Cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in Delaware

Cheapest car insurance in Delaware for a bad driving record

Drivers with a poor record in Delaware will find the lowest rates from Nationwide, Travelers and Progressive. Among these, Nationwide provides the lowest annual premiumThe payment required for an insurance policy to remain in force. Auto insurance premiums are quoted for either 6-month or annual policy periods. at $2,414 annually.

If you have accidents, DUIs or traffic tickets on your driving record, youll likely pay higher insurance rates. Most traffic violations can impact your rates for three to five years, while a DUI can raise your rates for up to 10 years and may remain on your record for life.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for high-risk driver
Nationwide	$1,498	$2,414
Travelers	$1,595	$2,525
Progressive	$1,999	$2,856
State Farm	$2,153	$2,901
GEICO	$1,695	$3,225
American Family	$2,709	$4,244
Allstate	$3,631	$4,604
Sentry Insurance	$4,066	$6,074
USAA	$1,463	$2,249

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How much is high-risk car insurance in Delaware?

A problematic driving record or poor credit score may mean higher insurance rates, but affordable options exist. In Delaware, high-risk car insurance costs $3,220 per year. However, you can get rates as low as $2,414 annually from Nationwide.

Although you may be labeled high-risk for many reasons, some factors raise rates more than others. For example, multiple speeding tickets may significantly raise car insurance rates, but so can a single ticket for excessive speed in a school zone.

Read on as we explain high-risk car insurance factors and rates below.

Average annual car insurance rate for At-fault bodily injury accident in Delaware, DE is $3,162

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Company	Annual premium for clean record	Annual premium after violation
Travelers	$1,595	$1,657
Nationwide	$1,498	$2,263
State Farm	$2,153	$2,548
Progressive	$1,999	$2,921
American Family	$2,709	$3,630
GEICO	$1,695	$3,857
Allstate	$3,631	$6,040
Sentry Insurance	$4,066	$6,847

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Average annual rate

PEOPLE ASK:

Who is considered high-risk for insurance in Delaware?

Each insurance company has its own rules for deciding who is a high-risk driver. But usually, things like a DUI, several tickets or accidents, or serious violations like reckless driving will put you in the high-risk category.

Cheapest car insurance in Delaware with a DUI

While many insurers offer coverage after a DUI, State Farm has the lowest rate at $2,351 a year.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a major traffic violation that will hurt your driving record. It can increase auto insurance rates for almost a decade in addition to fines and other penalties. Multiple DUIs will increase your premiums even more, but improving your driving habits can help you get better rates over time.

The table below shows the average car insurance rates for a clean record vs. a DUI in Delaware.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for a DUI
State Farm	$2,153	$2,351
Travelers	$1,595	$2,680
Progressive	$1,999	$2,700
Nationwide	$1,498	$2,915
GEICO	$1,695	$3,936
Allstate	$3,631	$4,845
Sentry Insurance	$4,066	$5,318
American Family	$2,709	$7,222
USAA	$1,463	$2,665

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Cheapest car insurance in Delaware with multiple tickets

Nationwide is the cheapest car insurance company for drivers with multiple traffic tickets, with an average rate of $2,211 a year or $184 a month.

While one traffic ticket can affect car insurance rates, multiple tickets can significantly increase those rates. Failure to obey speed limits and traffic laws leads insurers to believe they will eventually have to pay claims due to risky driving.

This table shows Delaware drivers how much multiple tickets increase premiums.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium with a speeding ticket
Nationwide	$1,498	$2,211
Travelers	$1,595	$2,339
State Farm	$2,153	$2,351
Progressive	$1,999	$2,649
GEICO	$1,695	$2,805
American Family	$2,709	$2,952
Allstate	$3,631	$4,043
Sentry Insurance	$4,066	$6,335
USAA	$1,463	$1,888

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Cheapest car insurance in Delaware with a reckless driving conviction

State Farm offers the cheapest rates for drivers with reckless driving convictions at $2,351 per year.

A single ticket can raise your car insurance premiums, but multiple tickets will push them even higher. Repeatedly violating speed limits and other traffic laws signals risky behavior, increasing the likelihood that insurers will have to pay claims.

You can be charged with reckless driving for many reasons, such as excessive speed, multiple accidents in a short time or street racing. Regardless of the cause, a reckless driving conviction raises car insurance rates.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for reckless driving
State Farm	$2,153	$2,351
Travelers	$1,595	$2,680
Nationwide	$1,498	$2,915
Progressive	$1,999	$3,136
American Family	$2,709	$4,330
GEICO	$1,695	$4,449
Allstate	$3,631	$4,845
Sentry Insurance	$4,066	$6,847
USAA	$1,463	$2,385

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Cheapest car insurance in Delaware with bad credit

The cheapest Delaware insurer for bad credit is Nationwide, with rates averaging $2,025 per year or $169 per month. The good news is that drivers with bad credit can still get affordable auto insurance.

Your credit score may not be related to your driving skills, but it can affect your car insurance rates and put you in a higher-risk category. From an insurer's perspective, higher risk means an increased chance of filing a claimAn insurance claim is a request you make to your insurance company for coverage after your car is damaged or you have an accident. You can file a claim online, by phone, or in writing., and statistics show that drivers with lower credit scores are in this category.

Check the table below to see how your credit score affects Delaware car insurance.

Company	Annual premium for good credit	Annual premium for bad credit
Nationwide	$1,498	$2,025
GEICO	$1,695	$2,557
Travelers	$1,595	$2,775
Progressive	$1,999	$3,353
American Family	$2,709	$5,059
Sentry Insurance	$4,066	$5,278
State Farm	$2,153	$5,657
Allstate	$3,631	$5,803
USAA	$1,463	$2,778

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Cheapest car insurance after an accident in Delaware

Travelers has the lowest average rates after an accident at $1,657 a year. Nationwide also offers affordable rates, averaging $2,263 per year.

Drivers with accidents on their record usually pay higher insurance premiums than drivers with a clean record. A single accident can raise your rates, and multiple accidents can push them even higher.

This table shows car insurance rates for drivers with a clean record, a single at fault accident, and multiple accidents.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for one at-fault accident	Annual premium for multiple accident
Travelers	$1,595	$1,657	$2,203
Nationwide	$1,498	$2,263	$3,084
State Farm	$2,153	$2,548	$2,548
Progressive	$1,999	$2,921	$5,061
American Family	$2,709	$3,630	$6,872
GEICO	$1,695	$3,857	$6,581
Allstate	$3,631	$6,040	$8,414
Sentry Insurance	$4,066	$6,847	$8,308

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Cheapest car insurance in Delaware by city

In Delaware, the lowest car insurance rates are found in Middletown, averaging $3,019 annually. On the other hand, Delaware City has the highest rates at $3,697 a year.

Where you live in Delaware matters, too. If you're in an area with heavy traffic or a high rate of vehicle theft, your premiums will rise to reflect the increased likelihood of claims.

City	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for high-risk driver
Middletown	$1,947	$3,019
Georgetown	$2,004	$3,123
Milford	$2,017	$3,147
Frederica	$2,041	$3,182
Fenwick Island	$2,062	$3,224
Dover	$2,070	$3,227
Newark	$2,178	$3,402
Bear	$2,241	$3,506
Delaware City	$2,361	$3,697

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How to reduce car insurance rates in Delaware for a bad driving record

Finding affordable car insurance in Delaware is possible, even with a bad driving record. Ways to lower car insurance rates include:

Where you live in Delaware also affects car insurance rates. For example, if you live in a high-traffic or high-theft area, rates will increase because your vehicle is more likely to be damaged or stolen.

Carefully consider filing claims. Paying for minor damage out of pocket may be cheaper than filing an insurance claim and increasing rates for years.
Avoid costly infractions. Drive carefully to avoid adding traffic infractions to your record. Tickets only affect insurance rates for a few years, which will decrease if more tickets aren't added.
Improve your credit score. Raising your credit score lowers car insurance rates. Make on-time payments and consider credit usage to improve your rating.
Take a defensive driving course. Many insurance companies offer a discount for doing so, and some states remove driver's license points for successfully completing the class.
Shop around for coverage. Every car insurance company weighs factors differently and offers different rates. Compare quotes to find the cheapest rates.

PEOPLE ASK:

How long are you considered a high-risk driver in Delaware?

Three years is common, but how long you are considered a high-risk driver in California depends on the insurance company's guidelines. The state determines how long a violation stays on your record, but the insurance company determines how long you're charged for that violation.

Methodology

170+

insurance companies analyzed

34,000+

ZIP codes examined

$53M

insurance quotes analyzed

National and state average rates are based on three coverage levels: state minimum, 50/100/50 liability-only, and full coverage with 100/300/100 liability and $500 deductibles.

All base rate averages are based on our full coverage data set. This data set is based on: