Non-Owner Car Insurance
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Non-Owner Car Insurance — Delaware

Delaware requires 25/50/10 liability coverage and is an at-fault state.

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Delaware at a Glance

25/50/10

Minimum liability limits, in thousands of dollars (per person / per accident / property)

At-fault

The at-fault driver's insurance pays for the damage they cause

Required

PIP coverage must be on every policy

$50

State license reinstatement fee

Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026

Delaware Non-Owner Liability Requirements

The state also mandates personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, which non-owner policies include. Delaware uses no SR-22 certificate; the state relies on direct insurer filing under 21 Del.C. §§2947-2949, though DMV reinstatement pages reference only fees, not certificate requirements.

Bodily Injury Liability

Covers injuries you cause to others while driving a borrowed, rented, or shared vehicle. Delaware's 25/50 minimum is the floor; non-owner policies can be purchased at higher limits for additional protection. This coverage is secondary—it pays only after the vehicle owner's policy limits are exhausted.

Property Damage Liability

Pays for damage you cause to another person's property in an accident. Non-owner policies never cover damage to the vehicle you're driving—only damage you cause to others.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Delaware mandates PIP on all auto policies, including non-owner. PIP covers your own medical expenses and lost wages after an accident, regardless of fault. Non-owner PIP applies when you're driving a vehicle not owned by a household member.

Insurance Certificate Filing

Delaware does not use the SR-22 certificate. Insurers file proof of coverage directly with the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles under statutory authority, but DMV reinstatement procedures list only fees—no certificate requirement appears in public guidance. Drivers needing proof of coverage for reinstatement should confirm filing procedures with their carrier and the DMV.

What Shapes Non-Owner Insurance Costs in Delaware

$78/mo

Typical monthly rate in Delaware, non-owner policies

Rate data: Insure.com, 2026

What Affects Your Rate

  • Delaware's required PIP coverage adds cost to every non-owner policy, unlike liability-only states.
  • Driving record: violations, suspensions, or DUI convictions move you into non-standard pricing tiers with fewer carrier options.
  • Liability limits: purchasing 50/100/25 or 100/300/50 instead of the 25/50/10 minimum raises premium but provides better protection.
  • Filing requirement: needing proof-of-insurance filing for reinstatement narrows the carrier pool and increases cost.
  • Coverage continuity: drivers with no recent lapse typically qualify for better rates than those reinstating after suspension.
  • Carrier availability: only a subset of Delaware-licensed carriers write non-owner policies, reducing competitive pricing pressure.
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Stay Insured Without Owning a Car

Get My Non-Owner Insurance Quote

If your license is suspended

Occupational License (§2733); separate IID conditional license for DUI

application fee $10.

A coverage lapse is reported

The state can act when your insurance lapses.

Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get non-owner insurance without an SR-22 in Delaware?

Yes. Delaware does not use SR-22 certificates; insurers file proof of coverage directly with the Division of Motor Vehicles under 21 Del.C. §§2947-2949. Most non-owner buyers in Delaware purchase liability-only coverage to maintain continuous insurance between cars or cover regular borrowing, with no filing requirement.

Which carriers write non-owner insurance in Delaware?

Dairyland, Direct Auto, Farmers, Geico, National General, Progressive, The General, Travelers, and USAA write non-owner policies in Delaware. Availability varies by driving record and whether you need proof-of-insurance filing for reinstatement. Compare carriers directly, as not all write non-owner policies for high-risk profiles.

Does Delaware require PIP on non-owner policies?

Yes. Delaware mandates personal injury protection on all auto policies, including non-owner. PIP covers your medical expenses and lost wages after an accident, regardless of fault, when you're driving a vehicle not owned by a household member.

How much does non-owner insurance cost in Delaware?

Cost depends on your driving record, the liability limits you select, and whether you need proof-of-insurance filing for reinstatement. Clean-record drivers purchasing state-minimum coverage pay less than those with violations or filing requirements. Delaware's mandatory PIP adds cost compared to liability-only states.

Will a non-owner policy cover a rental car in Delaware?

A non-owner policy provides liability coverage when you rent a car, but it does not cover physical damage to the rental vehicle itself. You'll need to purchase the rental company's collision damage waiver or use a credit card benefit to cover damage to the car you're renting.

Can I use non-owner insurance to reinstate my Delaware license?

In some cases, yes. Delaware requires proof of insurance for certain reinstatement situations, and a non-owner policy satisfies that requirement if you don't own a vehicle. The state uses direct insurer filing rather than SR-22 certificates; confirm filing procedures with your carrier and the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles before purchasing.

Coverage Types

Non-Owner Liability Insurance

Provides bodily injury and property damage coverage when you drive a vehicle you don't own. Secondary to the vehicle owner's policy.

Non-Owner SR-22 Alternative

Delaware does not use SR-22 certificates. Insurers file proof of coverage directly with the Division of Motor Vehicles for reinstatement cases.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Protects you when hit by a driver with no insurance or insufficient coverage. Optional in Delaware but recommended given the state's 17.6% uninsured motorist rate.

Non-Standard Auto Insurance

Coverage for drivers with violations, suspensions, or DUI convictions. Non-standard carriers specialize in high-risk profiles and proof-of-insurance filing.

Find Your City in Delaware

Wilmington

urbanNon-owner costs in Wilmington reflect elevated risk from urban traffic density and the state's 17.6% uninsured motorist rate.

Wilmington's urban density and higher theft rate (211.4 per 100,000 statewide) make liability limits above the 25/50/10 minimum worth considering for non-owner drivers regularly borrowing vehicles in the city.

Dover

suburbanDover's lower density compared to Wilmington typically results in slightly lower non-owner premiums for clean-record drivers.

Dover drivers face moderate traffic density; non-owner policies here serve state employees and military personnel at Dover Air Force Base who need coverage between assignments.

Newark

suburbanNon-owner policies in Newark serve younger drivers maintaining continuous coverage; rates depend on individual driving history and whether a filing is required.

Newark's college-student population drives demand for non-owner policies among students who borrow household vehicles or use car-sharing services without owning a car.

Middletown

suburban

Smyrna

suburban