Illinois Auto Insurance Guide
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Get affordable Illinois auto insurance quote rates for free.
Call Now: (866) 845-3808
Auto insurance is designed to protect a vehicle owner financially when they cause damage to other people or property. Illinois drivers are required to carry insurance that will provide $25,000 of coverage for Bodily Injury (BI) per person, up to $50,000 total. The policy must also cover Property Damage (PD) coverage with a minimum of $20,000 per accident.
There are other parts of an auto insurance contract that may or may not apply to your situation. Car insurance companies in IL offer full coverage, comprehensive, collision, and the like, but they are not required by state law.
Key Takeaways
When it comes to highway miles, Illinois is the third-largest state in the union. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, there are 2,185 miles of Interstate highway, 15,969 miles of state highway, and almost 8,000 bridges in the state.
Illinois drivers suffer 874 accidents every day. Only about 1% of these accidents will lead to a fatality, but that is still eight people a day who will be killed by an auto accident in the state. Of those fatal accidents, more than one fourth of them are alcohol related. The other 99% of auto accidents will usually involve property damage, personal injury, or both.
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), nearly 12% of Illinois drivers are currently driving without insurance. Not only is this unlawful, but it is also unethical, because it places other drivers and property owners at financial risk.
Auto insurance is compulsory in Illinois —it is required. Failure to carry auto insurance in IL can lead to license suspension and severe penalties and fines. If you cause an accident while driving uninsured in Illinois, you will be held financially responsible for damage you cause. Therefore, it makes sense to carry at least the state minimum. Many drivers feel more comfortable carrying more liability insurance than is required by the state, because medical bills and repair costs continue to rise.
Illinois is a “fault state.” Any time two vehicles are involved in an accident, insurance companies and law enforcement will determine who is “at fault” for the accident, and that party’s insurance will pay for damages. Sometimes, fault can be ascribed to two or more parties involved in an accident. Whichever driver has the highest percentage of fault will usually be financially responsible for the accident.
When several vehicles are involved in a crash in Illinois, the state minimum liability coverage may not be enough to cover personal injuries and property damages.
Illinois drivers MUST meet minimum insurance requirements. These include liability coverage, and uninsured motorist coverage.
Liability minimums:
Uninsured motorist (UM) and Under-insured motorist (UIM) minimums:
At first glance, these seem like reasonable amounts. However, you should consider the increasing costs of medical care, building supplies, real estate, and vehicles. Illinois state minimums for car insurance might not be high enough to protect your assets in the case of a lawsuit.
Other types of insurance coverages are available in Illinois, but they are not required by state laws. These include (but are not limited to):
We can help you determine how much auto insurance to buy.
Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Illinois legislature has not put many new laws into effect in recent years. However, there are a few you should know about.
Beginning in 2022, pregnant Illinois drivers can obtain a disability decal. This allows pregnant drivers access to parking spots for disabled individuals.
Also new for 2022, drivers’ education courses in Illinois will now include content that explains what happens during a traffic stop by law enforcement, and how to behave in those circumstances.
Since 2021, drivers who are involved in an accident while using a cell phone can incur a fine of at least $1,000.
Also, since 2021, speed zone cameras have been implemented in some sensitive areas. That means you can get a ticket for driving too fast in a school zone or work zone, even if you do not get pulled over by law enforcement.
In Illinois, driving without valid insurance may be considered a petty crime by those who do it. However, the penalties are serious if you get caught in the act.
For your first conviction of driving without insurance in IL, your driver’s license will be suspended for three months. You will also pay a fine ranging from $500 to $1,000, court costs, and a $100 reinstatement fee. You could spend about $2,000 on your first conviction. Be aware that your auto insurance costs might increase after this conviction, too.
Then, if you are caught driving without a license during that three-month suspension, you will get another six months of suspension, and more fines.
In Illinois, if you are convicted of driving without insurance a second time, the penalties are about the same. However, if you are convicted a third time, you will need to carry SR-22 insurance for the next three years. SR-22 is a special kind of insurance which is reported to the Secretary of State and can be costly. Should you allow that SR-22 insurance to lapse during the next three years, your license might be suspended or revoked.
It pays to shop around for IL auto insurance every few years, even if you are happy with your current insurer. Know that auto insurance companies DO creep up their prices, even for customers who do not have any claims their entire life.
Here is how to get the most affordable auto insurance in Illinois:
Simply enter your zipcode to compare car insurance rates and find the best coverage.
Read More: 8 Simple Ways to Save You 90% On Your Car Insurance
As of 2021 — the most recent records available — the average driver in Illinois pays $37 per month for state-required minimum liability coverage, and $124 for full coverage. That is about $442 and $1,485 annually, respectively.
While those prices are slightly below the national average, your premium can vary a lot depending on many factors, including:
According to Bankrate.com, these are the average costs for auto insurance in IL by company.
Car insurance company | Average annual premium for minimum coverage | Average annual premium for full coverage |
AAA | $1,103 | $3,772 |
Allstate | $416 | $1,637 |
American Family | $1,038 | $2,598 |
Auto-Owners | $368 | $1,126 |
Cincinnati Insurance | $414 | $1,403 |
Country Financial | $438 | $1,648 |
Erie | $325 | $1,024 |
Farmers | $460 | $1,100 |
Geico | $267 | $928 |
Grange | $295 | $1,068 |
Hastings Mutual | $439 | $1,152 |
J & P Holdings | $368 | $1,468 |
Kemper | $664 | $2,792 |
Mercury | $273 | $990 |
MetLife | $551 | $1,631 |
Nationwide | $362 | $1,098 |
Pekin | $230 | $715 |
Progressive | $525 | $1,299 |
Rockford Mutual | $314 | $1,090 |
Safe Auto | $705 | $1,452 |
Secura | $282 | $905 |
State Farm | $316 | $935 |
The Hanover | $1,326 | $7,480 |
Travelers | $402 | $916 |
USAA | $400 | $1,242 |
Also, per Bankrate.com, the table below explores the average price for full coverage from one city to the next.
City | Average annual premium for full coverage | % Increase in average annual premium |
Chicago | $2,150 | 45% |
Aurora | $1,397 | -6% |
Rockford | $1,458 | -2% |
Joliet | $1,525 | 3% |
Naperville | $1,367 | -8% |
Peoria | $1,419 | -4% |
Elgin | $1,448 | -2% |
Springfield | $1,420 | -4% |
Waukegan | $1,486 | 0% |
Cicero | $2,073 | 40% |
Champaign | $1,276 | -14% |
Arlington Heights | $1,426 | -4% |
Evanston | $1,650 | 11% |
Schaumburg | $1,483 | 0% |
Decatur | $1,379 | -7% |
Bolingbrook | $1,480 | 0% |
Palatine | $1,445 | -3% |
Bloomington | $1,266 | -15% |
Skokie | $1,861 | 25% |
Des Plaines | $1,629 | 10% |
For help finding Illinois car insurance quotes, contact us today or simply put your zip code below and hit “Get A Quote” !
Simply enter your zipcode to compare car insurance rates and find the best coverage.
To rehash some of what we have already addressed, and to provide you with fast answers to your most common insurance questions, check out our FAQs below.
Is auto insurance required in Illinois?
Yes. The state of Illinois requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance. This is based on $25,000 bodily injury for one person, and up to $50,000 total for one accident. IL also requires that your insurance covers at least $20,000 of property damage per accident.
Is car insurance expensive in Illinois?
No, not compared to other states. An adult driver with a clean driving history can find basic liability insurance for as low as $40 per month.
How often should I shop around for car insurance?
It pays to shop around for auto insurance every few years. Most insurance companies will slowly raise their rates over time, while a new company will offer you a rock-bottom price to get your business.
What kinds of discounts do auto insurers offer?
Every insurance company has a different program. But you can usually lower your insurance costs by being a safe driver, by attending defensive driving classes, and bundling insurance products with one company.
Illinois Division of Insurance
Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles – DMV
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