Given the threat of severe coastal storms, inclement winter weather, and nor'easters, Delaware residents will want a solid homeowners insurance policy to ensure their homes are well protected.
Even with these weather threats, the average cost of homeowners insurance in Delaware is just $980 per year or $82 a month. This is nearly 50% lower than the national average of $1,899 per year.
But there are other factors you should consider when choosing an insurer. Not sure what to look for? Policygenius can help you figure out your coverage needs and compare quotes from multiple top companies in Delaware.
Methodology & why you can trust our rates
Policygenius has analyzed home insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services in March 2022 for ZIP codes in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., for a 40-year-old female homeowner with no claim history, good credit, a $1,000 deductible, and the following coverage limits:
Dwelling: $300,000
Other structures: $30,000
Personal property: $150,000
Loss of use: $60,000
Liability: $300,000
Medical: $1,000
All rates based on the above coverage limits except where otherwise noted.
Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.
Best homeowners insurance companies in Delaware
Of the companies we looked at, Nationwide has the lowest home insurance rate in Delaware, with an average annual policy cost of $736 per year — almost $200 less than the state average.
Policygenius analyzed thousands of quotes from the 5 largest Delaware insurers to find the average cost of homeowners insurance with each company in 2022. We then looked at 2021 J.D. Power customer satisfaction scores and compared that with the coverage needs of Delaware residents to find the best homeowners insurance in Delaware.
Company | Average yearly cost | J.D. Power Rating |
|---|---|---|
State Farm | $926 | 835 |
Nationwide | $739 | 812 |
Allstate | $1,102 | 829 |
American Family | $1,324 | 831 |
Travelers | $1,215 | 800 |
There's a reason State Farm is one of the top-rated insurance companies in the U.S. — its customer satisfaction ratings are through the roof, it offers a slew of coverage add-ons for full protection, and makes filing claims through its mobile app a breeze.
Pros
Top-tier coverage add-ons, including equipment breakdown, water backup, and service line coverage
Get up to $1 million in personal liability coverage
Score discounts for bundling, installing security devices, and choosing a high deductible
File and track claims online, over the phone, in person, or through its mobile app
High customer satisfaction and financial strength ratings
Cons
No discounts for first-time homebuyers or going a year without a claim
Read our full State Farm home insurance review
Why State Farm tops our best list
State Farm offers great home insurance coverage options at a great value and several discount options to help keep premiums even more affordable. To make everything easier, State Farm makes sure filing a claim is accessible and offers multiple ways to file and track your claims.
How to get a quote
Online through State Farm
Nationwide offers flexible home insurance policy options for every home type and income level. And we love its slew of discounts for everything from having a newish roof to living in a gated community.
Pros
Offers lots of coverage add-ons, including flood and earthquake insurance
Option to rebuild roof with stronger, safer materials after a covered loss
Score discounts for living in a gated community, making home renovations, having a newer roof, and more
Seamlessly submit claims online or through its mobile app
Above-average claims satisfaction rating
Cons
Below-average customer satisfaction ratings
Water backup coverage is more expensive than with other insurers
Read our full Nationwide home insurance review here
Why Nationwide tops our best list
We love flexibility, and that's what Nationwide offers its customers. It offers multiple coverage add-ons that make personalizing your home insurance easy. Delaware homeowners in particular will benefit from Nationwide's better roof replacement option that replaces your roof with stronger materials after covered damages.
How to get a quote
Online through Policygenius or Nationwide
Why Allstate tops our best list
Allstate may have higher home insurance rates compared to some of its competitors in Delaware, but it offers plenty of ways for homeowners to save a few dollars with its generous bundling and discount options. Additionally, Allstate offers great coverage add-ons like roof improvements and mold protection. Delaware homes are at risk of roof damage and potential mold from all the wet weather, making Allstate a great option for residents of the nation's first state.
How to get a quote
Online through Policygenius or Allstate
American Family's status as the 7th largest home insurance provider in the U.S. speaks to its popularity and reputation. Our fave perk? Its diminishing deductible program that lets you earn credits for every year you go without filing a claim.
Pros
Unique coverage add-ons, like matching siding insurance and hidden water damage coverage
Save up to 20% on home insurance and 29% on auto insurance for bundling the policies together
Earn a $100 credit toward your deductible for ever year you go without filing a claim
File claims online or on its mobile app — with 24/7 claims support
Cons
Doesn't offer extended or guaranteed replacement cost coverage
Above-average customer complaints according to the NAIC
Why American Family tops our best list
American Family is one of the most popular home insurance providers in the country with a track record of exceptional customer service and policy perks that you can't get from many other providers. We particularly love its "diminishing deductibles" feature, which deducts $100 from your deductible each year you go without filing a claim.
How to get a quote
Online through American Family
With over 165 years of experience and impeccable financial ratings, Travelers is one of the most trusted home insurance companies in the business. It offers personalized coverage and a slew of policy add-ons to ensure you have exactly the right protection.
Pros
4 customizable policy packages with several available add-ons, like extended replacement cost and water backup coverage
Offers eco-friendly green home coverage and discounts
Protect expensive family heirlooms and appliances with equipment breakdown, guaranteed replacement cost, and personal articles coverage
File claims online — plus, Travelers has special catastrophe centers for claims after a natural disaster
Cons
Below-average customer service and claims satisfaction ratings
Read our full Travelers home insurance review here
Why Travelers tops our best list
Travelers is one of the best home insurance providers in the business when it comes to giving homeowners the ability to customize and personalize their coverage. Travelers offers four standard policy packages that can be added to via its suite of comp. Not only that, but Travelers makes it possible to file and track a claim online.
How to get a quote
Online through Policygenius or Travelers
Cheapest homeowners insurance companies by city in Delaware
Looking at average home insurance costs for the 15 most popular insurers in Delaware, we found that the cheapest homeowners insurance company in the state is Nationwide. In most cities across Delaware, the average annual cost of Nationwide home insurance is between $600 and $800.
The cost of home insurance in Delaware varies depending on where you live and the type of house you own. Cities with higher populations or crime rates will likely see higher-than-average home insurance rates. But there are often many affordable options to choose from anywhere in Delaware, as seen in the table below.
City | Company | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|---|
Camden | Nationwide | $769 |
Clayton | Nationwide | $769 |
Dover | Nationwide | $769 |
Georgetown | Nationwide | $811 |
Harrington | Nationwide | $769 |
Laurel | Nationwide | $811 |
Lewes | Nationwide | $826 |
Middletown | Nationwide | $636 |
Milford | Nationwide | $811 |
Millsboro | Nationwide | $826 |
Milton | Nationwide | $811 |
New Castle | Travelers | $693 |
Newark | Nationwide | $636 |
Ocean View | Nationwide | $826 |
Seaford | Nationwide | $811 |
Selbyville | Nationwide | $826 |
Smyrna | Travelers | $762 |
Townsend | Nationwide | $636 |
Wilmington | Nationwide | $690 |
Shopping for homeowners insurance in Delaware
Finding the right homeowners insurance is more than a quick internet search. It's important to familiarize yourself with how each home insurance coverage works and identify roughly how much you need.
In this section, we break down the average annual home insurance rates in Delaware for different coverage and deductible levels, as well as the cheapest and most expensive home insurance companies in the state for individuals with a poor credit score, dog owners, and pool owners. Once you’re ready to shop, a Policygenius expert can help you navigate your coverage needs and help you find the best deal on homeowners insurance in Delaware.
Delaware home insurance costs by coverage amounts
Your dwelling coverage is the part of your home insurance policy that covers the physical structure of your home and anything attached to it.
The table below highlights different dwelling coverage amounts and corresponding yearly home insurance costs. In Delaware, every $100,000 in dwelling coverage adds around $300 to your annual premium.
Dwelling coverage amount | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
$100,000 | $484 |
$200,000 | $735 |
$300,000 | $980 |
$400,000 | $1,243 |
$500,000 | $1,580 |
Another part of a homeowners insurance policy is personal liability coverage, which covers the cost of expensive injuries or property damage for which you're legally responsible.
Liability coverage amount | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
$100,000 | $966 |
$200,000 | $837 |
$300,000 | $980 |
$400,000 | $657 |
$500,000 | $1,056 |
Delaware home insurance costs by deductible amount
Each home insurance policy comes with a deductible, which is a predetermined amount you have to pay each time you file a claim. In general, a higher the deductible means lower home insurance rates.
Opting into a higher deductible could be a great way to save a few dollars on home insurance every year. Just remember that each time you file a claim, you'll be responsible for paying it.
As seen in the table below, Delaware residents can save around $500 on home insurance by choosing a $2,000 deductible over the $500 option.
Deductible amount | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
$500 | $1,132 |
$1,000 | $980 |
$2,000 | $677 |
Home insurance discounts in Delaware
Many home insurance companies will discount your premiums if your home has certain safety features, since they keep your home safer and minimize claims.
While you won’t get a huge discount if your house has one of the following features and nothing else, they can add up if you have several protective devices in your home. Here is the average annual rate and average discount percentage for homes in Delaware with deadbolts, smoke alarms, or burglar alarms.
Discount | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
Dead bolt | $980 |
Smoke alarm | $980 |
Burglar alarm | $942 |
Home insurance companies in Delaware for dog owners
Delaware dog owners could see higher-than-average home insurance rate if they own certain dog breeds. A few dog breeds account for the majority of reported dog bites and liability, so some insurance providers will charge you higher rates if you own one.
With an average rate of $739 per year, Nationwide has the cheapest home insurance rates in Delaware for a home with a dangerous dog breed, while American Family’s average yearly premium of $1,703 is the highest.
Company | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
Nationwide | $739 |
State Farm | $926 |
Allstate | $1,102 |
Travelers | $1,215 |
American Family | $1,703 |
Home insurance companies in Delaware for poor credit
Poor credit scores have, in some instances, been directly correlated with a higher frequency of home insurance claims. As a result, some insurance companies, but not all, increase rates on customers with bad credit to offset this risk.
With an average rate of $739 per year, Nationwide has the cheapest home insurance rates in Delaware for a homeowner with poor credit, while American Family’s average yearly premium of $2,290 is the highest.
Company | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
Nationwide | $739 |
State Farm | $1,568 |
Travelers | $1,673 |
Allstate | $1,825 |
American Family | $2,290 |
Home insurance companies in Delaware for pool owners
Delaware homeowners with backyard pools might see an increase in home insurance premiums as well, as insurers consider pool to be an injury and liability risk.
With an average rate of $739 per year, Nationwide has the cheapest home insurance rates for Delaware homes that have a swimming pool, while American Family’s average yearly premium of $1,324 is the most expensive.
Company | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
Nationwide | $739 |
State Farm | $926 |
Allstate | $1,102 |
Travelers | $1,215 |
American Family | $1,324 |
How to buy homeowners insurance in Delaware
Delaware homeowners have to be prepared for a lot of inclement, wet weather. With the risk of severe wind damage being so high in coastal states like Delaware, it’s important to compare policies from multiple companies to make sure you’re getting the best coverage at the fairest price.
Here are a few steps to follow as you shop for homeowners insurance in Delaware:
Reach out to a licensed Policygenius agent. Our team of licensed insurance experts are ready to help you get the right coverage at the right price.
Consider purchasing flood insurance. Flooding isn't covered by standard home insurance policy, so Delaware residents in high-risk flood zones may want to purchase separate flood insurance to ensure they're fully covered. A Policygenius agent can help you do this, too.
Figure out how high of a deductible you can afford. You’ll want to figure out how much you’ll be able to afford to pay out of pocket every time you file a claim.
Compare quotes from a Policygenius agent. Once you figure out your coverage needs and you input a few brief details about your house, a Policygenius agent will walk you through quotes from multiple companies to help you find the right coverage at the best price.
Sign the policy and pay your first premium. Once you’ve chosen the policy you want, all that's left to do is sign and pay your first premium. Your Policygenius agent will complete all of the remaining paperwork on your behalf.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average cost of homeowners insurance in Delaware?
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Delaware is $82 per month or $980 per year.
Will my rates go up when I file a home insurance claim?
In general, filing claims can cause your premiums to go up, but it will often depend on what type of claim you file. Premium increases are most common after a theft, dog bite, or water damage claim.
How much home insurance coverage do I need?
The amount of coverage you need is usually based on the cost to rebuild your home. You shouldn't base your coverage amount on the purchase price or market value of your home because those numbers have no bearing on build prices.
