Delaware Auto Insurance

Whether you’re headed to Wilmington for a day of museum tours or Rehoboth Beach for some sunshine, Delawareans must ensure they have an adequate car insurance policy in the First State, equipped with Delaware PIP and liability coverage each time they get behind the wheel. Those without sufficient coverage may face serious legal and financial consequences. 

Delaware auto insurance companies offer excellent policies at below-average rates if only you know where (and how) to find them. Let’s check out how Delawareans can stretch their savings with their policies.

In Delaware, cheap auto insurance can take some research to find, but it’s out there for those who know how to look. Whether you’re new to the Diamond State or just binding an auto insurance policy for the first time, you’ll want to ensure you have a few policy options before making your final decision. Generally, the best way to start your search for the right policy is to narrow down what you value most in your policy: cost or coverage.

Those who value cost over coverage will likely bind a minimum coverage policy from an insurer that offers base rates far below the average rate in the state. A minimum coverage policy will always be the cheapest policy in the state, regardless of where you go.

Those who value coverage over cost will likely bind a full coverage policy from an insurer that offers plenty of optional coverage options that policyholders may add to their policies. While a full coverage policy will typically be on the more expensive side, such a policy allows drivers to tailor their coverage directly to their needs. 

While there are several options for Delawareans to choose from, it’s important to remember that premiums in the First State are naturally higher than in many other states. A full coverage policy can get a bit pricey, but it’s often far easier to budget for than a worst-case scenario accident with insufficient coverage. 

The best Delaware auto insurance will vary from driver to driver, as policies are highly subjective depending on each driver’s lifestyle and needs. Figuring out what you value most in a policy is the first and most important step in finding the right policy for you. Once you know whether you value cost, coverage, or both equally on your policy, you’re ready to gather quotes to analyze your options.

Objectively, a full coverage policy will be the best to keep drivers safe behind the wheel. A full coverage policy in the First State will be a policy with higher limits of liability coverage and PIP than legally required, plus any combination of optional coverages like Delaware uninsured motorist coverage (UM), underinsured motorist coverage (UIM), medical payments coverage (MedPay), collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, or gap coverage, among others. 

It’s important to remember that what works best for some drivers may not work for others, and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all policy that will be the best for everyone. Each driver must tailor their policy to their needs to get the best policy for their lifestyle. While a full coverage policy will always be the safest option, it may not be the best for a driver who, say, is on a tight budget.

The best insurers in the First State are State Farm, Allstate, and USAA, among others. Delawareans frequently bind policies with these insurers because of the below-average base rates they boast and their excellent reputations for customer service and assistance.

Our partners Travelers and Progressive are also among the favored insurers in the Diamond State, with base rates for full coverage policies falling far below the state average. While some insurers gain attention from drivers more than others, finding the right insurer for your needs is subjective. 

If you’re a high-risk driver, for example, you may find the best insurer for you isn’t one of the top insurers in the state but is instead one specializing in Delaware automobile insurance for drivers with a poor insurance history or driving record. 

To get the cheapest auto insurance, Delaware drivers must do some research and quote comparison for a policy that meets both their coverage and budget needs. While some insurers offer policies with base rates far below the average rate in the state, policies are highly subjective and customizable to each driver.

The best way to get a cheap policy in the Diamond State is to bind a minimum coverage policy. A minimum coverage policy is generally about half the cost of a full coverage one, but it’s also only about half the amount of coverage. 

Drivers who hesitate to sacrifice their coverage in the name of savings may still save a few bucks by selecting an insurer that offers plenty of stackable discounts to reduce their premiums further. 

Many of the state’s top insurers offer full coverage policies with base rates below the state average. While the average full coverage policy in Delaware costs about $2,040 annually, some insurers offer discounts policyholders may be able to combine to reduce their premiums by about 30% of the annual rate.

For example, many insurers offer discounts like a multi-car discount, bundling discount, or an anti-theft device discount. These discounts are criteria-based, requiring the policyholder to meet a set of standards to qualify.

Insurers may also offer enrollment-based discounts that may yield even more savings but require the policyholder to opt in. Insurance companies may offer discount programs like a good driver discount or a pay-per-mile discount in which drivers can enroll to earn savings that correlate with their habits behind the wheel.

While maintaining a full coverage policy may require drivers to get a bit savvy with their budgeting, having coverage for various accident scenarios, like uninsured motorist coverage (UM) or collision coverage, can make or break one’s savings. 

Car insurance rates in Delaware average at about $2,040 annually for a full coverage policy or $1,020 annually for a minimum coverage one. In contrast, the national average cost for a full coverage policy is about $1,670 annually or about $835 for a minimum coverage one.

Delaware is one of the most expensive states for auto insurance due to a few factors. First, the Diamond State is a no-fault state, meaning drivers must have a mandatory minimum limit of personal injury protection (PIP) on their policies. PIP is a widely expansive coverage, and due to its wide range of protection, it’s expensive. 

While no-fault states generally have higher average premiums than tort states, other factors affect a state’s average annual premium. Population, population density, and the population of uninsured drivers can play an integral role in the average range of premiums in a state. 

While Delaware is one of the smallest states with one of the smallest populations and an average number of uninsured drivers, it’s one of the country’s most densely populated states. 

The car insurance minimum in Delaware requires drivers to always maintain a policy with at least liability and PIP coverages each time they get behind the wheel. Driving without sufficient coverage may yield serious legal and financial consequences. 

Auto insurance laws in the Diamond State require drivers to have at least $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 in bodily injury liability per accident, $10,000 in property damage liability per accident (25/50/10 liability coverage), $15,000 in PIP per person, and $30,000 in PIP per accident (15/30 PIP). Drivers who lease or finance their vehicles may be required to have collision and comprehensive coverages on full coverage policies. 

Driving without insurance in the First State is illegal and can result in fines, fees, or license and registration suspension, depending on the severity and frequency of the crime. Those caught without proof of insurance don’t have to worry about filing for an SR-22 in the Diamond State but will likely face the increased premiums that come with being categorized as a high-risk driver in the state. 

Yes, the Diamond State is a no-fault state as far as car insurance is concerned. As part of the state’s no-fault law, drivers must carry no-fault coverage in the form of PIP, on which they default should they be injured in an accident and require coverage for their medical expenses. PIP is a no-fault coverage because the policyholder may invoke it, regardless of who was at fault in the accident.

While Delaware has a no-fault law, it’s unlike other no-fault states when it comes to a driver’s ability to pursue legal action following an accident. While other states with no-fault laws significantly restrict an accident victim’s ability to sue the at-fault driver for damages, Delaware doesn’t. 

Delawareans are free to sue the at-fault driver in an accident for pain and suffering or damages, regardless of the state’s no-fault laws. 

In Delaware, an uninsured motorist is a driver who fails to carry sufficient coverage. Failing to maintain an adequate auto insurance policy is illegal in the First State, so all Delawareans need to find the right policy for their needs and budget.

The best way to find a policy that fits into one’s lifestyle without too much compromise is to get and compare quotes online. By getting and comparing quotes online, drivers can make the best use of their resources to find a policy that fits in seamlessly with their lifestyle without breaking the bank.

Luckily, we’re quoting experts here at Clovered. We even have a free quoting tool you can use to access your unique quotes in minutes. If you’d rather chat with a professional about your quotes, you can contact one of our licensed agents at 833-255-4117 or [email protected].