How is a Delaware workers' comp premium calculated?

The base formula is (annual payroll divided by 100) times the class-code base rate, then multiplied by your experience modification factor (EMR), then adjusted for any schedule credits or debits. So a $250,000 payroll at a $1.40 per $100 rate gives a $3,500 manual premium before the EMR and credits. Delaware follows Delaware Compensation Rating Bureau (DCRB) classifications and loss costs.

Does Delaware have a state-run workers' comp fund?

No. Delaware has no monopolistic state fund. Employers buy workers' compensation coverage from private insurance carriers or, if approved, self-insure. The Delaware Compensation Rating Bureau (DCRB) sets the classification system and loss costs, and each carrier applies its own loss cost multiplier to produce the rate on your quote.

What is an experience modifier (EMR) and how does it affect my premium?

The experience modifier compares your past claims history to the average for your industry. A new or average employer has an EMR of 1.00. A strong safety record can lower it below 1.00, reducing premium, while frequent or severe claims raise it above 1.00, increasing premium. The EMR multiplies your manual premium directly.

Are Delaware employers required to carry workers' compensation?

Yes. Delaware law generally requires employers to carry workers' compensation insurance for their employees, with very limited exceptions. Failing to carry coverage can expose an employer to penalties and direct liability for an injured worker's benefits, so most businesses purchase a policy from a licensed carrier.

Is this an exact workers' comp quote?

No, it is an estimate. Actual premiums depend on your exact class codes, current DCRB loss costs, the carrier's loss cost multiplier, your audited payroll, the expense constant, and state assessments. Use this tool to plan and compare, then get a formal quote from a licensed Delaware insurance agent.

Delaware Workers' Compensation Premium Calculator

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This calculator estimates a Delaware employer’s workers’ compensation premium using the standard insurance formula. Premium is charged per $100 of payroll at a rate set by your job class code, then adjusted by your experience modifier (EMR) and any schedule credits or debits. Delaware has no monopolistic state fund — coverage comes from private carriers under Delaware Compensation Rating Bureau (DCRB) classifications.

How it works

The premium builds up in three steps:

Manual premium = (Annual payroll ÷ 100) × class base rate Modified premium = Manual premium × EMR Net premium = Modified premium − schedule credit (or + debit)

The class base rate reflects the injury risk of the work — clerical work is cheap, roofing is expensive. The EMR personalizes the rate to your own loss history, and schedule credits or debits reflect carrier judgment about your safety program.

Delaware workers’ comp rules explained

Premium is per $100 of payroll, by DCRB class code.
The EMR starts at 1.00 for new/average employers; lower is better.
Delaware has no state fund — coverage is bought from private carriers.
Carriers apply a loss cost multiplier to DCRB loss costs to set the final rate.

Worked example

A restaurant with $250,000 payroll, class rate $1.40 per $100, EMR 1.00, no credits:

Manual premium = ($250,000 ÷ 100) × $1.40 = $3,500
Modified premium = $3,500 × 1.00 = $3,500
Net annual premium ≈ $3,500 (about $292/month)

Note: This is an estimate, not a quote. Actual premium depends on exact class codes, current DCRB loss costs, the carrier’s loss cost multiplier, audited payroll, the expense constant, and state assessments. Confirm with a licensed Delaware insurance agent.