SR-22 After DUI
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Delaware DUI SR-22 Insurance After Conviction

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

Minimum Coverage Requirements in Delaware

Delaware is a tort state, meaning the at-fault driver's insurance pays for injuries and damage in an accident. After a DUI conviction, the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles requires continuous SR-22 filing to reinstate your license and satisfy court compliance. Delaware law mandates proof of financial responsibility through SR-22 certification filed directly by your insurance carrier, and any lapse in coverage restarts the entire filing period from zero.

Bodily Injury Liability

Pays medical bills, lost wages, and legal costs when you injure someone in an accident. Delaware's 25/50 minimum is among the lowest in the nation and covers less than one overnight hospital stay in many cases. A single serious injury claim can exceed these limits within hours, leaving you personally liable for the remainder.

Property Damage Liability

Covers damage you cause to another vehicle, fence, building, or other property. Insufficient property damage coverage exposes you to lawsuits for the difference.

SR-22 Certificate of Financial Responsibility

SR-22 is not insurance but a state-mandated form your carrier files electronically with the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles proving you carry at least minimum liability coverage. The filing period starts on your reinstatement date, not your conviction date or suspension start date. If your policy lapses for even one day, the DMV receives automatic notification and your filing period resets to day one.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Protects you when hit by a driver with no insurance or insufficient coverage to pay your medical bills and vehicle damage. Delaware law requires carriers to offer uninsured motorist coverage at the same limits as your liability policy, but you can reject it by signing a written waiver at policy inception. Verbal rejection does not count, and coverage is automatically added if the waiver form is not completed.

What Drivers Pay in Delaware

$436–$545/mo

Typical monthly rate in Delaware, drivers with an SR-22 after a DUI

Rate data: ValuePenguin and NerdWallet, 2026

What Affects Your Rate

  • Delaware zip codes with higher vehicle theft rates such as Wilmington (19801, 19802) carry 10 to 15 percent higher comprehensive premiums than suburban New Castle County locations.
  • Most major carriers including State Farm, Geico, and Progressive will file SR-22 for existing Delaware customers but issue non-renewal notices at the next policy term, forcing a mid-filing-period carrier switch.
  • Conviction class matters: aggravated DUI (BAC over 0.15, refusal, minor in vehicle, or injury) triggers longer filing periods in some cases and categorically disqualifies you from preferred-rate carriers for the entire three-year SR-22 term.
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Find an Insurer That Will File After a DUI

Get SR-22 Coverage After a DUI

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

How long do I need SR-22 in Delaware after a DUI?

Delaware requires SR-22 filing for three years after a first-offense DUI conviction, measured from your license reinstatement date, not your conviction date or suspension start date. The filing period resets to day one if your insurance lapses for any reason, including non-payment or carrier cancellation.

Can I get SR-22 insurance in Delaware if my license is currently suspended?

Yes, you can purchase SR-22 insurance before your Delaware license is reinstated, and many non-standard carriers will issue a policy and file the SR-22 certificate while your suspension is still active. The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles requires proof of SR-22 filing before you can pay the reinstatement fee and restore your driving privilege.

What happens if my Delaware SR-22 insurance lapses during the three-year filing period?

Your insurance carrier is required to notify the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles electronically within 24 hours of any lapse in coverage. The DMV will suspend your license immediately, and your three-year SR-22 filing period resets to zero the day you file a new SR-22 certificate, meaning a single lapse can extend your total obligation by years.

Will my current Delaware car insurance company file SR-22 after a DUI?

Most major carriers including State Farm, Geico, and Progressive will file SR-22 for existing Delaware customers after a DUI, but they typically issue a non-renewal notice effective at your next policy expiration date. You will need to transition to a non-standard carrier such as Dairyland, The General, or Direct Auto, which specialize in high-risk SR-22 coverage.

Coverage Types

SR-22 Insurance

State-mandated proof of financial responsibility filed by your carrier with the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles. Required for three years after DUI conviction to maintain valid driving privileges.

Non-Owner SR-22

Liability-only SR-22 policy for drivers who do not own a vehicle but need to satisfy Delaware's SR-22 requirement after a DUI conviction.

Liability Insurance

Covers injuries and property damage you cause to others in an accident. Delaware requires 25/50/10 minimum liability, but these limits are frequently insufficient in serious crashes.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Pays your medical bills and vehicle damage when you are hit by a driver with no insurance or insufficient coverage to compensate you fully.

Full Coverage

Combines liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage to protect both your legal obligation to others and your own vehicle against damage or total loss.

Find Your City in Delaware

Wilmington

urban

Dover

suburban

Newark

suburban

Middletown

suburban

Smyrna

suburban