Cheap Illinois Car Insurance

Across the Prairie State, there are 292,789 miles of road just waiting to be driven. We’ll get you prepped, then you take the wheel.

Cheap Car Insurance

Cheap Insurance for Good Drivers in Illinois

Drivers with good driving records typically enjoy lower car insurance costs than drivers with histories of speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, or DUI citations. Illinois drivers without a recent at-fault accident save 32% on their car insurance, on average — on pace with the national average. In addition to earning a cheaper premium for driving incident-free, you may qualify for a safe-driving bonus through your car insurance company. The amount of these discounts may vary, but they typically run between 5 and 10%.

Cheap Insurance for Young Drivers in Illinois

Young drivers (those between the ages of 16 and 25) pay extraordinarily high auto insurance rates, with those aged 16-19 paying the most expensive premiums of all. Because of the risk presented by inexperienced drivers, teens pay more than three times the national average for car insurance. In Illinois, the typical teen driver pays $4,669 per year — a bit cheaper than average for teen drivers nationwide — but four times times more than the rate for all Illinois drivers.

Cheap Car Insurance for Bad Drivers in Illinois

If you have no at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, or DUIs, you can save money on car insurance. As insurance companies use your driving record as a way to predict the level of risk you present, keeping your driving record clean will lead to lower premiums. It's especially important to avoid DUI citations in Illinois, where insurers penalize drivers with an average rate hike of 53% after a DUI. Illinois' other post-incident premiums align with national averages (16% for speeding infractions and 32% after an at-fault accident).

What are the Best Car Insurance Companies in Illinois?

Every car insurance company plays up its low costs. But as with any product, the most affordable car insurance isn't always the finest option. Considering the stakes, it's worthwhile to do your due diligence to find a policy that insures your vehicle completely after an accident. Consider doing research to discover the best value, rather than settling for the most affordable auto insurance in Illinois.

Review top auto insurers' financial strength and claims satisfaction levels to better understand the level of service they'll provide. Claims satisfaction — assigned by J.D. Power — is ranked on a scale of 2 to 5, with 5 being "among the best" and 2 being "the rest." Financial strength — calculated by A.M. Best and running from "Poor" to "Superior" — assesses an insurer's financial strength and ability to satisfy its contractual and policy obligations.

What is the Best Car Insurance Coverage in Illinois?

The minimum allowed insurance in Illinois is $25,000 Bodily Injury per person, $50,000 Bodily Injury per accident, and $20,000 Property Damage per accident.

For the minimum required coverage in Illinois, you'll owe an average of $484 annually. This cost is cheaper than the U.S. average by 26%. If you opt for more comprehensive coverage, you can choose a policy with comprehensive and collision coverage, which will protect against damages incurred by car-versus-car collisions, theft, or weather incidents. Better auto insurance comes at a cost: in Illinois, a comprehensive policy with a $1,000 deductible costs $997, 106% more than liability-only coverage. For comprehensive insurance coverage with a $500 deductible, you can expect to pay 131% more than you would for a basic liability-only policy.

Examine average premiums for basic and comprehensive coverage tiers below.

Car Insurance Laws

State minimum insurance requirements in Illinois

In Illinois, the state minimum coverage requirements are as follows:

Liability

• Bodily Injury $25,000 per person
• Bodily Injury $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage $20,000 per accident

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist

• Bodily Injury $25,000 per person
• Bodily Injury $50,000 per accident

Optional coverage in Illinois (varies by carrier):

• Comprehensive
• Collision
• Loan/Lease Payoff
• Medical and Funeral Services
• Rental Car Reimbursement
• Roadside Assistance
• Uninsured Motorist Property Damage

Liability coverage is legally required in Illinois and pays for injury and lost wages that you cause to another driver or their passengers as well as damage to the other driver’s vehicle in the event that you are considered “at fault” in an accident. The coverage limits are determined by each individual state and normally split into three categories. In Illinois, the minimum is listed as 25/50/20 and explained below:

• $25,000 bodily injury coverage per person. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for a single person that you injure in an auto accident.
• $50,000 bodily injury coverage per accident. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for all injuries that you cause in an accident if more than one person is hurt.
• $20,000 property damage per accident. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for damage that you cause in an accident.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is legally required in Illinois and pays for injury and lost wages that you or your passengers may suffer in the event that you are hit by an uninsured/underinsured driver who is at fault. The coverage limits are determined by each individual state and normally split into two categories. In Illinois, the minimum is listed as 25/50 and explained below:

• $25,000 bodily injury coverage per person. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for a single person injured in your vehicle by an uninsured/underinsured driver.
• $50,000 bodily injury coverage per accident. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for all injuries in your vehicle by an uninsured/underinsured driver if more than one person is hurt.
• These numbers reflect the minimum limits required in Illinois but higher coverage amounts are available with most companies.

Illinois Auto Insurance FAQs

Is Illinois a no-fault state for car insurance?

No. Illinois is an at-fault state. You are responsible for any damage you cause to another vehicle. Fault can only be determined by an insurance adjuster.

What is the fine for driving without car insurance in Illinois?

While the amount may vary, generally you should expect a fine and to have your license suspended if you're found guilty of driving without insurance. The fine can range from $500 to $1,000, and the fee for having your license suspended hovers around $1,000.

Do teenage drivers in Illinois need auto insurance?

Age does not change the fact that car insurance is required in Illinois. If you are driving a vehicle — licensed or not — you need to have car insurance.

Illinois Driving Laws

Illinois Texting and Driving Laws

• Hand-held cell phones banned
• Cell phones for school bus drivers and novice drivers (<19 years) banned
• Text messaging banned for all drivers

Illinois DUI Laws

In Illinois, a driver's first and second DUI convictions are considered misdemeanors. Their third and subsequent DUIs are felony offenses. A DUI may also be deemed a felony if it’s committed while transporting passengers for hire, the violator does not have a license or insurance, or if an incident results in injury or death. Penalties are also increased for violators whose BAC is 0.16% or higher or if transporting a child under 16 years old. There is a lifetime lookback period in Illinois, so subsequent DUI offenses are much more severe.

First-time DUI offenses in Illinois lead to:

• Up to one year in jail
• Up to $2,500 in fines
• License revocation for one year
• Community service requirement
• Attendance in a drug and alcohol program
• Vehicle registration revocation

When Are You Speeding In Illinois?

Drivers are speeding in Illinois when their vehicle exceeds a reasonable or proper speed in relation to traffic conditions or the roadway or travels at a speed that endangers people or property.

What Constitutes Reckless Driving in Illinois?

Reckless driving in Illinois occurs when a driver operates a vehicle with a “willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.” Driving a vehicle and using an incline in a roadway to cause the vehicle to become airborne also constitutes reckless driving in Illinois.

Illinois Distracted Driving Laws

Illinois prohibits the use of handheld wireless devices, such as cell phones, while driving. Drivers are also prohibited from using headsets while driving, but are allowed to use single-sided headsets or earpieces. Drivers who are age 19 or older are allowed to use hands-free devices and Bluetooth.

Distracted driving in Illinois may also be caused by:

• Grooming
• Reading or writing
• Changing the radio settings
• Adjusting seat positions
• Changing the temperature
• Eating, drinking, or smoking
• Talking to passengers
• Cleaning the car while driving

Racing Prohibitions in Illinois

It is illegal to take part in or allow your vehicle to take part in racing in Illinois. Racing and street racing in Illinois is defined as the:

• Operation of two or more vehicles from a point side-by-side at accelerating speeds in a competitive attempt to outdistance each other
• Operation of one or more vehicles over a common selected course, each starting at the same point, for the purpose of comparing the relative speeds or power of acceleration of such vehicle or vehicles within a certain distance or time limit
• Use of one or more vehicles in an attempt to outgain or outdistance another vehicle
• Use of one or more vehicles to prevent another vehicle from passing
• Use of one or more vehicles to arrive at a given destination ahead of another vehicle or vehicles
• Use of one or more vehicles to test the physical stamina or endurance of drivers over long-distance driving routes

At-Fault Accidents in IL

Illinois is a fault-based state when assigning fault after an accident. To determine fault, Illinois uses a “comparative fault” rule, which means both parties may share some degree of fault for an accident. A party whose share of fault is less than 50 percent may be entitled to compensation equal to the percent for which they are not at fault for the accident.