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Delaware DUI & License Suspension Insurance Guide

After a DUI or major violation in Delaware, your current insurer will typically non-renew your policy at the end of your term. The state requires SR-22 filing for 3 years, and your premium will increase 50–200% depending on the offense. Here's what happens next and what you need to do immediately.

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Non-Standard Auto · SR-22 · Senior · Teen Drivers

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Updated April 2026

Minimum Coverage Requirements in Delaware

After a DUI conviction or license suspension in Delaware, your current insurance carrier will likely non-renew your policy at the end of your current term — they typically will not cancel mid-term unless you fail to pay. Delaware requires you to carry continuous auto liability insurance and file an SR-22 certificate with the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles for at least 3 years following reinstatement. Not all carriers offer SR-22 filing, so you'll likely need to move to a non-standard or high-risk insurer. You must have this coverage in place before the DMV will reinstate your driving privileges.

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Not a separate policy — attached to existing coverage
SR-22 Certificate
SR-22 is not a type of insurance — it is a certificate your insurer files with the Delaware DMV proving you carry the state-required minimum liability coverage continuously. The certificate itself typically costs $25–$50 to file, but finding a carrier willing to file it and insure a high-risk driver will significantly increase your premium. If your coverage lapses for any reason during the 3-year filing period, your insurer must notify the DMV immediately, triggering a new suspension.
25/50/10 minimum
Liability Insurance
Delaware requires minimum liability limits of 25/50/10 ($25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, $10,000 property damage). This is the coverage your SR-22 certifies you carry. Many violation drivers are required by the court or DMV to carry higher limits — verify your specific requirement before purchasing.
Varies by carrier
Non-Standard Auto Insurance
Non-standard auto insurance is coverage sold by carriers that specialize in high-risk drivers — those with DUIs, major violations, suspensions, or lapses on their record. These carriers offer SR-22 filing and accept drivers that standard insurers will not. Expect premiums 50–200% higher than what you paid before the violation, with coverage options often limited to state minimums or slightly above.
Varies by violation
High-Risk Auto Insurance
High-risk auto insurance refers to policies written for drivers classified as high-risk due to DUIs, multiple violations, at-fault accidents, or license suspensions. In Delaware, high-risk carriers are often the only option for drivers who need SR-22 filing. Premiums reflect the actuarial risk — expect to pay significantly more than standard rates for at least 3–5 years.
Not required but available
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Delaware does not require UM/UIM coverage, but it must be offered by your insurer. For high-risk drivers already paying elevated premiums, adding this coverage increases cost but provides protection if you're hit by a driver with no insurance or insufficient limits — a common scenario in non-standard markets.
State-Mandated Minimum Coverage · Delaware

Delaware Minimum Coverage

CoverageMinimum
Bodily Injury (per person)$25,000,000
Bodily Injury (per accident)$50,000,000
Property Damage$10,000,000

License Reinstatement Fee$50

Meeting the state minimum keeps you legal. See whether it's enough — get your Delaware quote.

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How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Delaware?

After a DUI or major violation in Delaware, expect your auto insurance premium to increase 50–200% depending on the offense, your prior driving record, and the carrier willing to insure you. A driver who previously paid $1,200 annually for standard coverage may pay $1,800–$3,600 annually with a non-standard carrier offering SR-22 filing. Rates begin to decrease after 3 years if you maintain a clean record, but the violation remains on your driving record for at least 5 years in Delaware.

What Affects Your Rate

  • Type of violation (DUI convictions carry higher surcharges than point accumulation)
  • Number of prior violations or at-fault accidents in the past 3–5 years
  • Age and gender (younger male drivers with DUIs face the highest premiums)
  • Vehicle type and value (non-standard carriers may refuse to insure high-value or high-performance vehicles)
  • ZIP code within Delaware (Wilmington and urban areas have higher base rates due to accident frequency and theft)
  • Carrier availability (only a limited number of insurers write SR-22 policies in Delaware, reducing competition and increasing cost)
Minimum Liability Only
$150–$250/month
State minimum liability limits (25/50/10) with SR-22 filing. This is the least expensive option available to violation drivers, but it provides limited protection if you cause another accident. Most non-standard carriers offer only this tier initially.
Standard Liability
$200–$300/month
Higher liability limits such as 50/100/25 or 100/300/50 with SR-22 filing. If you were required by the court to carry higher limits or you finance a vehicle, this tier is often mandatory. Offers more protection but significantly higher cost for high-risk drivers.
Full Coverage
$250–$400/month
Liability plus comprehensive and collision coverage for drivers with financed or leased vehicles. Many non-standard carriers will not offer full coverage to DUI drivers in the first year post-conviction. If available, expect very high deductibles ($1,000+) and strict underwriting.

See how much your violation actually affects your rates

Not every carrier surcharges the same way. Compare quotes from carriers that rate violations differently.

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Coverage Types

High-Risk Auto Insurance

Coverage designed for drivers with DUIs, suspensions, multiple violations, or other high-risk factors. These policies include SR-22 filing and accept drivers that standard carriers will not insure.

Non-Standard Auto Insurance

Policies from carriers that specialize in drivers with imperfect records — violations, lapses, or claims history. Non-standard insurers offer SR-22 filing and flexible underwriting for drivers standard carriers decline.

SR-22 Insurance

Not a separate insurance product — SR-22 is a certificate your carrier files with the Delaware DMV proving continuous liability coverage. Only certain insurers offer SR-22 filing, and it comes with significantly higher premiums.

Liability Insurance

Covers bodily injury and property damage you cause to others in an accident. Delaware requires minimum limits of 25/50/10, but many violation drivers are court-ordered to carry higher limits.

Find Your City in Delaware

Wilmington, Delaware cityscape and street view

Wilmington

urban
Dover, Delaware cityscape and street view

Dover

suburban
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Newark

suburban
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Middletown

suburban
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Smyrna

suburban

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