Delaware auto insurance costs about $2,149 annually for full coverage and $1,264 for minimum coverage, assuming a 40-year-old driver with solid credit and a clean driving history. Delaware ranks among the most expensive states at 48th for full coverage and 50th for minimum coverage, with rates 47% and 84% above national averages respectively.
Average Cost of Car Insurance in Delaware
Updated: October 16, 2025
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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 |
The difference between full and minimum coverage amounts to $885 per year, or roughly $74 monthly. Your specific rates will vary based on personal characteristics, driving background and policy options chosen.
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Average Delaware Car Insurance Cost by Category
Young drivers pay premium prices in Delaware at $451 monthly for full coverage, while those driving older cars benefit from slightly reduced premiums at $154 monthly. Personal risk factors heavily influence Delaware's car insurance costs.
Credit-challenged drivers also face substantial costs at $329 for full coverage and $161 for minimum, as insurers use credit scores to assess claim probability. Adult drivers with clean profiles maintain more manageable rates at $174 monthly for full coverage and $103 for minimum.
| 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 |
Delaware's small size doesn't prevent significant rate variations, with urban Wilmington driving up costs and demographic factors creating substantial premium differences.
FIND THE BEST CHEAP PROVIDER FOR YOUR PROFILE
Check out our comprehensive roundup guides to identify the best cheap provider for your profile.
Average Delaware Car Insurance Cost by Company
Travelers provides the most economical option in Delaware at $78 monthly for full coverage, compared to California Casualty's higher-priced offerings at $145 monthly. Delaware insurance markets show considerable rate differences, with full coverage premiums ranging from $78 to $145 monthly across established providers.
Delaware drivers can reduce annual costs by approximately $809 through strategic company choice.
| Travelers | $48 | $78 |
| Geico | $68 | $124 |
| Farmers | $76 | $123 |
| State Farm | $76 | $140 |
| California Causality | $75 | $145 |
Average Delaware Car Insurance Cost by City
Delaware car insurance costs vary considerably by location despite the state's compact size, with monthly full coverage rates spanning from $140 in Bethany Beach to $217 in Wilmington. Geographic location creates substantial variation in Delaware car insurance costs statewide.
The remarkable $77 monthly spread between cities shows how dramatically location can impact your insurance budget, with the state's largest city commanding premium pricing due to urban driving challenges. Compare rates for your city below.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Select
City:Bear
| Full Coverage | $196 | $2,355 |
| Minimum Coverage | $116 | $1,388 |
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 October 19, 2025.
- FindLaw. "Pain and Suffering Damages in Delaware." Accessed October 19, 2025.
