Minimum car insurance in Delaware
Delaware requires car owners to buy two main types of insurance: Liability and personal injury protection, called PIP. But the state minimums may not be enough if you're in an accident. Let's look at the Delaware car insurance options so you can make the best picks.
Minimum liability insurance:
Liability insurance pays for damage and injuries you cause to others. But it doesn't pay for damage to your own car or your injuries. In Delaware you must have liability limits of at least:
- $25,000 bodily injury per person
- $50,000 bodily injury per accident
- $10,000 property damage per accident
This is usually written as 25/50/10.
Minimum personal injury protection (PIP)
- In Delaware you must buy PIP insurance of at least $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident. With PIP, you make small injury claims under your own insurance policy using PIP.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage:
- UM/UIM is not required in Delaware. These coverage types pay for injuries if you're hit by a driver with no liability insurance or not enough. Insurance companies must offer UM/UIM but you can reject them. If you buy UM/UIM the minimum is 25/50.
Optional car insurance in Delaware
Comprehensive coverage: Covers theft of your vehicle or damage caused by hitting an animal. Also cover damage from hail, flood, fire, vandalism, falling objects and explosions.
Collision coverage: For damage to your vehicle from hitting another car or an object, like a tree or sign post.
Rental reimbursement: Covers up to a certain amount for a rental car if your vehicle is being repaired due to an accident covered by comprehensive or collision insurance. It may have a daily maximum and also a total limit.
You must show an insurance ID card (or other proof of financial responsibility) in Delaware when:
- Law enforcement requests it
- You renew vehicle registration
- Your vehicle is involved in a car accident
Penalties for not having car insurance in Delaware
- First offense: $1,500–$2,000 fine and a six month license suspension
- Second offense within three years: $3,000–$4,000 and a six month license suspension
Source: Property Casualty Insurers Association of America
Consumer complaints against the largest auto insurance companies in Delaware
Each state's department of insurance collects complaints against insurance companies that operate in the state and supplies the numbers to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. A national "complaint ratio" number is meant to show the number of complaints against a company relative to the insurer's size of business. Shown below are national complaint ratios for the largest auto insurance companies in Delaware.
Updated July 10, 2018