Illinois borders Indiana in the east and the Mississippi River in the west. Known as the “Prairie State,” it’s famous for its forest, rolling hills, farmland, and wetlands. Its largest city, Chicago, is found in the northeast part of the state. But there’s more to Illinois: it was the first state to build a modern McDonald’s, the first state to ratify the 13th amendment abolishing slavery, and it produces more nuclear energy than any other state in the country.
Just moved to Illinois? Then it’s time to start looking for car insurance. And even if you’ve lived in the state for a while, maybe you haven’t really explored your options for cheap car insurance that still covers all your bases. Cheap Insurance can help. Look into getting a free quote with us today.
Quick Illinois Car Insurance Facts
The first step in figuring out which car insurance provider or which car insurance coverage you want to go with starts with understanding the state’s basic requirements. Take a look at some quick Illinois car insurance facts below:
- Average cost for a basic car insurance policy in Illinois is $840 per year.
- Illinois requires Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage for bodily injury at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
- The state is a fault state and follows the 25/50/20 rule for minimum liability coverage.
- Illinois is considered a “fault” state for auto insurance purposes. This means the driver found to be at fault for an accident is responsible for all the liabilities arising from it.
The difference between minimum Illinois car insurance and full car insurance in Illinois can be more than a thousand dollars a year, so it’s a wise idea to look for cheap car insurance Illinois law recognizes. Before you get started comparing rates, learn a little more about what Illinois car insurance you need.
Minimum Illinois Car Insurance Coverage
Illinois is known as a fault state, meaning the driver who causes the accident will cover damages incurred. Minimum liability coverage is known as 25/50/20, which breaks down in the following way:
- Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per vehicle accident
- Property Damage Liability: $20,000
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per vehicle accident
Drivers are expected to carry at least the above-listed when it comes to their auto coverage.
There are three common types of car insurance not legally required in Illinois:
- Medical Payments: Covers medical or funeral expenses for you and your passengers.
- Collision Insurance: Covers the cost of repairing or replacing your damaged vehicle.
- Comprehensive Insurance: Covers non-accident vehicle damage, such as crime.
Cheap insurance in Illinois is easiest to find when you’re looking for basic coverage. To get coverage for different types of events, you will end up paying more each month. Some of the best cheap insurance in Illinois covers a little bit of everything—consider adding some collision insurance to your policy just in case!
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%).
FAQs
Take a look at some frequently asked questions and their answers.
What is the average car insurance cost in Illinois?
The average car insurance rates in Illinois are around $1,480 a year.
How much is car insurance per month in Illinois?
The average Illinois driver pays about $1,400 every year for car insurance. Drivers can save more than $1,000 a year by choosing basic coverage over full coverage.
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: