Find the Best Car Insurance Quotes and Options in Delaware
The average cost of car insurance in Delaware is $1,542 per year. That makes car insurance costs in Delaware much higher than the national average of $1,311 per year. However, everyone’s car insurance rates will be different, based on where they live and their personal risk factors.
No matter where you live, it’s usually important to purchase more than the minimum coverage that’s required by law so that if you have to file a claim, your policy will cover it. While this can cost more, it can make a huge difference when you need it most.
An independent insurance agent can help you find the right car insurance for your needs and budget. Here, we’ll explain some important facts about car insurance in Delaware.
Best Car Insurance Companies in Delaware
There are several insurance companies in Delaware from whom you can purchase car insurance. Which is the best one for you? We’ve selected some of the best car insurance companies in Delaware to help you get started. Perhaps one of these top carriers will be the best for your needs.
- Best Delaware car insurance company overall: USAA
- Best Delaware car insurance company for minimum liability: USAA
- Best Delaware car Insurance company for full coverage: Travelers
- Best Delaware car insurance company for young drivers: USAA
- Best Delaware car insurance company for accident history: Travelers
An independent insurance agent in Delaware can help you determine if any of these companies have the right car insurance policy for your needs and budget.
Best Delaware Car Insurance Company Overall: USAA
Our pick for the best overall car insurance company in Delaware overall is USAA. The carrier ranks high for claims satisfaction, ease of interaction, customer service, trust, and other important factors.
USAA was founded in 1922 by 25 Army officers who decided to insure each other's vehicles. Over time, the organization grew to serve millions in the military community, offering a variety of personal insurance products as well as other financial products and services.
USAA’s net worth has surpassed $40 billion. The carrier has more than 13 million members and 37,000 employees. USAA consistently receives high marks for financial stability, including an A++ rating from AM Best, the highest available.
Unfortunately, not everyone can take advantage of USAA’s superior performance. Only active duty and retired military members and select family members are eligible for USAA membership and insurance coverage.
Average Monthly Insurance Cost: Car Insurance Policy | Average Annual Insurance Cost: Car Insurance Policy |
$102 | $1,228 |
Best Delaware Car insurance Company for Minimum Liability: USAA
If you’re looking for minimum liability coverage, USAA is again a top choice for Delaware residents. The carrier allows customers to get bare minimum auto insurance at around $519 per year.
Highly affordable coverage combined with high customer satisfaction ratings makes USAA an easy choice for eligible members.
Average Monthly Insurance Cost: Minimum Liability Policy | Average Annual Insurance Cost: Minimum Liability Policy |
$43 | $519 |
Best Delaware Car Insurance Company for Full Coverage: Travelers
The best car insurance company in Delaware for full coverage is Travelers. The insurance company offers affordable full-coverage policies with premiums starting at just $98 per month.
Travelers was founded in 1853, making it one of the oldest insurance companies in the US. It is a leader in both personal and business insurance with approximately 30,000 employees. The company works with a network of 13,500 independent insurance agents and brokers across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Travelers generated approximately $35 billion in revenues in 2021. The carrier was awarded an A++ rating from AM Best, reflecting its superior position as a financially stable and reliable company.
Average Monthly Insurance Cost: Full Coverage Car Insurance Policy | Average Annual Insurance Cost: Full Coverage Car Insurance Policy |
$98 | $1,170 |
Best Delaware Car Insurance Company for Young Drivers: USAA
Drivers between the ages of 16 and 25 typically pay very high car insurance rates because of the extra risk presented by their inexperience behind the wheel. While insuring a teen driver is never cheap, USAA is one of the best insurance companies for teen drivers in Delaware.
Car insurance for young drivers in Delaware can cost around $312 per month with USAA. The company also offers a good student discount so students with good grades can save on their car insurance.
Unfortunately, not everyone can take advantage of USAA’s superior performance. Only active duty and retired military members and select family members are eligible for USAA membership and insurance coverage.
Average Monthly Insurance Cost: Car Insurance Policy for Young Drivers | Average Annual Insurance Cost: Car Insurance Policy for Young Drivers |
$312 | $3,746 |
Best Delaware Car Insurance Company for Accident History: Travelers
Your driving record is one of the most important factors in what you pay for car insurance in Delaware. All insurance companies want to know if you’ve been at fault for an accident in the past in order to determine how risky you might be to cover.
In these cases, Travelers again earns a spot on our list of top picks. Travelers is one of the best Delaware car insurance companies for drivers with an accident history. The company is highly rated for its claims response and for offering affordable policies for drivers with bad records. If you’ve had an at-fault accident, you can get a car insurance policy in Delaware for about $98 per month.
Travelers also offers perks like accident forgiveness along with optional coverage like roadside assistance coverage, new car replacement coverage, and rental car reimbursement coverage.
Average Monthly Insurance Cost: Drivers With Accident History | Average Annual Insurance Cost: Drivers With Accident History |
$98 | $1,170 |
Delaware Car Insurance Requirements
Vehicles registered in Delaware must be covered by a car insurance policy that meets the state's minimum coverage requirements. In Delaware, you must have the following coverage, at a minimum, in order to comply with state law and avoid penalties:
- Bodily injury liability coverage: Protects you if you injure or kill someone else while driving your car. It covers an injured party's claims for damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. It also covers your legal defense fees if another party involved in the accident sues you. In Delaware, you must have this coverage in the amount of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, at a minimum.
- Property damage liability coverage: Pays for any damage that you cause to the property of others (e.g., another’s driver’s car) and for your legal defense if you are sued. In Delaware, you must have this coverage in the amount of at least $10,000 per accident.
- Personal injury protection (PIP): Helps pay for medical, dental, and funeral expenses for you or your passengers, regardless of who is at fault for an accident. This coverage is required in the amounts of $15,000 for any one person and $30,000 for all persons injured in any one accident.
Optional car insurance coverages in Delaware include:
- Uninsured motorist coverage: Protects you if you are hit by a hit-and-run driver or a driver who does not have auto liability coverage. It takes the place of liability insurance that the other driver should have but does not.
- Underinsured motorist coverage: Protects you if another motorist is at fault for a collision but does not have enough insurance to cover your losses.
- Collision coverage: Covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled in a collision, regardless of fault.
- Comprehensive coverage: Covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled by a non-collision event such as a hailstorm or theft.
- Roadside assistance coverage: Pays for help if you are locked out of your vehicle, run out of gas, or face some other type of problem while out on the road. Your insurance company will help you contact tow trucks, locksmiths, or other forms of assistance as needed, and will reimburse you for the costs of these services up to certain limits.
- Rental reimbursement coverage: Provides payment for a rental car if your vehicle is damaged and you must rent a vehicle while it is being repaired.
- Loan/lease or gap coverage: Pays the difference between what you owe on a vehicle and its cash value if it is totaled.
An independent insurance agent in Delaware will help you find a car insurance policy that includes the coverage you need.
Average Cost of Car Insurance in Delaware
The average cost of car insurance in Delaware is $1,542 per year, which is more than the national average of $1,311 per year. Everyone’s car insurance costs are a little different depending on your personal risk factors (e.g., your age, gender, accident history, etc.) and the types and amounts of coverage you select. You can find ways to reduce your car insurance costs in Delaware by taking advantage of car insurance discounts that you may be eligible for.
Average Delaware Car Insurance Costs by City
The city you live in is one of the most important factors in what you’ll pay for car insurance in Delaware. This is because the city’s crime rate, severe weather frequency, traffic density, and more can all impact how at-risk you and your car are for being in an accident, being stolen, or being subject to some other kind of damage (e.g., hail damage).
Finding Car Insurance Discounts in Delaware
One of the best ways to save on car insurance in Delaware is to make sure that you take advantage of any car insurance discounts for which you may be eligible. One of the most common discounts is the multi-policy discount, which rewards you with savings if you have more than one policy with the same carrier (e.g., home and auto). Some of the common auto insurance discounts offered in Delaware include the following:
- Student driver discounts: If you have a student driver in your household, you may be able to take advantage of a good student discount if your child gets a B average or better. Many insurance companies also offer away-at-school discounts for students who won’t be using their parents’ cars while they are away at school. Your young driver may also receive a discount by participating in an insurance-company-approved or sponsored safe driving course.
- Safe driver discount: Drivers who maintain a clean driving record over a period of time may be able to receive an ongoing discount from their insurance company.
- Anti-theft device discount: Some insurance companies offer discounts when your car has certain anti-theft devices installed.
- Military discount: Active or retired members of the military can often qualify for auto insurance discounts.
- Paperless billing discount: Many insurance companies offer a discount for policyholders who agree to receive paperless billing statements.
- Other car insurance discounts: Being a member of a particular group, such as an employment union, may make you eligible for a car insurance discount specifically for members.
Your independent insurance agent in Delaware can help you find all of the car insurance discounts that you qualify for.
How to Find the Best Car Insurance Quote in Delaware
Finding the best car insurance quote in Delaware requires comparing several insurance companies and making an informed choice. But you don’t have to go it alone. An independent insurance agent in Delaware can help you obtain and review quotes from multiple insurance companies and choose the one that offers the best coverage for your needs and budget. An independent agent works for you, free of charge, to help you through the process.
How to File a Car Insurance Claim in Delaware
Filing a car insurance claim in Delaware is always going to be a little stressful. But if you know what to do in advance, it can help the process to go more smoothly. If you’re in a car accident accident, here are some tips for filing your insurance claim:
- Check for and tend to injuries: Check yourself, your passengers, and anyone else involved in the accident for injuries. Seek immediate medical treatment for anyone who is injured.
- Call the police: Filing a police report ensures that your accident is on-the-record and all appropriate information has been collected. That way, your insurance company will have a reliable source for information about the details of your accident.
- Contact your independent insurance agent: Your Delaware independent insurance agent can get the process started by connecting you with your insurance company, or by even filing the claim for you. Your agent can guide you throughout the claims process.
- Schedule an appointment with an adjuster: Your insurance company will likely want to evaluate the damage before you seek repairs for your car. That means you’ll likely need to set up an appointment with an adjuster who works for your carrier.
- Get repairs: If necessary, get your vehicle repaired by a reputable auto body shop or at a shop recommended by your insurance company.
- Get a rental vehicle: If you’re without your car for a while as it's being repaired, consider getting a rental vehicle. If you have rental reimbursement coverage, you’ll have some help paying for the cost of your rental car.
An independent insurance agent in Delaware can help you through the claims process and answer your questions about how best to file your claim.
How does your city measure up to the national average?
National average time spent commuting 26.9 Min
National average car thefts per 1,000 2.3 Year
National average car insurance cost $1,311 Year
City | Commute time (min) | Auto theft rate per 1,000 | Annual insurance cost |
Bear | 28.0 | N/A | $1,558 |
Dover | 22.1 | 2.32 | $1,195 |
Glasgow | 27.9 | N/A | $1,499 |
Hockessin | 22.6 | N/A | $1,324 |
Middletown | 34.7 | 1.86 | $1,238 |
Milford | 24.5 | 1.04 | $1,186 |
Newark | 20.9 | 1.06 | $1,155 |
Pike Creek Valley | 27.0 | N/A | $1,430 |
Smyrna | 30.9 | 1.52 | $1,502 |
Wilmington | 23.5 | 6.04 | $1,605 |
Popular Questions about Delaware Car Insurance
The average cost of car insurance in Delaware is $1,542 per year, or about $129 per month.
Delaware car insurance covers medical expenses and property damage costs that occur due to a car accident that you cause. If you’re at fault for an accident, your bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage pay for the damage or injuries you inflict on other drivers or their passengers.
You can cover some of your own losses with uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, comprehensive coverage, and collision coverage.
The requirements for Delaware car insurance are as follows:
- Bodily injury liability coverage: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
- Property damage liability coverage: $10,000 per accident
- Personal injury projection (PIP): $15,000 for any one person and $30,000 for all persons injured in any one accident
About 11.4 percent of drivers in Delaware are uninsured. Nationwide, the average is 13 percent, which is higher than you will find in Delaware.
Clearly, not all drivers follow the mandatory car insurance rules in the state. That’s why you need uninsured motorist coverage to protect you when you’re involved in an accident and the at-fault driver does not have car insurance.
Delaware drivers have a lot of options for car insurance. Two of the best car insurance companies in Delaware are USAA and Travelers.
An independent car insurance agent in your area can help you find the best car insurance in Delaware.
Low-income drivers in Delaware do not have access to a reduced-rate program for car insurance. Unfortunately, many of these people forego state-required car insurance if they can’t afford it.
If you are a low-income driver in Delaware, the best way to protect yourself, comply with the law, and stay within your budget is to purchase a minimum coverage policy from the insurance company of your choice. An independent insurance agent can help you find an affordable policy that offers minimal protection, at least.
No, you cannot self-insure your car in Delaware. Every car registered in the state must be covered by a car insurance policy that meets the state’s minimum coverage requirements.
You’ll need to have a vehicle registered in the state in order to get car insurance in Delaware. You’ll also likely need to supply some information to prospective carriers. Insurance companies may ask for the following information:
- Your name
- Your driver's license number
- Your date of birth
- Your address
- Your job title
- How far you drive to work or school every day
- Your marital status
- The year, make, and model of your car
- The number of cars and drivers in your household
- Whether or not you own your home or rent
This information and more will help a carrier put together an accurate quote for coverage. An independent insurance agent can help you apply for car insurance in Delaware.
If you drive without insurance in Delaware, you may be subject to a fine of $1,500 for the first offense, $3,000 for subsequent offenses, and a suspension of your vehicle registration.
Delaware is not a no-fault state for auto insurance. In an at-fault state like Delaware, the driver who is at fault for a car accident has to pay for the other party's damages, such as medical expenses or car repairs.
This is where your auto liability insurance comes in. It pays for medical bills or property repairs for others when you cause a car accident.