The Department of Insurance's rate comparison website allows Delawareans to compare auto and homeowner rates from more than 50 companies online. It has been recognized as one of the most comprehensive comparison tools in the country.

We've just finished the annual process of updating the auto insurance rates from the insurance companies and the new rates are online at http://compare.delawareinsurance.gov. Take a few minutes to compare rates and you'll see a significant difference among companies for the same policy. You could save hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year.

To contact me or my office anytime, please email me at Karen.Stewart@state.de.us, email my staff at consumer@state.de.us or call 1-800-282-8611. Thanks for stopping by.

For all insurance companies and surplus lines brokers, there are important changes to the annual premium tax and annual renewal filing instructions that should be reviewed before starting year-end filing preparations. Key subjects in two new bulletins include:

• Use of Online Premium Tax for Insurance (OPTins) for both companies and SL brokers encouraged by the Department
• Premium tax lockbox operations closing effective 12/31/08
• Options for obtaining signatures on OPTins tax forms
• Important notice for companies regarding Guaranty Fund Credits
• Use of NPN (National Producer Number) as identifier for SL brokers