Delaware gap insurance: Everything you need to know

How much is gap insurance in Delaware?

In Delaware, gap insurance costs an average of $3,350 per year, but prices vary by company. Your car's value also affects the cost of gap insurance. Expensive or luxury cars depreciate faster than standard vehicles, so gap coverage may have to pay more, leading to higher rates.

Cheapest gap insurance companies in Delaware

The cheapest gap insurance in Delaware is offered by Progressive, with an average yearly cost of $2,057. Not all car insurance companies provide gap coverage, and rates can vary significantly among carriers.

Take a look at the table below to see the cheapest Delaware insurance companies for gap coverage.

Company	Auto insurance rates with gap premium	Gap premium
Progressive	$2,057	$46
American Family	$2,556	$80
Farmers	$2,806	$127
Sentry Insurance	$5,980	$24

Read our methodology

Average gap insurance cost in Delaware by city

Gap insurance costs the most in Delaware City, with an average rate of $3,861, while Fenwick Island has the lowest rate at $2,806. Where you live in Delaware can impact your insurance costs. Cities with higher crime and theft rates have higher auto insurance rates since the risk of damage or theft is higher.

Here are the average gap insurance rates by city in Delaware

City	Auto insurance rates with gap premium	Gap premium
Fenwick Island	$2,806	$69
Milford	$3,149	$67
Georgetown	$3,149	$70
Frederica	$3,183	$67
Dover	$3,210	$67
Cheswold	$3,248	$67
Middletown	$3,293	$68
Newark	$3,743	$72
Bear	$3,855	$72
Delaware City	$3,861	$75

Read our methodology

How much is gap insurance in Delaware by age group?

Car insurance rates for younger drivers are more expensive because they are more likely to engage in risky driving and lack the experience needed to avoid accidents. Rates go down as the driver gets older. For example, at 18 years old the average rate is $10,594 a year, and at 25 the average annual rate is $3,873.

The table below shows the average gap insurance rates in Delaware by age.

Age group	Auto insurance rates with gap premium	Gap premium
Teen	$10,594	$269
Young adult	$3,873	$79
Adult	$3,350	$69
Senior	$2,991	$61

Read our methodology

How does gap insurance work in Delaware?

When you buy or lease a new car, it depreciates quickly resulting in you owing more than it's worth. If your car is totaled, your insurance company will only pay its actual cash value, which might not cover your full loan balance. That's where gap insurance helps. If your car is totaled or stolen, gap insurance covers the difference between your car's value and what you still owe on the loan.

"Gap is designed for people that take long-term loans and/or roll taxes, service plans, or warranties into their loan," said Zack Pope, agency manager at David Pope Insurance in Missouri. "Most gap coverages only go a certain percent over market value to pay off a loan for a totaled vehicle (typically 25%). It costs significantly less money to get gap through your insurance than to purchase it from the dealership."

For example, let's say you have a $40,000 car loan, but your vehicle's actual cash value is only $35,000. If the car is stolen, your insurance company will reimburse you $35,000, minus your deductibleThe deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket for a covered loss when you file a claim.. Gap insurance would cover the remaining $5,000 that you still owe on your loan. Without gap insurance, you'd be responsible for paying this difference out of pocket.

You can drop gap coverage once your loan balance is below your car's value. While you can cancel gap insurance anytime, you may not be able to add it later. Most insurers require you to add gap coverage soon after buying a car.

Where to buy gap insurance in Delaware

Many insurance companies, including major providers, offer gap insurance in Delaware. You can add this coverage to your existing car insurance policy or buy a standalone policy.

The best way to get gap coverage is to add it to your auto insurance policy. Car dealers and lenders also offer gap insurance, but their policies are mostly expensive, making them less budget-friendly.

Methodology

Insurance.com commissioned gap insurance rates from Quadrant Data Services in late 2023 at a variety of ages in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Base rates use a 40-year-old driver with a 2023 Honda Accord LX. Rates were gathered from 138 insurance companies in 1,468 ZIP codes.

Delaware gap insurance: FAQs

Is gap insurance required in Delaware?

Gap insurance isn't required by Delaware law. However, your lender may require the coverage.

Who should buy gap insurance in Delaware?

If you have a car loan or lease in Delaware, you might need gap insurance. If you made a small down payment, you could quickly owe more than your car is worth since vehicles lose value faster than you can pay the loan. In this case, gap insurance can be a smart choice.

You don't need gap insurance if you own your vehicle or make a large down payment so that you owe less than the car's value from the start of your loan.

What is standalone gap insurance in Delaware?

Standalone gap insurance is a policy of its own, not connected with your car insurance. Gap insurance is available from your lender or a private company as a separate policy.

Does gap insurance cover leased cars in Delaware?

Delaware gap insurance covers leased cars where the driver owes more than the vehicle's current market value. Over time, you may remove gap coverage once your vehicle is worth more than what is owed.