Delaware Insurance Law Sparks Concern Among Truckers, Land Line Media Reports

Delaware has enacted a law giving individuals more time to cancel certain personal-injury settlements, a change the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association warns could increase insurance costs for trucking companies and other commercial vehicle operators.

Longer cancellation period for certain settlements

The new law extends the period in which an individual may withdraw from certain injury settlements. The change is intended to provide additional time for people to review settlement terms before an agreement becomes final.

While the measure applies broadly to qualifying injury settlements, its potential effect on trucking-related claims has drawn attention because commercial carriers and their insurers frequently face litigation following crashes.

OOIDA raises insurance concerns

OOIDA said the longer cancellation window could create additional uncertainty for carriers and insurers. Settlements that remain subject to cancellation for a longer period may take more time to resolve fully, potentially increasing legal, administrative and defense costs.

The association has warned that higher claim costs can eventually be reflected in commercial auto insurance premiums. Those expenses affect motor carriers of all sizes, including small fleets and owner-operators that already face elevated insurance costs.

Litigation remains a major trucking concern

The Delaware law comes as trucking groups continue to identify lawsuit abuse and insurance expenses among the industry’s leading challenges. In Louisiana, trucking representatives have ranked those issues above fuel prices as concerns for 2026.

An October freight-market update from the OOIDA Foundation also cited weakening manufacturing activity and inflation among the factors creating uncertainty for motor carriers. Rising insurance and litigation costs can add pressure even when freight rates and fuel prices fluctuate.

The effect of Delaware’s law will depend on how it is applied in injury cases and how insurers account for the additional settlement uncertainty. Trucking companies and their insurers are expected to monitor claims costs as the provision takes effect.