Cheapest car insurance in Delaware for a bad driving record

If you have a bad driving record in Delaware, Nationwide, Travelers, Progressive offer affordable car insurance. However, Nationwide has the lowest average rate of $2,414.

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.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual 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
Data updated in 2024

How much is high-risk car insurance in Delaware?

A bad driving record or low credit score can significantly increase rates. While high-risk car insurance averages $3,220 in Delaware, you can find rates as low as $2,414 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.

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

Select your state and risk factor below to see the insurance company and its
average annual full coverage rates.

Delaware
State
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington, D.C.West VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
*Please select from the list
At-fault bodily injury accident
Risk Factor
1 At-fault property damage accident over 2K1 At-fault property damage accident under 2K1 comprehensive claim for over 2k1 comprehensive claim for under 2k2 At-fault property damage accident over 2k2 comprehensive claims for over 2k2 speeding tickets 11 mph or overAt-fault bodily injury accidentCareless drivingDUI/DWI first offenseDUI/DWI second offenseDistracted driving ticketDriving without a license or permitDriving without insuranceFailure to stopFailure to yieldFair creditFollowing too closelyHit and run - injuryHit and run - property damageImproper turnImproper/illegal passLapse of coverage for 7 daysLapse of coverage for 7 to 30 daysLapse of coverage for over 30 daysOperating a vehicle in a race (highway racing)Passing stopped school busPoor creditReckless drivingSR22 Filing OnlySR22 with 1 DUISeatbelt infractionSingle vehicle accident (so the drivers car only)Speeding 30+ over limitSpeeding ticket 1-10 MPH over limitSpeeding ticket 11-29 MPH over limitTalking on cellphone ticketTexting ticket
*Please select from the list
Average annual car insurance rate for At-fault bodily injury accident in Delaware, DE is $3,162
Show Graph View
CompanyAnnual premium for clean recordAnnual 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
Data updated in 2024
Average annual rate

Cheapest car insurance in Delaware with a DUI

While many insurers offer coverage after a DUI, State Farm provides the average cheapest coverage for $2,351.

A DUI is one of the most serious traffic violations to have on your record. Not only do you have to pay fines, but you’ll also see vastly higher car insurance rates for up to 10 years. Multiple DUIs will cause your premiums to skyrocket.

The table below compares average car insurance rates with a clean driving record and rates after a DUI in Delaware.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual 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
Data updated in 2024

Cheapest car insurance in Delaware with multiple tickets

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.

The cheapest insurer for drivers with multiple speeding tickets is Nationwide, with rates averaging $2,211 or $184.

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

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual 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
Data updated in 2024

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.

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.

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

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

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual 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
Data updated in 2024

Cheapest car insurance in Delaware with bad credit

Fortunately, drivers with bad credit can still find affordable auto insurance. The cheapest Delaware insurer for bad credit is Nationwide, with rates averaging $2,025 or $169.

Although unrelated to your performance behind the wheel, your credit score also impacts car insurance rates and can put you in the high-risk category. To an insurance company, high-risk means more likely to file 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 statistically, drivers with a low credit score fit that description.

CompanyAnnual premium for good creditAnnual 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
Data updated in 2024

Cheapest car insurance after an accident in Delaware

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.

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

This table compares rates for drivers with a clean driving record, one at-fault accident, and multiple accidents.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual premium for one at-fault accidentAnnual 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
Data updated in 2024

Cheapest car insurance in Delaware by city

Middletown has the cheapest car insurance rates in Delaware, averaging $3,019. However, the most expensive city is Delaware City, with average insurance rates of  $3,697.

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.

CityAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual 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
Data updated in 2024

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:

  • 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.
  • 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.
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