Illinois drivers pay about 21 percent less than the national average for comprehensive coverage and auto liability insurance. That breaks down to $1,532 per year for car insurance with full coverage vs. $1,897 nationally. For liability insurance only that meets the state’s minimum coverage requirements, Illinois residents pay $421 a year versus $503 for the U.S.

Of course, these rates are only averages. Your Inniois car insurance premium will be different.

“Auto insurance premiums are determined by a variety of personal, vehicle and external factors that insurers use to assess risk,” said Kristine Pokrandt, an agent at Goosehead Insurance in Highwood, Illinois.

“Each factor can either increase or decrease the premium rate, depending on how it affects the perceived likelihood of an accident or claim. Understanding these factors can help drivers make informed decisions about their coverage and potentially lower their insurance costs,” she said.

In this guide, we’ll explain the most important things you should know about car insurance in Illinois, including average costs by company, coverage requirements, and tips for saving money on your coverage. of insurance.

Key highlights

• The average cost of car insurance in Illinois is about 21% cheaper than the US average.
• Illinois drivers must have at least liability insurance with coverage limits of at least 25/50/20.
• Auto Club Group (AAA) has the cheapest average car insurance rate at $979 annually. That’s more than $500 less than the state average.
• Allstate has the most expensive average rate at $2,742, more than $1,000 above the state average.

Understanding Illinois Car Insurance Requirements

Drivers must transport liability insurance with minimum 25/50/25 coverage limits to register their vehicles and drive legally. Here are the minimum requirements in the state:

• $25,000 in personal injury liability coverage
• $50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident
• $20,000 in property damage liability coverage per accident

These coverage amounts are unlikely to be sufficient if you are involved in a serious at-fault accident. Experts recommend liability insurance of 100/300/100.

“When it comes to liability insurance, it’s what protects your livelihood. While the state may require only $25,000 in personal injury coverage per person, it might cost only $15-$20 more per month to provide $250,000 in coverage. In the event of a catastrophic accident, if your policy limit doesn’t cover someone’s injuries, you’re on the hook for the difference,” says Pokrandt.

Note that liability insurance does not cover the cost of medical care for injuries you or your passengers may suffer in the event of an at-fault accident. Other forms of car insurance may cover these costs, such as personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payments (MedPay) or through health insurance.

Compared to the US as a whole, Illinois has generally cheaper auto insurance rates, from state liability insurance to comprehensive coverage.

The average annual cost of state minimum auto insurance in Illinois is $421, which is lower than the US average of $503. If you choose coverage limits higher than 50/100/50, you’ll pay an average of $471 per year versus the national average of $649 per year. For full coverage auto insurance with 100/300/100 limits and $500 deductibles, the Illinois average is $1,532, which is significantly lower than the US average of $1,897.

The rates below were collected from car insurance comparison site CarInsurance.com for male and female single drivers in their 40s of a 2023 Honda Accord LX with good credit and no violations in their file for full coverage insurance policy with 100/300/100 liability limits and $500 full and collision deductibles.

One of the easiest ways to lower your car insurance premium is to take advantage of it common discountssuch as pooling policies, maintaining a clean driving record, driving a safe vehicle and low mileage discounts.

“Illinois drivers have several options to save on auto insurance by taking advantage of discounts, adjusting coverage limits and improving personal factors that affect premiums,” says Pokrandt

You can also lower your car insurance premium by shopping around and comparing quotes from multiple insurers every six to 12 months or before you renew your current policy. Comparing is the best way to find the cheapest car insurance policy for your needs. coverage and the individual situation.

Illinois auto insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the insurance company that underwrites your policy.

Our research shows that Auto Club Group (ACG), a AAA company, has the cheapest auto insurance in Illinois with an average rate of $979 per year or $82 per month for full coverage. travel is another inexpensive option, with full coverage rates 27% below the state average: $1,119 annually or $93 per month.

Allstatewhich is one of the largest auto insurance carriers in the country, is the most expensive company in Illinois, according to our rate data. Allstate’s average full coverage premium is $2,742 per year or $228 per month, nearly 80% higher than the state average.

To give you a better idea of ​​what you might pay for coverage in the Land of Lincoln, consider the following average car insurance rates in Illinois:

The city you live in also determines what you’ll pay for car insurance; rates may vary between zip codes.

Chicago is the most expensive city in Illinois for auto insurance, with an average annual rate of $1,930 for full coverage. The suburban cities of Joliet ($1,574) and Waukegan ($1,564) have the second and third highest rates.

The cheapest city for car insurance in Illinois is Champaign, with an average rate of $1,367 per year. Naperville ($1,429) and Aurora ($1,476) also have below-average rates.

Illinois drivers can save money on auto insurance in many ways. First, ask your insurance agent or representative about common discounts you may qualify for, such as bundling your policies, taking a defensive driving course, insuring multiple vehicles, no previous insurance claims, and maintaining a clean driving record. We also recommend considering a safe driver program that monitors your driving habits in exchange for potentially lower rates if your carrier provides this.

Remember to shop around every six to 12 months or before your policy renews to ensure you’re still getting the best possible rate.

No, Illinois is not a no-fault state. It is a delinquent state.

“Illinois follows an auto insurance system, which means the driver responsible for causing an accident is liable for any resulting damages,” says Pokrandt. “This differs from no-fault states, where each party’s insurance typically covers their own (injury-related) losses, regardless of who caused the accident.”

Under this system, a driver who causes an accident is responsible for covering the other party’s medical expenses and property damage. Injured drivers can file a claim with their insurance company or the at-fault driver’s carrier to obtain additional compensation.

Editors collected rate information from car insurance comparison site CarInsurance.com for single male and female 40-year-old drivers of a 2023 Honda Accord LX with good credit and no violations on their record for the full coverage insurance policy with 100/ 300/100 liability limits and a $500 collision and global deductible.

In addition, we also calculated rates for the same hypothetical drivers, but with one or more of the following on their record: speeding ticket, at-fault accident, DUI/DWI, poor credit history, or a lack of coverage.

We analyzed over 53 million quotes, over 34,000 zip codes and 170 insurance companies nationwide.

Note: 100/300/100 means up to $100,000 for medical bills of those you injure, up to $300,000 per accident for personal injury liability for all people injured in a single accident, and $100,000 for other drivers’ car repairs and the goods you damage.