Illinois Car Insurance
Everything You Need to Know About Auto Insurance in Illinois
Bordered by Wisconsin, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Iowa, and Lake Michigan, Illinois is made up of three distinct regions, ranging from rolling farmland in the Central Plains to forests and rivers in the Shawnee Hills and wetlands in the southern Gulf Coastal region.
Beyond its natural landscapes, Illinois is home to major universities like Northwestern University and the University of Chicago, as well as 33 Fortune 500 companies that support a strong job market. Nearly 13 million people live in the Prairie State, with Chicago standing out as one of the largest cities in the country.
Drivers face heavy congestion in urban areas, especially around Chicago, where expressways, downtown traffic, and one-way streets are common challenges. Seasonal weather also plays a role, as snow, ice, and heavy rain can increase accident risks across the state.
Wherever you drive, do so with the knowledge that you have the best auto insurance in Illinois. You can find it at InsureOne, where expert agents shop around to find first-rate coverage.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Illinois?
You can expect to pay a yearly average of $1,901 for full coverage and $503 for minimum liability car insurance in Illinois. Rates are slightly lower in this state than the national average of $2,014 for full coverage and $622 for the minimum liability coverage.
Policy rates vary from state to state due to a variety of differences, including population density, danger of natural disasters, medical and auto repair costs, the number of uninsured drivers on the road, and the state’s coverage requirements.
What Does It Mean If Illinois Is an At-Fault or No-Fault State?
Drivers found responsible for causing auto crashes in at-fault states are on the hook to pay for the damage. In no-fault states, while property damage is covered based on fault, each driver is responsible for their own medical bills. Whether you live in an at-fault or a no-fault state, insurance steps in to cover costs for damage (up to policy limits).
Illinois is an at-fault state with a modified comparative negligence system — the damage is covered according to your percentage of fault. For example, if driver B turns left in front of driver A, who is speeding, driver A may be determined to share 10% of the fault. In this situation, driver A can collect payment for damages, but the payout may be reduced by 10%.
For more information, ask your agent about Illinois’s at-fault vs. no-fault rules.
Affordable Car Insurance Rates Comparison by Cities in Illinois
Where you live within a state is another factor in how much you pay for coverage. The chart below shows the difference in costs in several cities within the state with varying population totals:
| City | Full Coverage Insurance | Liability Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $198 | $53 |
| Rockford | $175 | $45 |
| Bloomington | $148 | $37 |
| Evanston | $173 | $53 |
| Maywood | $217 | $55 |
| Summit | $197 | $54 |
| Beecher | $166 | $47 |
| Long Lake | $152 | $46 |
We arrive at our average auto policy costs by using a male driver, aged 30, with a clean driving record. Liability insurance coverage is the state‑required minimum. Full coverage is a 100K/300K/100K policy. Your costs will be different and based on your individual factors.
How Bundling Can Save Money in Illinois
If you are shopping for auto insurance but you also need homeowners coverage for your Aurora home, ask your agent about insurance bundling.
This easy path to filling all your coverage requirements means you only have one packet of paperwork and one bill to manage. And buying both from one insurer provides you with as much as 25% off your policies in the form of a multi-policy discount. If you bundle your auto with renters insurance for your apartment in Yorkville or elsewhere in the state, you may save up to 15% off your policies.
Think of InsureOne as a one-stop shop for all your insurance needs — landlord, RV, boat, motorcycle, business owner, and more. Your agent will do all the shopping for you, then build a personalized policy that fits your specific situation.
Auto Insurance Discounts in Illinois
There are a number of other discounts for car insurance in Illinois besides the multi-policy discount. Here are some examples your agent may offer:
- Antitheft devices
- Carpool
- Defensive driver
- Good driver
- Good student
- Low mileage
Your agent can answer all your questions about these discounts and help you with other ways to save, such as adjusting your deductible. If you qualify for several discounts, your agent can compare car insurance quotes in Illinois to get you the most affordable option.
Illinois Car Insurance Laws
Your insurer has answers to questions like, What are the car insurance laws in Illinois? But briefly, Illinois DMV insurance requirements maintain that all drivers must prove financial responsibility in the form of coverage. The following sections provide in-depth coverage of these laws.
What Are the Mandatory Car Insurance Requirements in Illinois?
The state requirements drivers must follow to drive legally are:
- Bodily injury or death liability one person: $25,000
- Bodily injury or death liability for two or more persons in one accident: $50,000
- Property damage liability: $20,000
- Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage (UM): $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
Bodily injury underinsured motorist coverage is also required if you purchase higher limits for your uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage.
The Illinois electronic insurance verification system checks your vehicle at least twice a year to confirm you carry the state’s mandatory coverage. If the system flags you as uninsured, you have the opportunity to provide proof of insurance. Owners unable to verify coverage may have their license suspended and face a $100 reinstatement fee.
What Is the Penalty for Driving Without Insurance in Illinois?
If you are caught driving in the Prairie State without the mandatory auto insurance, you may be fined up to $1,000, have your license plate suspended, and pay a $100 reinstatement fee.
Financial responsibility insurance (SR-22) may be required in certain situations, such as if you have a certain number of convictions for driving uninsured. Your insurer will file your SR-22 insurance with the state on your behalf. The certificate will either cover the motorist operating any vehicle, vehicles owned by the specified driver, or all vehicles owned and non-owned by the driver.
Your agent can help you get affordable auto coverage in Illinois to help you avoid the risk of all these consequences.
What Factors Does Illinois Law Allow in Determining Your Premiums?
Insurers examine your rating factors, then place you in a specific group of drivers to determine your coverage cost. Here are some of those factors:
- Age
- Gender
- Marital status
- Driving record
- Household driver information
- Vehicle age, make, and model
Insurers also review stats in your ZIP code, including theft, accidents, natural disasters, and vandalism.
What Happens If I Damage Property?
Whether you are heading down Meadow Avenue in East Peoria or I-80 in New Lenox, you may find yourself crashing into another vehicle in a moment of distraction or because of icy weather conditions.
This is when your $20,000 in liability property damage coverage picks up the costs (up to your policy limits), but if you crash into a high-end vehicle or cause a multi-car pileup, your costs could exceed your coverage minimums. Some people choose to bump up their coverage amounts to avoid out-of-pocket costs in an at-fault accident.
Keep in mind, too, that your own property damage will be excluded unless you have the appropriate coverage — in this case, collision insurance. Even better, ask your agent about full coverage car insurance in Illinois, which includes comprehensive coverage to protect your car from non-accident-related damage (e.g., theft, fire, natural disasters, etc.).
Driving Conditions in Illinois
Depending on the location and time of year, you may experience temperatures below freezing or highs in the 80s. Temperature fluctuations are common in the state with precipitation distributed throughout the year and fast-moving weather systems known as clippers delivering winter snowfall.
Certain highways are prone to more traffic accidents, such as I-57, with its long stretches of narrow roadway with no gas stations or rest areas. US-45 is another highway with few services through which drivers may continue despite road weariness. Chicago’s Stevenson Expressway has a history of roadway shootings, which can put drivers on edge.
You can view current state road conditions at the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Getting Around Illinois page. It is essential to pay close attention to the road and maintain a safe distance from other drivers, but having the best car insurance can also give you peace of mind as you travel through the state.
How Many Crashes Occur in Illinois?
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics show there were 1,143 fatal motor vehicle crashes in the state in 2023. In the chart below, you can see the number of fatal accidents in a handful of Illinois cities that same year:
| City | Annual Average Number of Fatal Car Crashes |
|---|---|
| Chicago | 159 |
| Rockford | 17 |
| Bloomington | 6 |
| Evanston | 2 |
| Maywood | 2 |
| Summit | 1 |
| Beecher | 0 |
| Long Lake | 0 |
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists in Illinois
According to the Insurance Information Institute, 15.2% of drivers in Illinois had no auto coverage in 2023, ranking it 17th among the 50 states for the number of uninsured drivers.
These numbers express the importance of having the required uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Please note that this coverage is only for bodily injury. You may also want to consider purchasing uninsured motorist property damage coverage, which is not required by the state.
Speak with your insurer about all your auto insurance options in Illinois for maximum protection.
Get the Best Car Insurance in Illinois Today
It is easy to follow Illinois auto insurance laws when you have a trusted agent by your side. You can find that at InsureOne, where expert agents shop around to find you high-quality choices for all your unique insurance needs. We enjoy providing white-glove, concierge service to put together customized policies for you.
If you are ready to have an agent provide you with top-tier service along with time — and cost — savings, contact us to get started in English or in Spanish. You can fill out an online form, stop by your local Illinois office, or call us at (800) 836-2240 to request a quote.
FAQs
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Illinois?
Drivers pay around $1,901 for full coverage and $503 for minimum liability car insurance in Illinois.
What Are the Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Illinois?
Drivers in Illinois must maintain 25/50/20 liability coverage, which means $25,000 in bodily injury or death to one person in one accident or $50,000 for two or more persons in one accident, plus $20,000 for property damage or loss in one accident. The state also requires $25,000 of uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage per person and $50,000 per accident.
Is Illinois an At-Fault or No-Fault State for Car Insurance?
Illinois is an at-fault state, but it uses a system that determines payouts based on your percentage of fault. For example, if you are determined to be 10% at fault for an accident, your payout will be reduced by 10%. This is called a modified comparative negligence system.
What Factors Influence Car Insurance Rates in Illinois?
Insurers examine your personal factors, including your age, gender, and marital status, along with your ZIP code’s statistics (e.g., crime rates) when determining the cost of your policy.