Delaware drivers pay around $2,149 per year for full coverage car insurance and $1,264 for minimum coverage on average. Keep in mind these rates are based on a 40-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving record, so your actual costs will vary based on your personal details.
Average Cost of Car Insurance in Delaware
Updated: August 15, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
Delaware car insurance costs range from $1,264 to $5,412 per year on average depending on your chosen coverage, driving profile and location.
Delaware is one of the most expensive states for car insurance in the country, ranking 48th and 50th overall for minimum and full coverage affordability.
You can find the cheapest car insurance in Delaware by deciding on coverage beforehand, researching cost and companies and comparing plenty of quotes.
Average Car Insurance Cost In Delaware
| Full Coverage | $179 | $2,149 |
| Minimum Coverage | $105 | $1,264 |
*Rates are for a 40-year-old driver with good credit and no driving violations who is insuring a 2012 Toyota Camry LE. Minimum coverage represents the minimum required liability coverage in the state while full coverage is representative of a 100/300/100 liability policy with a $1,000 deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage.
Average Delaware Car Insurance Cost by Category
Your individual characteristics, geographic location, and vehicle choice all play major roles in determining car insurance costs. Below, you'll find average rates for various driver categories and profiles.
| Young Drivers | $265 | $451 |
| Adult Drivers | $103 | $174 |
| Senior Drivers | $119 | $199 |
| Drivers With An Accident | $146 | $249 |
| Drivers With A DUI | $181 | $312 |
| Drivers With A Speeding Ticket | $126 | $217 |
| Drivers With Bad Credit | $161 | $329 |
| Drivers With Low Income | $99 | $201 |
| Drivers With Newer Cars | $107 | $184 |
| Drivers With Old Cars | $91 | $154 |
*We modified rates based on the same 40-year-old driver profile with these changes: young drivers (16 to 25), adults (26 to 64), seniors (65+), low income (fair credit), bad credit (poor credit), newer cars (2025 Toyota Camry LE), older cars (2007 Toyota Camry LE). Driving violation profiles include only that specific violation.
FIND THE BEST CHEAP PROVIDER FOR YOUR PROFILE
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Personalized Average Delaware Car Insurance Costs
These general driver categories show basic rates, but your costs will be different. Our filterable table below helps you find precise rates based on your personal details.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Select
Coverage Level:100/300/100 Full Cov. w/$1,000 Ded.
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Age Group:Adult Drivers
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Gender:Female
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Credit Alignment:Below Fair
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Driving Record:At Fault Accident ($1000-$1999 Prop Dmg)
| 100/300/100 Full Cov. w/$1,000 Ded. | 331 | 3968 |
*Rates for the age groups are based on the following assumptions: young drivers (16 to 25), adults (26 to 64), seniors (65+).
Average Delaware Car Insurance Cost by City
Your location in Delaware affects your car insurance costs. Annual rates for full coverage range from $1,680 in Bethany Beach to $2,355 in Wilmington. Below you can compare both full and minimum coverage rates for your city and other areas across Delaware.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
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City:Bear
| Full Coverage | $196 | $2,355 |
| Minimum Coverage | $116 | $1,388 |
*Rates are based on a 40-year-old driver with good credit and a clean record driving a 2012 Toyota Camry LE. Minimum coverage means basic liability required by state law. Full coverage includes 100/300/100 liability limits plus comprehensive and collision with $1,000 deductibles.
Is Delaware Car Insurance Expensive?
Delaware ranks 48th in affordability for full coverage and 50th overall for minimum coverage policies, making it one of the most expensive states for car insurance in our 2025 study. However, this is only an overall statistic comparing average rates for the entirety of states, and affordability rankings for your city compared to the rest of the United States will vary widely.
Why Is Car Insurance More Expensive In Delaware?
Here's why Delaware car insurance costs more than most states:
PIP Insurance Requirements
Delaware has the nation's sixth-highest full-coverage car insurance rates, with neighboring Maryland ranking first. The cost of full coverage in Delaware is 33% higher than the national average, at an annual rate of $3,078. Delaware motorists, on average, pay about $500 a year more for coverage than their counterparts in New Jersey, a state once notorious for its high auto insurance rates.
Extremely High Rate of Uninsured Drivers
Delaware doesn't cap pain and suffering damages, which means insurer payouts in the state may be higher for severe or fatal accidents. Insurers also consider these losses when setting rates. While Delaware does not have a cap on damages for pain and suffering, the state's "modified comparative negligence" rule bars any recovery if the plaintiff was more than 50% responsible for causing the injury. This unlimited potential for pain and suffering awards creates higher financial exposure for insurance companies, driving up premiums across the board.
Severe Weather and Natural Disasters
Delaware is often described as a "no-fault" state with respect to auto insurance and claims, requiring drivers to carry personal injury protection insurance coverage. Delaware law requires minimum personal injury protection coverage of at least $15,000 per person and $30,000 for an accident. Some states, such as Delaware and Oregon, require personal injury protection even though they are fault states. This mandatory coverage adds to the base cost of insurance policies in the state.
High Healthcare Costs
Rising car repair costs, linked to high-tech and electric cars, drove rates higher in 2024. For example, insurance costs for the popular Tesla Model Y electric car are 37% higher than those for an Audi with an internal combustion engine. The lower-priced Tesla 3 has the highest premiums among electric cars, cutting into gas savings. As more drivers adopt electric cars with expensive-to-repair technology, insurance costs continue to climb.
Fraud and Litigation Issues
Full-coverage rates will rise by up to 10% in Florida, New York, Georgia, Nevada and Delaware in 2025, according to industry projections. Delaware did see an 8% increase in rates in 2024, below the national average of 15%. However, the state remains positioned for continued premium growth due to underlying risk factors.
High Population Density and Tourism
Companies are increasingly factoring in climate risk into their rates as insurers can see losses from severe weather. Delaware's car insurance is pricey due to dense cities and the chance of storms and severe weather. These factors lead to more accidents and higher claims, raising costs for everyone. The state's coastal location makes it vulnerable to hurricanes, flooding and severe storms that can damage cars and increase comprehensive coverage claims.
How to Lower Car Insurance Costs In Delaware
Below we've created a step-by-step guide to lowering your car insurance costs.
- 1
Decide on coverage needs beforehand
Deciding on your coverage needs beforehand is important so you're not oversold on too much coverage. Consider your financial situation, driving habits, car details and your risk tolerance when making this decision.
- 2
Research costs and discounts
To save money for your particular profile, know your average costs for your desired coverage level. Research car insurance discounts you may qualify for and look into the best home and auto insurance or other bundles for the most balanced perspective.
- 3
Look into company reputations and coverage options
Cost isn't everything. Consider add-on coverage options and customer experiences with different providers to help narrow down which companies you'd like to compare quotes from. Use resources like industry studies, review forums and public forums like Reddit.
- 4
Compare quotes through multiple means
Compare multiple company quotes apples to apples side by side to find the best deal possible. Use different methods of getting quotes like online comparison sites and independent agents since pricing varies widely by method.
Cost of Car Insurance in Delaware: Bottom Line
Delaware car insurance costs are among the most expensive in the United States, making it important to take advantage of savings strategies. Decide on coverage needs beforehand, do thorough research and compare quotes from the right insurers for your situation.
Cost of Car Insurance in Delaware: FAQ
Below are answers to frequently asked questions about Delaware car insurance costs:
How much is Delaware car insurance per month?
Delaware car insurance costs $105 for minimum coverage and $179 for full coverage policies per month. However, rates range from $91 to $451 monthly depending on your unique driver profile and coverage choice.
What factors affect Delaware car insurance costs?
Primary factors include driving history, age, and location - with accidents, violations, and younger drivers facing higher rates, while urban areas cost more than rural ones.
Why is Delaware car insurance so expensive?
Delaware doesn't cap pain and suffering damages, requires mandatory personal injury protection coverage and faces rising electric car repair costs. Projected rate increases of up to 10% are expected for 2025.
How expensive is Delaware car insurance?
Delaware ranks 50th in affordability for minimum coverage and 48th overall for full coverage, making them one of the most expensive places to get auto insurance in the U.S.
How We Determined Delaware Car Insurance Costs
We used the following profile and modifications of this profile to determine Delaware auto insurance costs across all available zip codes and cities in the state:
- 40-years-old
- Clean driving record
- Good credit
- 2012 Toyota Camry LE
Minimum coverage was defined as a state's minimum liability coverage and full coverage is a policy with 100/300/100 liability limits and a $1,000 deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.
sources
- Delaware Business Now. "Delaware Motorists Likely to See Higher Insurance Bills in 2025." Accessed August 15, 2025.
- FindLaw. "Pain and Suffering Damages in Delaware." Accessed August 15, 2025.