INSURANCE - CAR INSURANCE

Best Car Insurance in Delaware for 2024

Updated March 7, 2024
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State Farm generally offers the best car insurance in Delaware.

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From the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge to the Brandywine Valley National Scenic Byway, Delaware has beautiful sites to explore by car. But before you hit the road, consider that car insurance costs $1,836 in the First State, compared to the national average of $1,582.

In this article

Key takeaways

  • The best car insurance in Delaware is State Farm, which costs $1,275 a year for comprehensive coverage.
  • Drivers with a clean driving record pay an average of $153 monthly in Delaware.
  • Newark drivers pay the most, an annual average of $2,514.

Best car insurance companies in Delaware

The best car insurance company in Delaware by cost is State Farm, which costs a yearly average of $1,275 for full coverage. It also earned the highest customer satisfaction scores among all carriers on our list.

Allstate earned the second-highest customer satisfaction score but was the most expensive carrier. Full coverage insurance from Allstate costs an average of $2,564, hundreds more annually than State Farm.

Provider J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating Estimated annual full coverage Estimated annual minimum liability coverage
State Farm 843/1,000 $1,275/year $701/year
Allstate 825/1,000 $2,564/year $1,338/year
Travelers 822/1,000 $1,781/year $836/year
Nationwide 820/1,000 $1,726/year $1,094/year
GEICO 818/1,000 $1,550/year $891/year
Progressive 814/1,000 $1,432/year $975/year

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State Farm: Most affordable coverage

State Farm’s full and minimum car insurance is the most affordable coverage in Delaware, and it earned the highest customer satisfaction score on our list. Customers pay an average of $1,275 yearly for full coverage and $701 annually for minimum coverage, well below the state averages. State Farm also offers standard and specialty coverages with multiple discount options.

Pros
  • State Farm had the most affordable coverage on our list
  • Drivers can save up to 30% by using the Drive Safe & Save app
Cons
  • State Farm does not have some specialty policies like gap insurance
  • You may find more discounts with another carrier

Get a quote now | State Farm review

Allstate: Best for new cars

Allstate is the most expensive carrier in Delaware, costing a yearly average of $2,564 for full coverage and $1,338 for minimum coverage. Despite its higher cost, it may be a good option for people who have just purchased a new car since it offers specific policies, like new car replacement, repair provision coverage, and gap insurance.

Pros
  • Allstate earned the second-highest customer satisfaction rating on our list
  • It offers a wide variety of policy options and discounts
Cons
  • You’ll likely find lower prices with a competitor
  • It has a limited number of agents in Delaware

Get a quote now | Allstate review

Travelers: Best for coverage options

Travelers insurance averages $1,781 per year for full coverage insurance in Delaware and $836 annually for minimum insurance, the second-most affordable in the state. Travelers also has extensive coverage options, including gap, rideshare, and named-non-owner insurance. However, while it has many options that aren’t available with other companies, Travelers earned only the third-highest customer service scores.

Pros
  • Travelers has multiple discount options, including bundling a home and auto policy
  • It had the second most affordable minimum insurance coverage in Delaware
Cons
  • Travelers earned third in customer service
  • You may find cheaper full coverage options with another carrier

Get a quote now | Travelers review

Nationwide: Best for multi-driver discounts

Nationwide offers many coverage options and discounts in Delaware. Its multi-car insurance, the Family Plan, increases the overall discount for every car you insure and lowers the premiums of all named drivers. However, Nationwide’s coverage is more expensive, costing an average of $1,726 annually for full coverage and $1,094 for minimum coverage.

Pros
  • Nationwide has multiple policy options, including accident forgiveness
  • It offers loyalty rewards like key fob replacement and pet coverage
Cons
  • Nationwide earned a lower customer satisfaction score than other carriers
  • Its minimum coverage insurance is the second most expensive in the state

Get a quote now | Nationwide review

Progressive: Best for high-risk drivers

High-risk drivers in Delaware, including those with multiple speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, or DUIs, may find Progressive a good option. While high-risk drivers are likely to pay more for car insurance, Progressive may provide lower-cost coverage and file SR-22 forms.

Pros
  • Progressive was the second-lowest full coverage option in Delaware
  • It has multiple policy options, including accident forgiveness
Cons
  • Progressive earned the lowest customer satisfaction rating on our list
  • You can generally find lower-cost minimum insurance with a competitor

Get a quote now | Progressive review

Delaware auto insurance requirements

Like in other states, Delaware requires that all drivers carry a minimum amount of insurance to register a vehicle. The minimum amounts in Delaware are:

  • $25,000 in bodily liability for one person
  • $50,000 in bodily liability for two or more people
  • $10,000 in property damage liability
  • $15,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) for any one person
  • $30,000 in PIP for all people injured in any one accident

How to choose a car insurance provider in Delaware

As you search for a new car insurance provider, consider the following:

  • Compare quotes: Check pricing and coverage options from at least three companies and ensure the quotes match your current insurance type and limits. Request quotes online, or consider using an insurance broker to help you gather quotes from various companies. Just be aware of any fees or fine print before using their services.
  • Verify a company’s financial health: Use a website like AM Best to verify that insurance companies are financially able to pay claims. It’s also wise to confirm that the company is licensed in Delaware by checking the Delaware Department of Insurance or the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
  • Ask for reviews: Read websites like the Better Business Bureau to see what problems customers have had and how the insurance carrier solves them. Ask friends and family members for recommendations, especially if you are new to the area.

How much does car insurance cost in Delaware?

The average cost of car insurance in Delaware is $1,836 a year for full coverage insurance and $918 for the state’s minimum liability coverage. 

Delaware’s highest insurance costs are generally found in Newark, where residents pay an average of $2,514 annually for full coverage insurance. Residents of Milford tend to pay the least, an average of $1,846 a year.

Delaware car insurance rates by city

Newark residents pay significantly more than the state average of $1,836 for car insurance, likely due to the higher rate of property crime in the city. According to the analytics website NeighborhoodScout, Newark residents have a one in 28 chance of being victims of vehicle thefts and other property crimes. You’ll typically have to pay more for coverage because you are more likely to be in an accident or the victim of car theft or vandalism.

City Avg. annual full-coverage premium
Newark $2,514/year
Wilmington $2,489/year
Middletown $2,404/year
Seaford $2,256/year
Dover $2,200/year
Milford $1,846/year

Methodology

Our analysis was conducted using six different auto insurance marketplaces to determine the best auto insurance in each state. The data we analyzed included coverage premiums from up to 10 different insurance providers. We looked at rates by city, driver profile, and credit score, as well as factored in the impact of driving violations. This data is for comparative purposes only. Your actual quote may be different.

FAQs about car insurance costs in Delaware

What are the minimum car insurance coverage requirements in Delaware?

Delaware’s minimum car insurance coverage requirements are $25,000 for one person and $50,000 for two or more people in bodily injury liability protection.

Drivers must also have $10,000 in property damage liability, $15,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) for one person hurt in an accident, and $30,000 in PIP for anyone injured in any one accident.

How much does car insurance cost in Delaware?

Car insurance in Delaware costs an average of $1,836 per year for full coverage insurance and $918 for the state’s minimum liability insurance.

Which car insurance companies cover Delaware?

Several insurance companies cover Delaware, including State Farm, Allstate, Nationwide, Progressive, and GEICO.

What is the cheapest car insurance company in Delaware?

The cheapest car insurance company in Delaware is State Farm, which costs an average of $1,275 per year for full coverage and $701 annually for minimum liability coverage.

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Author Details

Kate Daugherty Kate Daugherty is a professional writer with a passion for providing others the head start they deserve on their financial journeys. Largely self-taught, Kate relied on books, blogs, and trial-and-error to learn how to budget and save for the future, all while working to pay back about $15,000 in student loans.