Compare Delaware Car Insurance Rates [2024]

Now that we have sorted through some data about auto insurance costs to the individual consumer, let’s take a look at some important statistics about the insurance companies themselves.First, let us examine the concept of loss ratio.

Loss Ratio

What exactly is a loss ratio? And what is its effect on your premiums?

The insurance loss ratio is the loss to the insurance company for claims that were paid out, divided by the premiums collected. A high loss ratio means that an insurance company has too many customers filing claims, which will subsequently lead to a rise in future premiums for all consumers.

State Farm, the largest auto insurer in Delaware, has a loss ratio of 60.02 percent, which is a healthy rate. Typically, a loss ratio between 40 to 60 percent is considered standard. Too much higher would mean that a company is paying out too many claims and would have a hard time remaining solvent.

However, if a company’s loss ratio is well under 40 percent, that means the company is pocketing much more money in premiums than paying out in claims or discounts to its customers.

Add-Ons, Riders, and Endorsements

According to the Insurance Information Institute, a little over 11 percent of drivers in Delaware (11.4 percent to be exact) don’t have insurance, which ranks as the 28th highest percentage in the country.

As a counter to those who choose to forego any coverage altogether, you may consider opting for additional coverage options to protect.

One such option in the Blue Hen State is Medical Payments Coverage. This coverage pays for reasonable and necessary medical expenses, without regard to legal liability, resulting from accidental bodily injury while operating or occupying an insured vehicle or being struck as a pedestrian by a motor vehicle.

Med Pay insurance applies regardless of whether the insured or another driver was at fault. It even applies when the insured or the insured’s family are pedestrians on the street and are struck by another motorist.

Despite the increasing popularity of pay-by-the-mile auto insurance plans offered by companies like Metromile, they are currently not being offered in Delaware.

Other Usage-Based Insurance programs (UBI) are active and available to drivers in Delaware. Programs like Drivewise from Allstate or Snapshot from Progressive or CoverageMyWay from Esurance offer discounts to drivers based on how well and how often they drive.

In addition to these add-ons, there are several more optional enhancements that you can explore to decide which ones may be right for you:

• GAP insurance
• Personal Umbrella Policy (PUP)
• Rental Car Reimbursement
• Emergency Roadside Assistance
• Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
• Non-Owner Car Insurance
• Modified Car Insurance Coverage
• Classic Car Insurance

Male Versus Female Rates in Delaware

Here’s a look at the Most Expensive Demographic rates in the Diamond State. Can you see where you fit in? Are you having a better idea of what car insurance in Delaware might cost you and your family?

As you can see, whether you’re a boy or girl, young or old, in Delaware, it’s going to cost you a pretty penny (actually, a lot of pretty pennies) to be insured with Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Company.

Delaware Insurance Rates by ZIP Code

Is car insurance more expensive in Northern Delaware or in Lower Slower Delaware? Is there cheap car insurance in Wilmington, Delaware?

Let’s find out by taking a look at the most expensive ZIP Codes in the First State. Here are the 25 ZIP codes with the highest average annual premiums in Delaware:

So that you can compare and contrast, here are the 25 ZIP codes with the lowest average annual premiums in Delaware:

Delaware Insurance Rates by City

Where does your city rank statewide?

Unveil the Most Competitive Insurance Rates in Delaware: Compare Car Insurance Rates in Your City

Easily compare car insurance rates in Bear, Milford, and Newark, Delaware. Start now to find the best rates for your needs!

Delaware Car Insurance Companies

There are tons of vehicle insurance carriers out there including large companies like Progressive car insurance, State Farm car insurance, and USAA car insurance. You also may be wondering if you can get Root car insurance in Delaware. Sifting through all the information to find which of the many auto insurance companies is right for you can be overwhelming.

Who’s going to give you the best rates? Who has the best customer service? Do you qualify for any discounts or upgrades?

In a state that boasts more chickens and corporations than actual human beings, it’s hard to even know whom to ask for advice.

No need to worry: we are here to help you find the relevant information you need to make a wise decision.

When deciding on a car insurance company, you should seriously examine its public reputation.

Doing your due diligence will ensure that you don’t end up in an acrimonious relationship with an auto insurer that leaves you feeling, as Avril Lavigne says, so dead, held up so high on such a breakable thread (breakable thread).

A company’s public reputation can often be a strong indicator of the kind of rates it offers to its consumers. We’ll show how the largest companies rate in the areas of financial stability and customer satisfaction.

Financial Ratings

AM Best is a credit rating agency. It evaluates insurance companies and grades them based on their financial stability. The table below shows the ten largest insurance companies in Delaware as measured by direct premiums written with their AM Best rating.

Customer Satisfaction Ratings

Car Insurance Companies in Delaware With the Most and Least Complaints

For any relationship to be successful and long-lasting, trust has to be a major factor. Both parties must work together to achieve satisfaction.

Unfortunately, satisfaction can’t always be achieved in every relationship. When a consumer is dissatisfied, he or she can file a complaint. Those complaints, justified or not, are factored into a company’s complaint ratios.

The complaint ratio is how many complaints a company receives per $1 million of business.

Largest Car Insurance Companies in Delaware

This chart gives a visual representation of the car insurance companies with the largest market share in Delaware.

Complaint Ratios for Delaware’s 10 Largest Auto Insurers

Ever wonder how many licensed auto insurance companies are in Delaware? The answer is 867. 101 are domestic to Delaware, while the remaining 766 are foreign to the Diamond State.

Compare Delaware Car Insurance Rates by Company

Now, we’re going to examine which of the top car insurance companies, on average, give the best rates statewide.

Compare Delaware Rates by Carrier and Commute

Compare Delaware Rates by Carrier and Coverage Level

Compare Delaware Rates by Carrier and Credit History

Curious about how your credit history impacts the quotes you receive from car insurance companies? Consumer Reports conducted a study for Delaware analyzing the effect of credit history on premiums.

Compare Delaware Rates by Carrier and Driving Record

When it comes to owning a not-so-clean driving record, your reputation can precede you. Each auto insurance company has its own underwriting criteria, and each views certain violations differently. Here is a quick look at how much car insurance with a bad driving record can cost in Delaware:

Compare Delaware Rates by Carrier and Demographic

Note: All carriers and situations are not created equal. Examine the vast difference between the rates offered to a 60-year-old married female and a 17-year-old single female by Travelers:

A married 60-year-old female will pay $1,610.37 on average with Travelers, while a 17-year-old single female will pay $9,243.54 with the same company.

When it comes to shopping for the best car insurance rates, remember these two words: Do You.

Choose the company offering the best rates for your personal situation, not anybody else’s.

The best way to ensure that you’re getting the best possible coverage at the best possible rates for your specific circumstance is to compare rates from multiple carriers.

Another surefire way to make sure your rates stay as low as possible is to be a good driver. And being a good driver entails knowing the rules of the road and adhering to them. We’ll go over the laws of the land to keep you informed and your driving record spotless.

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Delaware Auto Insurance Laws

Trying to memorize every traffic law in Delaware would be both mind-numbing and impractical. We’ll help you to sift through the nonessentials and highlight those regulations that are most relevant to Delaware drivers.

Car Insurance Laws

Are there Delaware car insurance requirements? State laws have considerable influence on auto insurance. Each state determines the type of tort law and threshold (if any) that applies in the state, the type and amount of liability insurance required, and the system used for approval of insurer rates and forms.

Insurance companies in Delaware are subject to the regulations set by that state’s insurance commissioner. Ultimately, all rates and regulations must meet the fair competition standards set by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

Car Insurance Rate-Setting Regulations

“Open competition” is the capitalistic process in which rates are formed; however, if the insurance commissioner decides that rates are excessive or could be harmful to the company’s solvency, he or she will step in and adjust those figures.

High-Risk Delaware Auto Insurance

The Delaware SR-22 car insurance form must be filed by drivers who have committed violations or have multiple infractions, as well as uninsured drivers and others. If your license has been revoked or suspended, you may need to file an SR-22 to have it reinstated.

The SR-22 form is available from your insurance company, but it is not an insurance policy.

If you do require the SR-22 insurance proof in DE, that means your license is or will be suspended or revoked and you cannot legally drive in Delaware. Filing the correct documentation and meeting other requirements per the DMV can help you toward eventually reinstating your driving privileges.

Read More: Compare Best Car Insurance Companies That Don’t Report to the DMV When They Cancel a Customer

Please be sure to have the correct address on your driver’s license to ensure that you receive the notice.

Here is a list of some major violations that will earn points on your license or even a suspension in Delaware:

• Passing a stopped school bus: 6 points
• Reckless driving: 6 points
• Aggressive driving: 6 points
• Speeding 20 MPH over the posted speed limit: 5 points
• Disregarding stop signs or red lights: 3 points

Your license may be canceled for an incorrect or fraudulent license application, or it may be canceled if a check written to pay driver’s license fees is returned for insufficient funds.

Windshield Coverage

Delaware has no specific laws requiring insurance companies to offer broken windshield car insurance or no-deductible windshield replacement. Your insurance company may require you to use a specific repair shop in order to receive coverage. As a consumer, you have the right to choose a repair vendor but you may be required to pay the difference in the quote.

Automobile Insurance Fraud in Delaware

Insurance fraud is the second largest economic crime in America. Insurance fraud impacts premium rates and the prices consumers pay for goods and services. The department’s insurance fraud prevention division plays an important role in investigating suspected fraud.

And if those fraud numbers continue to escalate it is more likely that the insurance will pass on some of that cost to you as the consumer in the form of increased premiums.

If companies didn’t have to waste their premium dollars on false claims, you could see a reduction in the rates you pay.

There are two classifications of fraud: hard and soft.

• Hard Fraud: A purposefully fabricated claim or accident
• Soft Fraud: A misrepresentation of information to the insurance company

Soft fraud is more common than hard fraud. Twenty to 40 percent of consumers admitted to lying to their insurer about one of the following:

• Number of annual miles driven
• Number of drivers in the household
• How the vehicle would be used

Insurance fraud is a crime, no matter how you slice it. Even the “little, white lie” you tell to get a lower rate can lead to harmful consequences. That kind of willful misrepresentation of facts is called known as “rate evasion” and is a $16 billion annual expense to auto insurers.

But consumers aren’t the only ones perpetrating auto insurance fraud in Delaware. American Standard is under investigation by Delaware Attorney General Matt Denn’s office for allegedly running an auto warranty scam.

If you suspect insurance fraud or have been the victim of fraud, you can contact the Delaware Department of Insurance to report such activity.

Statute of Limitations

Delaware’s statute of limitations for filing a claim is two years for both personal injury and property damage.

Vehicle Licensing Laws

Don’t make the mistake of driving in the state of Delaware without proper registration and insurance. It would be unwise and potentially costly to do so.

Penalties for Driving Without Insurance

Delaware’s DMV has an online portal where residents can perform tasks such as renewing their registrations and driver’s licenses, updating or changing their addresses, and retrieving their driving history. Vehicle registration and insurance information can be easily accessed through the state database.

The penalty for driving without insurance in Delaware is as follows: A minimum $1,500 fine and license suspension for six months for a first offense. A second offense within three years will earn a minimum $3,000 fine and license suspension for six months.

Teen Driver Laws

Delaware employs a Graduated Driver’s License program for young drivers, designed to reduce the high accident and fatality rate among teen motorists. The program seeks to give young drivers supervised driving experience to assist them in eventually earning their Level 1 Permit and Class D License.

To be eligible for Delaware’s Level 1 Permit, teen drivers must be a minimum of 16 years old and under 18 years old. The learner permit candidates must present proof that they have completed a certified Delaware driver’s education course.

When applying for a learner permit, teen drivers must have a sponsor sign the permit application. The sponsor is held responsible, along with the teen drivers, for any negligent damage that the permit holders may cause until they reach the age of 18.

While driving, the supervisor or sponsor must sit beside the teen driver while the vehicle is in motion, no other passengers are allowed to sit beside the permit holder. This mandatory supervision is in effect for the first six months that the teen driver holds the permit.

Level 1 permit holders must have certified documentation of 50 hours of driving, 10 of which must be nighttime driving. Like all drivers in Delaware, a texting ban and handheld device ban are in place for teen drivers. In fact, Level 1 permit holders are prohibited from using cell phones altogether when driving, even if it’s mounted or connected to Bluetooth.

When the teen driver with a Level 1 Permit has been driving for a full year and is in good standing (without suspension, revocation, etc.), the permit will automatically convert to a Class D License.

Once a teenager has completed the requirements for getting a driver’s license, the next step is finding teen car insurance.

Older Driver’s License Renewal

Delaware can never be accused of ageism against its senior population when it comes to its driving laws.

Elderly drivers in Delaware must get their licenses renewed every eight years, just like every other driver in the general population. Just like the rest of the general population, senior drivers must show proof of adequate vision at every renewal. And just like the rest of the general population, elderly motorists are prohibited from renewing online or by mail; all drivers in Delaware must renew in person.

New Resident Licensing

If this is your first time being a resident in the First State, you may have some questions regarding how and when to apply for a new license in Delaware.

Bring all required documentation to a driver’s licensing location to obtain your new Delaware driver’s license.

License Renewal

Driver licenses must be renewed every eight years. Renewals must be done in person. You should not wait until your license expires.

REAL ID

Delaware is compliant with the REAL ID Act passed by Congress and enforced by Homeland Security. This means that a Delaware-issued driver’s license or state ID is an acceptable form of identification at federal facilities, airports, and nuclear power plants.

Rules of the Road

Delaware is a “no-fault” state, meaning all drivers must seek compensation for damages from their own insurance companies.

Keep Right and Move Over Laws

Delaware law requires that you keep right if driving slower than the average speed of traffic around you.

Delaware adopted a new “Move Over” law on January 1, 2007, requiring drivers to move over and for emergency vehicles while simultaneously lowering speed as they pass. The law bars drivers from driving in the lane next to shoulders where emergency and nonemergency workers are present.

Speed Limits

Seat Belt Laws

According to seat belt laws, Delaware requires drivers and all front-seat passengers 16 and older to wear a seat belt. A violation is not a primary offense. Passengers in the back seat, ages 8-15 or weighing 66 pounds or more, are permitted to use an adult safety belt.

Not wearing a seat belt by itself cannot be a cause for your getting pulled over but should you be stopped for some other traffic violation, you can be ticketed for failure to wear a seat belt. The minimum fine is $25.

Car Seat Laws

All children 7 years old or younger or weighing less than 66 pounds are required to be seated in a child safety seat. They are not permitted to use an adult seat belt under any circumstances.

Ridesharing

To date, no auto insurers in Delaware offer rideshare insurance specifically for ridesharing services.

Safety Laws

The goal of all safety laws should be to ensure the well-being of all motorists and pedestrians on the road. The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) has compiled a list of helpful safety resources regarding traffic and safety laws.

DUI Laws

The Blood-Alcohol Content (BAC) limit in Delaware is 0.08 percent; the High BAC limit is between 0.15 and 0.2 percent.

Drug-Impaired Driving Laws

Currently, Delaware has a Zero Tolerance Policy on THC and metabolites.

Delaware Can’t-Miss Facts

Here are some can’t-miss facts about the Diamond State:

Vehicle Theft in Delaware

Car theft is no laughing matter. Which cars in Delaware are most popular to car thieves? Check out the chart below to find out.

Vehicle Theft by City

The table below gives a breakdown of the top cities for auto theft within the state.

Read more: Compare Wyoming Car Insurance Rates

Risky and Harmful Behavior

For your information, we’ve compiled a list of all driving-related fatalities in Delaware.

Traffic Fatalities by County

Fatality Rates Rural Versus Urban

Fatalities by Person Type

EMS Response Time

Transportation

The Diamond State, along with southeast Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, form the congested tri-state corridor of the Delaware Valley.

So, how bad is the commute look for the motorists of Delaware? How does rush-hour traffic compare to the rest of the nation? What methods do they use to get to work? The answers to those questions are coming up next.

Car Ownership

Almost 50 percent of Delaware households own two cars.

Commute Time

At 25 minutes, Delaware motorists almost mirror the national average of 25.3 minutes of commute time. Only 2.48 percent of Delawareans experience a “super commute” of 90 minutes or more.

Commuter Transportation

More than 80 percent of workers in Delaware commute alone. Less than 10 percent of commuters carpooled.

Now you have all the essential facts about Delaware driving laws and insurance requirements. Make sure to put all that knowledge to good use to get yourself the best insurance quotes possible.

Enter your ZIP code below to compare car insurance quotes and to ensure you’re getting first-rate rates from the top auto insurance companies in the First State.

Delaware DUI Laws and Penalties

Wondering about Delaware DUI laws and penalties? First-time offenders face up to 6 months in jail, fines from $500 to $1,500, and a 1-year license suspension.

• Delaware has strict and specific laws when it comes to DUI convictions
• If you have multiple DUI convictions, you could face up to 15 years in prison
• You should never get behind the wheel if you have been drinking alcohol
• Delaware’s car insurance companies will take note if you have a DUI

Delaware has prepared for the fact that people may be arrested several times for driving under the influence (DUI).

As a matter of fact, they have specific penalties for people arrested seven different times for this same crime. Other states haven’t been this thorough.

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What is the Legal BAC in Delaware?

Delaware drivers arrested while driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or greater can be convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) charge.

Car insurance after a DUI is difficult to find and expensive to keep.

First Time Offenders

The first time that Delaware drivers are found guilty of breaking DUI insurance laws, they will have to spend some time in jail. In Delaware, this sentence will last, at the most, six months.

They will have a fine levied against them anywhere from $500 to $1,500.

They will also be required to attend courses specific to drunk driving and its effects.

If first-time offenders had a BAC between .08 and .14, their licenses would be suspended for one year. An offender arrested with a BAC between .15 and .19 has their license suspended for 18 months.

Anyone arrested with a BAC greater than .20 receives a two-year license suspension.

First Offense Election

Those who have been convicted of their first offenses have the option of enrolling in Delaware’s first-offender program.

When they apply for this program, drivers have the opportunity to receive an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) license.

Once they qualify for this license, they will be able to drive again after one month, as long as they have an IID installed in their cars. They will be required to remain in this program for at least five months.

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Second-Time Offenders

Those who receive their second convictions get to spend more time in jail.

This time, their sentences will be at least two months and could last as long as a year and a half. Their fines also increase to between $750 and $2,500.

They will have the option of keeping the IID in their vehicles if they want to drive again after they have served one year of their license suspension. They will also be required to attend courses and programs aimed at preventing drunken driving.

Second-time offenders arrested with a BAC between .08 and .14 must endure a two-year license suspension.

Third-Time Offenders

The third time that Delaware drivers are arrested and convicted of DUI, they have received a Class G felony.

This kind of felony will give them a prison sentence lasting at least one year with a maximum possibility of two years. The fine they will be ordered to pay will be between $1,500 and $5,000.

After they have completed a year of their license suspensions, they can apply to qualify for the IID and will need to attend courses and programs against drunk driving.

The license suspension will last for two years if the offender had a BAC between .08 and .14, 30 months with a BAC between .15 to .19, and three years with a BAC higher than .20.

Fourth-Time Offenders

People who receive their fourth DUI conviction have just become Class 4 felons. (For more information, read our “Compare Best Car Insurance Companies That Accept Felons“).

The prison sentence lasts at least two years and could last up to five years. At this point, it doesn’t matter how high or low the offender’s BAC was; they all receive 60-month license suspensions, and their fines will range from $3,000 to $7,000.

These offenders will have to wait two years before they can be eligible for the IID and they will have more education courses to complete.

Some states don’t specify different penalties for people arrested for DUI after the fourth time, but in Delaware, they have differing penalties of increasing severity for the fifth, sixth, and seventh arrests.

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Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh-Time Offenders

The fifth DUI conviction is a Class E felony. The prison sentence will be between three and five years, and the fine will be between $3,500 and $10,000.

The sixth DUI conviction results in a prison sentence of five years up to eight years with a fine between $5,000 and $10,000. This conviction is now a Class D felony.

After receiving a seventh conviction, Delaware drivers will be imprisoned for at least 10 years. They will pay a fine anywhere from $10,000 to $15,000 and will receive their fifth felony conviction. This time it is a Class C felony.

Drunk Driving Accidents in Delaware

In 2009, Delaware experienced 102 car crashes that resulted in 118 fatalities. Of these 102 collisions, 42 percent were alcohol-related. Total arrests for DUI in this state came to 3,804 for the year.

The state has separated its alcohol-related fatalities into three different groups:

• The under-25 age group represented 23 percent of the 118 fatalities from 2009
• The 25 to 54 age group experienced 65 percent of the alcohol-related fatalities
• The over-55 age group had 12 percent of alcohol-related deaths.

The Latest Developments

In June 2011, the Attorney General and the Governor joined forces to combat the problem of repeat offenders by passing and signing a bill into law that increased the repeat offenders’ prison time and added monitoring and counseling to these people’s sentences.

The new law was written because Attorney General Beau Biden acknowledged the fact that multiple arrests aren’t deterring people from repeatedly drinking and driving.

The law is also meant to help people become sober and remain that way permanently.

These repeat offenders may be released from prison on parole only if they agree to be monitored with an electronic ankle bracelet; they must also remain sober for 90 days.

During this time, they will be receiving intense treatment for their alcohol addictions.

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Auto Insurance after a DUI in Delaware

Delaware drivers who have their auto insurance with a national car insurance company will find that their auto insurance rates will rise after a DUI arrest.

It’s likely that these companies will cancel the policy, but people with a DUI have to have liability coverage if they are going to be allowed to drive again.

For Delaware drivers to find auto insurance that isn’t double or even triple the rates that they were paying before their arrests, they will have to consult this comparison website.

It will be necessary for them to do this as a lot of insurance companies can’t accommodate their needs for a DUI insurance policy.

Delaware: “The Tort State”

A DUI insurance policy will offer these drivers limited coverage, but it will at least meet the minimum liability coverage requirements that Delaware has imposed on all of their drivers.

Since Delaware is a tort state, this means that someone will need to be assigned blame for causing a collision.

The purpose is to find out which driver will pay everyone’s medical bills and property damage repair bills.

Some auto insurance companies know that Delaware drivers who have been convicted of DUIs are at their mercy because so many insurance companies will refuse to sell them insurance policies when they are such a high risk.

To find the best rates for car insurance after a DUI conviction, enter your ZIP code below!

What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Delaware?

The minimum penalty for driving without insurance in Delaware is a $1,500 fine and a 6-month license suspension. Driving without insurance in Delaware a second time will double the fine.

• Failure to carry proof of insurance brings forth steep penalties in Delaware
• Electronic proof of insurance is acceptable in Delaware
• Delaware has recently made changes to mandatory minimum coverage amounts

Delaware, the First State, experiences a tremendous amount of traffic due to being situated between the major cities of Baltimore and Philadelphia.

Residents living in Delaware must be very careful when driving on the state’s road, not only because of traffic but due to weather conditions during the winter months.

State police statistics prove why a cautious attitude is a smart attitude. 24,066 traffic accidents took place in 2015 alone.

Traffic reports show the importance of maintaining an effective auto insurance policy in Delaware. If you are at fault for a traffic accident, lawsuits likely follow.

When hit by an uninsured driver or when you cause damage to your own car, an insurance policy lends financial assistance to cover losses.

Not every driver, however, takes the necessary responsibility to avoid an insurance lapse. Not renewing an auto insurance policy on time, missing scheduled payments, and ignoring the grace period may lead to lengthy insurance lapses.

Anyone involved in an incident whose insurance has lapsed is on his/her own. A lapse means no policy exists, which can be disastrous. Furthermore, not carrying insurance either through a lapse or other reason also violates Delaware state law.

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Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Delaware

Not every state imposes serious penalties on those who choose to drive without insurance. Delaware definitely falls under the category of jurisdictions that do not consider the violation to be a minor matter.

Steep fines demonstrate just how much Delaware wishes to deter uninsured motorists.

First Offense

With a first offense, a driver convicted in a court of not carrying insurance must pay a fine of no less than $1,500. $1,500 reflects the minimum fine.

The amount could be higher but less than the fine for a second offense. Also, driving privileges in Delaware would be suspended for six months.

Second Offense

Those convicted of a second offense face a fine of $3,000. Another six-month license suspension would be imposed as well. Each subsequent offense within three years of the previous offense creates another $3,000 fine and a six-month suspension.

Other troubling issues arise when convicted of failure to provide proof of insurance. The subsequent fine, suspension, and notations on the DMV record cause insurance rates to skyrocket.

High-risk drivers may even find the number of insurers willing to cover them to diminish.

What proof of insurance is accepted in Delaware?

Insurance companies provide their customers with a Proof of Insurance (POI) document. The documents are usually mailed with the full contract and billing invoice prior to a renewal.

POI documents can be requested at any time and could be transmitted online or through the mail. The documents do have an expiration date. Be sure the document being carried is not expired.

An expired document does not constitute acceptable proof of insurance even when the policy number for the old and new contracts is the same.

Drivers would have to go through the hassle of proving they carry insurance in court when unable to provide accurate information.

Another option does exist when asked for proof of insurance. In 2014, Delaware joined a long list of states in which electronic proof of insurance is acceptable.

Showing a copy of the POI document on a smartphone or other similar device is fine. Storing a copy of the document on a smartphone would be a wise move.

How to Get Insurance in Delaware

Probably the easiest way to purchase insurance in Delaware entails requesting several quotes online. The quotes detail all the coverage options available and at what price.

Please be mindful that the following minimum insurance requirements are in effect:

• $25,000 for bodily injury/death of 1 person in 1 accident
• $50,000 for bodily injury/death of 2 or more persons in 1 accident
• $10,000 for property damage in any 1 accident

These limits were recently increased through a law signed by the governor in June of 2019. Previously, the minimums were $15,0000/$30,0000/$5,000.

Such figures were among the lowest in the entire United States. The amounts are still low, which is why drivers should seek to purchase a more expansive policy capable of delivering necessary protections.

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Understanding Insurance through a Controlled Test in Delaware

Both the male and the female who were getting auto insurance quotes for the purpose of the test had the same qualities and features.

• They were both 25-year-old single homeowners who had jobs.
• They drove a 2012 Nissan Altima they had purchased new.
• They had both received a speeding ticket in the past year for going less than 20 miles per hour over the speed limit.
• Prior to getting this quote, they had been insured for three years or more.

To get a quote, both drivers were looking for the cheapest plan with a monthly price.

The drivers chose to not mention any discounts and declined any car insurance discounts the agents offered them.

The only way each of the drivers received a discount was if the agent automatically applied the discount without their knowledge.

The coverage quote should have been for comprehensive and collision but did not include property damage coverage for uninsured motorists.

Allstate

Female quotes:

• Economy plan – $301 down payment and $305/month or $1,829 upfront for six months
• Standard plan – $331 down payment and $318/month or $2,009 upfront for six months
• Enhanced plan – $364 down payment and $368/month or $2,206 upfront for six months

Male quotes:

• Economy plan – $314 down payment and $318/month or $1,905 upfront for six months
• Standard plan – $343 down payment and $347/month or $2,079 upfront for six months
• Enhanced plan – $375 down payment and $379/month or $2,270 upfront for six months

A male would pay $13 more per month for Allstate’s economy insurance coverage, $11 more per month for the standard plan, and nine dollars more each month for the enhanced plan.

In Delaware, a female would pay less overall for car insurance from Allstate. The average monthly rate for a female was $305, and for a male was $318. In many states, Allstate has cheaper coverage for females than they do for males.

Geico

Geico offers two different plans for insurance coverage. They only have two options for both males and females to choose from. They do not have a down payment on their plans in Delaware. Geico car insurance does not include comprehensive and collision coverage on either of these plans.

Female quotes:

• First option: $159.18 per month, $925.03 paid upfront for six months’ coverage
• Second option: $174.26 per month, $1,015.51 paid upfront for six months’ coverage

Male quotes:

• First option: $108.95 per month, $623.66 paid upfront for six months’ coverage
• Second option: $119.18 per month, $685.03Â paid upfront for six months’ coverage

The difference is $50.23 per month for the first option and $55.08 per month for the second option with the female paying more both times.

Progressive

Progressive car insurance had different tiers of insurance coverage. They have a basic plan, a choice plan, and a recommended plan. There is no comprehensive or collision coverage in the basic plan, but there is coverage in the choice and recommended plans.

The deductible for the basic plan and the choice plan is $1,000, while the deductible for the recommended plan is $500.

Female quotes:

• Basic: $65 down payment and $126 per month, or $594 for six months
• Choice: $89.59 down payment and $173.29 per month, or $821 for six months
• Recommended: $172.11 down payment and $331.98 per month, or $1,555 for six months

Male quotes:

• Basic: $58.60 down payment and $113.68 per month, or $542 for six months
• Choice: $83.94 down payment and $162 per month, or $542 for six months
• Recommended: $155.53 down payment and $300.10 per month, or $1,418 for six months

The male would pay $12.32 less per month than a female would for basic coverage. She would have to pay $10.87 more than he would for choice coverage. The female would have to pay $31.88 more than the male each month for the recommended coverage.

Surprising Insurance Rates in Delaware

While the common belief is that men pay more for insurance, there was only one company that had more expensive plans for males in Delaware. The cost for Allstate was very close, but males paid around $13 more per month.

Allstate and Progressive usually have lower rates for females, but in this instance, Allstate was the only company that had a lower rate for females.

Progressive was slightly different in price for females and males, while Geico had a big gap in price between males and females.

Geico also had the highest prices overall, but they provided the least amount of coverage since they didn’t offer any plans with comprehensive and collision included in them.

People who are looking for insurance should always shop around for coverage because the differences in prices can be huge for each insurance company. Shop right here by entering your ZIP code into our free comparison tool below!