The First State has one of the top ten most expensive car insurance rates in the country. The average premiums for both liability-only and full coverage policies are higher than the national average but liability-only coverage is relatively more expensive. Delawareans have one of the highest automobile ownership per capita with one car owned for every person living in the state. The ratio of uninsured drivers at 8.5% significantly lower than the national average.
Delaware Car Insurance Laws
Minimum Liability Requirements are;
- $25,000 for bodily injury per person.
- $50,000 total for bodily injury per accident.
- $10,000 for property damage.
Delaware also requires Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage with the below minimums;
- PIP: $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident
Driving without insurance in DE may lead to a $1,500 fine for the first offense, $3,000 for subsequent offenses, and vehicle registration suspension. The Division of Motor Vehicles checks for insurance compliance and failing to maintain continuous insurance can result in fines and registration suspension. License plates must be surrendered to the Division before cancelling insurance for a registered vehicle.
Buying vehicle insurance may offer immense relief, as it offers protection against third-party claims, legal complications, and fines. Adding Collision and Comprehensive coverage to your policy ensures you are compensated for damages to your own car as well.
Vehicle Insurance Costs in Delaware
The average minimum state required vehicle insurance coverage premium in DE is $801 and it is 29% higher than the US average. And the average cost of a full coverage policy is $2,103, which is $89 higher than the national average.
Buying liability-only vehicle insurance is pricier in comparison to the national average. This could lead individuals with valuable enough cars to consider choosing a policy that includes Collision and Comprehensive coverage.
Competitive Auto Insurance Companies in Delaware
It is worth stressing that the variation in insurance quotes can be substantial based on the provider. Failing to shop around and settling for the first quote could result in paying significantly more than a reasonable premium. It’s worth noting that the following carriers currently offer the most affordable auto insurance coverage in DE.
- State Farm
- Travelers
- Nationwide
- Geico
- California Casualty
Your zip code is influential enough in DE in terms of vehicle insurance rates. Wilmington drivers pay on average 16% higher premiums than the state average and Dover residents pay 10% less. One of the above companies has the potential to save you a significant amount of money, particularly if you haven’t checked prices in several years.
Delaware Vehicle Insurance and Driving Facts
- When relocating to Delaware, drivers have 60 days to change the vehicle title and registration at a DMV facility. After completing title work and providing proof of insurance, the vehicle must undergo safety and emissions inspections before registration is complete.
- It’s important to note that out-of-state insurance is not accepted for titling and registering vehicles in Delaware, necessitating a new policy that meets state requirements before registration is possible.
- Delaware requires insurers to offer uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI) and uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage with the following minimum limits:
- UMBI: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
- UMPD: $10,000
These coverages can be declined in writing.
- According to Forbes, Delaware ranks among the five states with the fewest incidents of drunk driving. Delaware holds the third-lowest ratio of DUI arrests in the United States.
- Forbes notes a 78% average rate increase in Delaware when adding a teen to an auto insurance policy, in contrast to rates for a married couple without a teen driver.
- According to delawareonline.com, Delaware’s vehicle registration rules allow for the license plates to be transferred and passed down through generations, allowing people keep low digit and therefore valuable plate numbers in the family.
- In this state, Car crash fatalities are 2.6 times higher per 100 million miles traveled in rural areas compared to urban areas, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. There may be more urban accidents due to congestion. But they often occur at lower speeds and closer to emergency help, making them more survivable. In Delaware, roughly 67.2% of vehicle miles are driven on urban roads.
To reduce car insurance costs in Delaware, consider bundling and purchasing multi-car policies, especially if you have multiple vehicles within your family. It’s not necessary to acquire identical coverage for each car; you can opt for liability-only coverage for one and have Collision and Comprehensive coverage for another, based on their respective values. Another effective cost-saving strategy is bundling your home and auto insurance, which can yield savings on both policies.