Uninsured Motorist Coverage for Seniors in Delaware
Delaware requires this coverage, and your age has little to do with what you pay for it.
Delaware requires uninsured motorist coverage on every policy
Delaware sets a minimum amount of uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage that every driver must carry, alongside liability coverage. You can only waive it in writing, and most drivers don't. This isn't something that changes because you're older. It's a state requirement tied to the vehicle and the policy, not the driver's age.
What does change with age is how insurers look at your driving record and your history of claims. A senior with a clean record and few claims often pays about the same for this coverage as any other driver with that same record. The coverage itself doesn't get more expensive just because a birthday passed.
Your driving record matters more than your age
Insurers price uninsured motorist coverage based on risk, and risk is measured mostly through your claims history and driving record, not a number on your license. A senior who hasn't had an at-fault accident or a lapse in coverage is a known quantity to an insurer, and that usually keeps the cost of this coverage steady.
What can change things is a recent claim, even one that wasn't the senior's fault. If another driver without insurance hit you and you used this coverage, some insurers will look at that claim at renewal time. Ask your agent directly whether a past uninsured motorist claim affects your rate going forward.
If you've let your coverage lapse at any point, even briefly, that matters too. Delaware insurers can treat a lapse as a sign of higher risk, regardless of age. Keeping continuous coverage protects the rate you have now.
What the coverage actually pays for
Uninsured motorist coverage pays when the other driver has no insurance at all. Underinsured motorist coverage pays when the other driver has insurance but not enough to cover what you're owed. In Delaware, both come packaged together unless you've specifically waived part of it.
For a senior driver, this coverage often matters more over time, not less. Medical costs from an accident can be significant, and if the other driver can't pay, this is what stands between you and paying those costs yourself. It covers your medical bills and sometimes your passengers, depending on how your policy is written.
Check your declarations page for the exact limits you're carrying. Many drivers have carried the same uninsured motorist limit for years without ever revisiting whether it's still enough given their current medical costs or savings.
Questions people ask about this
Can I drop uninsured motorist coverage in Delaware if I don't want it?
You can decline it, but only by signing a written waiver with your insurer. Without that signed waiver, Delaware law requires the coverage to be included on your policy. Ask your agent what the waiver process looks like if you're considering it.
Does uninsured motorist coverage cost more for older drivers?
Not because of age itself. Insurers price this coverage based on your driving record and claims history, the same way they do for any driver. A senior with a clean record typically sees no special increase tied to age alone.
What happens if I'm hit by an uninsured driver in Delaware?
You file a claim with your own insurer under your uninsured motorist coverage, since the other driver has no policy to pay out. Your insurer handles the claim the way they would any other, based on the limits on your policy.
Does Medicare cover accident injuries instead of this coverage?
Medicare may cover some medical costs after an accident, but it doesn't replace what uninsured motorist coverage is meant to do. This coverage can also address lost income or other damages Medicare won't touch. Ask your agent how the two interact if you're unsure.
Should I increase my uninsured motorist limits as I get older?
That depends on your savings, your medical costs, and what limit you currently carry, not your age directly. Many drivers set their limits years ago and never revisit them. It's worth asking your agent whether your current limit still matches your situation.
See what Delaware insurers would charge you for this coverage before you decide to change anything.
Pull out your current policy's declarations page and find your uninsured and underinsured motorist limits. Call your agent and ask whether any past claims or lapses have affected your rate. Ask specifically whether your limits still make sense given your current medical coverage and savings. If you're considering a waiver, ask what that process involves and what you'd be giving up. Then compare what other Delaware insurers would charge for the same limits before you renew.
