Cheapest car insurance in Delaware in 2023

The cheapest car insurance companies in Delaware

During the search for cheap insurance, Delaware drivers might want to keep in mind that the term “cheap” is relative. Because car insurance rates are so complex, a cheap policy for you may be different from a cheap policy for another driver. Based on our research into several different driving profiles, USAA is generally the cheapest company in Delaware:

Cheapest company for minimum coverage

Cheapest company for full coverage

Cheapest company for adding a teen driver

Cheapest company for getting a speeding ticket

Cheapest company for being in an at-fault accident

Cheapest company after a high-risk incident

The cheapest car insurance companies in Delaware by coverage level

The level of car insurance you purchase will affect how much you pay. Minimum coverage tends to be the cheapest option, but it also provides the least financial protection. Higher liability limits will generally cost more but might lower your out-of-pocket expenses after an accident. Full coverage, which means you add comprehensive and collision to cover damages to your own vehicle, adds yet more financial protection but also tends to cost a bit more. These companies have the most affordable car insurance in Delaware based on state minimum coverage requirements and full coverage:

Cheapest cities in Delaware for car insurance

Your city will also impact how much you pay for car insurance. Different cities and even different ZIP codes are associated with different accident statistics and costs of living. Areas that have lower claim rates or lower costs in the aftermath of claims will likely pay lower rates. USAA is the cheapest company in the cities we analyzed, but if you don’t qualify for coverage, Travelers and Geico also offer low average rates.

Factors that impact cheap rates in Delaware

Your chosen coverage level and city aren’t the only things that affect your ability to get low-cost car insurance in Delaware. Every driver has a unique rating profile that impacts their premium, too, including the age of the drivers in a household and driving record.

Insuring a teen driver

Getting a speeding ticket

Getting into an at-fault accident

Being deemed a high-risk driver

Minimum coverage requirements for Delaware drivers

Every driver with a vehicle registered in Delaware is legally required to carry a minimum amount of car insurance. The minimum amount of insurance required in Delaware is:

• $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $10,000 property damage liability per accident
• $15,000 personal injury protection (PIP) per person
• $30,000 personal injury protection (PIP) per accident

Drivers who purchase minimum coverage insurance pay some of the lowest prices. However, this may not be the most effective way to get cheap car insurance. The state minimum coverage limits are fairly low and may leave you exposed to financial stress if you cause an accident. If your financial responsibility after an at-fault accident exceeds your coverage limits, you’ll be responsible for the difference out of pocket. Most insurance professionals recommend that you purchase higher liability limits if you can afford to.

Additionally, minimum coverage does not include any coverage for damage to your own car. You will need full coverage, which includes comprehensive and collision, to cover your own vehicle. If you have a loan or lease, your lender will likely require that you carry full coverage.

How to get the cheapest car insurance in Delaware

If you are looking for the cheapest auto insurance in Delaware, you may want to start your search by researching affordable providers. However, there are several other ways that you might be able to get cheap coverage:

Compare quotes

Before choosing an insurance company, you may want to get quotes from several providers and compare rates, coverage offerings, discounts and other metrics that are important to you. This is one of the most effective ways to see which insurance company can give you the lowest rate for the coverage you want.

Look for discounts

Many drivers can take advantage of discounts to get a lower premium. Discounts vary by insurance company, but there are often savings for being claims-free, paying your premium in full, being a good student and bundling policies.

Raise your deductibles

If you have full coverage, you have a deductible for your collision and your comprehensive coverage. This is the amount you will pay out of pocket if you file a claim for damage to your car. Raising the deductibles on your policy might help you save some money on insurance. Before you do so, make sure to consider the higher out-of-pocket expense if you need to file a claim.

Choose coverage carefully

It can be tempting to purchase add-on coverage for extra protection, but you may want to be strategic because endorsements will likely increase your premium. Including only the optional coverage that you need and may use can help keep your costs down. For example, if you are a single-vehicle household, rental car coverage could be an important option, so that your insurance will provide a rental car if your vehicle is in the shop due to a covered accident. If you have a spare vehicle, though, you might not need this coverage. Working with a licensed agent might be helpful; an agent can suggest appropriate coverage types and levels for your situation.

Car insurance discounts in Delaware

If you’re wondering how to save on car insurance in Delaware, discounts may be the easiest way to lower your bill. Most companies offer at least a few discounts to help you score some Delaware car insurance savings. Common ways to save include:

• Young driver discounts: Young drivers pay high average premiums, but most companies offer discounts to help offset the cost. You may be able to add a good student, student-at-school or driver training discount to your policy.
• Safe driver discounts: You might qualify for a claims-free or good driver discount if you don’t have any accidents or tickets on your driving record. You might even consider participating in a telematics program, which tracks your driving patterns and rewards you with a personalized discount.
• Other discounts: Bundling your auto and home insurance, paying in full, signing up for paperless documents and having a car with certain safety features could also mean you’ll pay lower premiums for car insurance.

Frequently asked questions

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2023 rates for ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:

• $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $50,000 property damage liability per accident
• $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
• $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
• $500 collision deductible
• $500 comprehensive deductible

To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2021 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually. 

These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes. 

Bankrate Scores 

Our 2023 Bankrate Score considers variables our insurance editorial team determined impacts policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These rating factors include a robust assessment of each company’s product availability, financial strength ratings, online capabilities and customer and claims support accessibility. Each factor was added to a category, and these categories were weighted in a tiered approach to analyze how companies perform in key customer-impacting categories. 

Like our previous Bankrate Scores, each category was assigned a metric to determine performance, and the weighted sum adds up to a company’s total Bankrate Score — out of 5 points. This year, our 2023 scoring model provides a more comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and better highlighting where they fall short.

• Tier 1 (Cost & ratings): To determine how well auto and home insurance companies satisfy these priorities, 2023 quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services (if available), as well as any of the latest third-party agency ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best and the NAIC, were analyzed.
• Tier 2 (Coverage & savings): We assessed companies’ coverage options and availability to help policyholders find a provider that balances cost with coverage. Additionally, we evaluated each company’s discount options listed on its website.
• Tier 3 (Support): To encompass the many ways an auto insurance company can support policyholders, we analyzed avenues of customer accessibility along with community support. This analysis incorporated additional financial strength ratings from S&P and Moody’s and factored a company’s corporate sustainability efforts.