Car insurance in Illinois
Illinois auto insurance laws have changed. Here’s the latest available information regarding car insurance in the state of Illinois. Learn how to evaluate different auto insurance plans to find the lowest possible rates. Auto insurance premiums are relatively low if you live in Illinois.
Illinois Minimum Liability Coverage
Illinois state law requires minimum auto insurance coverage of 25/50/20. In other words, Illinois drivers are required to purchase no less than $25,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, $50,000 worth of insurance to cover injuries to others, and $20,000 coverage to pay for property damage. Deductibles may also apply.
Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Illinois
A recent Insurance Research Council survey found that fifteen percent of Illinois drivers are uninsured. This is somewhat higher than the national average. Statistical reports from Top50States.com indicate a clear correlation between a state’s percentage of uninsured drivers and its rate of traffic-related deaths caused by speeding.
Illinois began imposing stronger penalties in 2012 for drivers convicted of multiple uninsured driving offenses. The Illinois court now imposes a fine of $2,500 in addition to jail time, especially if the uninsured driver causes physical injury to another person, and has two or more prior convictions for similar violations.
Auto Insurance Rates in Illinois
In 2016, the average annual premium for car insurance in Illinois was $1,035, quite a bit lower than the national average annual premium of $1,347 for the same year. At this time, Illinois had the tenth lowest average car insurance rate of all U.S. States.
Low Cost Car Insurance Programs in Illinois
Illinois drivers seem to favor Erie Car Insurance, which offers all kinds of driver discounts. For example, the Anti-Theft Device Discount applies to vehicles with permanently installed devices designed to reduce car theft. The Defensive Driving Course Discount is offered to people 55 and older who take the required course. The Good Driving Discount is for drivers with no moving violations or at-fault accidents over a three year period. The Good Student Discount rewards adult full-time students who achieve high academic standing.
Other available discounts include the Multiple Line Discount for purchasing more than one policy, the Passive Restraint Discount for installed airbags, and the Vehicle Safety Discount for owning certain types of cars. Ask your local insurance agent about your eligibility for discounts on Illinois car insurance. Grab every discount for which you qualify and compare rates.
Obtaining Auto Insurance Quotes in Illinois
Online comparisons and consumer reviews indicate that America’s top auto insurance providers are Allstate, Auto Owners Insurance, The Hartford, State Farm, Geico, and 21st Century Insurance. Many Illinois drivers opt for these big name carriers. However, some prefer local auto insurance companies like Erie Car Insurance or Western National.
No matter which route you take to obtain car insurance, the state of Illinois is home to many auto insurance carriers offering competitive rates. Call any local agent for a quote, or obtain a number of free quotes online. Don’t forget to ask about the discounts.