Car Insurance Laws in Delaware: Everything You Need to Know

According to Delaware car insurance laws, all drivers must have liability insurance, uninsured motorist protection, and PIP. Read this article to learn more about Delaware's minimum insurance.
Written by Olivia Rose
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
background
Delaware requires all drivers to have liability insurance and personal injury protection—but securing additional coverage is always a good idea if you can afford it.
To help ensure you comply with Delaware car insurance laws,
Jerry
, the
car insurance
comparison tool and app you can trust, has compiled everything you need to know about required coverage in the state.
And if you’re in the market to lower your
Delaware car insurance costs
—or just want to make sure you’re getting the best rate—Jerry can help you with that, too!
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How does car insurance work in Delaware?

Delaware is a "fault" state. In short, this means that whoever is found at fault in an accident is required to cover all the damages stemming from that accident.
If you’re facing damages or medical expenses after an accident for which you were not at fault in Delaware, you have three options:
  • File a claim with your insurance provider—if you were not at fault for the accident, your provider will likely seek out the insurance provider of the at-fault driver to cover your claim
  • File a third-party claim with the at-fault driver’s insurer
  • File a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver
Key Takeaway Delaware is a fault state, which means the at-fault driver (or their insurer) is responsible for all damages resulting from the accident.

Delaware state minimum auto insurance

Delaware car insurance laws mandate liability insurance and personal injury protection for all drivers.

Liability insurance

If you reside in Delaware, you must have the following
liability coverage
:
  • $25,000 in
    bodily injury liability
    for an accident where you are at fault when one person is injured
  • $50,000 in total bodily injury liability for an accident where you are at fault when two or more people are injured
  • $10,000 in
    property damage liability
    for each accident where you are at fault

Delaware PIP laws

If you reside in Delaware, you must have the following
personal injury protection (PIP)
:
  • $15,000 for one person involved in one accident and covered under your policy
  • $30,000 for all persons involved in one accident and covered under your policy

Policy limits

It’s important to remember that after your provider pays its policy limits, you will have to cover the rest.
For this reason, it’s typically in your best interest to purchase more than just the mandatory minimum insurance coverage. If you ever get into a bad accident, you’ll be glad to have it.
If you’re looking for more coverage that won’t break the bank, the car insurance comparison app
Jerry
can help you find the best deals. You’ll enjoy all the savings without any of the legwork.
Key Takeaway Delaware requires all drivers to have liability insurance and personal injury protection (PIP), but purchasing more coverage will provide you with extra financial protection.
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Penalties for driving without car insurance in Delaware

If you’re caught
driving without insurance
in Delaware, here’s what you could face:
  • $1,500 fine for a first offense
  • $3,000 fine for subsequent offenses
  • License suspension for six months
But there are other consequences of driving without insurance, too. If you’re in an accident and you don’t have insurance coverage, you can be held financially liable and may have to cover the cost of damages out of pocket.

Where to buy car insurance in Delaware

No matter where you’ll be driving, comparison shopping is your best bet. And there’s no easier way to do it than with
Jerry
, the car insurance expert and
trusted comparison shopping super app
.
In less than a minute, Jerry gathers your information and compares quotes from over 50 insurance providers to find you the right coverage at the best price. You’ll get all the savings without any of the hassles of shopping around.
The average Jerry customer saves over $800 per year on their car insurance!
"
Jerry
saved me thousands of dollars in minutes! I started in the app but had questions about the policy and made a call and was greeted by a live person, Jim, right away. I was on the phone for 12 minutes with Jim and that quickly I saved almost $3,000 on my car insurance. I highly recommend Jerry to find the best deals on your insurance!" — Satisfied Jerry user

Is car insurance mandatory in Delaware?

Yes, car insurance is mandatory in Delaware. Delaware requires liability insurance and personal injury protection.

What is the financial responsibility law in Delaware?

Delaware’s financial responsibility law mandates that the at-fault driver is liable for any injuries or damages caused by an accident. If you drive without the proper insurance coverage, you could face significant financial liabilities in the event of a serious accident.

What happens if I don’t have car insurance in Delaware?

If you’re caught driving without insurance in Delaware, you can face hefty fines and the possibility of license suspension.
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