Insurance in Delaware: State Rules and Requirements

Insurance in Delaware

The rules that shape car, home and business insurance in Delaware, each linked to its official source, and how to get coverage shopped here. Sam Alishahi holds a Delaware nonresident insurance producer license (#3004487536, NPN 21022298) and places Delaware policies directly.

By Sam Alishahi · Reviewed October 2026

Car insurance in Delaware (25/50/10)

Minimum car insuranceDelaware requires at least $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 per accident and $10,000 property damage liability. It also requires personal injury protection (PIP) of at least $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident. Uninsured motorist coverage is optional. Source
Fault systemDelaware is an at-fault (tort) state that also requires PIP: your own policy pays your medical costs regardless of fault, but you keep the full right to sue the at-fault driver. Source

Business insurance rules in Delaware

Workers’ compensationDelaware employers with one or more employees, including part-time, temporary and seasonal workers, must have workers' comp in place before anyone starts work. An out-of-state policy counts only if it has a written endorsement that specifically adds Delaware coverage. The state is not monopolistic. Source
Contractor licensingDelaware has no statewide contractor licensing board for general contractors. Every contractor working in Delaware must register with and get a business license from the Division of Revenue, nonresident contractors must post a bond, and contractors file proof of workers' comp insurance. Source

Home insurance in Delaware

Home insurer of last resortDelaware law requires the Delaware FAIR Plan, run by the Insurance Placement Facility of Delaware, for owners who can't find property coverage in the voluntary market. It covers the structure and contents but not liability. Source

High-value homes in Delaware.

Disasters, floods, hail, tornadoes and earthquakes in Delaware

Delaware disasters, floods, hail, tornadoes and earthquakes, from federal records
Measure	Delaware	Rank among the states	Detail
Federal major disaster declarations since 2000	11	#46 (tied) of 51	Most often for hurricane (6), severe storm (2), snowstorm (2). Sussex County has been in 7 of them.
National Flood Insurance Program claims, 2005–2025	3,001	#42 of 51	$42.6 million paid; 16% of claims with a known flood zone were outside FEMA’s high-risk zones.
Homes in high-risk flood zones with a federal flood policy	58%	#3 of 50	12,108 policies for 20,853 homes in the counties FEMA can measure; US: 40%.
Hail reports, 2016–2025	48	#47 of 51	2 of them 2 inches or larger. Largest stone 2.25 inches, Sussex County, May 2022.
Tornadoes, 2016–2025	15	#43 of 51	3 rated EF2 or stronger; 77 recorded since 1950.
Earthquakes of magnitude 4.0+, 2000–2025	1	#28 of 51	Largest: magnitude 4.1, 3 km NNE of Little Creek, Delaware, November 30, 2017.

From the public FEMA, NOAA, Storm Prediction Center, USGS and FMCSA records behind each linked report; ranks count all 50 states and Washington, DC unless noted.

Look up the storm history of any county in Delaware.

The property risks that matter in Delaware

Delaware's low elevation makes coastal flooding and nor'easters a recurring concern from Lewes to Fenwick Island.

Flooding is the most common U.S. natural disaster, and it is excluded from regular home policies. Delaware residents outside high-risk zones can often buy NFIP or private flood coverage at lower cost; remember the typical 30-day waiting period.

Hurricane exposure shapes nearly every Delaware homeowners policy near the coast. Look for a separate hurricane or named-storm deductible, often a percentage of the dwelling limit rather than a flat dollar amount, and confirm whether wind is excluded and must be insured elsewhere.

Nor'easters bring coastal flooding, wind and heavy snow to Delaware. Wind damage is generally covered; storm-surge flooding needs flood insurance.

Worth knowing in Delaware

Delaware requires PIP on every auto policy, as no-fault states do, but does not limit lawsuits against the at-fault driver.

Annual review checklist for Delaware

Compare your auto liability limits with the Delaware minimum of 25/50/10 and with your actual assets.
Check your address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center and price an NFIP or private flood policy before storm season (NFIP usually has a 30-day wait).
Find your hurricane or named-storm deductible in dollars and set aside that amount.
Clear gutters and check for storm-surge flood exposure before winter.
Landlords: confirm fair rental value and liability on each unit.

Delaware’s insurance regulator

Insurance in Delaware is regulated by the Delaware Department of Insurance, which handles consumer complaints and licenses insurers and agents.

Sam Alishahi holds a Delaware nonresident insurance producer license (#3004487536, NPN 21022298) and places Delaware policies directly.

Common questions

What is the minimum car insurance in Delaware?

Delaware requires at least $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 per accident and $10,000 property damage liability. It also requires personal injury protection (PIP) of at least $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident. Uninsured motorist coverage is optional.

Is Delaware a no-fault state?

Delaware is an at-fault (tort) state that also requires PIP: your own policy pays your medical costs regardless of fault, but you keep the full right to sue the at-fault driver.

Do employers in Delaware need workers’ comp?

Delaware employers with one or more employees, including part-time, temporary and seasonal workers, must have workers' comp in place before anyone starts work. An out-of-state policy counts only if it has a written endorsement that specifically adds Delaware coverage. The state is not monopolistic.

What can a Delaware homeowner do if no insurer will write the house?

Delaware law requires the Delaware FAIR Plan, run by the Insurance Placement Facility of Delaware, for owners who can't find property coverage in the voluntary market. It covers the structure and contents but not liability.

Do I need flood insurance in Delaware?

If you're in a high-risk flood zone with a federally backed mortgage, your lender will require it. Elsewhere it's optional but worth pricing, because homeowners policies exclude flood.

Does Delaware homeowners insurance cover hurricanes?

Wind damage from hurricanes is generally covered, often subject to a separate hurricane deductible. Storm-surge flooding requires flood insurance.

More answers: Delaware homeowners insurance guide Delaware renters insurance and security deposit guide Delaware small business insurance requirements Delaware life insurance consumer guide Delaware flood risk and NFIP guide

Sources

General information as of October 2026, not legal advice; confirm current rules with the agency.

Tell me what you need insured.

Home, car, business, trucks or something harder to place. One request, and I take it from there.

Alishahi Insurance · Saman Alishahi, independent insurance broker, 439 N Canon Dr, Penthouse, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. General information, not a quote or a promise of coverage.

Insurance in Delaware