The countrywide average auto premium is about $1,258/year (NAIC, 2022). Delaware ranks among the 10 most expensive states for auto insurance.
Est. State Avg (illustrative)
$1,670
Minimum Coverage
$25K/$50K/$10K
Uninsured Driver Rate
18.1%
Uninsured driver rate: Insurance Research Council (IRC) 2022 estimates (published 2023), via the Insurance Information Institute. National average: 14.0%.
No free public authority publishes a reliable city-by-city average premium, so we don’t invent one. What is verifiable: the countrywide average auto premium was about $1,258/year in 2022 (NAIC), and by the NAIC’s 2021 average-expenditure data, delaware ranks among the 10 most expensive states for auto insurance. Your own rate depends far more on your ZIP code, age, driving record, vehicle, and coverage level than on any statewide figure — always compare quotes from several insurers.
Delaware requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance of 25/50/10 (Bodily Injury per person / Bodily Injury per accident / Property Damage):
Delaware is a no-fault state, requiring all drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage to pay for their own medical expenses regardless of who caused an accident. This system reduces the need for litigation over minor injury claims but adds a mandatory cost to every policy. Delaware's market is relatively small and competitive among a limited number of carriers, which can mean less pricing variation than larger states but also fewer choices.
Delaware's location in the Mid-Atlantic corridor — densely populated and heavily trafficked — contributes to above-average accident frequency. The state's small geographic footprint means that urban and suburban driving conditions dominate statewide statistics. Wilmington, the state's largest city, carries notably higher rates than rural Sussex County. New Castle County sees the most accidents due to its concentration of major highways and commuter traffic patterns feeding into the Philadelphia metro area.
Compare quotes from at least 5 insurers — rates can vary by $500–$1,500 for the same coverage
Bundle auto with homeowners or renters insurance for 10–20% savings
Ask about all available discounts: safe driver, good student, military, professional association
Consider a higher deductible ($1,000 vs $500) to lower your premium by 15–20%
Use telematics/usage-based programs if you're a safe, low-mileage driver
Maintain a clean driving record — even one ticket can increase rates 20–40%
Check your credit score — most states allow credit-based insurance scoring
No free authority publishes a precise Delaware average, so treat any single number as a ballpark. For national context, the countrywide average auto premium was about $1,258/year in 2022 (NAIC), and delaware ranks among the 10 most expensive states for auto insurance. Your own rate depends far more on your ZIP code, age, driving record, vehicle, and coverage level than on any statewide figure — compare quotes from several insurers.
Delaware requires at least $25K/$50K/$10K in liability coverage to drive legally. These minimums are often not enough to cover a serious accident, so many drivers carry higher limits — a common recommendation is 100/300/100.
An estimated 18.1% of drivers in Delaware are uninsured. Because of that, adding uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is worth considering — it protects you if an at-fault driver has no insurance or too little.
Compare quotes from at least five insurers, bundle auto with home or renters, raise your deductible, and claim every discount you qualify for (safe driver, good student, low mileage). For the same coverage, premiums in Delaware can differ by $500–$1,500 between carriers.
Cover Forge USA Editorial Team
Editorial Lead
This article was researched and written by the Cover Forge USA editorial team against federal sources (NAIC, CMS, FEMA, DOL, SSA, state DOIs) and standard policy forms. Bylines organize content by topic — they do not assert individual licensure. See our editorial-policy for details.
Reviewed June 2026
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