Helping residents address claim settlement issues outside of court, the Legal Division reported 384 arbitration cases open, 193 settling before hearing, and a total amount of $517,871 awarded.

And, recognizing the increasing complexity of the coverage, Navarro launched the Office of Long-Term Care Insurance Assistance. Composed of existing staff who received special training in related matters, the new office aims to improve consumer education and advocacy in these matters.

In 2024, the eighth consecutive decrease in workers’ compensation insurance rates was approved. A successful legislative effort will build upon these decreases by lowering the threshold for businesses to participate in enhanced safety and savings through the Workplace Safety Program’s efforts to help businesses. In all, 932 employers participated in Workplace Safety during 2024, saving approximately $4.9 million in premiums through safety credits.

The Fraud Bureau’s 13 staff members processed 751 new referrals, an increase of more than 100 year-over-year. They closed a total of 577 cases, with 734 cases open. The 22 criminal cases closed carried approximately 90 criminal charges and several civil penalties.

As implementation continues for the Healthy Delaware Families Act, the state’s Paid Family Medical Leave law, DOI reviewed and approved offerings from 17 companies that meet or exceed state requirements. In total, Life and Health staff reviewed 1,374 filings, 665 rates, 2,503 forms, and 913 advertisements. The Property and Casualty team reviewed 387 filings, 243 rates, 898 forms, and 231 rules. Commercial filings reviewed were 2,434, with 1,927 rates, 20,402 forms, and 2,152 rules filed.

In addition, the department issued 56,675 licenses to agents, adjusters, brokers, producers and other businesses in 2024, bringing total licensees to 306,855. Oversight of these licensees included 24 regulatory actions issued and 80 hearings.

The department led and engaged with more than 50 policy efforts with partners in the Legislature and industry, including key efforts to improve distribution of funds to volunteer fire companies, enhance health insurance coverage and other consumer-friendly efforts.

As the appointed agent for service of process, the insurance commissioner acts as the designated legal representative responsible for receiving legal documents on behalf of insurers and insurance personnel operating in the state. In 2024, 1,702 actions were served through the commissioner.

Delaware continued to be a national presence in insurance regulation, with Navarro completing his service as chair of the Northeast Zone for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. In 2025, he has been selected as co-vice chair for the Market Regulation and Consumer Affairs Committee and as a member of the Innovation, Cybersecurity and Technology Committee. He will serve as chair of the Antifraud Task Force and on 10 other NAIC committees. With peers across the country, staff participate in the Insurance Regulatory Examiners Society as state chair and on the Career Development Seminar Committee, as well as being members of the Securities & Insurance Licensing Association.

Locally, the commissioner and staff participate in committees including: the Behavioral Health Crisis Services Board, Delaware Health Care Commission, EARNs Board, Non-Acute Long Stay Task Force, Plans Management Board, Primary Care Reform Collaborative, Rare Disease Advisory Council, Retiree Healthcare Benefits Advisory subcommittee, the Delaware Automobile Insurance Plan and FAIR Plan Committees, and the State Employee Benefits Committee, and serve on the Delaware Workers’ Compensation Oversight Panel.

Staff also participated in many outreach events, including the Positively Dover African American Festival, Apple Scrapple Festival, Bug and Bud Festival, Diabetes Wellness Expo, Delaware Business Insight Summit, Delaware Business Expo, Dover Days, Down Syndrome Walk, Family Preparedness Day, Milford Freedom Walk Festival, 55+ Expo, and of course, the Delaware State Fair. In addition to participating in the Delaware Employees’ Charitable Campaign, the department also engaged in several charitable events including blood drives, food insecurity donations and breast cancer awareness.