Best Cheap Car Insurance in Illinois for 2022

The wild, wild west of fun is also the driest state in the country. Illinois is a state of extremes, but one thing’s for sure, it doesn’t take any chances in keeping drivers safe. So before driving in Illinois, be sure to put down that blackjack guide down long enough to soak in this critical information about the state’s auto insurance requirements.

Looking for an Illinois auto insurance quote? You’ve come to the right place.

Illinois Car Insurance Requirements

When driving in Illinois, you need to maintain body injury liability insurance of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, as well as $50,000 for property damage. (If you’re a business or individual who owns a fleet of 10 vehicles or more in Illinois, you may also consider self-insurance).

While auto insurance policies for Illinois drivers mandate uninsured motorist coverage for $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident – in the event that the driver at fault is uninsured – motorists may choose to reject this provision. 

Finally, Illinois does not require collision insurance or comprehensive coverage, but you may opt for these policies to protect your financial exposure in case minimum insurance requirements are not enough to cover potential medical payments and other damages.

Remember: Having car insurance is important, but carrying proof of insurance on you at all times is also imperative. You may be cited if you fail to show an insurance ID card or another form of proof.

Illinois introduces another little wrinkle into its auto insurance requirements that all drivers need to heed: Illinois’ LIVE verification of liability insurance, a program that will check in with insurance providers to verify that drivers’ policies are still valid. In addition to having insurance, and keeping proof on hand that you have a policy meeting Illinois’s minimum requirements, drivers also need to ensure their coverage is accurately reflected on the LIVE website. This means making sure the name on your registration and insurance are an exact match.

This online reference is updated automatically by the state and your insurance provider, and more often than not, there is nothing you need to do and no reason to be concerned. But we recommend logging in to the portal to make sure all the information is correct by visiting Illinois LIVE, submitting a Registration and Insurance Registration Status Inquiry, and entering the required license plate and VIN info.

Illinois Car Insurance Penalties

Because of the Illinois LIVE program, it’s easier to get busted for driving without at least the minimum required coverage levels than in many other states. And the penalties for driving without car insurance can be stiff, ranging from a small fine to the suspension of your license or up to $1,750 in combined fines and fees for a third offense.

Finally, any Illinois drivers who have a lapse in car insurance for 91 days or more need to maintain an SR22 for three years.

To find out more about the car insurance requirements for Illinois drivers, you can visit Illinois’s Department of Motor Vehicles.

Cheapest Car Insurance for Teen Drivers in Illinois

Every parent knows the challenge of finding affordable car insurance for the teen drivers in their household. Since teen drivers are new on the road and lack experience, insurance companies view them as high-risk drivers. This makes it harder to find cheap car insurance for this group. 

However, companies are offering affordable insurance policies for teen drivers in Illinois.

American Alliance is the cheapest car insurance company for Illinois teens, with average rates at $134/mo for liability insurance. Clearcover is right behind them with an average monthly premium of $135/mo. Other affordable options include Miles Auto ($144/mo) and First Chicago ($169/mo).

While these are certainly affordable options, it doesn’t mean these are the only car insurance companies that can offer you great rates. The best thing to do is get personalized quotes based on your driving profile. Enter your zip code below and in just 5 minutes we’ll show you insurance rates for over 60 companies to ensure you’re getting the most affordable rate for your teen.  

Cheapest Car Insurance for Young Drivers in Illinois

Once drivers reach their 25th birthday, they can enjoy lower car insurance rates. But, until that day, they can expect to pay higher rates than their parents or older siblings. Thankfully, premiums aren’t quite as high as they were in their younger teen years. 

Here are the most affordable auto insurance companies for young drivers in Illinois. 

In this category, Miles Auto offers the cheapest auto insurance for young drivers in Illinois, with rates averaging $97/mo for liability insurance. Other affordable options are American Alliance ($102/mo), Clearcover ($106/mo), and Direct Auto ($121/mo).

Although these are listed as the cheapest options for young drivers in Illinois, you’ll still benefit from doing your own research. Depending on your address, marital status, and education level, you may enjoy cheaper rates from other auto insurance companies. 

Cheapest Car Insurance for Retired Drivers in Illinois

After enjoying almost 40 years of reduced car insurance rates, retired drivers will start to see their auto insurance premiums rise again. Although many of these drivers feel they have more than enough experience on the road to warrant low premiums, insurance companies disagree. Insurance companies classify drivers 65+ as riskier to insure, hence the spike in rates. Thankfully, older drivers can rest assured there are still cheap car insurance options out there.

Clearcover is the most affordable option for retired drivers in Illinois, with rates averaging just $67/mo for liability-only insurance. 

Cheapest Car Insurance for Married Drivers in Illinois

You’ve just said yes to forever with your best friend and are in a bubble of marital bliss. You can keep those happy feelings going because couples often see a decrease in car insurance rates after getting hitched. Here are some of the most affordable options for married drivers in Illinois. 

Miles Auto offers married drivers the cheapest car insurance with monthly premiums of $45/mo. First Chicago and Metro Mile tie with monthly premiums of $53/mo, with Clearcover not far behind at $67/mo.

Even though First Chicago and Metro Mile cost the same, it’s worth comparing coverage from each insurer to see which is the better deal for you and your mate. By taking your time to shop around for affordable premiums, you’ll secure an affordable car insurance policy that meets all your needs. 

Cheapest Car Insurance for Single Drivers in Illinois

Although married drivers in Illinois enjoy reduced car insurance, this doesn’t mean that single drivers are out of luck. These ten companies offer cheap car insurance for single drivers in Illinois. 

Single drivers in Illinois will find the cheapest rates with Hugo at $35/mo for liability insurance. After Hugo, there’s a $22 jump in price to Mercury at $57/mo. Next in line are Gainsco at $60/mo, Metromile at $65/mo, and American Alliance at $66/mo. Rates then continue to increase from there rounding out at $73/mo with Jupiter. 

There’s no getting around the fact that your rates as a single driver may be higher than your married friends. To combat this, shop around and compare rates to find the cheapest premiums that meet your coverage needs. You can get started by entering your zip code below. 

Cheapest Car Insurance for Men vs. Women in Illinois

Insurance companies consider gender when calculating your car insurance rates. While men generally pay more for their premiums than women, this doesn’t mean they can’t find affordable car insurance since the difference isn’t significant. 

• Men – $81/mo
• Women – $76/mo

The average auto insurance rate for men in Illinois is $81/mo, while women pay slightly less at $76/mo. 

Cheap Auto Insurance for Men in Illinois

Cheap Auto Insurance for Women in Illinois

When comparing auto insurance rates for men and women in Illinois, you’ll notice a significant difference in coverage cost. While female drivers can secure insurance with Hugo at $33/mo, the cheapest option for male drivers is $22 more, with Mercury at $57/mo. 

You continue to see that difference in rates ending the list with men paying $70/mo at First Chicago while women pay $61/mo at Metromile.

Besides gender, several other factors determine your monthly car insurance rates, so be sure to compare insurance companies to ensure you find the best policy for you. 

Cheapest Car Insurance for Illinois Drivers with Spotty Records

If your driving record has tickets and accidents galore, you might think that securing cheap car insurance is out of the question. However, while your driving history is one of the factors insurance companies look at when calculating your rates, you can still find cheap car insurance with a spotty record because not all companies weigh your past the same.

Cheap Car Insurance for Drivers with a Ticket on their Record

Cheap Car Insurance for Drivers with Multiple Tickets on their Record

Overall, drivers with multiple tickets on their record will pay more in car insurance than drivers with only one ticket. The cheapest option for drivers with one ticket is Metromile at $56/mo, while the most affordable option for drivers with multiple tickets is Direct Auto at $62/mo. 

This pattern continues when you take a look at the most expensive options here. Drivers with one ticket pay $72/mo with Jupiter and those with multiple tickets pay significantly more, $113/mo,  with Esurance.

If you’re a driver with a spotty record, there is still hope for you to find affordable car insurance. To avoid overpaying, shop around and compare car insurance rates between insurance providers. 

Cheap Car Insurance for Drivers with an Accident on their Record

Cheap Car Insurance for Drivers with Multiple Accidents on their Record

Drivers with multiple accidents on their record will pay more than drivers who’ve only been in one accident.

For example, a driver insured by American Alliance will only pay $67/mo with one accident on their record, while a driver insured by Clearcover will pay $130/mo with a history of multiple accidents. That’s more than a $60 difference in cost! In one year, that’s an additional $720 going towards your car insurance! 

If you have multiple accidents on your driving record, the best way to save on car insurance is to compare rates between companies. Your premiums will drop when the accidents drop off your record, but until then, actively searching for affordable rates and discounts can help you keep auto insurance costs down. 

Cheapest Illinois State Minimum Coverage

If you’re a driver who only wants to get Illinois’ state minimum coverage for your vehicle, you can save hundreds of dollars a year. These are the ten cheapest companies for state minimum auto insurance.

You can get state minimum coverage in Illinois for as low as $33/mo when you choose Hugo as your auto insurer. Gainsco ($40/mo), Mercury ($41/mo), and MetroMile ($44/mo)  all trail behind as the most affordable auto insurers for drivers searching for basic coverage. 

Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance in Illinois

Are you looking for full coverage insurance to protect your four-wheeled baby? Or do you need full coverage for your leased or financed vehicle? 

If so, you’ve seen that raising your protection level usually results in higher insurance premiums. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t find affordable full coverage car insurance in Illinois. 

These are the cheapest full coverage insurance options. 

Miles Auto offers full coverage to drivers in Illinois for only $82/mo. Metromile only differs by $1, with their full coverage costing drivers $83/mo. Clearcover trails behind with full coverage at $95/mo. After this, you’ll see a significant jump in full coverage with providers like First Chicago ($121/mo) and Esurance ($125/mo). 

Although these differences may not seem like much, they can add up over a year. So to get the best deal for full coverage,  you want to shop around and compare rates from several insurance providers. 

The Best Rated Car Insurance Companies in Illinois

Every year, J.D Power conducts a customer satisfaction survey to determine the highest rated auto insurance companies based on a 1,000 point system.

This year, here are the top 10 best rates car insurance companies in Illinois:

1. Erie Insurance – 857 points
2. State Farm – 851 points
3. Country Financial – 850 points
4. MetLife – 849 points
5. American Financial – 844 points
6. Auto-Owners Insurance – 842 points
7. Progressive – 837 points
8. GEICO – 836 points
9. The Hanover – 836 points
10. Liberty Mutual – 831 points 

The list reveals that Erie Insurance comes in first place with 857 points, State Farm follows behind with 851 points, with Country Financial right after at 850 points. But ultimately, you can’t go wrong with any of the insurance companies on this list. The point system was based on a combination of customer service, price, policy options, the billing process, available information, and claims.

Illinois Car Insurance Discounts

If you’re looking for additional ways to lower your car insurance in the Land of Lincoln, take stock of all the discounts offered by your insurance provider. While each insurance company offers different discounts, these are some of the most common discounts for drivers. 

• Multi-Car Discount: If you’re a driver with multiple cars, you can enjoy discounts of up to 25% when you insure multiple vehicles on the same policy.
• Multi-Policy Discount: If you’re a homeowner or currently renting a residence, bundle your home or renters insurance with your auto insurance policy to save up to 25% on your policy. You can also bundle your life insurance to see additional savings.
• Good Student Discount: Are you a high school or college student? If so, save some cash on your insurance premium with a good student discount. You’ll typically need higher than a 3.0 GPA or hold a B average to qualify for this discount. In addition, students who score in the top 20% of their class may also qualify.
• Pay-in-Full Discount: Paying for your yearly car insurance premium in full will help you land a discount from your insurance provider.
• Vehicle Safety Discount: If your car is fitted with some of the latest safety features, you can qualify for the vehicle safety discount. Some features that might qualify you for this discount are anti-lock brakes or electronic stability control. 
• Good Driver Discount: Get rewarded for your good driving habits with the good driver discount. Drivers who demonstrate safe driving habits can save up to 40% on their car insurance premiums.
• Usage-Based Discount: If you drive less than 7,500 miles a year, you could qualify for usage-based or pay-per-mile insurance. With this kind of insurance, you only pay for the miles you drive. 
• Defensive Driving Course Discount: Taking a defensive driving course might not be your idea of a good time, but it can help you save on car insurance. Once you complete a state-approved defensive driving course, you will qualify for this discount. 

No matter where you live, there are several discounts you can use to lower your auto insurance premiums. In addition, you can  reduce your car insurance rates by lowering your base premium or raising your deductible. Whatever option you choose, make sure you can afford the financial responsibilities to avoid getting suck without insurance. 

Recent Illinois Car Insurance Rate Trends

We’re happy to report that there’s been a steady decline in Illinois car insurance rates. From 2017 to 2021, auto insurance rates have seen an 18% decrease. This change has no doubt made it easier for drivers to find affordable car insurance in Illinois. We can only hope to see a similar pattern in the future. 

Compare Car Insurance Rates by Illinois Cities

The area you live in is one of the main factors that determine how much or how little you pay for car insurance. If your city has a high auto theft rate, you may pay more. On the other hand, if there is very little traffic on your way to work, you may end up paying less. To help you see how rates vary from city to city, check out our rate comparison table below.

Click on the name of each city in the table above to find detailed breakdowns on all the factors that go into calculating your monthly premium. Here, you’ll find all the information you need on how things like driving record, age, gender, vehicle make and model, and more will affect how much you pay for car insurance in each locality.

And if you want to jump right in and see how much you’ll pay, simply enter your ZIP code below and find your best rate in minutes!

Illinois Vehicle Registration Fees and Other Costs

If you’re in the market for a new or used car, you’ll need to budget for more than just the vehicle’s sticker price. You’ll be on the hook for basic DMV fees like title, license plate, and registration fees no matter where and how you purchase your new car, truck or SUV, as well as buying a new car insurance policy for your car. But some buyers will find themselves with additional fees such as sales tax, documentation fees, personal property tax, emissions and inspection fees, hybrid and electric vehicle fees, lien recording fees and a slew of other costs.

Check out Compare.com’s comprehensive vehicle costs breakdown to make sure you account for all the added fees you might be on the hook for when buying a car in Illinois.

Illinois Auto Insurance FAQs

What car insurance is required in Illinois?

In Illinois, the minimum insurance coverage levels are:

• Body Liability Injury: $25,000 for injury/death to one person/$50,000 per accident 

• Property Damage Liability: $50,000 

How much is car insurance in Illinois?

Illinois’ insurance rates will vary, but the average auto insurance rate is $78/mo.

What happens if you drive without car insurance in Illinois?

The Illinois LIVE program brings down the hammer on drivers cruising around without car insurance. For your first offense, drivers can expect to pay a small fine and reinstatement fee. However, repeated offenses can result in suspension of your license and up to $1,750 of combined fines and fees for your third offense.  

Does Illinois require full coverage insurance?

Illinois doesn’t require drivers to have full coverage insurance. However, you may opt for higher auto insurance levels to protect your vehicle. Your coverage can include a combination of liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage.

Can you get car insurance without a license in Illinois?

Drivers without a license can get auto insurance, but it’s not an easy process. Although you’ll likely get turned away from larger insurance companies, smaller insurance providers in Illinois might be willing to offer insurance to unlicensed drivers. 

Methodology

All data referenced in this article comes from a combination of proprietary data — which is aggregated from millions of real customer quotes through Compare.com — and additional data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant.