Drivers in Illinois pay an average of $995.55 annually or $83 monthly for car insurance coverage, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). The state comes in 16% below the national average, which is $1,190 per year.
You may or may not pay a price in that ballpark because different factors like your car, age and driving record affect your rate. Plus, the NAIC’s state average includes policies with state minimum coverage alongside those with added coverage like comprehensive and collision.
Illinois car insurance quick facts
Minimum liability requirements
25/50/20
Average annual car insurance cost according to the NAIC
$995.55
At-fault state
In at-fault states, the driver who caused the accidents pays for damages.
State minimum car insurance requirements in Illinois
Illinois minimum car insurance requirements are 25/50/20. These numbers talk about the amount of liability coverage you have to carry in case you cause an accident. The state also requires you to carry uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
Let’s break down exactly what’s covered when you add this coverage to your policy.
Bodily injury liability: 25/50
$25,000 for injuries to one person
$50,000 for injuries to multiple people per accident
This coverage kicks in for medical bills or legal expenses if you cause injuries to other drivers, passengers or pedestrians in an accident.
Property damage liability: 20
$20,000 to pay for car or property damage that you cause
Property damage liability covers damage that you cause to another person’s car or personal property like a phone, car seat or property fencing.
You’ll see a similar amount of coverage in other states, although many require less for property damage.
$25,000 for injuries to one person, either you or your passenger
$50,000 for injuries to multiple people by an uninsured driver
Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage covers you if you’re involved in an accident with a driver who can’t pay for your damage.
Illinois requires this coverage, but it’s included automatically when you buy bodily injury liability coverage.
Optional coverage that we recommend in Illinois
Illinois car insurance requirements may stay on par with other states, but that doesn’t mean you’re fully protected against most car accidents. For example, if you’re hit by an underinsured driver, state minimum coverage won’t pay for your car’s damage if the driver can’t pay.
To avoid paying out of pocket for some damage, consider raising your liability limits and adding optional coverage, based on your budget and driving needs.
Helps you recover from several types of noncollision damage, including theft, vandalism or weather damage
It’s required for your car loan.
You can’t repair or replace your car out of pocket.
Your area has a high risk of theft or serious storms.
Pays for your or your passengers’ medical bills, lost income or home services if you get injured. Also, kicks in no matter who’s at fault.
You don’t have health insurance or have a high deductible.
You want peace of mind that your medical bills are covered.
You want coverage for lost income.
Cheapest rates by age in Illinois
Again, Allstate’s prices jump far below other companies for young drivers under age 35. However, all other ages should try Geico for the cheapest prices.
Age
Allstate
Progressive
Geico
USAA
16-24
$126.38
$186.82
$189.17
$188.57
25-34
$122.44
$130.37
$131.42
$150.76
35-44
$114.49
$113.40
$112.97
$127.10
45-54
$115.45
$120.42
$112.88
$98.87
55-64
$105.77
$103.81
$94.29
–
Cheapest rates by gender in Illinois
Car insurance costs between men and women stay similar overall. However, you’ll see widely different rates based on the company. Both men and women may want a quote from Allstate to find out if it gives you the best value.
Company
Allstate
Progressive
Geico
USAA
Men
$114.96
$131.32
$131.02
$146.11
Women
$118.85
$124.97
$133.63
$148.34
Sample rates in Illinois from major car insurance companies
Major brands might charge car insurance premiums well above what’s average for Illinois. You could go with Allstate and join its Allstate Drivewise or rewards program to save even further. Drivewise offers a discount for safe driving if you’re okay with letting Allstate track your driving.
Company
Allstate
Progressive
Geico
USAA
Rate
$116.90
$127.85
$132.32
$147.39
Best car insurance for Illinois
In Illinois, you get a diversity of car insurance choices that work best based on your needs. Our experts cut through the noise of all the options by vetting companies for you. See which company fits your ideal for car insurance.
We considered popular companies in the area and looked at their coverage, discounts and extra features like local agents. We also considered their ratings with the Better Business Bureau, J.D. Power, Trustpilot and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
If balancing cost and coverage is your main concern, Progressive offers the best of both worlds. As one of the largest US insurers, it has the ability to give competitive rates.
Yet you won't go without extras like rideshare coverage or gap insurance that pays up to 25% more than your car's actual value. Use Progressive's pricing tool to see how much coverage you can buy at a price that fits your budget.
Pros
Competitive rates for many drivers
Extras include gap, rideshare and custom equipment coverage
Save 30%+ for safe driving and claim-free history
Pricing tool helps you buy within your budget
Cons
Slow to respond to complaints
Must be a 5-year customer to qualify for accident forgiveness
Allstate Milewise is one of the few pay-per-mile policies available, and it's a solid option if you're looking to save on your car insurance bill for driving less. Milewise charges a flat monthly fee plus a few pennies for every mile you drive.
You could save 20% if you drive 10,000 miles per year or up to 66% if you drive 2,000 miles a year. As the cherry on top, your policy is backed by one of the largest US car insurance companies, so you can trust its claims service.
Pros
Save 20 to 66% if you drive under 10,000 miles / year
Plugin device doesn't use your phone battery
True pay-as-you-go policy, charging your account daily
Trusted brand as one of the largest car insurers
Cons
Some app features are finicky, according to customers
Must use a plugin device to track driving
Not all vehicles are compatible with the plugin device
Country Financial's service proves its value in Illinois. The company keeps high customer satisfaction in the North Central US, according to J.D. Power.
Compared with national companies, it also gets a below-average number of complaints filed with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). You'll get the best rate with Country Financial by bundling multiple insurance policies in the same place.
Pros
Personalized support through 2,000 local representatives
No. 3 for customer satisfaction by J.D. Power in this region
Up to 25% off for bundling policies
Few NAIC customer complaints, a hard achievement
Cons
May upsell you on other financial products
Some reviewers say that it has a rough claims process
This regional company consistently gets high marks for customer satisfaction in J.D. Power's auto insurance study. You can get in touch with a local agent for all your insurance questions, or get a quote and manage your policy online.
You also won't miss out on coverage options like gap insurance that some local companies don't offer. With its long list of available discounts, you're bound to save on your car insurance bill, especially if you're a safe driver or need multiple policies.
Pros
Personalized service through local agents
20%+ discounts for safe driving and bundling policies
Variety of coverage options, including rideshare or gap coverage
7 factors that affect car insurance rates in Illinois
Factors are characteristics specific to you that car insurance companies use to set how much you’ll pay for car insurance. The less risky each of your factors is the less you pay, the riskier you are the more you’ll pay. We’ll break down Illinoisan’s rating factors to keep in mind.
Factor
How it affects your rates
Age
How old you are is a top factor in determining your car insurance rates. With each passing year, you earn more experience on the road. More experience can equal cheaper rates. Teen drivers pay the most, but rates begin to level off around your 20’s with drivers over 50 paying the least.
Gender
Illinois takes gender into account when determining your rates. Our analysis of Quadrant data found that men under 18 pay 17% more for car insurance compared to women of the same age. But, between 31 and 45, women see rates 5% higher than men. After 45, rates differ between men and women by only 1%, with women on the higher end.
Location
Where you live affects your rates, including where you park your car. High theft rates, high traffic and a high number of uninsured drivers could mean higher rates.
Illinois vehicle theft rates stand at 169.5 vehicle thefts per 100,000 inhabitants, according to the FBI’s most recent report on vehicle theft rates. That’s well below the national average of 246 vehicle thefts per 100,000 inhabitants.
As for uninsured drivers, 11.8% of Illinoisans on the road are uninsured. That’s less than average for the percent of uninsured drivers in a state according to Insurance Information Institute, with the national average standing at 12.6%.
Vehicle and mileage
Your car’s make, model and trim directly affect how much you’ll pay for car insurance. Things like its cost, safety ratings, the likelihood of theft and sportiness all help insurers determine its cost to insure.
Safer and cheaper vehicles score the lowest rates, with luxury vehicles with higher repair costs resulting in higher premiums.
And, the more you’re on the road, the more at-risk you are to get in an accident, which means higher premiums. However, according to the Bureau of Transportation, Illinoisans drive an average of 34 miles per day, that’s below the average across the US of 36.1 miles per day.
Credit score
Your credit score is included in your credit-based insurance score which insurers use to help calculate rates. According to the Insurance Information Institute, there is a strong correlation between your insurance score and claims filings. A good credit-based insurance score could mean lower rates.
Illinois drivers have protections under state laws that regulate the use of your credit history when issuing car insurance policies. Credit score can’t be the only factor used to determine your rates.
Coverage
The more coverage you get and the higher limits you choose, the more protection you’ll have and the more you’ll pay in monthly premiums. And, if you opt for full coverage car insurance that includes comprehensive and collision, the amount of your deductible weighs into your costs too, higher deductibles mean lower monthly premiums.
Driving Record
The better your driving record, the lower your premium. If you’re in an at-fault accident you could see rates increases from 20% to 50%. And DUI’s in Illinois can increase your rate by around 70%. These types of violations typically stay on your record for about three years.
Driving Record
The better your driving record, the lower your premium. If you’re in an at-fault accident you could see rates increases from 20% to 50%. And DUI’s in Illinois can increase your rate by around 70%. These types of violations typically stay on your record for about three years.
Do I need SR-22 insurance in Illinois?
Drivers that are convicted of serious driving violations may be required to file an SR-22, which is a certificate that proves they have the minimum insurance requirements of their state in order to get their license back. In Illinois, the SOS notifies you if you’re mandated to file an SR-22, which can happen if you’re convicted of three or more insurance violations, your license is revoked or suspended, or you’re under mandatory insurance supervision. Illinois typically requires that you maintain it for three years. Learn more about SR-22s in Illinois.
Top 10 auto insurance companies in USA that serve Illinois
See the top insurers by market share nationally that serve in Illinois, according to S&P Global. To help you decide on the right insurer for you, we list each company’s ratings from top rating agencies, including:
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating scores how a business interacts with its customers, rating insurers as high as A++.
J.D. Power scores companies based on customer satisfaction with their price, billing, claims and customer support. The agency scores out of 1,000 points.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint index shows how a company’s number of complaints compares to similar companies. Scores lower than 1.00 show that the company sees fewer than the average number of complaints. Scores above 1.00 show more complaints than average.
Our Finder score rates companies based on their coverage, discounts as well as the BBB, J.D. Power and NAIC ratings.
To get these quotes, we compared rates for the same driver profile averaged across all Illinois ZIP codes:
Male driver
26 to 30 years old
Married
Good credit
2017 Toyota Camry LE
State minimum requirements
$15,000/$30,000 liability
$15,000 property damage
Which city has the cheapest car insurance in Illinois?
Of Illinois’s largest cities, Waukegan has the cheapest rates and Chicago has the most expensive car insurance rates. Chicago drivers could face rates three times more than Waukegan drivers.
Car insurance quotes in Chicago
Company
Annual car insurance rate
Allstate
$3716
American Family
$2170
Farmers
$2134
Metromile
$2524
Esurance
$2318
Full coverage
Sedan
Good credit
Married
Male driver
Age 35
Car insurance quotes in Cicero
Company
Annual car insurance rate
Allstate
$3357
American Family
$2008
Farmers
$1966
Metromile
$2079
Esurance
$2086
Full coverage
Sedan
Good credit
Married
Male driver
Age 35
Car insurance quotes in Waukegan
Company
Annual car insurance rate
Allstate
$2668
American Family
$1560
Farmers
$1645
Metromile
$1333
Esurance
$1600
Full coverage
Sedan
Good credit
Married
Male driver
Age 35
Car insurance quotes in Des Plaines
Company
Annual car insurance rate
Allstate
$3024
American Family
$1889
Farmers
$1806
Metromile
$1745
Esurance
$1945
Full coverage
Sedan
Good credit
Married
Male driver
Age 35
Car insurance quotes in Mount Prospect
Company
Annual car insurance rate
Allstate
$2943
American Family
$1613
Farmers
$1675
Metromile
$1517
Esurance
$1838
Full coverage
Sedan
Good credit
Married
Male driver
Age 35
Compare car insurance providers in Illinois
Illinois car insurance and driving laws
Know these laws to stay legal and safe on the road and to understand how your liability coverage works in Illinois.
The driver at fault pays for damage after an accident
Illinois is an at-fault state, which means that the driver responsible for the car accident pays for the damage. Your insurance company and legal authorities will figure out who’s at fault, based on the exact circumstances.
However, Illinois also factors in whether both drivers are partially at fault under a modified comparative fault law, according to the legal website Nolo. Under this law, both drivers are given a percentage of fault. Drivers who are less than 50% at fault can get reimbursed for damage caused by other drivers.
For example, if you’re 80% responsible for an accident, your insurance will pay 80% of the other driver’s damages. However, since you’re over 50% at fault, the other driver isn’t required to pay for your damages, even though they’re 20% at fault.
Distracted driving is a major offense in Illinois
Having a phone in your hand while you’re driving is illegal in Illinois, and only drivers age 19 and older can use hands-free devices with their phones. For violations, Illinois law can charge fines of $75–$150 per offense with the possibility of a license suspension after several offenses.
However, if someone gets injured, you can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor with fines up to $2,500. If someone dies because of your distracted driving, you can be charged with a Class 4 felony, sentencing you to one to three years in prison and fines up to $25,000.
Illinois offers help for high-risk drivers
If you can’t qualify for car insurance on your own, the state offers the Illinois Automobile Insurance Plan. The ILAIP assigns you to an insurance company from a pool of companies that share the risk of high-risk drivers in the state. If you need one of these plans, you can call 888-706-6100 on Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm, Central Time.
Newcomers have 30 days to register cars in Illinois
You’ll need to register your vehicle at the nearest Secretary of State Driver Service center within 30 days. When registering, bring your vehicle’s out-of-state title and registration, proof of insurance and vehicle inspection certificate if you need one. If you have questions, you can call 800-252-8980 for additional information.
By 2030, Illinois plans to have 1 million electric vehicles on its roads
On September 15, 2021, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. The act sets a goal of 100% clean energy in the state by 2050, according to The National Law Review. To achieve that goal, the legislation outlines smaller steps, including getting 1 million electric vehicles on Illinois roads by 2030. It also pushes the Illinois Power Agency to fund clean energy projects each year to get alternative energy sources running, such as solar, wind and nuclear energy.
Bottom line
To drive in Illinois, you’ll need to purchase both liability insurance and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to remain legal or face fines, suspensions and a possible jail stint.
To get the best coverage for your needs, carefully research your car insurance options when driving in Illinois. And to learn more about car insurance in general, from the laws in different states to where you can find the best rates and discounts, visit our comprehensive guide to car insurance coverage.
Sarah George is a personal finance writer at Finder who’s spent the last four years wielding her digital pen on all things banking and insurance. Her know-how has been featured in such publications as CBS, CNET and Reviews.com, and she was a panelist in Finder’s 2020 money-saving webinar. Sarah earned an English education degree and is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance.
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