Looking for the cheapest car insurance in Illinois? CheapInsurance.com has compared quotes from the state’s best car insurance companies.
Famous for being the home of Chicago, the Windy City, Illinois is also known for being the start of Route 66, one of the original highways in the U.S.
With a population of just under 13 million people, there are 8.2 million registered drivers in the state.
Whether you’re planning on tackling the iconic Route 66 or simply going about your daily routine, there’s a good chance that if you live in Illinois, you’ll need a car.
Drivers in Illinois pay on average $1,394 per year for car insurance—that’s almost 9% less than the national average.
But, just because car insurance is relatively cheap in Illinois, it doesn’t mean you’re necessarily getting the best deal on your auto insurance.
If you’re a high-risk or young driver, you could be overpaying for car insurance. Even if you’re a good driver with a clean driving record, you might be paying too much.
The only way to be sure that you’re getting the best deal on your car insurance is by comparing quotes from multiple insurance companies.
To help you find affordable car insurance in Illinois, we did the hard work of comparing quotes offered by some of the state’s best car insurers.
We looked at quotes in these five Illinois counties:
- Cook County.
- DuPage County.
- Lake County.
- Will County.
- Kane County.
Where to Find Cheap Minimum Liability Car Insurance in Illinois
Liability car insurance protects third parties in the event that you cause bodily harm/death or damage to another person or their property while driving.
Say, for example, you cause an at-fault accident that results in $8,000 damage to the other driver’s car.
Without liability coverage, you will have to pay for this from your own pocket. When you have liability insurance, your insurer will pay this amount on your behalf.
The state knows that most people don’t have thousands of dollars saved up in case of an accident, which is why Illinois makes it mandatory for all drivers to have a minimum amount of liability insurance.
Key Point: Minimum Liability Insurance Liability insurance is designed to protect third parties and their property from any damage you might cause while driving. Each state has different minimum liability insurance requirements, but it always addresses these three points:
|
In Illinois, the minimum liability insurance coverage requirements are:
- $25,000 in bodily injury coverage for each injured person.
- $50,000 in bodily injury coverage total per accident.
- $20,000 in property damage coverage per accident.
It’s also mandatory for all drivers in Illinois to have uninsured motorist coverage.
Key Point: Uninsured Motorist Coverage: This insurance will cover you for bodily injury, work compensation, and medical bills if you are in an accident with an uninsured driver. If you’re in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have coverage and you don’t have uninsured motorist coverage, you will have to pay for your own medical bills. |
The minimum uninsured motorist coverage required in Illinois is:
- $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage for each injured person.
- $50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage total per accident.
If you cause an accident and don’t have minimum liability insurance, you will be liable for paying any costs out-of-pocket to the third party, such as medical bills, lost wages, and repairs to their property.
If you’re caught driving without insurance in Illinois, you may be subject to the following penalties:
- A fine ranging from $500 to $1,000.
- A license suspension.
- A license reinstatement fee of $100.
- You may be required to carry SR-22 insurance.
Key Point: Is Minimum Liability Coverage Enough? As the names suggest, minimum liability coverage and minimum uninsured motorist coverage will insure you for the lowest legal amount. While these plans are affordable, they may not provide enough coverage in a real-life scenario. Say, for example, you cause an at-fault accident and total another driver’s car. If their car is worth $30,000, your minimum coverage liability insurance will pay out a maximum of $20,000—leaving you liable to personally pay the outstanding $10,000. |
We looked at the minimum liability rates offered by Illinois insurers and found that these companies offer the cheapest rates:
- Mile Auto with an average rate of $43.40.
- Certainly with an average rate of $67.50.
- Mercury with an average rate of $79.80.
| Provider | Cook County | DuPage County | Lake County | Will County | Kane County | Average |
| Mile Auto | $50.00 | $37.00 | $51.00 | $41.00 | $38.00 | $43.40 |
| Certainly | $82.00 | $66.00 | $63.00 | $59.00 | $67.50 | |
| Mercury | $96.00 | $62.00 | $111.00 | $70.00 | $60.00 | $79.80 |
| GAINSCO | $140.00 | $95.00 | $111.00 | $101.00 | $111.75 | |
| Elephant | $148.00 | $105.00 | $105.00 | $156.00 | $128.50 | |
| Bristol West | $220.00 | $119.00 | $187.00 | $158.00 | $120.00 | $160.80 |
The Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance in Illinois
Remember, uninsured motorist coverage will not pay out if you’re in an accident with an insured driver.
Although liability insurance reimburses third parties for damage you may cause, it doesn’t provide coverage for your own vehicle.
In order to make sure your car is covered for a range of everyday driving scenarios, you will need a full coverage car insurance policy.
Key Point: What Is Full Coverage Car Insurance? Full coverage car insurance is a combination of three types of car insurance policies. It’s called ‘full coverage’ because it provides complete cover, whether your car is stolen, damaged, or if a liability claim is made against you:
If you get comprehensive coverage, collision coverage, and liability insurance, these three policies bundled together are called ‘full coverage car insurance’. |
To help you find the most affordable car insurance rates in Illinois, we compared the full coverage car insurance rates offered by five insurers.
We found that the three cheapest insurers in Illinois are:
- Certainly with average rates of $80.60.
- Mercury with average rates of $101.20.
- Elephant with average rates of $144.60.
| Provider | Cook County | DuPage County | Lake County | Will County | Kane County | Average |
| Certainly | $109.00 | $84.00 | $51.00 | $83.00 | $76.00 | $80.60 |
| Mercury | $109.00 | $73.00 | $170.00 | $83.00 | $71.00 | $101.20 |
| Elephant | $181.00 | $126.00 | $152.00 | $133.00 | $131.00 | $144.60 |
| Bristol West | $232.00 | $158.00 | $245.00 | $177.00 | $159.00 | $194.20 |
| State Auto | $238.00 | $160.00 | $171.00 | $181.00 | $168.00 | $183.60 |
| Travelers | $131.00 | $239.00 | $136.00 | $131.00 | $159.25 |
Cheapest Car Insurance in Illinois for Drivers with Clean Driving Records
Insurance companies consider drivers to be ‘good drivers’ if they have a clean driving record and meet the following criteria:
- They have not been in an at-fault accident.
- They have not been convicted of a major traffic violation.
- They do not have speeding tickets.
- They do not have any reckless driving charges.
- They do not have any DUI charges.
- They have not made a major car insurance claim.
- They do not have poor credit.
If you meet the above criteria, you may be eligible for a good driver discount. Good driver discounts usually range from 10% to 30%, saving you a lot of money on car insurance.
We looked at the various good driver car insurance rates offered by Illinois car insurance companies.
We found that these are the cheapest auto insurance companies for good drivers:
- Mile Auto with average rates of $49.60.
- Certainly with average rates of $75.25.
- Mercury with average rates of $92.40.
| Provider | Cook County | DuPage County | Lake County | Will County | Kane County | Average |
| MileAuto | $61.00 | $43.00 | $51.00 | $48.00 | $45.00 | $49.60 |
| Certainly | $92.00 | $73.00 | $71.00 | $65.00 | $75.25 | |
| Mercury | $103.00 | $68.00 | $148.00 | $77.00 | $66.00 | $92.40 |
| Elephant | $172.00 | $120.00 | $109.00 | $127.00 | $125.00 | $130.60 |
| State Auto | $232.00 | $156.00 | $155.00 | $175.00 | $164.00 | $176.40 |
| Bristol West | $248.00 | $138.00 | $206.00 | $184.00 | $139.00 | $183.00 |
Cheapest Car Insurance in Illinois for High-Risk Drivers
High-risk drivers usually pay higher car insurance rates than good drivers.
Car insurance companies will classify a driver as ‘high-risk’ if they meet these criteria or have the following violations on their driving record:
- An at-fault accident.
- Multiple speeding tickets.
- A DUI charge.
- Carrying SR-22 insurance.
- Having a lapse in insurance coverage.
- Living in a high-risk area.
- Having too many points on their driving record.
- Having poor credit.
While it can be difficult for high-risk drivers to find an affordable car insurance rate, it isn’t impossible.
We looked at the rates offered by Illinois insurance companies to find the best insurance rates for high-risk drivers:
- GAINSCO with average rates of $111.75.
- Mercury with average rates of $215.
- Elephant with average rates of $293.
| Provider | Cook County | DuPage County | Lake County | Will County | Kane County | Average |
| GAINSCO | $140.00 | $95.00 | $111.00 | $101.00 | $111.75 | |
| Mercury | $278.00 | $179.00 | $241.00 | $204.00 | $173.00 | $215.00 |
| Elephant | $356.00 | $230.00 | $293.00 | |||
| Bristol West | $457.00 | $276.00 | $330.00 | $300.00 | $340.75 | |
| Freedom National | $245.00 | $188.00 | $232.00 | $230.00 | $223.75 | |
| Higher coverage | $372.00 | $509.00 | $440.50 |
Cheapest Car Insurance in Illinois for Teen Drivers
A study by the CDC found that drivers aged between 16 to 19 are three times more likely to be involved in a fatal car crash than drivers who are over 20 years old.
Young drivers are, by default, less experienced than older drivers. For this reason, car insurance companies charge teen drivers higher premiums.
To help teen drivers find cheap Illinois car insurance, we compared quotes for a full coverage policy from seven car insurance companies.
Our research shows that these are the cheapest car insurance companies in Illinois for young drivers:
- Mile Auto with average rates of $95.80.
- Certainly with average rates of $139.25.
- Elephant with average rates of $169.33.
| Provider | Cook County | DuPage County | Lake County | Will County | Kane County | Average |
| Mile Auto | $112.00 | $79.00 | $116.00 | $90.00 | $82.00 | $95.80 |
| Certainly | $165.00 | $136.00 | N/A | $133.00 | $123.00 | $139.25 |
| Elephant | N/A | N/A | $137.00 | $187.00 | $184.00 | $169.33 |
| GAINSCO | $298.00 | $200.00 | N/A | $237.00 | $213.00 | $237.00 |
| Bristol West | $394.00 | $262.00 | $288.00 | $293.00 | $264.00 | $300.20 |
| State Auto | $527.00 | $360.00 | $349.00 | $403.00 | $373.00 | $402.40 |
Looking for Cheap Car Insurance in Other States?
If you’re planning to move from Illinois and want to find cheap insurance in another state, read our comprehensive guides to finding the best car insurance rates in 2022.
If you’re moving from Illinois to another state, you will need to find a new car insurance company to cover you in your new state.
Read our articles below to find cheap car insurance quotes across the country.
Finding Cheap Car Insurance in Illinois
Follow Your Lender’s Requirements
Unless you bought your car for cash or have already paid it off, your car is likely to be leased or financed by a lender.
Lenders usually have strict insurance requirements, so make sure you read the fine print.
Almost all lenders will require you to have both comprehensive coverage and collision coverage.
Some dealers won’t even let you drive the car off the lot unless you can prove you meet these requirements.
If your car insurance lapses, your lender will add single-interest insurance to your loan.
Also known as ‘lender insurance’, single-interest insurance protects the lender to cover the loan amount if you default on your monthly payments.
This is more expensive than car insurance, and won’t provide insurance coverage to you if anything happens to your car.
Find Out Whether You’re Eligible for Car Insurance Discounts
Some car insurance companies offer discounts for the following types of drivers:
- Drivers with a clean driving record.
- Drivers who have completed a registered defensive driving course.
- Drivers who pay their full annual premiums upfront.
- Drivers whose cars are equipped with security features like an alarm system, tracking device, or anti-smash windows.
- Drivers who drive less than 10,000 miles annually.
If you think you may qualify for one or more of these discounts, you should get in touch with your insurance agent or car insurance company.
Compare Multiple Quotes
Shopping around for quotes is the best way to ensure you’re getting a good rate on your auto insurance.
While the cost of car insurance is seldom negotiable, you may be able to leverage a lower rate if you can prove another insurer is willing to offer you a better rate for car insurance.
Comparing quotes from multiple insurers can become time-consuming. To save time, go through a licensed insurance agent.
They will speak to insurance companies on your behalf, negotiating the best possible rate and ensuring any discounts you’re eligible for, are applied.
If you don’t have an insurance agent, you can chat with one of our agents to help you find great deals on car insurance in Illinois.
Top Car Insurance Companies in Illinois
1. Mile Auto
If you drive under 10,000 miles per year, you could enjoy significant savings on your car insurance with Mile Auto.
As a per-mile insurer, your rates are based on the number of miles you drive every month.
Mile Auto is currently available in Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
Mile Auto offers the following insurance policies and benefits:
- Full coverage insurance (comprehensive insurance, collision insurance, liability insurance).
- Rental car reimbursement.
- Roadside assistance.
- Personalized deductibles.
- Various coverage limits.
- Storage insurance (coverage for your car when it’s not being driven).
2. Certainly
Certainly offers insurance underwritten by a Fortune 100 company, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, to drivers in Arizona, Illinois, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
They pride themselves on offering affordable, reliable, and 100% online insurance. Certainly doesn’t disclose their phone numbers, so you will need to contact them via online chat, a contact form, or their email.
This is a great option for drivers who prefer to manage their insurance policies virtually, but you may find this frustrating if you prefer to speak to an agent on the phone.
They offer various insurance policies, including:
- Auto insurance.
- Renters insurance.
- Small business insurance.
3. Elephant
Founded in Richmond, Virginia, in 2009, Elephant prides itself on being “big enough to matter but small enough to care”. They’re a subsidiary of Admiral Group, one of the U.K.’s leading insurers.
Elephant is available in eight states: Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
Some of the benefits they offer, include:
- Rental car reimbursement.
- Non-owner car insurance for people who regularly drive a vehicle they don’t own.
- Loan/lease insurance.
- Legal assistance coverage.
- Custom parts and equipment coverage.
- Discounted rates for certain repair and maintenance services.
Car Insurance in Illinois FAQs
Do I need to have car insurance in the state of Illinois?
Yes. All drivers in Illinois must meet the minimum state requirements for liability coverage and uninsured motorist coverage.
In Illinois, the minimum liability insurance coverage requirements are:
- $25,000 in bodily injury coverage for each injured person.
- $50,000 in bodily injury coverage total per accident.
- $20,000 in property damage coverage per accident.
The minimum uninsured motorist coverage required in Illinois is:
- $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage for each injured person.
- $50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage total per accident.
If you’re caught driving without insurance in Illinois, you may be subject to the following penalties:
- A fine ranging from $500 to $1,000.
- A license suspension.
- A license reinstatement fee of $100.
- You may be required to carry SR-22 insurance.
Is car insurance expensive in Illinois?
Drivers in Illinois pay on average $1,394 per year for car insurance—almost 9% less than the national average.
But, just because car insurance is relatively cheap in Illinois, it doesn’t mean you’re necessarily getting the best deal on your auto insurance.
The best way to know whether you’re getting the best auto insurance rates is to compare quotes from multiple insurers.
Which auto insurance company has the cheapest car insurance in Illinois?
According to our research, the cheapest car insurance for each type of driver in Illinois is:
- Good drivers: Mile Auto with average rates of $49.60.
- High-risk drivers: GAINSCO with average rates of $111.75.
- Young drivers: Mile Auto with average rates of $95.80.
How much does car insurance cost in Illinois?
On average, car insurance in Illinois costs $1,394. The total cost of your car insurance will depend on a range of factors unique to you, including:
- Your age.
- Your driving history.
- Which Illinois county you live in.
- The total value of your car.
- Your credit record.
What is the best car insurance in Illinois?
According to our research, these are the best car insurance companies in Illinois:
- Certainly with average rates of $80.60.
- Mercury with average rates of $101.20.
- Elephant with average rates of $144.60.
Getting Cheap Car Insurance In Illinois
Now that you know the minimum requirements for car insurance in Illinois, let’s take a closer look at finding cheap car insurance. It’s easier than you might think. Take a look at some tips for doing so:
1. Start with the minimum: Many factors go into determining insurance rates, but if you start by figuring out how much a basic package will run you, you’ll be better positioned to evaluate all the quotes you receive.
2. Compare lots of insurance firms: There are lots of car insurance providers. Don’t commit to one without doing your research into your options and what they can offer you.
3. Be a defensive driver: One of the best ways to avoid paying through the nose for car insurance is to drive safely. Be on the defense, and you’re less likely to have to pay for the results of offensive driving.
4. Illinois insurance programs: Illinois’ car insurance coverage will look different based on the provider you go with and the programs you need. Again, be smart and do your research.
Illinois Car Insurance Discounts
There are a few different kinds of car insurance discounts available in the state of Illinois. Take a closer look at them below.
- Good Driver: Drivers with a clean record can enjoy discounts on their insurance costs.
- Good Student: Young drivers with good grades can qualify for discounts.
- Customer Loyalty: Some insurance companies reward long-term customers with discounts of up to 10%.
- Continuously Insured: Drivers who have continuously kept car insurance coverage (6 months or longer) qualify for discounts between 5% and 25%.
- Policy Bundling: If you’re insuring multiple vehicles or have different policy types (such as auto and home) from the same company, you could qualify for a discount between 1% to 12%.
- Usage-Based: Certain insurance companies offer discounts between 1% and 30% to drivers who are willing to monitor their driving by a device attached to the car.
- Safety Features: Vehicles with multiple airbags, anti-lock brakes, and similar safety features can qualify for discounts starting at 2% and going up to 30%.
- Anti-Theft Systems: Any anti-theft feature in a vehicle can qualify it for discounts on auto insurance costs (between 5% and 25%).
What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Illinois?
- Even if you can’t find cheap car insurance, you still have to hold a valid auto insurance policy. Illinois has extremely harsh penalties for driving without auto insurance.
- Being unable to provide proof of insurance if you are stopped leads to a mandatory $100 fine. That remains true even if you do have insurance!
- You’ll get a fine for driving without insurance between $500 and $1,000.
- The fine can be reduced significantly if you activate an Illinois auto insurance policy before your court date arrives.
- Your license can be suspended, and there will be a license reinstatement fee of $100.
- Your car insurance premium will go up, typically about $100 per month
What is driving like in Illinois?
Illinois averages about 300,000 car accidents a year, with fatal crashes accounting for less than 1% of these crashes.
The state estimates 11.8% of drivers on the road are uninsured.
How can I save money on my car insurance policy in Illinois?
There are a few ways you can save money on your car insurance policy in Illinois, including:
- Asking about multi-car discounts, for insuring several cars.
- Asking about mature driver and good driver discounts.
- Asking about discounts for airbags, anti-theft devices, or other features.
- Asking about payment installment plans and if there are service fees.
- Asking about higher deductibles for comprehensive and collision coverage.
When do I need to get my license after I’ve moved to Illinois?
Drivers who’ve recently moved to Illinois can use their previous state’s or country’s driver’s license for 90 days. When you apply for an Illinois license, you’ll also need to retake the driving test.
Other Types of Coverage
The three required Illinois car insurance types cover expenses related to injury or death, the other person’s car and other property, and your medical expenses if an uninsured driver is at fault for an accident. To protect your interests further, you may choose to purchase Illinois car insurance over and above these limits.
Here are some additional types of coverage you may want to consider:
Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UMC)/Underinsured Motorist coverage (UIM) Medical Payments
Coverage
Covers medical or funeral expenses for you and your passengers.
Physical Damage Coverage
Includes collision insurance and comprehensive insurance.
Collision Insurance: Covers the cost of repairing or replacing your damaged vehicle.
Comprehensive Insurance: Covers non-accident vehicle damage, such as crime.
Additional Kinds of Coverage
Endorsements and Riders
Towing and road service.
Rental car reimbursement.
Gap insurance.
Cities We Cover In Illinois
Cheap car insurance in Illinois is easier to obtain than you think! You can trust Cheap Insurance to help you handle the particulars and help you compare rates. Check out the cities we serve in the state of Illinois:
- Arlington Heights
- Aurora
- Bloomington
- Bolingbrook
- Champaign
- Chicago
- Cicero
- Decatur
- Elgin
- Evanston
- Joliet
- Naperville
- Peoria
- Rockford
- Schaumburg
- Springfield IL
- Waukegan
