Best Delaware Homeowners Insurance Agents & Brokers (2024)

Are you looking for Delaware homeowners insurance? In this comprehensive article, we will explore the key topics related to Delaware homeowners insurance, including essential coverages, cost-saving tips, and factors that affect insurance rates. Whether you’re a new homeowner or looking to switch providers, understanding the basics of homeowners insurance in Delaware is crucial.

• The average cost of a Delaware home insurance policy is $75 a month 
• Delaware residents in high-risk areas should add flood and earthquake insurance 
• Delaware residents can lower home insurance rates by getting quotes and taking advantage of discounts

To ensure you get the best coverage at the most affordable price, we invite you to enter your ZIP code and compare rates from the top insurance providers in your area. Take control of your insurance decisions and protect your home with confidence.

Average Home Insurance Rates in Delaware 

The latest study from the National Association of Insurance Commissioner (NAIC) listed the average cost of Delaware home insurance as $908 a year. This average rate is lower than the national average of $1,272 a year.

Since the average premium for Delaware residents is so low, Delaware ranks 43rd in the U.S. for price. On average, Delaware residents will pay only $75 a month for home insurance, a fairly low average rate compared to other states.

Basic Delaware Home Insurance Coverages 

Most home insurance policies are similar in what coverages they provide on a basic home insurance policy. Often, you will see the following terms on your home insurance policy. 

• Dwelling. Dwelling simply means your home. Home insurance will cover damages to your main home, whether electrical or siding damages.
• Structures. This term refers to structures not attached to your dwelling, such as fences or detached garages. Home insurance will cover damages to these structures under a covered claim. 
• Personal property. This term refers to any property inside your home, from electronics to furniture. Ensure your policy limit is enough to cover the cost of your valuables if they get stolen or damaged by a covered event.
• Loss of use. Under loss of use, home insurance pays the costs if you must live elsewhere due to damages. It may also pay partial costs if a part of your house is unlivable.
• Medical liability. This coverage will protect you if someone gets injured on your property. Home insurance may pay part or all of that person’s medical bills.

All home insurance policies should have these basic coverages, no matter where you purchase them in Delaware. Read on to see what additional home insurance coverages you should consider for your home.

Additional Delaware Home Insurance Coverages 

While basic coverage is essential for any home, sometimes you should consider additional coverage if a home is at high risk of getting destroyed or damaged. For instance, if you live near the sea in Delaware or an area prone to heavy rains, you should add flood insurance.

Some additional coverages you can add to home insurance policies are:

• Flood insurance. If you live near the coastline in Delaware, your home could be at risk from coastal flooding. Unfortunately, a normal policy usually doesn’t cover flooding unless you add flood insurance.

• Earthquake insurance. Earthquakes aren’t common in Delaware, but they do happen. If you live in an area of Delaware that recently experienced an earthquake or is at risk of an earthquake in the future, you should get earthquake insurance.
• Umbrella insurance. Umbrella insurance will cover any extra costs that your regular insurance doesn’t cover. It is useful if you have a low policy limit and want more coverage. 

Other natural disasters in Delaware include wildfires, hail, hurricanes, and tornadoes. Unlike earthquakes and flooding, your basic insurance policy should cover these events.

However, it is always smart to double-check your policy’s fine print to ensure it covers these damages.

What affects home insurance rates in Delaware?

Even though additional coverage is a good choice, you may be worried about your home insurance premiums increasing substantially. Some things affecting the cost of homeowners insurance in Delaware are: 

• Crime in your area. If you have high crime rates in your area, people are more likely to break into your home.
• Your credit score. Some insurers charge more for low credit scores. Part of insurance companies’ reasoning behind this is that those with low credit scores will be more likely to miss insurance payments.
• Natural disasters. If you live in a county in Delaware prone to flooding or other natural disasters, your rates will be higher. If you’re moving to a new area, check the history of disasters in the area to get an idea of what coverages you’ll need.
• Your home’s age. Older homes may be more prone to repair issues, such as damaged siding or old plumbing. So you could incur higher rates if your old home isn’t in good condition.

These are the most common factors that affect insurance rates. The good news is that you can do a few things to reduce your rates.

How to Find Cheaper Delaware Home Insurance

While several factors are outside of your control — such as crime and disasters — there are some things you can do to lower your home insurance rates.

The best thing you can do to find cheap homeowners insurance in Delaware is shop around for free insurance quotes and compare rates. If you still can’t find a good rate, there are a few other things you can do.

Some require time or spending some money, but they tend to pay off in the long run. For example, while you’ll have to pay to install a home security system, it can be useful to reduce your bill and keep your home safe over time. Below is a list of steps you can take to reduce your home insurance bill.

• Add home security. Adding cameras or an alarm system can often discount your home insurance policy, as security discourages burglars.
• Increase your credit score. Though it takes time, improving your credit score will help you get cheaper rates if insurance companies in your area use this as a factor.
• Maintain your home. Ensuring your home has the necessary repairs and is in good shape will help prevent companies from charging you higher rates for higher-risk, older homes that are poorly maintained. 
• Non-smoker discount. Some insurers will offer a discount if you don’t smoke, since cigarettes are a common cause of fires. 

See what home insurance discounts your insurance company offers, as these can go a long way to reducing costs, even if it’s saving a few dollars here and there for discounts like going paperless or bundling policies.

The Bottom Line 

Shopping for Delaware home insurance doesn’t need to be stressful. Check your home insurance policy to ensure it covers common incidents in your area. If your area is prone to heavy storms or natural disasters, you should consider additional coverage. 

If you are concerned about costs, you can reduce your home insurance rates by taking advantage of discounts and comparing quotes at different Delaware insurance providers in your area.