The Best Cheap Delaware Car Insurance Quotes for 2021

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All vehicles registered in Delaware need to have auto insurance. If you do not get insurance, you will have to post a bond for every registered vehicle. Some drivers get liability-only coverage, which insures the other party’s medical expenses and property damage if you cause an accident. If you want to include your own medical expenses and vehicle, you should get additional collision and comprehensive coverage. Most automobile owners in Delaware can get the cheapest policy from State Farm for a state minimum of 25/50/10 coverage or a slightly higher option with 50/100/50 coverage.

Average Cost for Liability Coverage

For this ranking of the best car insurance in Delaware, MoneyGeek considered several factors, including costs, financial strength, the ability to pay claims and customer support quality.

These stem from two industry-standard studies — J.D. Power’s U.S. Auto Insurance Study and AM Best’s financial strength ratings — along with other factors, like affordability. MoneyGeek ranked each criterion equally to come up with a comprehensive rating out of 100.

While USAA scores highly in many areas, this provider is only available to military members, veterans and their families.

Market Share by Company

A 2019 report by the National Association of Insurance Companies found that State Farm Group operates as the largest auto insurer in the state. A few of the other largest companies include:

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Many unique factors play a role in determining car insurance premiums. For the sake of this research, MoneyGeek calculated the average rates for a 40-year-old male driving a Toyota Camry with a clean driving record. The rates are for 100/300/100 comprehensive and collision insurance. You might pay higher or lower rates depending on your age, driving history, location and coverage level.

• Average Driver: $1,483
• DUI: $2,591
• Speeding Ticket: $1,749
• Poor Credit Score: $2,742
• Seniors: $1,558
• Students: $3,224

In a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1.7% of Delaware drivers admitted to drinking too much before getting behind the wheel at least once during the previous 30 days. Delaware takes driving under the influence seriously. Individuals convicted of a DUI face jail time, fines and license suspension, along with increased auto insurance rates. While it may cost more to get insurance after a DUI, comparing car insurance companies can help you find the best rates for your situation.

Average Car Insurance Rates With a DUI

State-level laws mandate how long a DUI impacts auto insurance rates. In Delaware, expect a DUI to stay on your record for five years. Convicted individuals must also participate in a 16-hour DUI education program that highlights the dangers of drugs and alcohol. Although there may be significant costs of getting a DUI, improving your driving record can help you save money and stay safe in the long run.

Distracted driving accounted for 104 deaths in Delaware during 2018. Whether you receive a ticket for distracted driving or speeding, these offenses can impact your auto insurance quotes. The Delaware DMV does not add points to a license for first-time offenders speeding between 1 and 14 miles per hour over the stated limit, provided they pay their ticket. All other offenders receive points on their license. How Delaware car insurance companies handle these points is up to each, as observed in the table below.

Average Car Insurance Rates With a Ticket

How long a ticket will impact your auto insurance depends on the severity of the incident. Someone receiving a ticket for speeding will see their rates lower more quickly than a distracted driver who caused an accident. The high toll of distracted driving can do far more than raise your insurance premiums, so always be careful when you’re behind the wheel.

A bad credit score doesn’t necessarily mean someone is at a higher risk for not paying their premiums, but it can mean they will struggle to do so against other debts. Because of this factor, individuals with lower credit scores tend to pay higher premiums. Delaware residents had average FICO scores of 701 in 2019, a number considered “good” by most creditors and insurers. Review the table below to get a sense of what the average driver with poor credit pays.

Average Car Insurance Rates for Drivers With Bad Credit

Delaware auto insurance companies use different risk factors to develop a quote, so check with several companies to see which one will work best for you. Improving your credit score doesn’t happen overnight, but dedication and focus can pay off in ways that go far beyond car insurance.

Finding cheap car insurance for seniors in Delaware may take some extra time, but it can be done provided the driver has a clean record. Seniors over the age of 65 accounted for 12.6% of fatal Delaware wrecks in 2017, creating legitimate concern for some insurance agencies about how to best protect this population. The Delaware DMV allows seniors to renew licenses for five-year periods if they can pass an eye exam. Written and road tests can also be required but are typically waived.

Average Car Insurance Rates for Seniors

Car insurance for seniors can vary based on the type of car they drive, the amount of time spent on the road, and whether they have previous driving offenses on their record. Factors such as hearing and/or vision impairments can also affect insurance rates.

Parents and guardians of high school and college students typically pay higher premiums due to their lack of experience driving. Of the 49,073 wrecks that occurred in Delaware during 2018, drivers under the age of 25 accounted for 9,538 of them. The good news is that insurance rates tend to decrease as young drivers age, so make sure to get a personalized quote. The table below looks at rates of cheap car insurance for young drivers in Delaware.

Average Car Insurance Rates for Students

Delaware is home to nearly 10,000 active and veteran military members as of December 2019. The Delaware Insurance Commissioner urges these residents to ask questions about their auto insurance before buying a policy, including how coverage works during deployment. Auto insurance discounts exist for this demographic, but providers also consider factors such as credit history and driving record when setting rates.

While paying your auto insurance premiums during deployment, don't forget to renew your vehicle registration. The Delaware DMV will mail an Out-of-State Inspection Packet to any active-duty enlisted person outside of a 250-mile radius of a Delaware. The packet contains a safety inspection checklist and a list of emission test requirements.

Average Rates for Delaware service members

25 years$1,551
50 years$1,136

25 years$1,452
50 years$1,157

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About the Author

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Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Katy McWhirter specializes in researching and writing about education, health, travel and history. She holds a bachelor's degree in social entrepreneurship from Belmont University and a master's degree in history from the University of York. Prior to transitioning into her current role as a writer, McWhirter worked with numerous educational institutions and nonprofit organizations. More of her work can be found at www.thenative.me.

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