Here's what you need to know when driving in Delaware
Across the First State, there are 13,613 miles of road just waiting to be driven. We’ll get you prepped, then you take the wheel.
Affordable Insurance Premiums in Delaware
What's the cheapest car insurance in Delaware?
| Rank | Company Name | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | USAA | $1,001 |
| 2 | Travelers | $1,073 |
| 3 | Cal Casualty | $1,319 |
| 4 | Nationwide | $1,551 |
| 5 | MetLife | $1,710 |
| 6 | Donegal Mutual | $1,801 |
| 7 | State Farm | $1,860 |
| 8 | Progressive | $2,307 |
| 9 | Allstate | $3,591 |
| 10 | Sentry | $4,815 |
Compare quotes from close to 20 insurance companies that provide coverage throughout Delaware. Enter your ZIP code below to get started.
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Cheap Insurance for Good Drivers in Delaware
Drivers with good driving records typically enjoy lower car insurance costs than drivers with histories of speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, or DUI citations. Delaware drivers without a recent at-fault accident save 35% on their car insurance, on average — above the national average of 32%. In addition to earning a cheaper premium for driving incident-free, you may qualify for a safe-driving bonus through your car insurance company. The amount of these discounts may vary, but they typically run between 5 and 10%.
| Rating Factor | $ Savings | % Savings |
|---|---|---|
| No Traffic Tickets | $378 | 18.44% |
| No Accidents | $910 | 35.27% |
| Good Credit | $1,556 | 48.23% |
Cheap Insurance for Young Drivers in Delaware
Young drivers (those between the ages of 16 and 25) pay extraordinarily high auto insurance rates, with those aged 16-19 paying the most expensive premiums of all. Because of the risk presented by inexperienced drivers, teens pay more than three times the national average for car insurance. In Delaware, one of the most expensive states for teen drivers, the typical teenager pays $6,683 per year — about $1,700 more than the national annual average.
| Age | Annual Rate with Parents | Annual Rate Alone |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | $7,311 | $8,357 |
| 17 | $7,065 | $7,094 |
| 18 | $7,188 | $6,232 |
| 19 | $5,943 | $4,276 |
Cheap Car Insurance for Bad Drivers in Delaware
If you have no at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, or DUIs, you can save money on car insurance. As insurance companies use your driving record as a way to predict the level of risk you present, keeping your driving record clean will lead to lower premiums. It's especially important to avoid at-fault accidents, speeding tickets and DUI citations in Delaware, where insurance penalties are larger than in other states. In fact, a single speeding ticket could raise your car insurance rates by 18% in the Diamond State.
| Rating Factor | Annual Rate | % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| At-Fault Accident | $2,580 | 35.27% |
| DUI | $2,944 | 43.27% |
| Speeding Violation | $2,048 | 18.44% |
| Bad Credit | $3,226 | 48.23% |
Best Car Insurance Companies in Delaware
Every car insurance company advertises its affordable premiums. But just like with any service, the cheapest auto insurance isn't always the best choice. Considering the stakes, it's worth doing your research to discover an auto policy that can cover your car completely after an accident. Consider weighing your options to unearth the best value, rather than settling for the cheapest auto insurance available.
Review top auto insurance companies' financial strength and claims satisfaction levels to better understand the quality of service you will receive. Claims satisfaction — measured by J.D. Power — is ranked on a scale of 2 to 5, with 5 being "among the best" and 2 being "the rest." Financial strength — calculated by A.M. Best and ranging from "Poor" to "Superior" — assesses an insurance company's financial strength and ability to fulfill its contractual and policy obligations.
| Insurance Company | Claims Satisfaction (J.D. Power) | Financial Strength (A.M. Best) |
| Allstate | 3 | Superior |
| Atlantic States | Not Rated | Excellent |
| Cal Casualty | Not Rated | Excellent |
| Donegal Mutual | Not Rated | Excellent |
| GEICO | 3 | Superior |
| Liberty Mutual | 3 | Excellent |
| MetLife | 3 | Superior |
| National Grange Mutual | Not Rated | Excellent |
| Nationwide | 4 | Superior |
| Progressive | 3 | Superior |
| Sentry | Not Rated | Superior |
| State Farm | 3 | Superior |
| Titan | 3 | Excellent |
| Travelers | 3 | Superior |
| USAA | 5 | Superior |
See insurance rates for Delaware's best companies!
What is the Best Car Insurance Coverage in Delaware?
The legal minimum car insurance in the state of Delaware is $25,000 Bodily Injury per person, $50,000 Bodily Injury per accident, and $10,000 Property Damage per accident.
If you choose the legal minimum coverage in Delaware, you'll owe an average of $1,048 yearly. This cost is more costly than the national average by 59%. If you opt for better auto insurance coverage, you can select a policy with comprehensive and collision coverage, protecting against costs incurred by auto crashes, theft, or weather incidents. It's worth noting that better car insurance comes at a cost: in Delaware, a comprehensive insurance policy with a $1,000 deductible costs $1,534, 46% more than basic insurance coverage. For a comprehensive policy with a $500 deductible, expect to pay 61% more than you might for a liability-only policy.
Contrast average expenditures for liability-only and comprehensive coverage levels below.
| Location | Liability-Only | Comprehensive — $1,000 Deductible | Comprehensive — $500 Deductible |
| Delaware | $1,048.01 | $1,534.41 | $1,683.70 |
| National Average | $657.66 | $1,241.26 | $1,397.94 |
Delaware Auto Insurance Laws
State minimum insurance requirements in Delaware
Delaware drivers must maintain liability insurance and personal injury protection coverage at the below minimum levels.
Liability
- Bodily Injury $25,000 per person
- Bodily Injury $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage $10,000 per accident
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
- $15,000 per person
- $30,000 per accident
Optional coverage in Delaware (varies by carrier):
- Comprehensive
- Collision
- Loan/Lease Payoff
- Rental Car Reimbursement
- Roadside Assistance
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury
Learn more about car insurance laws in Delaware.
Ticket Impact on Auto Insurance Rates in Delaware
When you receive a ticket your car insurance rates will probably go up. By how much depends on the violation's severity, your insurance company's pricing strategy, and differing local insurance risks and regulations. That's why tickets may have a different impact on insurance in your state compared to the national average.
See below car insurance costs in Delaware after a few common citations.
| Violation | Avg. Annual Auto Insurance Rate | % Insurance Rate Increase | $ Insurance Rate Increase |
| Hit and Run | $3,463 | 89% | $1,635 |
| Refused Breathalyzer/Chemical Test | $3,411 | 87% | $1,583 |
| DUI | $3,411 | 87% | $1,583 |
| Racing | $3,386 | 85% | $1,558 |
| Reckless Driving | $3,272 | 79% | $1,444 |
| Driving with a Suspended License | $3,091 | 69% | $1,263 |
| At-Fault Accident | $2,673 | 46% | $845 |
| Driving with an Open Container | $2,370 | 30% | $541 |
| Operating a Vehicle Without Permission | $3,005 | 64% | $1,177 |
| Passing a School Bus | $2,794 | 53% | $966 |
| Improper Passing | $2,213 | 21% | $385 |
| Following Too Closely | $2,213 | 21% | $385 |
| Speeding | $2,333 | 28% | $505 |
| Failure to Stop at a Red Light | $2,213 | 21% | $385 |
| Illegal Turn | $2,213 | 21% | $385 |
| Driving Wrong Way/Wrong Lane | $2,213 | 21% | $385 |
| Failure to Yield | $2,213 | 21% | $385 |
| Speeding in a School Zone | $2,207 | 21% | $379 |
| Driving Too Slowly | $2,207 | 21% | $379 |
| Distracted Driving | $2,104 | 15% | $276 |
| Driving with Expired Registration | $2,698 | 48% | $870 |
| Failure to Show Documents | $2,159 | 18% | $330 |
| Not-at-Fault Accident | $1,866 | 2% | $37 |
| Failure to Use Child Safety Restraint | $1,866 | 2% | $37 |
| Failure to Wear a Seat Belt | $1,866 | 2% | $37 |
| Driving Without Lights | $1,866 | 2% | $37 |
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Delaware Car Insurance FAQs
Who has the cheapest car insurance in Delaware?
USAA ($500), Travelers ($536) and Nationwide ($775) are the cheapest providers in Delaware.
How much is car insurance in Delaware?
Car insurance in Delaware is expensive — 20% greater than the rest of the US. A standard six-month policy will set you back $140 a month.
What is the minimum insurance in Delaware and penalties for not having it?
Delaware recovers coverage limits at:
- Bodily Injury: $25K/$10K
- Property Damage: $10K
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP) $15K/$30K
How much does car insurance cost in Delaware cities?
Car insurance companies calculate your rate based on many factors, location of the vehicle being an important one. The cheapest car insurance is found in Harrington, Delaware, and the most expensive in Elsmere, Delaware.
| Rank | City | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elsmere | $2,255 |
| 2 | Edgemoor | $2,223 |
| 3 | Bear | $2,156 |
| 4 | Wilmington | $2,153 |
| 5 | Brookside | $2,100 |
| 6 | Hockessin | $2,014 |
| 7 | Claymont | $1,999 |
| 8 | Newark | $1,976 |
| 9 | Pike Creek | $1,941 |
| 10 | Middletown | $1,906 |
| 11 | Smyrna | $1,791 |
| 12 | Dover | $1,678 |
| 13 | Camden | $1,656 |
| 14 | Seaford | $1,600 |
| 15 | Georgetown | $1,600 |
| 16 | Laurel | $1,578 |
| 17 | Milford | $1,574 |
| 18 | Harrington | $1,573 |
Recent Delaware Car Insurance Questions and Answers
When filling out quotes, do I have to disclose an accident that my friend had while driving my car?
Do I need insurance coverage for my new scooter?
