# DE Auto Bulletin No. 23: Widow’s Penalty – Increased Auto Rates for Widows and Widowers 606 > Delaware · Agency guidance · Rescinded URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/DE_INS_AUTO_23_20151006 ## Section - **Citation:** DE Auto Bulletin No. 23 - **Heading:** Widow’s Penalty – Increased Auto Rates for Widows and Widowers 606 - **Jurisdiction:** Delaware - **Kind:** Agency guidance - **Status:** Rescinded - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** Delaware Department of Insurance Bulletins / Widow’s Penalty – Increased Auto Rates for Widows and Widowers 606 ## Text Karen Weldin Stewart, CIR-ML Commissioner Delaware Department of Insurance # AUTO BULLETIN NO. 23 TO: ALL INSURERS WRITING AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COVERAGE IN DELAWARE RE: Widow's Penalty – Increased Auto Rates for Widows and Widowers DATED: October 6, 2015 This Bulletin is directed to all insurers writing automobile insurance coverage in Delaware. It has come to the attention of the Delaware Department of Insurance that some insurers are using a “widow’s penalty,” under which a widow or widower is charged a higher rate solely based on the change in his or marital status after losing a spouse. Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart will not approve auto insurance rate filings that cannot provide actuarially-supported statistics for including widows and widowers in a higher single rate category. The Department recognizes that marital status is not the only reason why auto insurance premiums can change following the loss of a spouse; that there could also be other rating differences impacting the rate. For example, when a couple is on a policy, their driving records are considered together when determining the premium. If one spouse dies, the premium will change to reflect the risk of the driver remaining on the policy. If that driver has a better driving record than their spouse, the premium may go down; but, the premium could go up if that driver has a worse driving record with more accident claims filed in the past. Additionally, discounts may have been offered for families combining multiple types of policies, such as a life and an auto policy. If one of those policies ends, such as a life insurance policy after a spouse dies, that discount may be cancelled. These types of rating changes would be justifiable. However, Commissioner Stewart will not allow unjustified rate increases for widows and widowers going forward. This Bulletin shall be effective immediately and shall remain in effect unless withdrawn or superseded by subsequent law, regulation or bulletin. ends, such as a life insurance policy after a spouse dies, that discount may be cancelled. These types of rating changes would be justifiable. However, Commissioner Stewart will not allow unjustified rate increases for widows and widowers going forward. This Bulletin shall be effective immediately and shall remain in effect unless withdrawn or superseded by subsequent law, regulation or bulletin. Karen Weldin Stewart, CIR-ML Delaware Insurance Commissioner 841 Silver Lake Blvd., Dover, DE 19904-2465 ♦ www.delawareinsurance.gov (302) 674-7300 Dover ♦ (302) 739-5280 fax ♦ (302) 577-5280 Wilmington ## Nearby sections - [DE Auto Bulletin No. 1 Determination of Replacement Value of Automobiles](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/DE_INS_AUTO_1_20180125.md) - [DE Auto Bulletin No. 2 Premium Charges for Automobiles Principally Garaged Out-of-State but Registered in Delaware](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/DE_INS_AUTO_2_19920415.md) - [DE Auto Bulletin No. 3 Late Issuance of Renewal Policies](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/DE_INS_AUTO_3_19920415.md) - [DE Auto Bulletin No. 4 Salvaged or Junked Vehicles](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/DE_INS_AUTO_4_19920415.md) - [DE Auto Bulletin No. 5 Minimum Standards for Defensive Driving Course](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/DE_INS_AUTO_5_19960710.md) - [DE Auto Bulletin No. 7 Adoption of Section 3915 of Title 18 (refunds on auto-policy cancellations)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/DE_INS_AUTO_7_19920415.md) - [DE Auto Bulletin No. 8 Implementation of Seat Belt Legislation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/DE_INS_AUTO_8_19920415.md) - [DE Auto Bulletin No. 10 Personal Injury Protection (PIP)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/DE_INS_AUTO_10_19981015.md) - [DE Auto Bulletin No. 17 Defensive Driving Course Discount](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/DE_INS_AUTO_17_20100107.md) - [DE Auto Bulletin No. 23 Widow’s Penalty – Increased Auto Rates for Widows and Widowers 606](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/DE_INS_AUTO_23_20151006.md) - [DE Auto Bulletin No. 24 Liability Carrier’s Obligation to Provide Coverage](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/DE_INS_AUTO_24_20160308.md) - [DE Auto Bulletin No. 25 Passage of HB 114 and HB 333](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/DE_INS_AUTO_25_20180815.md) - [DE Auto Bulletin No. 27 Notice of Signing of HS1 to HB 80, The Use of Credit Information in Personal Insurance Act, and the Withdrawal of Auto Bulletin No. 23](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/DE_INS_AUTO_27_20170807.md) - [DE Auto Bulletin No. 28 Auto Insurance Rate Information Required Annually 606](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/DE_INS_AUTO_28_20170915.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/DE_INS_AUTO_23_20151006. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.