Delaware Car Insurance Requirements: The Minimum Coverages, Required PIP and What to Ask Your Agent
Riskado
Every vehicle registered in Delaware needs three coverages: bodily injury liability of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, property damage liability of at least $10,000, and personal injury protection (PIP) of at least $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident, according to the Delaware DMV (opens in a new tab) and 21 Del. C. § 2118 (opens in a new tab). You need valid Delaware proof of insurance to title, register and renew, and a policy from another state won't be accepted for Delaware registration (Delaware DMV (opens in a new tab)). Collision, comprehensive and GAP coverage are not state minimums, though a lender or lessor may require some of them (Delaware Department of Insurance Automobile Insurance Guide (opens in a new tab)).
Key takeaways
- Three required coveragesBodily injury liability, property damage liability and personal injury protection (PIP) on every vehicle registered in Delaware.
- Liability minimumsAt least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $10,000 for property damage.
- PIP minimumAt least $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident.
- Proof of insuranceYou need valid Delaware proof of insurance to title, register and renew; a policy from another state is not accepted for Delaware registration.
- Not state minimumsCollision, comprehensive and GAP coverage, though a lender or lessor may require some of them.
The Delaware minimum limits at a glance
Whether you're moving to Delaware, buying a car or reading a declarations page for the first time, start by matching your policy against these figures. They come from 21 Del. C. § 2118 (opens in a new tab) and the financial responsibility law in 21 Del. C. § 2902 (opens in a new tab), and they match the limits on the Delaware DMV insurance requirements page (opens in a new tab) as of October 2026.
Hover or tap a row to highlight it.
| Coverage | Delaware minimum |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability, one person | $25,000 |
| Bodily injury liability, two or more people in one accident | $50,000 |
| Property damage liability | $10,000 |
| PIP, one person | $15,000 |
| PIP, all people injured in one accident | $30,000 |
The liability limits have stood at $25,000/$50,000/$10,000 for policies written or renewed since December 13, 2017, when House Bill 114 took effect (Delaware Insurance Department Auto Bulletin No. 25 (opens in a new tab)).
Each coverage pays for something different. Bodily injury liability pays for injury or death you cause to another person, up to your policy limits. Property damage liability pays for damage you cause to someone else's property, such as their car or fence. PIP pays medical expenses and lost wages for you and your passengers whether or not you caused the accident (Delaware Department of Insurance Automobile Insurance Guide (opens in a new tab)).
What Delaware PIP pays for
PIP is the part of a Delaware policy that pays your own side of the bills after a crash. Under 21 Del. C. § 2118(a)(2) (opens in a new tab), covered expenses include medical, hospital, dental, surgical, medicine, x-ray, ambulance, prosthetic and professional nursing costs, funeral expenses, net lost earnings and certain personal-service expenses, such as paying someone to do work you can't do while injured. The statute sets a two-year expense period, and funeral expenses inside the required PIP are capped at $5,000.
PIP can also be adjusted. Section 2118 allows written elections for deductibles, waiting periods, sublimits, percentage reductions and excess provisions on certain expenses, and you must receive and sign the required disclosures for any of them (21 Del. C. § 2118 (opens in a new tab)). If your quote is lower than you expected, ask whether any of these elections are built in.
Is Delaware a no-fault state?
Partly. Delaware's required PIP works like a no-fault benefit: it pays covered first-party expenses regardless of who caused the accident (Delaware Department of Insurance Automobile Insurance Guide (opens in a new tab)). At the same time, Delaware still requires liability coverage, and Title 21 (opens in a new tab) keeps claims against an at-fault driver available within the statute's rules. In practice, PIP handles your medical bills and lost wages quickly, up to its limits, while the liability coverage of whoever caused the crash remains in play for injuries and property damage. Tort states and no-fault states handle injury claims differently, and Delaware's PIP-plus-liability setup sits between the two (NAIC (opens in a new tab)).
Insurance and your Delaware registration
You can't register or renew a vehicle in Delaware without a compliant policy. 21 Del. C. § 2118(l) (opens in a new tab) prohibits issuing or renewing a registration without one, and the Delaware DMV (opens in a new tab) requires proof of Delaware liability insurance for titling and registration.
Carry a valid insurance identification card in the vehicle or on you. An electronic card shown through your insurer's mobile app counts, as allowed by 21 Del. C. § 2118(o) and (p) (opens in a new tab) and accepted by the DMV (opens in a new tab). Before a DMV visit, check that the card is valid on the date of your transaction.
New to Delaware
A new resident must title and register a vehicle within 60 days of becoming a Delaware resident, with separate exemptions for military members (21 Del. C. § 2102 (opens in a new tab)). The DMV new-resident booklet (opens in a new tab) accepts any of these as proof of insurance:
- An insurance identification card.
- A valid insurance policy.
- A written binder on the insurer's letterhead, issued within 30 days.
- An electronic insurance card through the insurer's mobile app.
Because out-of-state insurance is not accepted for Delaware titling and registration, set up the Delaware policy before you go to the DMV, not after (DMV new-resident booklet (opens in a new tab)). Bring the title or certificate of origin, a bill of sale if you have one, proof of Delaware residency or your Delaware license, and plan for the required inspection or VIN verification.
What happens if your insurance lapses
The DMV runs insurance-compliance audits, and a lapse can lead to registration suspension (Delaware DMV (opens in a new tab)). 21 Del. C. § 2118(m) (opens in a new tab) allows immediate suspension when required insurance is not provided, not maintained or has lapsed.
The costs add up quickly. Under 21 Del. C. § 2118(m) and (n) (opens in a new tab), an uninsured vehicle carries a $100 penalty for up to 30 days, then $5 more per day starting on day 31, plus a $50 registration reinstatement fee.
What a lapse can cost in Delaware
- SuspensionRegistration can be suspended immediately when required insurance is not provided, not maintained or has lapsed.
- Penalty, first 30 days$100 for an uninsured vehicle for up to 30 days.
- Penalty from day 31$5 more per day starting on day 31.
- ReinstatementA $50 registration reinstatement fee.
- Plate surrenderAn owner who cancels insurance on an actively registered vehicle must surrender the plate.
If you plan to stop driving a car, the order matters. An owner who cancels insurance on an actively registered vehicle must surrender the plate (Delaware DMV (opens in a new tab)), so turn in the plate before you cancel the policy. Our separate piece on driving without insurance in Delaware covers the penalties in more detail.
Is it expensive to register a car in Delaware?
Registration itself is modest, while the one-time document fee on a purchase is the larger cost. These are the Delaware DMV title and registration fees (opens in a new tab) as of October 2026:
Hover or tap a row to highlight it.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Passenger vehicle registration | $40 per year |
| Title without lien | $35 |
| Title with lien | $55 |
| Temporary tag | $20 |
| Late renewal | $20 |
| Vehicle document fee | 5.25% of the sale price or current NADA trade-in value, whichever is higher |
The document fee rose from 4.25% to 5.25% on October 1, 2025 (Delaware news release (opens in a new tab)). The $40 and $20 registration figures also appear on the DMV registration fee form (opens in a new tab). Alternative-fuel vehicles pay an additional annual fee that depends on fuel type and registered weight, and commercial vehicles, trailers and RVs follow separate schedules (Delaware DMV fees (opens in a new tab)), so confirm the exact amount for your vehicle class with the DMV.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage
Delaware builds uninsured motorist coverage into the policy by default. Under 18 Del. C. § 3902(a) (opens in a new tab), an auto liability policy for a vehicle registered or principally garaged in Delaware must cover insured people who are legally entitled to recover damages from an uninsured or hit-and-run driver.
You can turn it down, but only in writing. A named insured may reject the coverage on a form furnished by the insurer that describes what is being rejected, and that rejection carries over to renewals, replacements and other changes with the same insurer until you request the coverage in writing (18 Del. C. § 3902 (opens in a new tab)). If you're handed a form to sign at the agency, read what it removes before signing.
When the coverage is in place, its limits can't fall below Delaware's minimum liability limits. The property-damage portion carries a $250 deductible unless you and the insurer agree in writing to a different one. Every insurer must also offer additional coverage up to $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident, or a $300,000 single limit, which includes underinsured bodily injury coverage for when the at-fault driver's limits run out (18 Del. C. § 3902 (opens in a new tab); Delaware Insurance Department Form A (opens in a new tab)).
Can someone else drive your car?
An owner's policy must cover you and anyone using the vehicle with your express or implied permission, within the policy's limits and terms (21 Del. C. § 2902 (opens in a new tab)). That permission rule still sits alongside the policy's exclusions, regular-use and business-use terms, named-driver exclusions and misrepresentation clauses, any of which can affect a particular claim.
Household drivers deserve their own conversation with the agent. When household policies are combined, all licensed drivers in the household are generally used to rate the covered vehicles (Delaware Department of Insurance alert (opens in a new tab)). Tell the agent about every licensed driver at home and anyone who drives the car regularly, and ask whether occasional permissive use is covered.
What a lender or lessor may require
Collision and comprehensive coverage are optional under Delaware law, though a bank or lender will likely require both on a financed vehicle (Delaware Department of Insurance Automobile Insurance Guide (opens in a new tab)). Collision generally pays for damage from hitting another vehicle or object. Comprehensive generally pays for damage from other causes, such as theft, fire, severe weather, flood, vandalism, broken glass or an animal strike (NAIC (opens in a new tab)).
GAP is a separate, optional product. It covers the difference between what insurance pays after a theft or total loss and what you still owe on the loan. If a dealer or lender says GAP is required, ask where that requirement appears in the finance contract, because the contract controls (CFPB (opens in a new tab)). GAP is not a DMV registration requirement.
Why Delaware car insurance prices vary
Premiums differ from one Delaware driver to the next because insurers rate the driver, the vehicle, where it's kept, how it's used and the insurer's own pricing, according to the Delaware Department of Insurance Automobile Insurance Guide (opens in a new tab). Required PIP, the default uninsured motorist coverage and any lender-required physical damage coverage all add to what a full Delaware policy includes. Ask each agent which of these items drives your quote.
Checking an agent and getting help with a problem
Before you share financial details, confirm the agent or producer is licensed through the Delaware Department of Insurance licensee lookup (opens in a new tab). Producer licensing information is also on the Department's licensing page (opens in a new tab).
If a problem comes up, contact the insurer, agent or adjuster first, and keep your policy, declarations page, letters, bills and claim documents. If it isn't resolved, file through the Delaware Department of Insurance complaint page (opens in a new tab) or reach Consumer Services at 1-800-282-8611 in Delaware, (302) 674-7310, or consumer@delaware.gov. The Department can forward your complaint, request explanations, review compliance with statutes and policy contracts, and explain policy language, but it does not act as your lawyer.
Questions to ask a Delaware agent
Take this list to any agency you speak with. Each item ties to the Automobile Insurance Guide (opens in a new tab), 21 Del. C. § 2118 (opens in a new tab) or 18 Del. C. § 3902 (opens in a new tab).
- Does the declarations page show at least $25,000/$50,000 bodily injury and $10,000 property damage liability, plus $15,000/$30,000 PIP?
- Are there PIP deductibles, waiting periods, sublimits or reductions on this policy?
- Who counts as an insured, including passengers, pedestrians, household members and permissive drivers?
- Which household drivers must be listed or rated, and does any named-driver exclusion apply?
- Will I use the car for work, courier jobs or rideshare, and does that change coverage or underwriting?
- Is uninsured motorist coverage included, and what would a written rejection remove?
- What underinsured bodily injury limits are offered, and what deductible applies to uninsured motorist property damage?
- Does my lender or lessor require collision and comprehensive, and does my finance contract actually require GAP?
- What proof card will I get, and is an electronic card available?
- What happens if a payment is missed, and how is a cancellation reported to the DMV?
Check what you know about Delaware car insurance requirements
Frequently asked questions
Does Delaware PIP cover passengers?
Yes. Required PIP pays medical expenses and lost wages for the insured and passengers, whether or not the insured caused the accident (Delaware Department of Insurance Automobile Insurance Guide (opens in a new tab)). The $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident limits apply.
Can I fax or bring a binder instead of an ID card to the DMV?
A written binder on the insurer's letterhead, issued within 30 days, is accepted proof for new residents (DMV new-resident booklet (opens in a new tab)). The DMV also has a proof-of-insurance fax process (opens in a new tab) tied to registration renewal.
What does uninsured motorist property damage cost me out of pocket?
The property-damage portion of uninsured motorist coverage carries a $250 deductible unless you and your insurer agree in writing to another amount (18 Del. C. § 3902 (opens in a new tab)).
Did Delaware's insurance minimums change recently?
The liability minimums of $25,000/$50,000/$10,000 have applied to new and renewed policies since December 13, 2017 (Auto Bulletin No. 25 (opens in a new tab)). The more recent change was to fees: the vehicle document fee rose to 5.25% on October 1, 2025 (Delaware news release (opens in a new tab)).
Getting the policy in place
The order is straightforward: buy a Delaware policy with the three required coverages, keep the ID card on hand, register within 60 days if you're new to the state, and settle lender requirements before you sign the finance paperwork. When you're ready to talk to someone, Riskado's directory lists insurance agencies across the US, including Delaware, so you can find an agency near you and bring the questions above to the conversation.
Terms used in this guide
Tap a term to see what it means.
Bodily injury liability. Coverage that pays for injury or death you cause to another person, up to your policy limits.
Property damage liability. Coverage that pays for damage you cause to someone else's property, such as their car or fence.
Personal injury protection (PIP). Coverage that pays medical expenses and lost wages for you and your passengers whether or not you caused the accident.
Declarations page. The page of a policy that lists its coverages and limits.
Uninsured motorist coverage. Coverage for insured people who are legally entitled to recover damages from an uninsured or hit-and-run driver.
Underinsured bodily injury coverage. Coverage for when the at-fault driver's limits run out.
Binder. A written confirmation of coverage on the insurer's letterhead, accepted as proof of insurance for new residents when issued within 30 days.
GAP. An optional product that covers the difference between what insurance pays after a theft or total loss and what you still owe on the loan.
Vehicle document fee. A one-time Delaware fee of 5.25% of the sale price or current NADA trade-in value, whichever is higher.
