Delaware Car Insurance Laws and Requirements (2023)

Delaware law dictates the minimum requirements for insurance coverage that all drivers must carry. All drivers in Delaware must hold 25/50/10 in liability coverage, personal injury protection, and uninsured motorist coverage. Additionally, drivers can pick from a long list of additional coverages for added protection.

Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Delaware

The minimum car insurance requirements in Delaware^[1] are:

• $25,000 for bodily injury liability per person

• $50,000 for bodily injury liability per accident

• $10,000 for property damage liability per accident

• $15,000 for personal injury protection for any one person

• $30,000 for personal injury protection for all persons injured in any one accident

Delaware is an at-fault state, which means that whoever is responsible for an accident must pay for damages. However, it also requires drivers to carry personal injury protection, which is more typically found in no-fault states. Delaware also audits vehicles for insurance compliance, so it’s important to make sure your Delaware auto insurance is in good standing at all times.

Bodily Injury Liability

Bodily injury liability is part of your liability car insurance coverage. If you cause an accident, this coverage will help cover the other party’s medical expenses. This type of coverage will not cover your own medical expenses for injuries sustained in a car accident you caused. Bodily injury liability coverage is required in Delaware.

Property Damage Liability

Property damage liability is the other half of your liability car insurance. It covers repair costs and damage expenses to the other cars involved in an accident you caused. This coverage does not cover damage to your own car in an accident you were at fault for. Property damage liability coverage is required in Delaware.

Personal Injury Protection

Personal injury protection, also known as PIP, covers medical bills, lost wages, and replacement services for you and other members of your household if you’re injured in a car accident. PIP provides coverage regardless of who is at fault for an accident. Personal injury protection is required in Delaware.

Is state minimum car insurance enough in Delaware?

The minimum required car insurance coverage in Delaware provides drivers with a solid foundation of auto insurance coverage, but it may not be enough for everyone. For example, the minimum amount of liability insurance only includes $10,000 for property damage.

A severe car accident could easily cause more than $10,000 in property damage. Without an auto insurance policy with more than the minimum limits, you could be stuck paying the rest out of pocket.

Optional Car Insurance Coverage for Delaware

Delaware drivers who want to be protected in any situation should consider bolstering the minimum car insurance coverage with the following supplemental car insurance coverages:

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage covers damages to your car after a collision with another vehicle or object. If your vehicle is a total loss, collision coverage will reimburse you for the actual cash value of your vehicle. This is a great addition to the required property damage liability coverage in Delaware, which applies only to the damages to the other driver’s vehicle.

Comprehensive Coverage

Complementing your collision coverage, comprehensive insurance covers damage to your vehicle that occurs during an event that is not a collision with another vehicle or object. This may apply in situations of vandalism, theft, weather damage, or a run-in with an animal. Adding comprehensive and collision coverage together creates a full-coverage car insurance policy.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

If an uninsured (or underinsured) driver causes an accident and you suffer bodily injury, uninsured motorist coverage will cover your medical expenses. If the at-fault driver surpasses their bodily injury liability coverage limits, your underinsured motorist coverage will cover the rest of your medical expenses.

Other Supplemental Coverage

Towing and labor coverage (also known as roadside assistance) covers the cost of towing your vehicle to a repair shop after an accident. Insurance premiums for this type of coverage are usually very affordable. However, you may already have this service if you’re a member of an auto club, such as AAA.

Rental reimbursement coverage is another popular add-on that can be very handy after an accident. It covers the cost of a rental car while your car is being repaired.

Penalties for Driving Uninsured in Delaware

It is illegal to drive in Delaware without the minimum car insurance coverage. People who are caught driving without proof of insurance face ramifications like:

• A fine of $1,500 for the first offense

• A fine of $3,000 for subsequent offenses

• Having your vehicle registration suspended

Minimum Requirements for High-Risk Drivers in Delaware

Delaware is one of just a few states that don’t require an SR-22 for high-risk drivers to prove they’re financially responsible. However, there are other hoops that you must jump through if you commit a serious moving violation.

For example, people convicted of a DUI have a long list of tasks to complete and fines to pay before they’re eligible for license reinstatement. They must complete an alcohol education and treatment program, turn in their revoked license to the DMV for at least six months and pay a $200 reinstatement fee. A license re-examination may also be required.

More Information for High-Risk Drivers in Delaware

DUI Insurance in Delaware

Cheapest Minimum Car Insurance in Delaware

Car insurance companies weigh different factors to determine what to quote drivers on their car insurance policies. Minimum coverage generally means lower car insurance rates. It also means low coverage limits, which may cost you if you’re ever involved in an accident. Here are the cheapest car insurance quotes for minimum coverage in Delaware.

How to Find Cheap Car Insurance in Delaware

Looking for lower auto insurance rates? The best thing you can do to lower your insurance costs is to compare car insurance quotes from many different companies. Simply enter some information about you, your car, and your driving habits and see who offers you the best deal.