Delaware Homeowners Insurance

Homeowners Insurance in Delaware: Complete Consumer Guide
Looking to move to Delaware? Here are some interesting facts about your new home. Of the 50 states, Delaware is 49th in size and at its widest point Delaware is 35 miles across. The origin of the state’s name is in honor of Thomas West, Third Baron De La Warr, who was Virginia’s first colonial governor. Delaware was the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution on December 7, 1787 and because of this Delaware is known as The First State. Delaware is home to Holy Trinity Church built in 1698, the oldest Protestant church in the U.S. The Delaware state tree is American holly and the state flower is the peach blossom. The state motto is “Liberty and Independence.” The longest twin span suspension bridge in the world is the Delaware Memorial Bridge that connects Delaware to New Jersey. Delaware is home to many corporations and businesses, including 60 percent of the Fortune 500.

Types of Homeowners Insurance policies in Delaware
What kind of home insurance policy do you need for your home? Here are the different types of policies.
HO-1 This “basic form” covers the 10 most common perils. Be aware that some insurance companies do not offer HO-1 forms.
HO-2 This “broad form” provides more limited coverage. But it still provides more coverage than a HO-1 basic form.
HO-3 This form is the most widely purchased type of home insurance. It provides coverage for named perils and personal property. With a HO-3 form, your insurance company will pay to repair or replace belongings damaged by covered perils, 16 of which are covered by this type of policy. Covered perils include fire, smoke, lightning, windstorm, hail, explosions, vandalism, damage from cars and vehicles, theft, falling objects, the weight of ice, snow or sleet and water damage.
HO-6 This form is for condominium units. This type of coverage is usually “walls in” coverage and may protect the condo unit’s walls, floors and ceilings against 16 covered perils. This form also includes coverage for the condo owner’s belongings.
HO-8 This type of form is for older homes and covers 10 perils. This form is paid on an actual cash value basis, which is the cost of the items minus depreciation.

What factors affect rates on homeowners insurance in Delaware?
Many factors come into play when you are rated for homeowners insurance. For example, the construction materials that your home is made of is a big factor. So are other things such as how much it will cost to rebuild the house and replace all your belongings. Also, whether you have a swimming pool or trampoline will affect your rate. Do you have pets? As a homeowner, you’re liable for dog bites and injuries. Your credit also impacts the homeowners insurance you pay. Good credit means a lower insurance rate.
Top 5 disasters in the State of Delaware
Delaware federally declared Hurricane disasters the most with 8 counts since 1953, followed by Snow, Severe Storms, Biological, and Flood. Here are the top 5 federally declared disasters in the state of Delaware:
Rank | Declaration Title | Disaster Number |
---|---|---|
1 | Hurricane | 8 |
2 | Snow | 5 |
3 | Severe Storms | 4 |
4 | Biological | 2 |
5 | Flood | 2 |
Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
How much is homeowners insurance in Delaware?
The average cost of a homeowners insurance premium in the state of Delaware is $1172.
Source: The average cost of homeowners insurance by state, Business Insider.
Crime Rate: Is Delaware a safe state?
2019 Crime in Delaware | Crime Number | Crime Rate* |
---|---|---|
Property Crime | 21,931 | 2,252.2 |
Burglary | 2,968 | 304.8 |
Larceny-Theft | 17,359 | 1,782.7 |
*Rate per 100,000 inhabitants
Safest Cities in Delaware by Property Crime*
- Middletown, DE has a population of 23,079 with a Property Crime rate of 20.4 per 1k. The city average home value is approximately $370,000.
- Newark, DE has a population of 33,957 with a Property Crime rate of 20.8 per 1k. The average home value there is about $287,000.
- Smyrna, DE came in third as the safest city in the state of Delaware and has a population of 11,768 with a Property Crime rate of 20.9 per 1k. Its home value averaged at about $276,000.
- Wilmington, DE has a population of 70,624 with a Property Crime rate of 44.6 per 1k. Its average home value is $235,000.
- Milford, DE has a population of 11,592 with a Property Crime rate of 50.5 per 1k. The city home value averaged $235,000.
*Based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting 2019, some cities have been eliminated because of changes in the state/local agency's reporting practices and cities with populations under 10,000. Zillow’s State/Cities average home value for a single family home or a condo as of Sept. 2020.
Compare Home Insurance Rates in Delaware

Top homeowners insurance companies in Delaware
Nationwide has a good claims response in Delaware. So you won’t have to wait long after you file a claim for the home clean up to begin. Nationwide also has fewer customer complaints than other insurance companies. Consumer Advocate reports Nationwide to be one of the highest-rated insurance companies in regards to financial strength.
Allstate offers flood insurance coverage and roofing replacements. Allstate also offers payouts for drain back ups and sump pump overflows. So if you are concerned about your home flooding or roof replacements, Allstate is a good company to consider for your home insurance in Delaware.
Liberty Mutual has 24 hours, 7 days a week emergency coverage. So you’ll be able to file a claim at any hour of the day. Liberty Mutual’s Home Protector Plus policy will cover lodging expenses when repairs are being done on your home and you need a place to stay during the repairs. At Liberty Mutual the premium is an affordable $885, excluding discounts, according to the Delaware Department of Insurance.

Delaware Home Insurance FAQs
How much is homeowners insurance deductible in Delaware?
Common home insurance deductibles include $500, $1,000, $1,500 and $2,000. A deductible is the amount you need to pay before your home insurance company begins to pay for damages on your home or losses. Choosing a high deductible will help to lower your home insurance premium.
How to write an estimate for an insurance claim?
Look for receipts for damaged items. Take photos of damaged items. List damaged items with descriptions and prices. Ask a contractor to write an estimate for home repairs.
How to reduce homeowner insurance premiums?
Choosing a higher deductible, choosing to pay your insurance policy once a year rather than monthly, bundling your home insurance policy with an auto insurance policy are all ways to lower your homeowner insurance premiums.
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Do you hear gurgling or trickling noises from the toilet? Does water drain more slowly than usual? Do you have a sink hole in your yard suddenly? Is your grass suddenly vibrantly green in patches?
If you're a new homeowner or if you simply decided to look into what homeowners insurance covers, you probably have a few questions about your policy. We have answers.
Keep in mind that in order to get paid for the tree removal you will have to first pay your deductible. Your deductible costs anywhere between $250 and $1,000 so it may make sense for you to pay for the tree removal out-of-pocket. Also, your rate may go up if you file a claim. Is it worth it?
With all the benefits that come with owning a swimming pool there are also risks, which is why swimming pools are often called “an attractive nuisance.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 10 people die from unintentional drowning.
Mortgage payments and possibly a homeowners warranty aren’t the only costs of owning a home. Nope, it doesn’t end with taxes and homeowners insurance either. Most people who set out to buy their first home are in for a surprise when the closing date approaches and they learn that they owe all sorts of money for the house they just bought.
Homeowners insurance was not designed to cover small or even big fixes, but to repair damage that is covered under the stipulations of your policy. In fact, you may end up paying more in monthly premiums if you file a claim that gets rejected. For this reason, we advise you to fully review your case and your policy to see if you’re covered before filing a claim.
Homeowners insurance is an important protection to have even when it’s not required for a primary home, a vacation home or condo.