Auto Coverage in Delaware
Delaware Auto Insurance
Every Delaware resident is required to have automobile liability insurance and must carry it on them while driving. The price for an auto insurance premium in Delaware is relatively high, averaging at about $2,297 in July 2009.
Minimum Delaware auto insurance
Delaware drivers are required to have the following minimum coverage:
- Bodily Injury and Death: $15,000 to cover one person in any one accident, and $30,000 to cover all injuries
- Property Damages: $10,000
- Personal Injury Protection: $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is not required in all states, but it helps drivers pay for medical expenses for anyone in your car in case of an accident – or at least expenses deemed "reasonable and necessary."
The state also uses a tort law, which means that in an accident one of the drivers must be found at-fault ; that driver, along with their insurance company, will be liable for the cost of damages caused by the accident.
Penalties without Delaware auto insurance
Getting caught without proof of insurance can be a serious issue in Delaware. If an officer pulls you over or you're involved in an accident, you can be fined if you don't have proof of your insurance plan on you.
If you are found to have no insurance on file at all, you face a hefty fine of at least $1,500 and an automatic license suspension for six months.
The DMV also performs random audits on drivers to make sure that they have insurance. Ignoring the request can also result in suspension and fines. Therefore it's important for Delaware drivers to keep insurance at all times.