Delaware drivers pay an average of $2,144 for full coverage car insurance, which is about $500 more per year than the national average. But even in a small state like Delaware, rates vary: in Rehoboth Beach, the average cost of care insurance is $1,780, but drivers in Wilmington pay an average of $2,692 for the same coverage.
The best way to find affordable car insurance coverage is to shop around and compare rates before you buy. Policygenius can show you what you’ll pay with top car insurance companies, so you can choose the policy that’s right for you.
Methodology & why you can trust our rates
Policygenius has analyzed car insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services for every ZIP code in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. For full coverage policies, the following coverage limits were used:
Bodily injury liability: 50/100
Property damage liability: $50,000
Uninsured/underinsured motorist: 50/100
Comprehensive: $500 deductible
Collision: $500 deductible
In some cases, additional coverages were added where required by state or insurer.
Rates for overall average rate, rates by ZIP code, and cheapest companies determined using averages for single drivers ages 30, 35, and 45. Our sample vehicle was a 2017 Toyota Camry LE driven 10,000 miles/year.
Rates for driving violations and “Poor” credit determined using average rates for a single male 30-year-old driver with a credit score under 578.
Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.
Cheapest car insurance companies in Delaware
Personal details like your age, gender, and driving history, as well as where you live and what kind of car you drive all go into setting the rates for your car insurance.
Because no two drivers are the same, the cheapest company for one driver isn’t necessarily going to be the best buy for you. That’s why you should always take the time to shop around and compare quotes before picking a policy.
Company | Average cost | JD Power Rating |
|---|---|---|
State Farm | $97/month | 882 |
Travelers | $109/month | 854 |
USAA | $112/month | 890 |
GEICO | $124/month | 874 |
California Casualty | $143/month | -- |
Cheapest car insurance companies by age in Delaware
In Delaware and elsewhere, younger drivers pay more for car insurance than more experienced drivers. If you're insuring a teenager, you can pay less by looking for savings, like good driver discounts, or adding your teen to your own policy rather than buying a standalone policy for them.
Rates typically drop as younger drivers gain experience, especially if they maintain a safe driving record.
Age | Cheapest company | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
16 | State Farm | $4,290 |
18 | USAA | $3,123 |
21 | USAA | $1,959 |
25 | Travelers | $1,370 |
30 | State Farm | $1,176 |
35 | State Farm | $1,157 |
45 | State Farm | $1,163 |
55 | Travelers | $1,094 |
65 | State Farm | $1,079 |
70 | State Farm | $1,138 |
60 | State Farm | $1,084 |
Choosing the right car insurance company in Delaware
There’s no one right car insurance company that will offer the best rates to every driver. Always make sure to compare companies; rates change from city to city, and even between individual ZIP codes.
Policygenius can help you see options from top companies so you can be sure you’re choosing the best option for your needs.
Car insurance rates for drivers with driving violations in Delaware
Insurance companies consider a less than perfect driving record as an indicator of future claims. More severe violations, like an at-fault accident, will raise your rates more than, say, expired registration.
The more accidents or moving violations in your recent driving history, the more you’ll pay for car insurance coverage.
Violation | State Farm | Travelers | USAA | GEICO | California Casualty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At-fault accident | $1,397 | $1,360 | $1,419 | $3,005 | $2,624 |
Suspended license | $1,287 | $2,232 | $2,505 | $4,242 | $4,248 |
Open container | $1,287 | $2,232 | $2,136 | $3,488 | $4,248 |
Expired registration | $1,287 | $1,360 | $1,419 | $2,229 | $2,063 |
Driving without lights | $1,287 | $1,857 | $1,832 | $2,229 | $2,063 |
Running a red light | $1,287 | $1,857 | $1,832 | $2,229 | $2,063 |
Following too closely | $1,287 | $1,360 | $1,832 | $2,229 | $2,063 |
Hit and run | $1,287 | $2,232 | $2,638 | $4,041 | $4,248 |
Not-at-fault accident | $1,176 | $1,667 | $1,419 | $1,764 | $1,754 |
Passing a school bus | $1,287 | $1,857 | $2,136 | $2,229 | $2,063 |
Reckless driving | $1,287 | $2,232 | $2,304 | $4,041 | $4,248 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI in Delaware
Company | Rates for drivers with DUIs |
|---|---|
State Farm | $1,287 |
Travelers | $2,232 |
USAA | $2,573 |
GEICO | $3,488 |
California Casualty | $4,248 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket in Delaware
Company | Rates for drivers with speeding tickets |
|---|---|
State Farm | $1,287 |
USAA | $1,832 |
California Casualty | $2,063 |
Travelers | $2,232 |
GEICO | $4,041 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in Delaware
Drivers with poor credit generally pay more for coverage, so if you know your credit is bad, be extra sure to shop around and compare options before you buy.
In Delaware, drivers have the option to request that a company not do a credit check, and insurance companies can only use credit information when issuing a new policy, not for renewals.
Company | Rates for drivers with bad credit |
|---|---|
GEICO | $2,178 |
Travelers | $2,459 |
USAA | $2,460 |
California Casualty | $2,889 |
Progressive | $3,080 |
Car insurance costs in Delaware cities
Where you live impacts what you pay for car insurance, because companies will consider things like accident rates, reports of car theft and vandalism, even average repair costs in your neighborhood. Here’s what drivers pay, on average, in the 10 biggest cities in Delaware:
Wilmington: $2,692
Dover: $1,980
Newark: $2,328
Middletown: $2,101
Smyrna: $2,091
Milford: $1,895
Seaford: $1,918
Georgetown: $1,895
New Castle: $2,593
Millsboro: $1,887
Buying car insurance in Delaware
Delaware requires that all drivers have at least the following levels of coverage, all though most drivers need well over the state minimums in order to be fully protected:
Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000
Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
Property damage liability coverage: $10,000
Personal Injury Protection (PIP): $15,000 per person; $30,000 per accident
Even though Delaware is an at-fault state, drivers are required to have a minimum amount of Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which pays medical expenses and related costs if you or your passengers are injured in a car accident, even if another driver was at fault.
How to get cheap car insurance in Delaware
Car insurance can be expensive, but there are a few simple strategies to making sure you’re getting your best car insurance rates:
Always compare costs when buying car insurance, and reshop every time your policy is up for renewal
Take advantage of discounts, like savings for safe driving and paying your premium up front as opposed to monthly
Bundle more than one policy, like auto and home or renters, with one insurance company to take advantage of multi-policy savings
Frequently asked questions
Which company in Delaware has the cheapest car insurance?
On average, car insurance from State Farm tends to be the cheapest in Delaware. Drivers may also find affordable coverage from USAA, Travelers, and GEICO.
How much is car insurance per month in Delaware?
On average, the monthly cost of car insurance in Delaware is $179 (or $2,144 per year). This makes it more expensive than the national average cost of coverage.
What is the minimum car insurance in Delaware?
Drivers in Delaware must carry at least $25,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person, $50,000 per accident, and $10,000 of property damage liability. Delaware also requires $15,000 of personal property protection — though it's not a no-fault state.
What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Delaware?
If you cannot provide proof of insurance when asked, the state may suspend your license for six months, and impose fines ranging from $1,500 to $2,000. Another violation within three years carries even higher penalties.
