Delaware Auto Insurance

What do you need to have in order to drive around in Delaware? A vehicle, of course, but there's something that's just equally important - an Delaware auto insurance policy! You can't drive happily (read legally) in Delaware without insuring your vehicle and carrying its proof with you; it might cost you a fine, your license plate or your driver's license.

You are correct if you understand that vehicle insurance is mandatory by law in Delaware, but that's not the only reason you should buy it. An car insurance policy is an excellent way to safeguard yourself financially against any possible risk to yourself, your vehicle, third parties, and also their property. It's a great way to mitigate the consequences of any untoward incident that might happen to or through your vehicle.

Delaware is a Tort state

Delaware is a Tort state, which means that if you as a driver have caused any harm to any person:

• You must pay for the related medical expenses of the victims (passengers or any other parties that may be involved)
• The victims have the right to file a court claim against you to recover any additional and related damages that include pain, suffering, and lost wages

Purchasing liability auto insurance comes first

Before you register your vehicle, you need to establish your financial responsibility by purchasing liability auto insurance in Delaware. This gives them the evidence that you have a way to pay for damages in case you're involved in an accident. The car insurance company you apply to will consider factors such as your age, sex, marital status, vehicle model and make, past driving history, etc and quote a premium accordingly.

You need to buy and carry the proof of three types of Delaware auto insurance at all times when driving

Follow the table given here for more details:

Types of Auto Insurance	Bodily Injury Protection	Property Damage	Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Minimum Liability Coverage	$15,000/$30,000	$10,000	$15,000/$30,000
Supposed Scenario	You are found responsible for injury or death of another person	You are found responsible for damages to another person's property	You are involved in an accident (whether or not through a fault of yours)
What your car insurance company pays in case of the supposed scenario under the minimum coverage	Up to $15,000 to one person involved in a single accident Up to $30,000 to all people involved in a single accident, with no more than $15,000 to any one person	Up to $10,000 to a person involved in a single accident	Medical expenses and loss of wages for you and your passengers.  Up to $15,000 to any one person involved in a single accident  Up to $30,000 to all people involved in a single accident, with no more than $15,000 to any one person If required, $5,000 for funeral expenses

The table states the minimum coverage amounts; however, you may choose to insure your vehicle by a higher coverage. This will require you to pay the corresponding higher premium.

Delaware Auto Insurance

Driving Under Influence (DUI) of intoxicants is a serious offense

You may be arrested for Driving Under Influence (DUI) if you are driving, operating, or in actual physical control of any vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. A minimum Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.08% can permit a police officer to charge you with Driving Under Influence (DUI). DUI is not only a serious offense but also hampers the one convicted financially, emotionally, and socially. You must take all possible steps to prevent it.

Here's what may happen if a police officer suspects you of driving under influence:

• The officer asks you to take a field sobriety test.
• If you refuse to take the test, the officer has the right to take 'reasonable steps' to conduct the test without your consent. In any case, a refusal to test leads to the suspension of your license and imprisonment for a year. The severity of the punishment increases with each event of offense.
• If you take the test and your BAC is found more than 0.08%, you will be subjected to:
• An imprisonment of up to 6 months
• A fine of $500 to $1500
• Revocation of your license

Again, the severity of this penalty increases with each event of a similar offense. It may go up to a fine of $15,000 and an imprisonment of 15 years with repeated drunk driving convictions.

• An officer may arrest you under the DUI charge even if the BAC is lower than 0.08%, as the influence could be enough to impair motor skills for some.
• All DUI sentences are carried on the driving record for a minimum of 5 years.

Native Drivers of Delaware don't need SR22 insurance

Many states in the US require you to obtain SR22 insurance if your driver's license is suspended due to any reason. SR22 is a type of high-risk car insurance that has several requirements that are absent in other types of auto insurance policies, and is the evidence for Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that the driver is carrying the state's required minimum amount of vehicle liability insurance.

Presently, Delaware doesn't require drivers to have SR22 insurance. However, if a driver belongs to or comes from a state that mandates him/her to carry SR22 insurance, he/she must continue to do so in Delaware also.

Helpful Tips for Drivers in Delaware

• Some factors might help you get Delaware auto insurance at lower premiums; it sure pays to know them. Here they are:
• A reliable and low profile vehicle that isn't exactly attention-seeking from thief or other anti-social elements.
• Vehicles installed with safety and anti-theft measures
• A sufficient health insurance that makes any overlapping medical payments redundant
• A lump sum payment of premium to eliminate service fees and other costs associated with monthly payments
• An infrequent necessity of using the vehicle
• Completion of approved courses such as Defensive Driving
• Once you buy Delaware car insurance, you will a proof of insurance card from the provider. Keep this with you at all times when driving. You don't want to pay fines for not carrying them if an officer pulls you over.
• Maintain a good credit history and a good driving record. This will help your pitch for a discount on auto insurance premiums in Delaware.
• If you use the same car insurance company in Delaware for purchasing your vehicle, home and life insurance services, you can get more than 10%-15% rebate on your total insurance cost.