Illinois Auto Insurance

Auto insurance in Illinois

The law states each vehicle owner must have car insurance, as this type of policy can offer the best possible protection should an accident occur. No matter if the vehicle is used for personal or professional purposes, having insurance is mandatory. Should the driver operate the vehicle without insurance, legal consequences will be enforced. These can include fines of up to $1,000 or the suspension of driving documents, such as the driver's license and vehicle registration. To discover more information on the topic of auto insurance in Illinois, just keep on reading this article.

What type of car insurance do you legally need in Illinois?

According to the Mandatory Liability Insurance Act, all Illinois residents who operate a moving vehicle are obliged to purchase a liability insurance policy. The absence of the mandator insurance will be punished under current laws, with consequences such as the ones mentioned above. It is worth mentioning that drivers cannot drive while their documents are suspended. All states have an online insurance verification system, which can be used to determine whether a vehicle has insurance or not.

For residents to operate vehicles in the state of Illinois, the associated car insurance must comply with several minimum requirements. These include: bodily injury liability ($50,000 per accident and $25,000 per person), property damage liability ($20,000 per accident), uninsured motorist bodily injury ($50,000 per accident and $25,000 per person), uninsured motorist property damage coverage ($15,000 per accident). Full coverage insurance is better than the minimum liability coverage; drivers are encouraged to opt for optional coverages, such as comprehensive and collision insurance. Specialists advise selecting a high coverage limit, above the one required by law in Illinois. In this way, they are protected in the situation of a worst-case scenario.

The sums mentioned above refer to the amount insurance providers are able to pay, should the policy holder be involved in an accident for which he/she was at fault. The law requires that all vehicle owners carry a copy of their insurance policy while driving. It is also clear that driving without insurance is illegal in the state of Illinois; legal fines and the suspension of the driving documents are among the consequences one might have to bear. However, should one continue to drive without insurance, jail time might be enforced.

Average cost of auto insurance in Illinois

How much does car insurance cost in IL? The state minimum auto insurance policy in Illinois has a value of $516. However, a full coverage insurance policy has an average value of $1,394 per year. Collision and comprehensive coverage might not be included in this policy, so you will have to be prepared to pay extra for them. Several factors influence the overall insurance rates, including: marital status, age, gender, location, vehicle, driving record, presence of prior insurance, number of miles driven. The recommendation is to choose an insurance policy with the best coverage, staying away from those that are incredibly cheap.

All vehicle owners should be aware that the average cost of auto insurance differs between states. This is true for both the full and minimum coverage, including when it comes to options, such as comprehensive and collision insurance. Several factors influence these values, such as: number of drivers versus the general population, number of uninsured drivers in the respective location, road conditions, weather-related elements, at-fault accidents, etc.

Illinois has a significantly lower rate for the average car insurance than the national median, which is around $1,770. The states with the most affordable auto insurance policies include: Wisconsin, Maine, Nebraska, Washington, New Mexico, Oregon, North Dakota, and Tennessee. As for the states with the most expensive policies, these include: Pennsylvania, New York, Nevada, Michigan, Louisiana, Florida, Colorado, and California. Maine is the most affordable state, with $876 for the full coverage and $227 for the minimum one. The state with the highest rates is New York, with $2,996 for the full coverage and $1,339 for the minimum one.

Within the state of Illinois, there are also differences between the various cities. Naperville has among the most affordable rates, while Chicago is the most expensive. The average annual premiums in major cities are as follows: Naperville - $1,431; Aurora - $1,463; Rockford - $1,504; Joliet - $1,573; Chicago - $2,171.

The value of the auto insurance depends on several factors, including the age of the driver. Young drivers should always expect to pay more for their auto insurance, as providers see them as immature and thus less responsible. The annual premium for a teenage driver is around $7,700, while a middle-aged drivers might expect a premium that is around $2,000. There are also gender-related differences, with men benefitting from better rates on their insurance policies. Married couples will also receive more affordable coverages, as opposed to those who are divorced, widowed, or single.

Aside from age, car insurance companies might also analyze the driver's credit history. Someone with exceptional credit will end up saving money on his/her car insurance premiums, while a driver with a poor credit history will struggle to cover the high rates. A history of prior driving offenses, such as reckless driving, speeding, at-fault accidents, and DUI/DWI, will lead to significantly higher rates. The type of coverage will influence the overall value of the auto insurance policy. Last, but not least, it is worth mentioning that vehicle owners can "enrich" the state minimum policy with comprehensive and collision coverage, thus benefitting from added protection.

Did not find your city or county on the list? Please use our auto insurance companies search box at the top to locate all the best auto insurance quotes in Illinois. Find car insurance in Illinois by city, zip code or county name.

Finding the right auto insurance in Illinois

Are you having a hard time discovering the best insurance policy for your needs and budget? If your answer is yes, then perhaps you might benefit from our expert assistance. With years of experience and knowledge accumulated in the field, we are able to match vehicle owners with the right policies. Just give us a call and we will offer all the support you might need. Keep in mind that this service is completely free, and it will save you from hours of research. We are also happy to discuss additional details about auto insurance, should that be desired.