Delaware car insurance requirements

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Delaware is unusual because it requires three coverages instead of the usual two: 25/50 bodily injury liability, $10,000 property damage liability and personal injury protection of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident. PIP pays your own medical expenses and lost wages, and up to $5,000 for funeral expenses, no matter who caused the crash, which is why Delaware is often described as at-fault with a strong no-fault component.

A quirk the Insurance Commissioner warns about is the PIP deductible. A quote may show the $15,000 minimum limit but carry a $15,000 deductible, which would reduce your effective PIP coverage to zero unless you choose otherwise. The penalties for driving uninsured are among the steepest in this group: a fine of at least $1,500 for a first offense, $3,000 for each later offense within three years, and a six-month suspension of driving privileges. Delaware also restricts credit-based scoring: insurers may use it for a new policy, but not at renewal unless you request it. Coastal weather and heavy summer beach traffic round out the risk picture.

Delaware minimum liability limits

To register and drive a car in Delaware you need at least this much liability coverage:

• $25,000 for injuries to one person in an accident you cause.
• $50,000 in total for injuries to everyone in that accident.
• $10,000 for damage to other people's property, such as their car.

Delaware's limits come with required personal injury protection (PIP), which pays your own medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault.

Other required and offered coverage

Besides liability, Delaware requires:

• Personal injury protection (PIP): $15,000 per person / $30,000 per accident, including up to $5,000 for funeral expenses

The Delaware Insurance Department's guide lists uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage as optional coverage you may add.

Learn more about uninsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection.

Is Delaware a no-fault state?

Delaware is an at-fault (tort) state. The driver who causes a crash is responsible for the other people's injuries and property damage, which is normally paid by that driver's liability insurance. Injured people can claim against the at-fault driver's insurer or, in some cases, sue.

Delaware is an at-fault system with required PIP and uses modified comparative negligence, so a plaintiff whose fault is greater than the defendant's cannot recover.

Read more: at-fault vs. no-fault states explained.

Can insurers use your credit in Delaware?

Status: Restricted. Under a law effective in 2018, insurers may use credit scores for a new policy but not at renewal unless the consumer asks, and may not use a score that includes factors such as age, race, gender or zip code.

See how credit affects car insurance for the bigger picture.

Penalties for driving uninsured in Delaware

Driving a vehicle without the required insurance is punishable on conviction by a fine of not less than $1,500 for a first offense and $3,000 for each later offense within three years, according to the Insurance Commissioner's guide. The guide also states that license and driving privileges are suspended for six months.

If you are ordered to file proof of insurance, see what SR-22 insurance is.

Tips for Delaware drivers

• Ask about the PIP deductible, not just the PIP limit. The Insurance Commissioner's guide warns a $15,000 limit with a $15,000 deductible leaves you with effectively no PIP.
• Ask whether your PIP is restricted or unrestricted. The Commissioner's guide suggests asking an agent about the difference before choosing a policy.
• Review your credit-score rights. Delaware insurers may not use a credit score at renewal unless you request it, and in that case it may be used only to the extent it benefits you.
• Treat the $10,000 property damage minimum as thin. A single newer vehicle can cost more than that to repair or replace, so consider whether higher limits fit your situation.
• Delaware requires insurance to register a vehicle, so keep continuous coverage. A conviction carries a minimum fine of $1,500 and a six-month suspension.
• If you want to be covered for uninsured drivers, ask for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, which the Insurance Department lists as optional.

When you shop, compare quotes from several insurers using the same limits and deductibles, so the prices are like-for-like.

Official resources

• Insurance regulator: Delaware Department of Insurance
• Motor vehicle agency: Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles

Your state insurance department can answer questions about your rights and handle complaints about insurers.

Frequently asked questions

What are Delaware's minimum insurance requirements?

Delaware requires bodily injury liability of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, property damage liability of $10,000, and personal injury protection of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident. PIP also includes up to $5,000 for funeral expenses. Delaware requires this minimum coverage in order to register a vehicle.

What is PIP in Delaware?

Personal injury protection pays medical expenses and loss of wages for you and your passengers whether or not you caused the accident. At the minimum, it pays up to $15,000 to any one person and $30,000 in total per accident, plus up to $5,000 for funeral expenses. Watch the deductible, because a high one can erase the coverage.

What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Delaware?

According to the Insurance Commissioner's guide, a person convicted of driving without proper insurance is fined at least $1,500 for a first offense and $3,000 for each subsequent offense occurring within three years of a former offense. Driving privileges are also suspended for six months. The DMV also notes a possible vehicle registration suspension.

Can Delaware insurers use my credit score?

Yes, but with limits. Delaware law allows insurers to use credit scores when you apply for a new policy, but not at renewal unless you request it, and then only to the extent it benefits you. Insurers may not use scores that factor in age, race, gender, religion, marital status, zip code or lack of credit history.

Is Delaware a no-fault state?

Delaware is generally treated as an at-fault state, but every policy must include PIP, which pays your own medical bills and lost wages regardless of fault. The driver who causes a crash can still be held responsible for damages. Delaware applies modified comparative negligence, which bars recovery if the injured person is more at fault than the other party.

Sources

• Delaware Department of Insurance – The Instant Insurance Guide: Auto
• Delaware DMV – Vehicle services registration, insurance requirements
• Delaware Code – Title 21 Motor Vehicles
• NAIC – Use of Credit Reports/Scoring in Underwriting (state chart, Summer 2025)