If you've been cited for unsafe driving, your car insurance could get expensive. Compare rates and save on your next policy.
If you have caused a car crash, filed an insurance claim, or received a ticket for a major moving violation, you might be a good candidate for high-risk car insurance. Car insurance for bad drivers is typically pricey, but the price increases you receive varies based on your auto insurance company, your driving history, and the state in which you reside.
If you're deemed responsible for causing an auto collision, expect your car insurance rates to jump. In Delaware, the average insurance rate after an at-fault crash is $2,417, compared to the nationwide average of $2,012. A major accident like an at-fault crash will stay on your insurance record for as long as three years.
| Location | With At-Fault Accident — Annual Rate | No At-Fault Accident — Annual Rate | Annual Rate Increase |
| Delaware | $2,417 | $1,700 | $717 |
| National Average | $2,012 | $1,397 | $615 |
The best insurance company after an at-fault collision in Delaware is GEICO. GEICO’s typical rate increase after a crash is $662, leading to rates 27 percent less expensive than the average among all insurers. If you’ve caused a crash in Delaware, avoid Progressive and Allstate, which typically charge more.
| Company | Annual Rate With an At-Fault Crash |
| GEICO | $1,755 |
| State Farm | $2,775 |
| Nationwide | $2,733 |
| Progressive | $2,928 |
| Allstate | $3,144 |
Among the violations that earn drivers the "high-risk" tag is speeding. In Delaware, insurance costs go up by $453 per year post-speeding ticket, to an average per-year price of $2,153.
| State | With a Speeding Ticket — Annual Rate | No Speeding Ticket — Annual Rate | Yearly Rate Increase |
| Delaware | $2,153 | $1,700 | $453 |
| National Average | $1,727 | $1,397 | $330 |
The foolproof way to get cheap car insurance after getting a ticket for speeding is to shop thoroughly and weigh the options. The cheapest auto insurance after a speeding ticket in Delaware is available through USAA, offering an average premium after a violation $1,303 lower than the statewide average. If you're caught speeding in Delaware, Progressive probably won't be your cheapest option.
| Company | Annual Rate With a Speeding Citation |
| USAA | $850 |
| GEICO | $1,428 |
| State Farm | $2,131 |
| Progressive | $2,411 |
A distracted driving citation means you can expect your car insurance to get more expensive. In Delaware, car insurance costs typically increase by $85 each year. That comes out to a 5% increase from the typical annual rate in Delaware, and 51% less than the national average cost of car insurance with a ticket for distracted driving.
| Location | With Distracted Driving — Annual Rate | No Distracted Driving — Annual Rate | Annual Rate Increase |
| Delaware | $1,785 | $1,700 | $85 |
| National Average | $1,570 | $1,397 | $173 |
The best way to find affordable auto insurance following a distracted driving infraction is to explore your options. The most affordable auto insurance company following distracted driving in Delaware is USAA, with an average rate of just $779 per year, 56% lower than the average distracted driving insurance rate from all insurers.
| Company | Annual Rate With Distracted Driving |
| USAA | $779 |
| GEICO | $1,080 |
| State Farm | $1,564 |
| Nationwide | $1,816 |
| Progressive | $1,900 |
Racing is considered an extremely serious offense. Car insurance carriers typically penalize racing convictions severely — in fact, Delaware auto insurance rates increase by $1,196 per year after a ticket for racing. That is a 70% increase from the average yearly auto insurance rate in Delaware.
| Location | With a Racing Citation — Annual Rate | No Racing Citation — Annual Rate | Yearly Rate Increase |
| Delaware | $2,896 | $1,700 | $1,196 |
| National Average | $2,397 | $1,397 | $1,000 |
If you've been pulled over for racing, do your due diligence, compare quotes, and find the most affordable rates. In Delaware, look into rates from USAA, which offers premiums 55 percent less than the state average after a racing violation.
| Insurance Company | Annual Rate After Racing |
| USAA | $1,302 |
| State Farm | $2,809 |
| Progressive | $2,813 |
| Allstate | $2,927 |
| GEICO | $3,010 |
One of the most serious moving violations, reckless driving is a certain way to end up paying more for auto insurance. Insurers increase prices by an average of $1,300 per year after a ticket for reckless driving. That's 77% more than than the average car insurance rate in Delaware, and 7% less than the U.S. average price increase for reckless driving.
| Location | With Reckless Driving — Annual Rate | No Reckless Driving — Annual Rate | Yearly Rate Increase |
| Delaware | $3,000 | $1,700 | $1,300 |
| National Average | $2,395 | $1,397 | $998 |
If you're dealing with a reckless driving conviction, shop around to find the cheapest price. In Delaware, the most budget-friendly insurance company with a reckless driving ticket is USAA.
| Insurance Company | Annual Rate After Reckless Driving |
| USAA | $1,117 |
| GEICO | $2,263 |
| State Farm | $2,809 |
| Progressive | $2,813 |
| Allstate | $2,927 |
If you are seeking auto insurance as a high-risk driver, the best course of action is to do plenty of research and find an affordable policy.
Traffic laws in Delaware are designed to encourage safe driving and penalize unsafe and dangerous driving habits. To that end, Delaware enforces strict speed limits, prohibits reckless and distracted driving, disallows racing, and requires drivers to be insured and attentive to prevent accidents — and worse.
Delaware requires drivers to drive at a “reasonable and prudent speed” for the conditions and taking into account any special hazards or incidents.
You are speeding in Delaware if your speeds exceed:
Speed limits may be adjusted in various jurisdictions by a local authority, so it’s important for drivers in Delaware to pay attention to posted signs.
Drivers must also ensure they are not driving at a slow speed that impedes the normal flow of traffic. In some places, minimum speed limits may be posted.
The base fine for speeding in Delaware is $20 for a first offense and $25 for each subsequent offense within two years of a previous offense.
On top of the base fine, speeders must pay an additional:
Reckless driving in Delaware is classified as driving a vehicle with a “willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.” In other words, driving in an unsafe and hazardous manner, in spite of laws and common sense, may lead to a charge of reckless driving.
Drivers are guilty of aggressive driving in Delaware when violating three or more laws related to:
A driver’s first conviction for reckless driving in Delaware results in:
Subsequent offenses for reckless driving in Delaware within a period of three years of a prior conviction lead to:
The first conviction for aggressive driving in Delaware leads to:
A second conviction for aggressive driving results in:
Drivers convicted of aggressive driving in Delaware may also be required to enroll in programs and courses at their own expense.
Like many other states, Delaware has strict laws outlining the use of wireless electronic devices while driving.
You are guilty of distracted driving in Delaware if you are holding an electronic device in your hand while:
Electronic devices are considered:
Drivers in Delaware are permitted to use hands-free technology to communicate so long as they are not actually holding the device (but are allowed to activate or deactivate a hands-free function).
Learn more about texting and driving statistics in the U.S.
The fine for a first distracted driving offense is a civil penalty of $100.
Subsequent fines for distracted driving in Delaware within two years of a prior offense are $200 to $300.
Speed exhibitions, drag races, and speed contests are all considered types of racing in Delaware.
Drivers are committing an offense of racing in Delaware if:
Those aiding, abetting, participating in, promoting, or assisting in a race in Delaware are also subject to the same penalties as those actively racing.
The first conviction for racing in Delaware leads to:
Subsequent offenses for racing in Delaware subject violators to:
As a fault-based state, Delaware uses a system of “moderate comparative fault” for determining compensation following an accident. In such a system, a driver is only entitled to compensation from another at-fault driver if the at-fault party is more than 50 percent at fault. The driver who deserves compensation will receive compensation based on their own percentage of fault for an accident.
For example, if Driver A is found at 70 percent fault for an accident and Driver B is at 30 percent fault, driver B will only receive compensation equal to 70 percent of their damages.
Delaware drivers must maintain active car insurance coverage amounts of:
Delaware drivers must also be covered by personal injury protection (or PIP) insurance equaling:
Drivers must make an immediate report to the local police department for any accidents involving:
Failing to report an accident that leads to property damage in Delaware leads to:
Failure to report an accident that leads to an injury is an unclassified misdemeanor in Delaware and results in:
Failure to report an accident that leads to death is a class E felony and leads to:
Driving without insurance in Delaware subjects violators to:
Each subsequent offense of driving while uninsured within three years of a prior offense in Delaware results in:
Sources and references:
