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 27, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
Delaware car insurance costs range from $1,264 to $5,412 per year depending on your coverage choice, driving profile and location.
Delaware ranks among the most expensive states for car insurance, placing 48th for minimum coverage and 50th for full coverage affordability.
You can find cheaper car insurance in Delaware by deciding on coverage beforehand, researching costs and companies, then comparing multiple 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.
Have auto insurance questions?Chat with Charlie now.
Average Delaware Car Insurance Cost by Category
Young drivers pay premium prices in Delaware at $451 monthly for full coverage, while drivers with older cars benefit from slightly reduced premiums at $154 monthly. Personal risk factors heavily influence Delaware's car insurance costs.
Drivers with poor credit also pay 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 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 $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:
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 for minimum coverage policies, making it one of the most expensive states for car insurance in our 2025 study.
However, this reflects only overall state statistics comparing average rates 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. Full coverage in Delaware costs 33% higher than the national average, at an annual rate of $3,078.
Delaware motorists pay about $500 more per year for coverage than their counterparts in New Jersey, a state once notorious for 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 serious or fatal accidents. Insurers consider these losses when setting rates.
While Delaware doesn't cap damages for pain and suffering, the state's "modified comparative negligence" rule bars 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 requires drivers to carry personal injury protection insurance coverage, with minimum 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're fault states. This mandatory coverage adds to the base cost of insurance policies.
High Healthcare Costs
Rising car repair costs, linked to high-tech and electric vehicles, drove rates higher in 2024. For example, insurance costs for the popular Tesla Model Y electric car are 37% higher than 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 climbing.
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 saw 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 increasingly factor climate risk into their rates as insurers assess losses from extreme weather. Delaware's car insurance costs more 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 vehicles 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.
- 1Decide on coverage needs beforehand
Deciding on your coverage needs beforehand prevents overselling on unnecessary coverage. Consider your financial situation, driving habits, vehicle details and risk tolerance when making this decision.
- 2Research costs and discounts
Know your average costs for your desired coverage level to save money for your particular profile. Research car insurance discounts you may qualify for and look into the best home and auto insurance bundles for the most balanced perspective.
- 3Look 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.
- 4Compare quotes through multiple means
Compare multiple company quotes 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 rank 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?
Your driving history, age and location are primary factors, with accidents, violations and younger drivers seeing 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 sees rising electric vehicle 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
To calculate car insurance costs in Delaware, we used the following sample driver profile and adjusted it for different scenarios across all ZIP codes and cities in the state:
- 40-years-old
- Clean driving record
- Good credit
- 2012 Toyota Camry LE
For this analysis, minimum coverage refers to Delaware’s state-required liability limits, while full coverage includes 100/300/100 liability limits and a $1,000 deductible for both 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!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.
sources
- Delaware Business Now. "Delaware Motorists Likely to See Higher Insurance Bills in 2025." Accessed November 1, 2025.
- FindLaw. "Pain and Suffering Damages in Delaware." Accessed November 1, 2025.
