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County faces higher insurance costs; non-health liability forecast 12–15% and health premiums estimated ~14.8%
Summary
Insurance presenters told commissioners the county’s non-health liability programs are projected to rise 12–15% and health insurance premium projections have been revised to an aggregate ~14.8% after initial estimates near 17%; staff cited catastrophic claims and stop-loss payouts as drivers.
Kent County insurance and finance staff briefed commissioners on expected increases in non‑health liability and health insurance costs for FY26.
Staff explained that the county’s non-health liability lines — including general liability, auto and public officials coverage — were being projected to increase in the neighborhood of 12–15% based on actuarial information. On health insurance, presenters said earlier estimates of a 17% increase were adjusted downward after additional review and that the aggregate increase across plan categories is now estimated at about 14.8 percent. The revision is pending final actuary results.
Presenters attributed higher health costs to recent catastrophic claims, higher stop‑loss payouts (the carrier paid about $2 for every $1 the county would have contributed on those large claims), rising prescription costs and uneven age‑bracket spending. Staff warned that individual coverage categories could see higher increases while the aggregate average is lower.
Staff said they would finalize the numbers and bring updated estimates to commissioners at a subsequent meeting; the FY26 budget materials will be adjusted accordingly before final adoption.
Ending: Staff committed to providing final actuarial numbers and updated line-item impacts for inclusion in the FY26 appropriation schedule.
