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Last updated: October 31, 2024
The Best Car Insurance in Delaware
Which car insurance provider in Delaware is best for you?
Best Overall
With over 30 years of service, Direct Auto offers a wide range of insurance policies to drivers across the country. With plentiful discount opportunities and flexible payment plans, Direct Auto protects all drivers, not just those with spotless records.
Best Cheap Auto Insurance
As a leading auto insurance provider in the country, State Farm is known for its affordable rates, excellent customer service, and extensive coverage options.
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If you live in Delaware, you may know that car insurance costs more in your state than in other U.S. states. You also may know that there are specific coverage policies you’re required to have if you want to drive, including liability insurance and personal injury protection (PIP).
Most auto insurance providers offer such coverages, so how can you be sure to choose the right insurance carrier for you? On this page, we cover our top choices of insurance providers for Delawareans.
The Best Auto Insurance in Delaware for 2024
- 1.
Best Auto Insurance in Delaware Overall: Direct Auto
- 2.
Best Cheap Auto Insurance in Delaware: State Farm
- 3.
Best Auto Insurance for New Drivers in Delaware: Allstate
- 4.
Best Auto Insurance Bundles in Delaware: Nationwide
Comparison of the Best Auto Insurance in Delaware
| Provider | Best category | AM Best rating | J.D. Power rating (out of 1,000) | Discounts available | Review pages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Auto | Overall | A | 803 | Safe driver, good student, senior citizen, driver education, multicar, etc. | Direct Auto review |
| State Farm | Cheap | A++ | 847 | Defensive driving course, accident-free driving, anti-theft device, student away at school, multiple cars, etc. | State Farm review |
| Allstate | New drivers | A+ | 826 | Multiple policies, new car, early signing, responsible payer, smart student, anti-theft and anti-lock brake device, etc. | Allstate review |
| Nationwide | Bundles | A+ | 798 | Multiple policies, safe driving, good student, automatic payments, accident-free, etc. | Nationwide review |
Detailed List of the Best Auto Insurance in Delaware
1. Best Auto Insurance in Delaware Overall - Direct Auto
What We Like Most:
- Low rates for high-risk drivers
- Can pay in cash locally
- Save money by bundling with life insurance
Direct Auto has served drivers across the U.S. since 1991. The company offers a wide selection of affordable coverage policies, ranging from liability coverage to rental reimbursements. We appreciate Direct Auto’s commitment to protecting all drivers regardless of their accident and ticket history, especially considering Delaware’s strict DUI laws.
Who It's Best For
- Risky drivers, like those with DUIs or at-fault accidents
- Businesses with up to 20 vehicles
- People who appreciate flexible payments
- People who are looking for affordable rates
Who It's Not Best For
- Those who value companies with more years of experience
- Those who desire highly rated mobile apps
- Military members (discount not currently available in Delaware)
Extensive Coverage Options
Direct Auto allows customers to personalize their policy plans to fit their specific coverage needs. Here are some of the policies you may find helpful as a First State resident:
- Personal injury protection: No-fault states like Delaware require PIP coverage, which helps cover medical, hospital, and funeral expenses after an accident, regardless of fault. Unlike medical payments coverage — PIP’s equivalent in at-fault states — PIP also covers lost wages and child care costs.
- Towing coverage: Direct Auto’s towing coverage helps reimburse you for the costs (up to your selected limit) of towing your vehicle after an accident or breakdown.
- Rental reimbursement: You can add rental reimbursement coverage to your Direct Auto plan to help cover the costs of a rental car in the event of a covered accident that damages or totals your car.
Wide Selection of Discounts
One of our favorite features of Direct Auto is its extensive list of discounts. Here is an overview of how much you could save on your policy with Direct Auto:
| Discount | Eligible customers | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Good student | Unmarried, full-time students who have a B average or better and are on the honor roll | 10% |
| Homeownership | Owners of homes, townhouses, or condominiums who provide proof of homeownership | 15% |
| Multicar/family | Individuals who add more than one vehicle to their insurance policy | 25% |
| Multipolicy | Those who purchase multiple types of insurance policies with Direct Auto | 5% |
| Safe driver | Customers with three years of accident- and violation-free driving | 10% |
| Senior | People over age 55 who have completed an approved motor vehicle prevention course | 5% |
| Insurance renewal | People who renew their policies within seven to 10 days of their expiration dates | 20% |
| Welcome back | Former policyholders whose Direct Auto policies are now expired or have been canceled in the past six months | 6% |
| Auto-pay | Those who set up recurring, automatic payments from their checking or savings accounts | 5% |
| Defensive driving course | Drivers who have successfully completed a qualifying accident prevention course within the past 36 months | 10% |
| Vehicle equipment | Owners of vehicles of the current model year or equipped with anti-theft technology (i.e., tracking system or recovery device) | 10% |
Nonstandard Auto Insurance
Direct Auto specializes in nonstandard or high-risk auto insurance, which means the company offers all drivers, regardless of their accident histories, protective and reliable coverage policies. Direct Auto won’t turn you away if you have received more than one speeding ticket or traffic citation or if you need an SR-22 certification. Better yet, Direct Auto won’t consider you high-risk forever if you practice safe and responsible driving over time. Here are the ways Direct Auto helps high-risk drivers achieve the lowest rates possible:
- Flexible payment options to ensure on-time payments
- Discounts for people who participate in driver training courses or traffic school
- Opportunities to demonstrate safe driving (i.e., DynamicDrive program)1
2. Best Cheap Auto Insurance in Delaware - State Farm
What We Like Most:
- Multiple discounts for safe driving, including one specifically for young drivers
- Local agents
- Discounts for multiple cars
Having served millions of drivers in the U.S. for nearly a century, State Farm has earned its reputation as one of the industry’s highest-quality and most reliable auto insurers. Additionally, it offers the most competitive rates of insurance carriers in Delaware.
Who It's Best For
- Good drivers with accident-free records
- Those who want quick and convenient mobile app access to policies
- People who value working with local agents
Who It's Not Best For
- Military members, veterans, and federal employees (no discounts available)
Significant Savings
State Farm offers many ways for drivers to save on their premiums, including safe driving incentives, bundling, and other discounts. Learn about the different ways to save with State Farm below:
| Program | Details | Discount |
|---|---|---|
| Drive Safe & Save Mobile | Using the mobile app that leverages Bluetooth and location services to track driving behavior (e.g., acceleration, braking, cornering, speed, distracted driving, mileage) | 30% |
| Steer Clear | Participating in driver-focused training for individuals under 25 years old that promotes safe driving habits and awards program certifications after completing the following:
|
15% |
| Policy bundles | Bundling auto and home, auto and condo, auto and renters, or auto and life insurance policies | $722 to $1,127 |
| Multiple automobiles | Insuring two or more vehicles from the same household | 20% |
Large Network of Representatives
State Farm has local agents throughout Delaware to provide customers with personalized and convenient support. Here are the Delaware cities with local agents:
- Bear
- Camden
- Claymont
- Dagsboro
- Dover
- Georgetown
- Greenville
- Hockessin
- Laurel
- Lewes
- Middletown
- Milford
- Millsboro
- Milton
- New Castle
- Newark
- Ocean View
- Rehoboth Beach
- Seaford
- Selbyville
- Smyrna
- Wilmington
DID YOU KNOW?
The two Delaware cities with the highest number of State Farm agents are Wilmington, with 18 agents, and Newark, with 11 agents.
Excellent Third-Party Ratings
State Farm receives consistently positive ratings from trusted third-party organizations that evaluate insurance companies, supporting its strong reputation for financial strength and overall customer experience.
For example, the company has an A++ rating on AM Best, demonstrating its superior financial strength compared with competing insurance companies. State Farm has an AA global rating from Standard and Poor’s (S&P), indicating the company’s strong claims-paying ability. Also, as of 2022, State Farm has a rating of 848 out of 1,000 from J.D. Power, indicating a high level of customer satisfaction.2
3. Best Auto Insurance for New Drivers in Delaware - Allstate
What We Like Most:
- Three ways to earn a student discount
- Pay-per-mile option for drivers with low mileage
- No waiting period to purchase accident forgiveness
As one of the largest auto insurers in the country, Allstate offers a range of coverage options for drivers of all ages and experience levels. Its variety of coverage policies, benefits, and discounts provide new drivers, in particular, the protection needed to stay safe.
Who It's Best For
- New drivers, such as teen drivers
- People who drive for rideshare services
- Those who value excellent customer service
Who It's Not Best For
- Military members and veterans who are looking for discounts
- Electric-vehicle drivers who are looking for discounts
Drivewise Safe Driving Program
Allstate Drivewise is a usage-based car insurance program that allows drivers to access potential discounts (up to 40 percent) on their auto insurance rates based on their driving behaviors. With Drivewise, customers plug a small device into their car’s diagnostic port, which tracks driving data such as speed, acceleration, phone use, amount of daylight versus night driving hours, and mileage. The app uses this data to calculate a driving score, which determines how much drivers can save on their premiums.3
Drivewise is especially helpful for teens who are learning how to drive because the app tracks driving habits and data that parents can monitor through the Drivewise app. See if your teen is really adhering to the parent-teen contract you signed!
Additional Safeguards for Drivers
Besides the typical auto insurance coverages, drivers in Delaware can opt to add the following extra insurance coverages with Allstate:
- Ride for Hire: Ride for Hire, or rideshare coverage, reduces out-of-pocket expenses related to accidents that your ridesharing company’s insurance does not cover.
- Roadside coverage: Allstate’s roadside protection plans offer assistance and coverage for towing, tire changes, jump starts, lockouts, and fuel delivery. Roadside assistance is particularly beneficial for protecting teen drivers, who are less experienced at driving and more likely to make driving errors and get into crashes. You can choose between the following plans:
| Allstate roadside membership plan | Roadside Advantage | Roadside Elite |
|---|---|---|
| First-year annual price | $89 | $164 |
| First-year monthly price | $7.42 | $13.67 |
| Renewal annual price | $105 | $179 |
| Renewal monthly price | $8.75 | $14.92 |
| Jump starts, fuel delivery, lockout service, tire changes | Yes | Yes |
| Towing | Up to 10 miles or $150 | Up to 100 miles or $250 |
| Maximum number of rescues per year | Three | Five |
| Road hazard reimbursement for tires and wheels per year | Two events, up to $100 each | Two events, up to $250 each |
First-Rate Customer Service
As of 2022, Allstate scored 832 out of 1,000 in J.D. Power’s overall customer satisfaction ratings across the mid-Atlantic states. As of April 2023, Allstate’s BBB rating is an A+, despite its below-average customer review rating of 1.09 out of five stars. It’s important to keep in mind that most insurance companies receive similarly low customer ratings because many people only visit the page to file complaints.
Allstate has local agents throughout Delaware, reflecting the company’s commitment to providing efficient, personalized customer support. Contact your local Allstate agent directly or seek support through the following channels:
- Phone: Customer service number at 800-726-6033
- Mobile app:
- iOS: Rated 4.8 out of five stars
- Android: Rated 3.9 out of five stars
- Live chat: 24/7 live chat through www.allstate.com
4. Best Auto Insurance Bundles in Delaware - Nationwide
What We Like Most:
- Discounts for taking a defensive driver course
- Network of local agents
- Usage-based insurance program for low-mileage drivers
Nationwide has protected millions of drivers in the U.S. for nearly 100 years, prioritizing its customer service and affordable rates. Thanks to the company’s comprehensive offerings of auto insurance and other forms of coverage, Nationwide customers can save by bundling insurance policies.
Who It's Best For
- People who need other forms of insurance in addition to auto
- Safe drivers
- People who want to manage their policies through a mobile app
Who It's Not Best For
- Drivers with accident histories or past DUI charges
- People who drive for rideshare companies, like Uber or Lyft
Policy Bundling Options
Nationwide’s extensive list of insurance policies creates many opportunities to save on your car insurance rate. If you need any of the following insurance policies, Nationwide may be the best auto insurer for you, as you could save an average of $646 by bundling policies.4
- Auto and home
- Auto and renters
- Auto, home, and life
- Auto and boat
User-Friendly Mobile App
If you appreciate the convenience of mobile apps, you’ll value Nationwide’s easy-to-use app. The Nationwide mobile app is rated 4.6 out of five stars in both the Apple App Store and the Google Play store. Download the app for free on your Android, iPhone, or iPad to perform any of the following tasks:
- Access and print your auto ID card
- Access policy documents
- Pay your bills
- Manage your auto-pay
- Add or replace a vehicle
- Add or remove drivers
- Change coverages
- File and track your claims
Strong and Accessible Customer Service
Nationwide is well regarded across many third-party reviewers and customers. As of April 2023, Nationwide’s National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Complaint Index score of 0.76 is lower than scores from competing companies.5 Additionally, as of April 2023, Nationwide has an A+ rating from the BBB — the highest rating a business can receive — demonstrating the company’s reliability and responsiveness to complaints.6
We value Nationwide’s widespread availability throughout the state of Delaware. Here is a list of cities with multiple local agents:
- Bear
- Dagsboro
- Dover
- Frankford
- Hockessin
- Laurel
- Middletown
- Newark
- Smyrna
- Wilmington
Methodology
Our approach to selecting the top auto insurance providers involves a three-pronged strategy:
- Company information: We conduct comprehensive evaluations of each company and its car insurance offerings, analyzing details such as coverage options and available discount programs. We also factor in third-party assessments of customer satisfaction and financial stability, as provided by AM Best, the Better Business Bureau, J.D. Power, Moody’s, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Standard and Poor’s.
- Proprietary data: AutoInsurance.com has connected people to auto insurance carriers for more than two decades, accumulating millions of data points related to customer transactions. We analyze our data to identify which companies in Delaware have been the most successful in satisfying their customers. Because not all companies cater to every type of customer, we specify each company’s target demographic. We aim to save customers time by filtering out companies that may not cover their needs.
- Institutional knowledge: Having spent over 20 years covering the auto insurance industry, we have built vast institutional knowledge of each insurance provider, including their respective strengths and weaknesses. We consult with Paul Ford, president of Insurance at Centerfield, AutoInsurance.com’s parent company. With close to three decades of experience in the insurance sector, Paul has held leadership positions at Canadian Access, Inslogic, Capital One Insurance Services, NetQuote, Bankrate, and Datalot. We draw on Paul’s wealth of expertise in car insurance to assist customers in finding their ideal policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is auto insurance more expensive in Delaware?
Many aspects of geographic location can influence auto insurance rates, which is why auto insurance in Delaware is more expensive than in many other states. These are some factors that may drive up auto insurance rates in Delaware:
- Higher-than-average cost of living: Delaware’s average cost of living index is 105.6, compared with the U.S. average of 100, according to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center.
- High population density: Delaware’s population density is 522.6 people per square mile, compared with the national average of about 90 people per square mile, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
- Weather: Extreme weather patterns, like heavy rainfall and coastal flooding, contribute to Delaware’s high cost of car insurance, based on information from the Delaware Climate Office.
- State regulations for required coverage: Delaware requires more coverage policies and higher limits than many other states do. For example, all drivers in Delaware must carry at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage, at least $10,000 in property damage liability coverage, and at least $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident in personal injury protection coverage.
Average rates will be higher if you get full-coverage car insurance or you have a bad driving record, but average rates will be lower if you get minimum-coverage car insurance or you are a driver with a clean record. ZIP code matters, as well, as drivers in urban areas pay more, on average, than those in suburban or rural areas.
Compare rates among multiple auto insurance companies to find cheap car insurance, as the cheapest car insurance companies for you may be different from those of even your next-door neighbors.
Which auto insurance coverages are legally required in Delaware?
These are the minimum required auto insurance coverages in Delaware:
- $25,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person
- $50,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident
- $10,000 of property damage liability coverage per accident
- $15,000 in personal injury protection per person
- $30,000 in personal injury protection per accident
What are Delaware’s DUI laws?
According to Delaware’s Division of Motor Vehicles, DUI sentences stay on driving records for at least five years. The penalties for DUI convictions in Delaware vary based on offense number, age, and blood alcohol level (BAC) and can include fines, jail time, and license revocations. Extra fines and mandatory community service hours may also occur if you carry underage passengers.
| Offense number | Jail time in years | Fine amount | Length of license revocation in months based on BAC | Community service requirement in hours (if carrying passengers under 17 years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | $500-$1,500 | 0.15%: 12
0.15%-0.20%: 18 Over 0.20%: 24 |
40 |
| 2nd | 1.5 | $750-$2,500 | 0.15%: 18
0.15-0.20%: 24 Over 0.20%: 30 |
80 |
| 3rd | 1-2 | Up to $5,000 | 0.15%: 24
0.15%-0.20%: 30 Over 0.20%: 36 |
80 |
| 4th and subsequent | 2-15 | Up to $15,000 | Any BAC level: 60 | 80 |
Note that Delaware is one of the few U.S. states that does not require SR-22 forms to reinstate a driver’s license after a DUI.
What is the fine for not having auto insurance in Delaware?
According to the Delaware DMV, driving without auto insurance in Delaware can lead to a minimum fine of $1,500 for the first offense and $3,000 for subsequent violations within three years.
Senior Writer & Editor
A seasoned journalist and content strategist with over 10 years of editorial experience in digital media, Aliza Vigderman has written and edited hundreds of articles on the site, covering everything from plan coverages to discounts to state laws. Previously, she was a senior editor and industry analyst at the home and digital security website Security.org, previously called Security Baron. She has also contributed to The Huffington Post, SquareFoot, and Degreed. Aliza studied journalism at Brandeis University.
Citations
DynamicDrive℠ Discount. Direct Auto Insurance. (2023).
https://www.directauto.com/why-direct/get-discounts/dynamicdrive-discountUsage-Based Auto Insurance Takes Center Stage as Satisfaction Flatlines, J.D. Power Finds. J.D. Power. (2022, Jun 13).
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2022-us-auto-insurance-studyAllstate Drivewise. Allstate. (2023).
https://www.allstate.com/drivewiseAuto insurance discounts. Nationwide. (2023).
https://www.nationwide.com/personal/insurance/auto/discounts/Results by Complaint Index. National Association of Insurance Commissioners. (2023).
https://content.naic.org/cis_refined_results.htmBusiness Profile: Nationwide. Better Business Bureau. (2023).
https://www.bbb.org/us/oh/columbus/profile/insurance/nationwide-0302-2388
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