Dover – Delaware Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart, CIR-ML has implemented changes to Department of Insurance Regulation 607 regarding the Defensive Driving Program.  The program mandates that Delaware drivers receive a 10% discount on Liability and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) premiums paid for their motor vehicle insurance, when they complete any of a number of certified defensive driving courses available in classroom settings throughout the state or on-line.   That 10% minimum discount is good for three years, at which time drivers who successfully complete a refresher course will see that discount increase to a minimum of 15% for the next three years.  Refresher courses can then be taken every three years thereafter.   Commissioner Stewart, in announcing the changes, stated, “In these difficult times, there is no reason any Delaware driver should not take one of these inexpensive courses when the benefit is a significant decrease in their insurance premiums.  A greater benefit is that the defensive driving techniques learned and the invaluable information on the rules of the road could help avoid a collision that often results in insurance claims, bodily injury or worse.”    

The regulation changes, which became effective as of January 1, 2010, include the addition of motor homes to the list of eligible motor vehicles, joining private passenger cars, trucks and motorcycles.

A list of approved defensive driving course providers is available at the Department of Insurance website: http://delawareinsurance.gov/auto/defensive.shtml

The Delaware Department of Insurance (“DOI”) consists of five divisions: (1) Bureau of Company Examination, Rehabilitation & Guaranty: (2) Consumer Services & Investigations Division; (3) Producer Licensing & Continuing Education Division; (4) the Fraud Prevention Bureau; and (5) the Bureau of Captive Insurance and Financial Products.  The DOI is tasked with ensuring reliable insurance coverage at reasonable rates for Delaware consumers.  The DOI is an entirely self-funded agency with a yearly contribution to the Delaware General Fund that is approximately five times the amount of its annual operating budget.

 

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Contacts:
Elliott Jacobson (302) 674-7303; (202) 294-3266 cell
Michael Gould (302) 674-7304