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Cheapest car insurance in Delaware in 2023
USAA, Travelers and Geico offer cheap average car insurance rates in Delaware, according to our research.
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What To Know First
Delaware drivers pay higher-than-average rates for car insurance when compared to the national average. Full coverage in Delaware costs an average of $2,103 per year, compared to $2,014 nationally. Minimum coverage is also more expensive in Delaware, at $801 per year vs. $622 nationally. Even though average rates are high, you can still find cheap car insurance in Delaware.
Bankrate’s insurance editorial team did the legwork for you, researching cheap Delaware car insurance across a number of different coverage levels and driver profiles. Our team includes three licensed insurance agents who know that finding car insurance that fits your budget is an important step in your financial roadmap. Based on our research, USAA tends to offer the cheapest car insurance in Delaware. If you don’t qualify for coverage (you must be affiliated with the military or a qualifying family member), don’t worry. When shopping for cheap car insurance, Delaware drivers have plenty of options.
- Cheapest company for minimum coverage: USAA
- Cheapest company for full coverage: USAA
- Cheapest company for adding a teen driver: USAA
- Cheapest company for getting a speeding ticket: USAA
- Cheapest company for being in an at-fault accident: USAA
- Cheapest company after a high-risk incident: USAA
On This Page
- The cheapest car insurance companies in Delaware
- The cheapest car insurance companies in Delaware by coverage level
- Cheapest cities in Delaware for car insurance
- Factors that impact cheap rates in Delaware
- Minimum coverage requirements for Delaware drivers
- How to get the cheapest car insurance in Delaware
- Car insurance discounts in Delaware
- Frequently asked questions
- Methodology
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
Company | Average monthly minimum coverage premium | Average annual minimum coverage premium |
---|---|---|
USAA | $30 | $363 |
Cheapest company for full coverage
Company | Average monthly full coverage premium | Average annual full coverage premium |
---|---|---|
USAA | $103 | $1,235 |
Cheapest company for adding a teen driver
Company | Average monthly minimum coverage premium | Average annual minimum coverage premium |
---|---|---|
USAA | $92 | $1,099 |
Cheapest company for getting a speeding ticket
Company | Average monthly minimum coverage premium | Average annual minimum coverage premium |
---|---|---|
USAA | $39 | $469 |
Cheapest company for being in an at-fault accident
Company | Average monthly minimum coverage premium | Average annual minimum coverage premium |
---|---|---|
USAA | $30 | $363 |
Cheapest company after a high-risk incident
Company | Average monthly minimum coverage premium | Average annual minimum coverage premium |
---|---|---|
USAA | $55 | $655 |
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:
Insurance company | Average monthly minimum coverage premium | Average annual minimum coverage premium | Annual savings vs. State average* |
---|---|---|---|
USAA
4.3
Bankrate Score
|
Average monthly minimum coverage premium
$30
|
Average annual minimum coverage premium
$363
|
Annual savings vs. State average*
- $438 |
Travelers
4.0
Bankrate Score
|
Average monthly minimum coverage premium
$42
|
Average annual minimum coverage premium
$501
|
Annual savings vs. State average*
- $300 |
Geico
4.4
Bankrate Score
|
Average monthly minimum coverage premium
$47
|
Average annual minimum coverage premium
$565
|
Annual savings vs. State average*
- $236 |
State Farm
4.2
Bankrate Score
|
Average monthly minimum coverage premium
$59
|
Average annual minimum coverage premium
$705
|
Annual savings vs. State average*
- $96 |
Average monthly minimum coverage premium
$66
|
Average annual minimum coverage premium
$786
|
Annual savings vs. State average*
- $15 |
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
*Based on policies with minimum coverage for 2023
Insurance company | Average monthly full coverage premium | Average annual full coverage premium | Annual savings vs. State average* |
---|---|---|---|
USAA
4.3
Bankrate Score
|
Average monthly full coverage premium
$103
|
Average annual full coverage premium
$1,235
|
Annual savings vs. State average*
- $868 |
Geico
4.4
Bankrate Score
|
Average monthly full coverage premium
$120
|
Average annual full coverage premium
$1,444
|
Annual savings vs. State average*
- $659 |
Nationwide
3.9
Bankrate Score
|
Average monthly full coverage premium
$138
|
Average annual full coverage premium
$1,657
|
Annual savings vs. State average*
- $446 |
Travelers
4.0
Bankrate Score
|
Average monthly full coverage premium
$140
|
Average annual full coverage premium
$1,681
|
Annual savings vs. State average*
- $422 |
State Farm
4.2
Bankrate Score
|
Average monthly full coverage premium
$142
|
Average annual full coverage premium
$1,705
|
Annual savings vs. State average*
- $398 |
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
*Based on policies with full coverage for 2023
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.
City | City average annual minimum coverage premium | Cheapest car insurance company | Company average annual minimum coverage premium |
---|---|---|---|
Clayton | $682 | USAA | $285 |
Dover | $695 | USAA | $329 |
Smynra | $703 | USAA | $335 |
Townsend | $727 | USAA | $335 |
Middletown | $737 | USAA | $350 |
City | City average annual full coverage premium | Cheapest car insurance company | Company average annual full coverage premium |
---|---|---|---|
Dover | $1,840 | USAA | $1,149 |
Clayton | $1,842 | USAA | $1,062 |
Middletown | $1,958 | USAA | $1,191 |
Odessa | $1,999 | USAA | $1,141 |
Smyrna | $2,024 | USAA | $1,141 |
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
Teen drivers have some of the highest average car insurance rates due to their inexperience. Teens are more likely than other age groups to get into accidents, which means that insurers tend to charge higher rates to compensate for the added risk. During the search for cheap auto insurance, Delaware drivers with teens in the household may want to get quotes from these five cheap car insurance companies:
Car insurance company | Average annual minimum coverage premium | Average annual full coverage premium |
---|---|---|
USAA | $1,099 | $3,185 |
Geico | $1,120 | $2,787 |
California Casualty | $1,462 | $3,875 |
Travelers | $1,475 | $3,554 |
Progressive | $1,739 | $4,065 |
Getting a speeding ticket
Having a Delaware speeding ticket conviction on your record is likely to increase your car insurance rates. Speeding increases the likelihood of accidents and can make accidents more severe, which means you’re likely to be seen as a higher-risk driver than someone who doesn’t have any speeding tickets. Based on our research, these five companies have the lowest average rates for Delaware drivers with a speeding ticket:
Car insurance company | Average annual minimum coverage premium | Average annual full coverage premium |
---|---|---|
USAA | $469 | $1,588 |
Travelers | $513 | $1,748 |
Geico | $629 | $1,647 |
State Farm | $733 | $1,761 |
California Casualty | $902 | $2,425 |
Getting into an at-fault accident
It’s fairly common knowledge that at-fault accidents raise your insurance premium, and rates in Delaware certainly follow this pattern. If you’re looking to save on car insurance in Delaware after an accident, consider getting quotes from these companies, which have the lowest average premiums after an at fault accident:
Car insurance company | Average annual minimum coverage premium | Average annual full coverage premium |
---|---|---|
USAA | $363 | $1,235 |
Travelers | $501 | $1,681 |
Geico | $801 | $2,098 |
California Casualty | $1,034 | $2,739 |
Encompass | $1,160 | $2,394 |
Being deemed a high-risk driver
You might be a high-risk driver if you have several moving violation convictions, at-fault accidents or a combination. However, even a single DUI conviction is likely enough to make insurance companies view you as being high-risk. After a DUI, you’ll likely pay quite a bit more for insurance, so keep that in mind as you seek to lower your premium. You can still find cheap car insurance in Delaware with a DUI conviction on your record, but “cheap” here is a relative term. These companies have the lowest average rates with a DUI factored in. However, because DUIs are major violations, not all companies will write policies for drivers with DUIs on their record. If you're interested in a quote, contact the companies directly to discuss your eligibility.
Car insurance company | Average annual minimum coverage premium | Average annual full coverage premium |
---|---|---|
USAA | $655 | $2,237 |
Travelers | $864 | $2,787 |
Progressive | $1,183 | $2,894 |
State Farm | $1,206 | $2,708 |
Allstate | $1,601 | $4,511 |
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.