What drives the risk for expensive homes in Delaware
- Catastrophe exposureWinter storms and nor'easters are Delaware's most frequent billion-dollar disasters, followed by tropical storms and hurricanes, with coastal wind and surge exposure concentrated in the Sussex County beach towns. Source
- Wind and hurricane deductiblesDelaware law (18 Del. C. 4140) requires insurers to give clear, prominent notice of any wind/hail or hurricane deductible, including what triggers it. For a percentage deductible, the notice must include a worked example of how it applies to a loss. Source
- FloodNFIP policies cap building coverage at $250,000 and contents at $100,000, so oceanfront and bayfront homes in Rehoboth, Bethany and Fenwick worth $1M or more often need excess or private flood coverage above that limit. Source
Delaware by the numbers
| Measure | Delaware | Rank among the states | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal major disaster declarations since 2000 | 11 | #46 (tied) of 51 | Most often for hurricane (6), severe storm (2), snowstorm (2). Sussex County has been in 7 of them. |
| National Flood Insurance Program claims, 2005–2025 | 3,001 | #42 of 51 | $42.6 million paid; 16% of claims with a known flood zone were outside FEMA’s high-risk zones. |
| Homes in high-risk flood zones with a federal flood policy | 58% | #3 of 50 | 12,108 policies for 20,853 homes in the counties FEMA can measure; US: 40%. |
| Hail reports, 2016–2025 | 48 | #47 of 51 | 2 of them 2 inches or larger. Largest stone 2.25 inches, Sussex County, May 2022. |
| Tornadoes, 2016–2025 | 15 | #43 of 51 | 3 rated EF2 or stronger; 77 recorded since 1950. |
| Earthquakes of magnitude 4.0+, 2000–2025 | 1 | #28 of 51 | Largest: magnitude 4.1, 3 km NNE of Little Creek, Delaware, November 30, 2017. |
From the public FEMA, NOAA, Storm Prediction Center, USGS and FMCSA records behind each linked report; ranks count all 50 states and Washington, DC unless noted.
When the standard market says no, and what earns credits
- Insurer of last resort and wind poolsDelaware's insurer of last resort is the Insurance Placement Facility of Delaware (the Delaware FAIR Plan), which is required by state statute. It provides basic property coverage for the structure and contents but no liability coverage. Source
Worth knowing in Delaware
Delaware's Department of Insurance keeps a separate list of companies that may write beach property insurance, which reflects a distinct coastal market for Sussex County shore homes. Source
Where high-value homes are in Delaware
Rehoboth Beach · Bethany Beach · Lewes · Fenwick Island · Greenville and Centreville (Wilmington area)
Common questions
Do Delaware homeowners policies have a separate wind or hurricane deductible?
Delaware law (18 Del. C. 4140) requires insurers to give clear, prominent notice of any wind/hail or hurricane deductible, including what triggers it. For a percentage deductible, the notice must include a worked example of how it applies to a loss.
Where can an expensive home in Delaware get coverage if insurers decline it?
Delaware's insurer of last resort is the Insurance Placement Facility of Delaware (the Delaware FAIR Plan), which is required by state statute. It provides basic property coverage for the structure and contents but no liability coverage.
Is flood insurance enough for a high-value home in Delaware?
NFIP policies cap building coverage at $250,000 and contents at $100,000, so oceanfront and bayfront homes in Rehoboth, Bethany and Fenwick worth $1M or more often need excess or private flood coverage above that limit.
Sources
- Delaware: Catastrophe exposure
- Delaware: Wind and hurricane deductibles
- Delaware: Insurer of last resort and wind pools
- Delaware: Flood
- Delaware: Also worth knowing
General information as of October 2026, not legal advice; confirm current rules with the agency.