Affordable Delaware car insurance that puts you first
Root rewards Delaware drivers with lower rates, makes managing insurance simple, and gives you flexibility to choose auto insurance coverage that fits your needs.
Better auto insurance rates
Drivers who switch can save up to $1,300 a year on car insurance with Root. Get your personalized Delaware auto insurance quote. It’s easy to see if you could save.
Customizable coverage options
Choose the coverage options and limits that work for you, your car, and your budget. Available coverages vary by state, and you can adjust your policy as your needs change.
Manage your policy in the app
Access your Delaware auto insurance policy, view your insurance cards, and file a claim in as little as 3 minutes right from Root’s convenient mobile app.
Driving in the First State
Delaware may be small, but a Wilmington commute and a summer drive to the beaches are two very different trips. Route 1 ties much of it together, from northern Delaware toward the coast.
Up north: I-95 carries traffic through Wilmington and northern New Castle County, connecting Delaware with Philadelphia and Baltimore.
Beach-bound: Route 1 leads toward Dover, Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, and Bethany Beach, where seasonal traffic changes the pace.
Before you leave: DelDOT provides traffic, road-condition, and transportation information for drivers throughout Delaware.
From Wilmington to Dover and beyond: Explore Delaware car insurance from Root.
Delaware's minimum auto insurance requirements
To legally operate a vehicle in Delaware, you must carry Liability insurance and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. If you are found driving without the correct insurance, you can face fines of at least $1,500 for a first offense and at least $3,000 for any additional offenses within 3 years of a prior offense. Your driving privileges will also be suspended for 6 months.
The minimum coverage amounts for liability and PIP car insurance required for drivers in Delaware are [1]:
Bodily injury liability
$25,000 per person
$50,000 per accident
Property damage liability
$10,000 per accident
Personal injury protection
$15,000 per person
$30,000 per accident (multiple people injured)
Under Delaware law, PIP helps cover reasonable and necessary expenses following an accident, including medical treatment, lost wages, funeral expenses, and certain replacement services. These benefits apply to eligible expenses under the policy, regardless of who caused the accident. Learn more about Delaware's PIP requirements under Section 2118.
Types of Delaware auto insurance we offer
Explore our Delaware car insurance coverage options available below. You can update your policy anytime in the Root app.
Liability coverage
Liability coverage pays for another person’s injuries or property damage when you’re responsible for an accident.
Collision coverage
Get your car repaired or replaced after a collision with another vehicle or object regardless of who was at fault. Add optional rental coverage.
Comprehensive coverage
Protect your car from damage beyond collisions, including theft, vandalism, severe weather, fire, and falling objects.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage
Required in Delaware, PIP covers eligible medical expenses and/or lost wages for you and your family members after an accident, regardless of fault.
Uninsured motorist coverage
Stay protected if you’re in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have insurance or enough coverage to pay for eligible injuries or damages.
Roadside assistance coverage
Roadside assistance gets you back on the road when you're stranded, with services like towing, jump-starts, and tire changes.
What is the average cost of car insurance in Delaware?
The average Delaware driver pays $3,157 per year for full coverage car insurance [2].
Root customers looking to purchase Delaware car insurance could save up to $1,300 a year.
Get a quote in under 5 minutes.
Delaware Auto Insurance FAQs
What is the minimum car insurance required in Delaware?
To legally operate a vehicle in Delaware, you must carry:
To avoid serious expenses in the event of a major accident, you should consider coverage that protects:
Your vehicle (collision and comprehensive)
However, liability insurance and PIP are the only coverages you must carry without the option to reject them when purchasing auto insurance in Delaware. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, including uninsured motorist property damage coverage, is also required unless you specifically reject it in writing.
Is it legal to drive without insurance in Delaware?
No, you cannot legally drive without auto insurance in Delaware. State law requires drivers and vehicle owners to maintain continuous liability insurance and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage and carry proof of insurance. If you're found driving without insurance, your driver's license or vehicle registration could be suspended.
Do you need insurance to register a vehicle in Delaware?
Yes. Delaware requires vehicles to be insured in order to be registered, and you'll need to keep that coverage in place for as long as the vehicle is registered. Letting your insurance lapse on a registered vehicle can lead to penalties, including suspension of your registration.
How do I lower my car insurance rate in Delaware?
The easiest ways to save on your Delaware car insurance premium are to drive safely, compare car insurance quotes, and review your coverage and deductible to find opportunities to save. With Root, you can get a personalized car insurance quote in minutes and explore coverage options that fit your needs and budget in the First State.
Is Delaware a no-fault car insurance state?
Delaware is a fault-based car insurance state with mandatory no-fault Personal Injury Protection (PIP). PIP helps pay covered medical expenses and lost earnings for you and your passengers, regardless of who caused the accident. Liability insurance covers bodily injury and property damage for which an insured driver is legally responsible. Learn more about Delaware's PIP requirements.
Is auto collision insurance required in Delaware?
Delaware law does not require drivers to carry collision coverage. The state requires minimum liability insurance and Personal Injury Protection (PIP), along with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage unless rejected in writing. Still, when comparing auto insurance quotes, consider adding collision protection to help pay for repairs to your vehicle after an accident, regardless of who caused it.
Is uninsured / underinsured motorist coverage required in Delaware?
Yes, Delaware requires insurers to include uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage unless you specifically reject it in writing. This includes coverage for bodily injuries (UM/UIM) and uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD).
UM/UIM helps pay for covered injuries when the at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage. UMPD helps cover vehicle damage caused by an uninsured driver. Root offers these coverages in Delaware, and you can review your options in our app. Learn more about Delaware's uninsured motorist coverage requirements.
Does Root offer full coverage car insurance in Delaware?
There's actually no such thing as "full coverage" in the auto insurance industry, but the term usually refers to combining liability (Bodily Injury and Property Damage), collision, and comprehensive. Root offers all of these coverages.
Who needs SR-22 insurance in Delaware?
Delaware generally does not use SR-22 filings the way many other states do. If your license is suspended for a serious violation, such as a DUI or driving without insurance, you may still need to show proof of insurance to get your driving privileges back.
Is personal injury protection (PIP) required in Delaware?
Yes. Even though Delaware is a fault-based state, drivers must carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) with minimums of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident. PIP helps pay covered medical expenses, lost wages, and certain other eligible expenses for you and your passengers, regardless of who caused the accident.
Helpful resources for Delaware drivers
Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles
The Delaware DMV issues driver's licenses and ID cards, handles vehicle titles and registrations, and runs vehicle inspections.
Delaware Department of Transportation
DelDOT maintains the state's roads and bridges and shares real-time traffic information.
Delaware Department of Insurance
The Delaware Department of Insurance regulates insurance in the state and helps consumers resolve insurance complaints.
Start saving on car insurance
Get a quote and get on the road in less than 5 minutes with Root. It’s practical, simple, and fast car insurance for drivers who have more important stuff to do.
References
Delaware Code Online. Title 21, Chapter 21.
Insure.com. Annual average rates were compiled in 2026.