Average Costs for Car Insurance in Delaware:
- In Delaware, the average cost for state minimum liability is $134 a month or $1,606 a year. Full coverage policies cost around $340 a month or $4,079 a year.
InsuranceQuotes cost rates are pulled from our real-time auto insurance database from recent quotes across the state of Delaware – Rates are based on a used car driver who is single, middle aged & has a clean driving record. Read on to learn about the cheapest local rates filtered by insurance providers, new cars, vehicle types and age.
What are the Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Delaware on Average?
- In Delaware on average the cheapest auto insurance providers are GEICO, State Farm and Progressive. State minimum liability car insurance starts at $91 a month or $1,090 a year with GEICO. Full coverage policies start at $229 a month or $2,749 a year with Nationwide.
Here is a breakdown of average costs from the cheapest local insurance providers in Delaware from our data set of used-car drivers who are single, middle aged and have a clean driving record.
| Insurance Provider: | State Minimum: | Monthly: | Full Coverage: | Monthly: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $1,090 | $91 | $3,451 | $288 |
| State Farm | $1,255 | $105 | $2,979 | $248 |
| Progressive | $1,303 | $109 | $3,507 | $292 |
| Nationwide | $1,484 | $124 | $2,749 | $229 |
| Allstate | $1,510 | $126 | $5,071 | $423 |
What are State Minimum Auto Coverage Requirements in DE?
State minimum auto insurance protects you and the passengers in your vehicle in the event of an accident. In Delaware, for every vehicle you own, there are minimum requirements that your insurance policy must meet. Your minimum liability insurance must cover:
- $15,000 for death or injury for one person.
- $30,000 for death or injury for two or more persons.
- $5,000 for property damage.
The State of Delaware Department of Motor Vehicles audits all vehicles to ensure all drivers have insurance. If you receive an audit on your vehicle, you must get an Insurance Certification Form (FR-19) from your insurer. If your insurance provider cancels your coverage, it will then file a Notice of Cancellation with the DMV. This notice gives you 30 days to find a new policy.
How Credit Scores and DUIs Affect Delaware Car Insurance Rates
A DUI conviction can more than double car insurance costs in Delaware, with annual full coverage premiums jumping from around $2,542 to $5,694 — an increase of roughly 124% and one of the steepest DUI penalties in the country — plus mandatory SR-22 filing for several years.
Credit history also carries significant weight. Delaware drivers with poor credit pay around $341 per month for full coverage, compared to roughly $218 per month for drivers with good credit — about 78% more. Improving your credit score before you shop is one of the fastest ways to lower your Delaware premium.
Delaware Car Insurance Rates by County
When looking for auto insurance, you should always compare multiple rates to get the best deal. Here are the average costs of auto insurance in DE by county:
| Costs by County: | Sedan: | SUV: | Coupe: | Truck: | Hybrid: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kent | $1,097 | $843 | $1,140 | $1,030 | $1,028 |
| New Castle | $1,097 | $843 | $1,140 | $1,030 | $1,028 |
| Sussex | $1,097 | $843 | $1,140 | $1,030 | $1,028 |
Delaware Car Insurance Costs by Popular Cities:
Choose Your City:
Tips for Finding Affordable Delaware Auto Insurance
As a resident of Delaware, there are many places you can go to learn more about auto insurance in the state. To start learning about auto insurance, the state DMV offers valuable data, contact details, and up-to-date regulations.
In Delaware, you cannot self-insure or leave a bond to satisfy your financial requirements. Under Regulation 608, every auto insurance provider must provide contact information to the Department of Insurance, including telephone numbers and e-mail addresses. If you have complaints or troubles when finding insurance, you can file arbitration with the Insurance Commissioner’s Office.
You can save money on your auto insurance by:
- Getting quotes from different companies and comparing prices.
- Taking a Defensive Driving Course to lower your rates.
- Asking about discounts for security features, such as anti-lock brakes, air bags, and passive restraint systems.
- Seeking companies that offer bundle discounts for home and auto insurance.
If you are older than 18 and you haven’t bought auto insurance before, you may have to pay higher rates. However, you can save money by asking about discounts that may be available to you. For inexperienced and younger drivers, these include discounts for good grades and driving safely.
Moving to Delaware: Important Information
If you’re moving to Delaware, you must apply for a Delaware driver’s license within 60 days of becoming a resident. To get your license, you will have to go to the local DMV office and turn in the following documents:
- Your out-of-state driver’s license or a copy of your driving record.
- Birth certificate, proof of Social Security Number, and two proofs of Delaware residency.
Once you turn in your papers, you will also have to fill out an application and pass a vision test.
If you’ve purchased a car out-of-state, you have 60 days to title and register your vehicle. Additionally, you are also required to do the following:
- Provide your valid insurance policy.
- Present your vehicle at a DMV office along with your certificate of title or current registration.
- Make sure your vehicle will pass a vehicle inspection.
- Complete a Certificate of Title application (MV-212.)
Driving Laws in Delaware
To minimize risk, you need to be aware of the unique driving laws in the state.
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal and strictly enforced, as it is in every state. If caught with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher, you risk license suspension, jail time, and fines. According to the Implied Consent law, police officers can chemically test any driver suspected of driving under the influence. Additionally, Delaware’s zero tolerance law allows immediate license suspension for underage drivers with a BAC of 0.02 percent.
Delaware does not have strict driving laws regarding cell phones. Adults are free to use their cell phones while driving, although a hands-free device is recommended. If you are under 18 years of age, any use of cell phones or other devices results in a 30-day license suspension.
What is Delaware Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Insurance?
PIP is a type of no-fault insurance law in Delaware. If you are in an accident, the PIP insurance covers your medical bills and lost wages. However, under Delaware state law, you are still able to sue the person who caused the accident.
Compare Car Insurance Rates by Nearby State
Car insurance in Delaware averages approximately $83 per month for minimum coverage and $200 per month for full coverage in 2026. Delaware is a no-fault state, which means mandatory Personal Injury Protection (PIP) adds to the base cost — full coverage in Delaware runs about 45 percent above the national average partly because of this requirement. Donegal Insurance offers the cheapest minimum coverage in Delaware at approximately $23 per month, well below the state average. Farmers Insurance provides minimum coverage from $74 per month. New Castle County, Delaware’s most populated county, typically runs above the state average while Sussex County (beach communities) and Kent County run closer to average.
Yes. Delaware is a no-fault state requiring all drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident in addition to standard liability coverage. Your PIP pays 80 percent of your medical expenses after any accident regardless of who caused it. Delaware’s required minimums are 25/50/10 liability plus the PIP requirement. The no-fault PIP requirement is one of the primary reasons Delaware’s car insurance costs run higher than most states — full coverage in Delaware averages about 45 percent above the national average. Delaware is one of only 12 no-fault states in the country.
Donegal Mutual Insurance offers the cheapest car insurance in Delaware by a significant margin — minimum coverage from approximately $23 per month and full coverage around $72 per month. Donegal is a Pennsylvania-based regional carrier that operates extensively in Delaware and rarely appears on national comparison tools. Farmers Insurance offers the next most affordable minimum coverage at approximately $74 per month. Travelers is competitive for full coverage. State Farm and GEICO are available but typically price higher in Delaware than in most other states due to the state’s required PIP and higher urban density in New Castle County. For Delaware drivers, Donegal is the essential starting point for any rate comparison.
Delaware requires all drivers to carry: bodily injury liability of 25/50/10 ($25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, $10,000 property damage), plus mandatory Personal Injury Protection (PIP) of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident. Delaware is a no-fault state so PIP is not optional — it must be included on every policy. Delaware also requires uninsured motorist coverage matching your liability limits. The combination of liability, PIP, and UM requirements makes Delaware’s baseline coverage more expensive than typical tort states, but it also means your own medical bills are covered immediately after any accident without proving fault.
Car insurance rates in Delaware vary meaningfully by county. New Castle County — home to Wilmington, Newark, and the I-95 corridor — carries the highest rates in the state due to traffic density and higher accident frequency. Kent County (Dover) falls near the state average. Sussex County in southern Delaware, which includes beach communities like Rehoboth Beach and Lewes, can see rate variation depending on whether you live there year-round or seasonally. Comprehensive coverage may run slightly higher in Sussex County coastal areas due to storm and flood exposure. Statewide, Delaware’s small geographic size means county-level differences are less dramatic than in larger states, but New Castle County drivers can still pay $10 to $20 per month more than comparable Sussex County drivers.
A DUI conviction can more than double car insurance costs in Delaware, with annual full coverage premiums jumping from around $2,542 to $5,694 — an increase of roughly 124%, plus mandatory SR-22 filing for several years.
Significantly. Delaware drivers with poor credit pay around $341 per month for full coverage, compared to roughly $218 per month for drivers with good credit — about 78% more.
Donegal Insurance: Delaware’s Best-Kept Car Insurance Secret
Donegal Mutual Insurance is the most affordable car insurance option in Delaware for most drivers — and it barely appears on national comparison websites. Based in Marietta, Pennsylvania, Donegal is a regional mutual insurer that operates extensively in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and nearby states. With minimum coverage from approximately $23 per month and full coverage around $72 per month, Donegal prices far below the Delaware state averages of $83 per month and $200 per month respectively. As a mutual company owned by policyholders rather than shareholders, Donegal historically maintains competitive rates and solid claims handling. Delaware drivers who have compared only national carriers like GEICO, State Farm, and Progressive should specifically request a Donegal quote — the savings over a full policy year can exceed $700 compared to mid-tier national carriers.
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Michael Giusti is a senior insurance analyst, business journalist, and university professor with over 20 years of experience. He serves as department chair at Loyola University New Orleans and contributes to Insurance Thought Leadership, U.S. News, and other leading financial outlets.
