Delaware Workers’ Compensation Rates to Drop for 10th Year, This Time by 3.9%

Delaware workers’ compensation insurance rates will decrease for the tenth year in a row, effective December 1, 2026. The voluntary market average loss costs will decrease by 3.99%, while the residual market will see an average rate reduction of 4.11%.

The announcement follows confirmation of the Delaware Compensation Rating Bureau (DCRB) filing by independent actuaries, as well as a public hearing with DCRB and the State’s Ratepayer Advocate. Actual savings will vary by policy.

Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro noted that this year’s rate announcement comes after Senate Bill 248 was signed into law. The legislation updates the Workplace Safety Program to ensure that employers can again access the full premium savings of 12%. Previous legislative changes inadvertently led to lower discounts, according to Navarro.

As of year-end 2025, 853 employers saved an estimated $3.6 million by participating in the Workplace Safety Program. Eligible businesses earn discounts by completing annual safety inspections and implementing recommended improvements.

For 2025, voluntary private market average loss costs dropped by 11.6%, while the residual market for high risk businesses saw an average rate reduction of 9.08%.