WILM 1450 AM, April 16, 2008

The Delaware Insurance Commissioner’s Office asks several State Lawmakers to get behind a proposal that would prohibit insurance companies from raising car insurance rates of volunteer firefighters and first responders. State Insurance Commissioner Matt Denn felt it was necessary to take action after hearing from a firefighter.

“We had a situation come up in Georgetown a few months ago where a volunteer firefighter was told his policy was going to be non-renewed simply because he was a volunteer firefighter. It wasn’t because of any particular accident or anything else, but that just viewed it a violation of his policy terms that he was responding to the fire house is his car. We just don’t think that was acceptable. When the firefighters asked us if we would produce some legislation that made that type of practice illegal we were happy to do it.” Denn says, volunteer firefighters are sacrificing their time and lives for society.

State Senator Patricia Blevins and State Representative, Biff Lee are among the lawmakers who are sponsoring the proposed law.