Homeowners Insurance in Delaware
Checked against official sources · Last reviewed October 13, 2026
If your Delaware insurer cancels or won't renew your home policy, state law requires written notice at least 30 days ahead (10 days for unpaid premium), with the specific reasons, sent by certified mail or USPS Intelligent Mail barcode except for nonpayment. Delaware also limits nonrenewals based on claims. If you can't find coverage, the Department of Insurance points you to the Delaware FAIR Plan or to surplus lines insurance through an agent. Complaints go to the department's Consumer Services Division at (800) 282-8611. [1][2][3][4]
At a glance
- Notice before your insurer cancels or nonrenews
- At least 30 days in writing with specific reasons 10 days for nonpayment of premium (18 Del. C. 4122) [1]
- Mid-term cancellation
- After 60 days in force, only for the 7 reasons listed in 18 Del. C. 4123 (for example nonpayment, fraud, a substantial increase in hazard) [1]
- Last-resort insurer
- Delaware FAIR Plan (Insurance Placement Facility of Delaware), (800) 462-4972 [3][5]
- Complaints
- Consumer Services, (800) 282-8611 toll-free in Delaware, or consumer@delaware.gov [4][6]
What homeowners insurance costs in Delaware: average premium, 2023 $1,196 a year in Delaware vs. $1,737 countrywide · 41st highest of 51 · All states (HO-3 policies; NAIC)
On this page
- At a glance
- Delaware's market right now
- Last resort: the Delaware FAIR Plan
- If your insurer cancels or won't renew
- Limits on dropping you for claims
- If you were turned down
- Hurricane deductibles and discounts
- Surplus lines
- Flood is separate
- Where to get help
- Questions people ask
- FEMA disaster history
- Hail, wind and wildfire
Delaware's market right now
Delaware's last-resort insurer is small. The Delaware FAIR Plan's board chair wrote in the plan's 2024 annual report that "the State's FAIR Plan is a very small player in the overall market": it issued 1,227 policies in 2024 and wrote $607,263 in premium. New applications rose 51.58% over 2023, and the plan's president wrote that "Time will tell if this increase is a trend or a sign of a changing marketplace."
Recent statements from the Delaware Department of Insurance:
- March 10, 2026: after statewide property reassessments, the department surveyed insurers and "found that no carrier is increasing or adjusting rates due solely to the recent property assessments." It says insurers price homes on replacement cost, not tax assessments or market value. - March 21, 2025 (Bulletin No. 150): guidance on insurers' use of drone and aerial images. The department says cosmetic roof issues "such as discoloration and streaking, do not constitute valid grounds for cancellation," and vague reasons like "underwriting judgment" are "unacceptable" in a cancellation or nonrenewal notice. See "If your insurer cancels or won't renew" below. - 2025 in numbers: the department's Consumer Services staff "processed a total of 4,616 complaints and inquiries" department-wide, and its Legal Division "reported 449 arbitration cases opened" in 2025. [7][8][9][10]
Last resort: the Delaware FAIR Plan
The Department of Insurance says: "If you are unable to obtain or have been declined homeowners or commercial property insurance you may want to contact the Insurance Placement Facility of Delaware (aka Delaware FAIR Plan) at (800) 462-4972." FAIR stands for Fair Access to Insurance Requirements; a FAIR plan is a pool of the insurers licensed in the state that sells basic property coverage to people the regular market won't insure.
Things to know:
- The plan has operated since October 28, 1968, and is "an association of the property insurance companies doing business in Delaware." No federal, state or local funds support it. - It sells a basic fire policy that covers buildings and contents against fire, wind, hail, smoke, vandalism and some other named perils, paid on an actual cash value basis (repair or replacement cost minus depreciation). It is not a full homeowners policy. - You can apply yourself or through a licensed agent or broker; the plan says "There is no cost to apply." Agents may not charge you a fee for placing coverage in the plan. - The most it will insure on a one-to-four-family dwelling is $500,000 for building and contents combined. - Homes in ZIP codes 19930, 19944, 19958, 19970 and 19971 carry a mandatory $2,000 hurricane deductible on plan policies.
Full details: Delaware FAIR Plan.
The other route the department names is surplus lines insurance, placed by an agent with a non-admitted insurer (one not licensed in Delaware). See "Surplus lines" below. [3][5][11][12][13][14][15]
Delaware's FEMA disaster record since 2000
Federal disaster declarations for Delaware, counted from FEMA's official declarations data. A "major disaster" declaration brings federal recovery aid; a "fire management" declaration helps pay to fight a wildfire that threatens homes.
Most recent
- Severe Winter Storm Winter Storm · Major disaster · declared 2026-05-29
- Remnants Of Hurricane Ida Hurricane · Major disaster · declared 2021-10-24
- Tropical Storm Isaias Hurricane · Major disaster · declared 2020-10-02
- Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm Snowstorm · Major disaster · declared 2016-03-16
- Hurricane Sandy Hurricane · Major disaster · declared 2012-11-16
- Hurricane Irene Hurricane · Major disaster · declared 2011-09-30
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, downloaded 2026-10-14. Each declaration counted once, however many counties it covers. Flood history and flood insurance: FloodHawk.
Hail, wind and wildfire in Delaware
Hail, thunderstorm wind and tornado reports
Severe weather reports logged by the National Weather Service in NOAA's Storm Events Database, July 2025 to June 2026 (the latest 12 months NOAA has published), next to the yearly average for 2016 to 2025.
Most reports of 1-inch-plus hail, 2016–2025: New Castle (12), Sussex (12), Kent (6).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, downloaded October 14, 2026. NOAA adds each month about 75 to 90 days after it ends. Tornadoes are counted in NOAA's segments: one that crosses a county line counts once per county, and one that briefly lifts and touches down again can count twice. Reports depend on people seeing and reporting storms, so busier areas log more of them: these counts show how often storms are reported, not the risk to any one home.
Wildfire
Homes in Delaware have, on average, greater wildfire risk than 30% of states, and greater wildfire likelihood (the chance of a wildfire burning in any given year) than 28% of states, according to the USDA Forest Service.
Of Delaware's 413,060 buildings, 39% are in the Forest Service's direct exposure zone (they may be ignited by flammable vegetation next to them, as well as by embers), 16% in the indirect exposure zone (embers or a neighboring burning building), and 45% have minimal exposure.
Source: USDA Forest Service, Wildfire Risk to Communities (state data table updated April 15, 2026). The Forest Service says its ratings describe communities, not individual homes; they don't reflect work owners have done to lower their risk, and the tool isn't designed for insurance companies, which do their own wildfire assessments.
| Year | Fires | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 7 | 79 |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | 23 | 137 |
| 2025 | 15 | 82 |
Source: National Interagency Coordination Center annual reports (table "Wildland Fires and Acres Burned by State and Agency", from the SIT/209 reporting system). Each year counts only the agencies listed for Delaware in that year's table, so a big change between years can come from which agencies reported.
If your insurer cancels or won't renew
Delaware's rules for home insurance are in 18 Del. C. 4120 to 4131. They cover policies on a home of up to four units where one unit is your principal residence, and household belongings in a dwelling. They do not apply to policies "issued through a residual market mechanism" such as the FAIR Plan, which has its own rules.
- Cancellation notice: at least 30 days before the cancellation date, or 10 days if the reason is nonpayment of premium. The notice must be in writing, state the effective date, and come with "a written explanation of the specific reasons for the cancellation." - Nonrenewal notice: at least 30 days before the policy period ends, the insurer must send either an offer to renew or a notice that it won't renew, with "a written explanation of the insurer's specific reason or reasons for the nonrenewal." - How notices are sent: except for nonpayment notices, cancellation and nonrenewal notices must go by certified mail or by USPS Intelligent Mail barcode. This was added by Senate Bill 200, effective October 1, 2024. - If the insurer gets the notice wrong: if it fails to send either the renewal offer or the nonrenewal notice, "coverage shall be deemed renewed under the same terms and conditions" until you accept replacement coverage or agree to the nonrenewal. - Mid-term cancellation: once coverage has been in effect more than 60 days, or after a renewal takes effect, an insurer can cancel only for one of seven reasons: nonpayment; fraud or material misrepresentation; willful or reckless acts that increase a hazard; a change in the risk that substantially increases a hazard; a code violation that substantially increases a hazard; a Commissioner finding that continuing the policy would break Delaware insurance law; or property taxes delinquent for 2 or more years.
Vague reasons are not enough. The department's Bulletin No. 150 (March 21, 2025) says nonspecific reasons such as "claims experience," "underwriting judgment," or "increase in hazard" are unacceptable because they "do not provide sufficient notice for the insured to address the underlying issue." If an insurer cancels based on roof condition, it must show "significant degradation or damage," and the department expects insurers to give you access to aerial images used against you and, if you dispute them, recommends a physical inspection. The bulletin also "encourages insurers to provide as much advance notice as possible regarding nonrenewal." [1][2][9]
Limits on dropping you for claims
Under 18 Del. C. 4130, an insurer may not refuse to renew a homeowners policy solely because of:
- Weather claims, unless there were 3 or more in the 36 months before the policy expires; - Non-weather claims, unless there were 2 or more in the 60 months before it expires (Senate Bill 200, effective October 1, 2024, added the 60-month window; before that, the law counted non-weather claims with no time limit); - A mix of both, unless there were 3 or more in the 48 months before it expires; or - Claims closed without payment, in any number.
An insurer can still nonrenew if your claims show "a reasonably substantial change or increase in the hazard," or if you didn't make reasonably necessary repairs after the insurer warned you that not making them would breach the policy.
A call to ask about your coverage or a possible loss is not a claim: Delaware law says an insurer "shall not consider an inquiry regarding a homeowners policy or a loss under that policy to be a claim" when deciding whether to renew. The department also requires insurers that use multiple claims to decide renewals to disclose that on your declarations page or an attachment. [1][2][16]
If you were turned down
If an insurer, agent or broker declines to insure your home, they must give you a written explanation of the specific reasons, or provide one within 21 days after you ask in writing. Your written request counts if it arrives within 90 days of the declination notice. If your agent can't place you with any licensed insurer other than a residual market plan, the agent must give you a written explanation of all the declinations.
Delaware law also bars an insurer from declining or dropping you because another insurer turned you down or dropped you, or because you previously had coverage through a residual market plan such as the FAIR Plan. Location or age of your home can't be the reason unless it's for a real business purpose that is "not a mere pretext for unfair discrimination." [1]
Hurricane deductibles and discounts
If your Delaware home policy has a separate deductible for wind, hail or hurricane damage, Delaware law requires the insurer to give "clear and prominent notice" of it when a policy is first issued and at the first renewal after the insurer changes them. If the deductible is a percentage, the insurer must show an example of how it works, such as "a 2% deductible on a house insured for $300,000 means the policy holder is responsible for $6,000." More: hurricane deductible.
For discounts, the department's homeowners guide says there "may also be discounts available for improving your home structurally, with shatter-resistant glass, storm shutters or different roofing," and that safety items like deadbolts, smoke detectors and alarms "could lower your rates." Ask your agent or company. [17][18]
Surplus lines
Surplus lines insurers are not licensed (admitted) in Delaware but may sell coverage the licensed market won't, through a licensed surplus lines broker. The department says it "no longer determines whether or not a non-admitted insurer is eligible" and does not approve surplus lines insurers, and that it is the broker's responsibility to check an insurer's eligibility. If you buy from a non-admitted insurer without a broker and Delaware is your home state, the department says you must file a report and pay a 3% tax on the whole premium. More: surplus lines insurance. [3][19]
Flood is separate
The Department of Insurance says "Standard homeowners insurance policies and standard business insurance policies do not provide protection against floods," and that a federal flood policy "does not take effect for 30 days" after you buy it. For flood zones and flood insurance, see our sister site FloodHawk. [20]
Where to get help
- Start with the company. The department asks you to "first contact the insurance company, agent or adjuster" before filing. - Consumer Services Division: (800) 282-8611 toll-free in Delaware, or the department's main line (302) 674-7300; email consumer@delaware.gov; or the online complaint form linked from the department's complaint page. The department can forward your complaint to the company, get explanations, and take corrective action if the company broke the law. It can't act as your lawyer or recommend companies. - Wrongful cancellation, nonrenewal or declination: under 18 Del. C. 4125, a complaint filed within 90 days of the violation can lead to a hearing. If the Commissioner finds an illegal cancellation or discriminatory decision, the insurer can be ordered to reinstate or continue your coverage, and fined up to $500 per violation. - Claim disputes (arbitration): if a complaint doesn't settle a homeowners claim dispute, the department runs arbitration before a three-person panel (a Delaware attorney and two adjusters or appraisers). The filing fee is $50, and a homeowners request must be mailed "within 90 days from the date an offer of settlement or denial of coverage or liability has been made by the insurer." Details: Arbitration, or call the Arbitration Secretary at (302) 674-7345. - Delaware FAIR Plan: (800) 462-4972. [1][3][4][6][21][22]
Questions people ask
How much notice must a Delaware insurer give before dropping my home insurance?
At least 30 days in writing, with the specific reasons, for a cancellation or a nonrenewal. A cancellation for unpaid premium needs only 10 days' notice. Except for nonpayment, the notice must be sent by certified mail or USPS Intelligent Mail barcode. [1][2]
Can my Delaware insurer drop me for filing claims?
Not solely for weather claims unless you had 3 or more in the 36 months before the policy ends, or for non-weather claims unless you had 2 or more in 60 months (3 or more in 48 months for a mix). Claims closed without payment and simple questions to your insurer don't count. An insurer can still nonrenew if claims show a substantial increase in hazard or you didn't make needed repairs after a warning. [1][2]
Can a Delaware insurer drop me because of a drone photo of my roof?
The Department of Insurance says cosmetic issues like discoloration and streaking are not valid grounds for cancellation, and the insurer must show significant degradation or damage that substantially increases the risk. It expects insurers to let you see the images and recommends a physical inspection if you dispute them. [9]
What do I do if no company will insure my Delaware home?
The Department of Insurance suggests contacting the Delaware FAIR Plan at (800) 462-4972, or asking an agent to place you in the surplus lines market. You can apply to the FAIR Plan yourself or through an agent. [3][15]
Who regulates homeowners insurance in Delaware?
The Delaware Department of Insurance. Its Consumer Services line is (800) 282-8611 toll-free in Delaware. [4][6]
Sources (22)
- 18 Del. C. ch. 41, subch. III: Declinations, Renewals and Cancellations of Property Insurance Contracts (§§ 4120-4131), Delaware Code Online (Delaware General Assembly). Accessed October 13, 2026.
- 84 Del. Laws, c. 272 (Senate Bill 200, 152nd General Assembly), approved June 20, 2024, Delaware General Assembly. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Need Insurance?, Delaware Department of Insurance. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- File a Complaint/Appeal, Delaware Department of Insurance. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Delaware FAIRPlan - Insurance Placement Facility of Delaware, Insurance Placement Facility of Delaware. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Contact Us, Delaware Department of Insurance. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- 2024 Annual Report (Report of the Annual Meeting, April 22, 2025), Insurance Placement Facility of Delaware. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Property Reassessment & Your Insurance: What Really Drives Premium Costs (March 10, 2026), Delaware Department of Insurance (Delaware News). Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Domestic and Foreign Insurers Bulletin No. 150: Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems in Insurance Practices (Aerial Imagery) (March 21, 2025), Delaware Department of Insurance. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Department of Insurance Releases 2025 Data (February 2, 2026), Delaware Department of Insurance (Delaware News). Accessed October 13, 2026.
- New Delaware Brochure (July 2016), Insurance Placement Facility of Delaware. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- General Rules, Section IX: Payment of Premiums (ed. 12/2024), Insurance Placement Facility of Delaware. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- General Rules, Section V: Maximum Limits of Liability (ed. 12/2024), Insurance Placement Facility of Delaware. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- General Rules, Section IV: Policy Provisions (ed. 12/2024), Insurance Placement Facility of Delaware. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- How to Apply, Insurance Placement Facility of Delaware. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Forms and Rates Bulletin No. 8: Effect of Multiple Claims on Renewal of Homeowner's Policy (amended April 15, 1992), Delaware Department of Insurance. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- 18 Del. C. ch. 41, subch. IV: Wind, Hail and Hurricanes (§ 4140), Delaware Code Online (Delaware General Assembly). Accessed October 13, 2026.
- The Instant Insurance Guide: Home, Delaware Department of Insurance. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Surplus Lines Brokers, Delaware Department of Insurance. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Flood Insurance, Delaware Department of Insurance. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Arbitration, Delaware Department of Insurance. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- How to File for Homeowners' Arbitration (revised 10/13/2023), Delaware Department of Insurance. Accessed October 13, 2026.