Delaware Lowers Bar for Insurance Program

Delaware employers can now more easily qualify for a workplace safety insurance program, entitling them to reduced workers’ compensation premiums.
Gov. John Carey signed legislation on July 17 that eliminated a requirement that employers pay $3,161 or more in annual WC premiums to qualify for the workplace safety program.
Effective Jan. 17, 2025, the program is available to employers who qualify for the uniform experience rating plan approved by Delaware’s insurance commissioner.
According to the bill’s primary sponsor, State Sen. Nicole Poore (D), the workplace safety program provides an incentive for employers to take steps to improve the health and safety of employees.
It establishes testing and inspection procedures to determine whether an employer qualifies for the premium discount.
READ MORE

The Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation will host a webinar at 2 pm CT on July 24, providing one hour of general education credit as it covers how to complete wage statements.
The presenter will be DWC’s Stephanie Saldana from the Injured Employee Outreach & Claims Services Team
The session will focus on DWC Forms 003-Employer’s Wage Statement, and 003SD- Employer’s Wage Statement for School Districts.
It is designed for employers, lawyers and adjusters, according to the DWC notice.
READ MORE

The latest half-hour episode of the “Workers Comp Matters” podcast focuses on how artificial intelligence can be used as a tool to increase efficiency and improve communication in the claims process for both adjusters and injured workers.
John Peters and Tycho Speekenbrink, experts in AI and its application in workers’ compensation, told hosts Alan and Judson Pierce, that AI should be viewed as “assistive intelligence” that can handle routine tasks and free up adjusters to focus on providing empathetic support and guidance to those they serve.
However, they stressed the need for safeguards to ensure accuracy and prevent bias, and the importance of maintaining a human element in interactions.
LISTEN HERE

Liberty Mutual Strategic Ventures announced its second venture capital fund on Monday, with $200 million aimed at supporting entrepreneurs “reshaping the future” of the P&C insurance industry.
Its first fund, launched in 2015, invested a total of $150 million.
Russ MacTough, managing director of the venture group, said the new fund will look for early-stage investments and partnership opportunities allied with the parent insurer’s insurance products and services, including AI, data and automation, and cybersecurity.
READ MORE

Industry veteran Al Crook has been named chief human resources officer at Zurich North America.
He most recently served as Zurich’s head of HR Business Partners.
Crook also has served as executive sponsor of the Zurich Apprenticeship Program since its inception in 2015.
READ MORE