Car Insurance In Delaware 2026: Laws, Costs, Requirements & Companies

Driving in Delaware means sharing the road with busy traffic, changing weather, and fast-moving highways, which makes having the right car insurance essential.

With 15 years of experience in the insurance industry, I can help you understand what coverage you need and how to stay protected. This guide will break everything down so you can feel confident every time you drive.

Does Delaware Require Car Insurance?

Delaware does require all drivers to have car insurance. This ensures that if you cause an accident, there are funds available to cover damages or injuries to others. Driving without insurance is against the law and can bring serious penalties.

The state sets minimum coverage requirements to protect other people on the road. While this protects victims in an accident, it may not cover your own car or medical expenses, so many drivers choose additional coverage for better protection.

Not having insurance in Delaware can lead to fines, suspension of your license, and difficulty registering your vehicle. Having proper coverage keeps you legal and provides financial security in case of unexpected accidents.

How Much Insurance Should You Get In Delaware?

Most drivers in Delaware must at least carry the state’s minimum liability coverage, $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability. $10,000 per accident for property damage liability and $15,000 per person for personal injury protection. This coverage is enough to meet the law’s requirement and helps cover injury or damages you cause to others.

If you cause a serious accident, costs for injuries and damage can easily exceed the minimum limits; carrying higher coverage can protect you financially. Higher coverage is especially important if you own a newer or expensive car, or if you want to protect your savings and assets from being used to pay for accidents.

How Much Is Car Insurance In Delaware?

Car insurance rates in Delaware can change depending on your age, the type of car you drive, your driving history, and the coverage you pick. Policies with more protection will cost more than basic liability plans. Your personal situation and the choices you make about coverage have a big impact on how much you pay.

Here’s a breakdown of average annual car insurance costs in Delaware for different driver profiles:

• Low-Income Drivers: Affordable insurance options for low-income drivers in Delaware exist, with minimum coverage policies starting at about $95 per month. These plans meet the state’s legal requirements while keeping costs manageable.
• Drivers With Bad Credit: Those with lower credit scores may see higher rates. In Delaware, minimum coverage can cost around $154 per month, depending on the insurer and coverage chosen.
• Drivers With A Speeding Ticket: Having a speeding ticket can raise your insurance rates. Even short-term or minimum coverage policies may become more expensive, with average costs around $121 per month.
• Senior Drivers: Drivers over 65 may pay more for full coverage, around $192 per month, while minimum coverage averages about $115 monthly. Rates depend on driving history and the insurer.
• Young Drivers: Teenagers and drivers in their early 20s usually face higher premiums. Full coverage can average $550 per month, and minimum coverage around $443 per month.
• Drivers With Old Cars: Owners of old vehicles often pay less for insurance because repair or replacement costs are lower. Full coverage for these cars can average around $89 per month.

These figures are general estimates and can vary depending on the insurer and your personal driving profile.

Which Car Insurance Companies Operate In Delaware?

Here are some of the major car insurance companies that operate in Delaware:

• State Farm
• GEICO
• Progressive
• Nationwide
• Liberty Mutual
• Allstate
• USAA
• Travelers
• The Hartford
• Amica Mutual Insurance Company

These insurance companies offer various coverage options and discounts for drivers in Delaware. It’s smart to compare their prices and what each policy covers so you can pick the one that fits your needs and budget.

How To Get Lower Insurance Premiums In Delaware

Here are some simple strategies to lower your car insurance premiums in Delaware:

Take a Defensive Driving Course: Completing a state-approved defensive driving or safe driving course can sometimes earn you a discount on your insurance because it shows you are proactive about safety.

Use Telematics or Usage-Based Insurance: Some insurers offer programs that track your driving habits through an app or device. Safe driving, like avoiding hard braking or driving at night less, can lower your premiums.

Review and Remove Unnecessary Coverage: If your car is older, you might not need full coverage (collision or comprehensive). Dropping unnecessary coverage can reduce your monthly payments.

Keep Your Credit Score Healthy: In Delaware, some insurers consider credit history when calculating rates. Maintaining a good credit score can help you get lower insurance premiums.

Pay Annually Instead of Monthly: Paying your insurance premiums in one annual payment instead of monthly can sometimes give you a small discount and reduce fees.

Delaware State Driving Laws

Delaware state driving laws are designed to keep everyone safe on the road. They explain how drivers should behave, what is allowed, and what isn’t. Knowing these rules helps you avoid fines and drive with confidence across the state.

Seat Belt Law

All drivers and passengers must wear a seat belt, no matter where they sit. This helps prevent serious injuries in crashes, and drivers can be fined if anyone in the car isn’t buckled.

No Texting While Driving

Using a handheld phone to text, email, or browse while driving is illegal in Delaware. Hands-free devices are allowed. This law reduces accidents caused by distracted driving.

Move Over Law

When approaching emergency vehicles, tow trucks, or maintenance vehicles stopped on the side of the road, drivers must slow down and move over if it is safe. This protects workers and prevents accidents.

Child Safety Seat Law

Children must ride in age and size-appropriate car seats or booster seats. Proper restraints are required until children meet the state’s height and weight limit. This ensures young passengers are safe in a crash.

Headlight Use In Bad Conditions

Drivers must turn on headlights during rain, fog, snow, or other low-visibility conditions. This law helps other drivers see your vehicle and reduces the chance of accidents.

Delaware Car Insurance Contact Information

Knowing where to go for car insurance or vehicle problems in Delaware can make things much easier. Here’s a list of important state agencies and what they can help you with.

Delaware Department Of Insurance (DOI)

Phone: 1-800-282-8611

Website: insurance.delaware.gov

Use Delaware DOI if you have questions about your auto insurance policy, need help understanding your coverage, or want to file a complaint or dispute against your insurance company.

Delaware Division Of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

Phone: 1-302-744-2500

Website:dmv.de.gov

Contact the DMV for anything related to driver’s licenses, vehicle registration, renewing registration, title services, or other vehicle-related paperwork and services.

Delaware Department Of Transportation (DelDOT)

Phone: (302) 760-2080

Website: deldot.gov

Use DelDOT if you need information about Delaware state highways, road conditions, construction updates, closures, or if you want to report a road issue such as potholes or damaged signs.

Delaware State Policy (DSP)

As the statewide law enforcement agency for highways, contact DSP for traffic safety, accidents, and enforcement of driving laws throughout Delaware.

Common Delaware Car-Related Crimes And Fatalities

It’s important for Delaware drivers to be aware of the car-related crimes that happen most often on the state’s roads. Below is a clear overview of the common car-related crimes and accident risks you should know about.

Distracted Driving

Using a phone or doing anything that takes your attention off the road is a major cause of accidents. Between 2020 and 2024, distracted driving was linked to thousands of crashes in Delaware, including serious injuries and fatalities.

Impaired Driving (Alcohol Or Drugs)

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs remains a serious crime and a leading cause of fatal crashes. In 2024, about a quarter of fatal crashes in Delaware involved alcohol or drugs.  When a driver is impaired, their judgment and reaction time are slowed, making deadly accidents much more likely.

Failure To Wear Seat Belts / Use Safety Restraints

Not wearing a seat belt greatly increases the risk of death or serious injury in a crash. In 2024, many of the people killed in fatal collisions in Delaware were not wearing a seat belt.

Speeding & Reckless Driving

Driving too fast or recklessly, like weaving through traffic, ignoring signals, or tailgating, increases both the chance of a crash and how serious it becomes. Speeding-related crashes are frequently among the causes of fatal accidents in Delaware.

Pedestrian And Bicyclist Crashes

Crashes that involve pedestrians or cyclists, often when drivers fail to see them or don’t yield, account for a significant share of traffic fatalities. In 2024, many Delaware pedestrians died in traffic-related crashes.