Cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in Delaware

Which company has the cheapest car insurance in Delaware for a bad driving record?

Nationwide offers the cheapest average car insurance rate for high-risk drivers in Delaware at $2,414 a year. Travelers and Progressive also provide below-average rates for drivers with traffic violations, accidents or other risk factors.

Traffic infractions, accidents and DUIs wind up on your driving record, meaning you'll pay higher car insurance rates in addition to any fines assessed. While most violations only affect your insurance rates for a few years, a DUI may affect rates for a decade and never be removed from your record.

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?

State Farm has the cheapest average DUI insurance rates in Delaware at $2,351 per year. Drivers with a DUI often see some of the largest premium increases because insurers consider a bad driving record a major risk factor.

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.

Keep reading as we break down high-risk car insurance factors and rates.

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 a high-risk driver in Delaware?

Drivers in Delaware are considered high-risk if they have a DUI, multiple speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, reckless driving convictions, insurance lapses, an SR-22 requirement or a poor driving history. Teen drivers and new drivers also often pay higher premiums. Insurance companies use different rating formulas, so classifications vary by insurer.

What company offers the cheapest car insurance in Delaware after a DUI?

State Farm offers the cheapest average rates after a DUI in Delaware at $2,351 a year.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious traffic violation that damages your driving record. It can raise auto insurance premiums for nearly 10 years, on top of fines and other penalties. Multiple DUIs drive rates even higher, but consistent safe driving over time can gradually lead to lower premiums.

The table below compares average car insurance premiums in Delaware for drivers with a clean record versus those with a DUI.

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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What is the 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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Expert's Insight Two minor tickets can sometimes cost you more on your insurance than one major violation.

What company offers the cheapest insurance for reckless driving in Delaware?

State Farm has the cheapest average reckless driving insurance rates in Delaware at $2,351 per year. Reckless driving convictions often result in substantial premium increases and fewer coverage options.

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.

The table below compares car insurance rates for drivers with a clean driving record and a reckless driving conviction.

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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Expert's Insight A reckless driving conviction can limit your car insurance options and significantly raise rates, so shopping around is critical.

Which company has the cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in Delaware?

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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What company has the cheapest car insurance in Delaware after an accident?

Travelers offers the cheapest average post-accident rates in Delaware at $1,657 annually. Nationwide also provides relatively affordable rates at $2,263 per year.

Drivers with accidents on their driving records see higher rates than drivers who avoid crashes. While car insurance increases after one accident, multiple accidents significantly increase rates.

This table compares rates for drivers with a clean driving record, one 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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Expert's Insight Accident forgiveness programs can prevent rate increases, but eligibility varies by insurer, and often only minor accidents qualify.

Which city is the cheapest for high-risk car insurance in Delaware?

Middletown has the cheapest average high-risk car insurance rates in Delaware at $3,019 annually. In comparison, Delaware City has the highest average premiums at $3,697 per 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 can high-risk drivers lower their car insurance rates in Delaware?

High-risk drivers in Delaware can find lower rates by shopping around, avoiding further violations and taking a defensive driving course. Ways to lower car insurance rates include:

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 Delawaredepends 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:

Bodily injury liability of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident
Property damage liability of $100,000 per incident
Comprehensive and collision deductibles of $500
40-year-old driver
Honda Accord LX
Good credit
A clean driving record
12-mile commute, 10,000 annual mileage

Our data is then adjusted to reflect the rate increase from this base rate for the following infractions and issue:

DUI
Reckless driving
Multiple speeding tickets
Bad credit
One at-fault accident over $2,000

FAQ: High-risk car insurance in Delaware

Can high-risk drivers get full coverage car insurance in Delaware?

Yes, you can get full coverage insurance as a high-risk driver. However, you can expect it to cost a lot more than liability-only coverage.

Does an SR-22 automatically make your insurance more expensive in Delaware?

Not directly. It's the reason you need an SR-22 that will cause the rate increase. An SR-22 is the form the insurance company has to file with the state, and by itself, it doesn't increase your rates.