Delaware drivers pay around $2,969 a year for full coverage — about 10% over the national average — and the state requires personal injury protection on top of liability. Delaware runs on an at-fault basis. Here's the coverage you must carry, what residents pay, and how to find a cheaper rate.
Delaware uses an at-fault (tort) framework but still requires add-on personal injury protection — at least 15/30 — alongside its 25/50/10 liability minimum, which lifts its minimum-coverage average about 30% over the national figure. Full coverage averages roughly $2,969 a year, about 10% over average, with dense I-95 corridor traffic and proximity to Philadelphia and Baltimore raising claim frequency. Credit history is a permitted rating factor.
The coverages below are the minimum a driver must legally carry in Delaware. Source: Bankrate minimum-coverage requirements and state insurance department filings.
| Coverage | Minimum limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | $25k / $50k | Per injured person / per crash |
| Property damage liability | $10k | Mandatory |
| Personal injury protection | $15k / $30k | Mandatory add-on PIP |
| Uninsured motorist | Optional | Offered; may be waived |
Independent market estimates based on Bankrate's 2026 rate data and NAIC filings, shown against the U.S. average. Actual rates vary by ZIP, carrier, and individual profile.
| Coverage level | Est. annual premium | vs. U.S. avg. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full coverage | $2,969/yr | 10% above U.S. | Comprehensive and collision included |
| Minimum coverage | $1,097/yr | 30% above U.S. | Bundles the required PIP |
Estimates apply national rate-increase multipliers to Delaware's full-coverage average. Approximate (“~”) figures multiply the state average by a national factor and will vary by carrier.
| Driver profile | Est. annual premium | vs. state avg. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean record, 30–45 | ~$2,969/yr | Baseline | Statewide full-coverage average |
| One at-fault accident | ~$4,246/yr | +43% | 2,969 × 1.43 per Bankrate |
| Speeding ticket | ~$3,682/yr | +24% | 2,969 × 1.24 per Bankrate |
| DUI on record | ~$5,582/yr | +88% | 2,969 × 1.88 per Bankrate |
| Young driver (18–24) | ~$5,938/yr | ≈2× | About double per Bankrate |
| Poor credit score | ~$5,047/yr | +70% | 2,969 × 1.70 per Bankrate |
ⓘ Source: Bankrate 2026 rate data and NAIC filings. Figures are independent estimates, not quotes. Verify pricing with a licensed agent or carrier.
Delaware's required PIP gives its minimum policy more value than bare-liability states, but it also accounts for the above-average minimum cost. The low $10,000 property-damage floor is a soft spot — repairs to a newer vehicle can easily blow past it — so higher PD limits are worth weighing. Because credit and location create meaningful gaps between carriers, comparison shopping is the best way to soften Delaware's higher baseline.
Delaware lands modestly over the national average, with required PIP adding both protection and cost. Weighing carriers and keeping your credit healthy is the best way to secure a competitive Delaware rate.
Disclaimer: RateWire is an independent lead generation and comparison service. Rate figures for Delaware are independent market estimates compiled from publicly available Bankrate, NAIC, and state regulatory data — not quotes. Coverage requirements summarized here are for general information only and may change; always confirm current minimums with the Delaware insurance department. By submitting your ZIP code, you may be connected with licensed insurance agents or carriers who will provide actual quotes based on your individual profile. Always verify coverage terms and pricing directly with a licensed agent before purchasing.