Compare Auto Insurance in Delaware
Delaware’s average annual car insurance rate is $86 per month for minimum coverage and $184 a month for full coverage. USAA provides the cheapest car insurance in the state, at $324 per year for a state minimum policy.
Given Delaware’s high auto insurance rates compared to national averages, drivers there may be on the lookout for their best car insurance quotes. To help you find yours, we’ve put together the auto insurance industry and government information you need to make your best choice. This article includes:
- Delaware’s average auto insurance rates
- Cheapest car insurance in Delaware
- Best car insurance companies in Delaware
- Delaware’s car insurance laws
How much does car insurance cost in Delaware?
How much is car insurance in Delaware? Our research shows that rates in the state come in high above national averages. Delaware’s average cost of car insurance for a minimum liability policy is $1,030 per year, while full coverage is $2,205.
These rates are significantly higher than the national averages of $641 for minimum auto insurance and $1,255 for full-coverage auto insurance. Other factors such as your ZIP code, driving record and insurance claims history can all play a part in your overall premium as well.
Who has the cheapest auto insurance in Delaware?
The following table shows the average annual cost of auto insurance from the top companies operating in Delaware. Peak Insurance comes in with the most expensive liability-only car insurance policy in Delaware at $2,671 a year. USAA comes in with Delaware’s cheapest liability-only policy at $324 a year.
Over the past few years, Delaware has been among the 10 states with the highest car insurance rates in the country. In order to find your best premium, it’s crucial to compare multiple auto insurance quotes to find the best combination of coverage and cost.
When looking at auto insurance quotes, make sure to ask insurance companies about the range of discounts they provide. Most auto insurance providers carry a wide array of discounts you can qualify for. Taking advantage of these discounts can help considerably knock down your car insurance rates.
Delaware has some of the most expensive car insurance in the country.
We can help you find a cheaper policy.
Best auto insurance companies in Delaware
The table below shows the best auto insurance companies in Delaware based on how popular they are and their customer satisfaction rating in J.D. Power’s 2020 U.S. auto insurance study. The market share an auto insurer holds, as well as their rating for customer satisfaction, can give you an idea of where they stand in terms of popularity in Delaware.
State Farm consistently maintains the highest popularity among auto insurance providers in Delaware, although it doesn’t have the lowest average rate in the state. The company currently holds 22% of the state’s car insurance market share. It also has the second-highest customer satisfaction rating in J.D Power’s survey, with a score of 855 out of 1,000.
| Company | Market share in Delaware | 2020 J.D. Power satisfaction rating (out of 1,000) |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | 22% | 855 |
| GEICO | 18% | 841 |
| Nationwide | 11% | 835 |
| USAA | 11% | 890 |
| Allstate | 8% | 812 |
| Progressive | 8% | 828 |
| Travelers | 2% | 836 |
| MetLife | 1% | 831 |
| American Family | 1% | — |
| Peak Insurance | 0.3% | — |
Why is auto insurance in Delaware so expensive?
Besides the personal factors that make your car insurance expensive such as your driving history or how many claims you’ve filed, there are some factors specific to Delaware that drive the cost of car insurance up for everyone. These include:
Population density
Delaware has the eighth-highest population density in the country. More people means more cars on the road. More cars on the road means more accidents. Car insurance providers take this into account when figuring out baseline quotes for coverage.
Road condition
Nineteen percent of Delaware’s road infrastructure has a poor rating. Improperly maintained roads lead to greater chances of accidents, but also put more wear and tear on your car. Both of these factors may hike up your car insurance rates.
Delaware car insurance laws
Delaware state law requires drivers to maintain the following minimum car insurance limits:
- Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000
- Bodily injury liability coverage per incident: $50,000
- Property damage liability per incident: $10,000
Delaware requires drivers to show proof of insurance in either physical or digital form when pulled over by state law enforcement. If you are found driving in Delaware without auto insurance, the first offense will cost you $1,500. Every subsequent offense within three years after that carries a $3,000 fine. You also may face suspension of your driver’s license and driving privileges.
Recommended car insurance limits
While Delaware’s minimum car insurance limits may seem sufficient, they can easily be reached and surpassed by a drawn-out court case or an extended hospital visit. Any dollar amount beyond your minimum liability limits will have to be paid out of pocket. In a worst-case scenario, being stuck in this situation may lead to financial ruin.
In order to avoid such a situation, we recommend raising your liability limits to the following:
- Individual bodily injury liability: $100,000
- Total bodily injury liability: $300,000
- Property damage liability: $100,000
While you may think that these limit increases would be expensive, the average annual cost difference to your premium really isn’t a lot. In fact, if you can afford it, you should increase the total bodily injury liability limit to $500,000. The price difference between $300,000 and $500,000 is usually quite reasonable. This should give you peace of mind knowing that you’re covered against most major accidents.
Delaware FR-19 requirements
Delaware is the only state besides Maryland that may require an FR-19 form. The Delaware DMV requests an FR-19 form when it needs to verify that you have the correct car insurance limits on your vehicle, or if you are convicted of a DUI. This is primarily to weed out uninsured drivers.
If you get a request for an FR-19, contact your auto insurance provider. They will provide the form showing that your vehicle was insured on the verified date and currently in effect.
Failure to provide an FR-19 may result in any or all of the following penalties:
- Suspension of your driver’s license and car registration.
- An insurance lapse fee of $150 for the first 30 days without auto insurance. After 30 days, the penalty accrues an additional $5 a day you go without coverage, up to a limit of $2,500.
Delaware DUI law
Delaware is one of many states that has an “implied consent” law on the books. This means that if you drive, you acquiesce to a chemical or breathalyzer test if requested by law enforcement. If you refuse either test, you face automatic license suspension, as well as a DUI conviction. When you get a DUI, penalties may vary, but usually include:
First-offense DUI in Delaware
- A $550 to $1,500 fine.
- Up to 12 months in jail.
- A 12- to 24-month license revocation.
On top of whatever legal penalties you may face with a DUI, you will also see an increase in your car insurance rates. Our studies show that you can see a $5,000 auto insurance annual premium increase after a DUI conviction. This assumes that you can keep your current auto insurance or get new coverage after a DUI. Car insurance companies consider DUIs very high risk and reserve the right to not cover a driver with a conviction at all.
Methodology
Rates in this article are based on estimates from Quadrant Information Services with these variables:
- A 35-year-old single driver.
- Employed, with a bachelor’s degree college education.
- Excellent credit score and zero accidents.
- Drives a 2012 Honda Accord LX with an annual mileage of 16,000 miles.
Delaware Department of Insurance
- Website:
- Homepage
- Insurance Commissioner:
- Trinidad Navarro
- Insurance Hotline:
- (800) 282– 8611
- Office Hours:
- Monday - Friday
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
- File a Consumer Insurance Complaint
- Complaint Page
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