Illinois car insurance requirements
Is car insurance required in Illinois?
In Illinois, liability insurance is required by law to drive legally. The Illinois car insurance requirements specify minimum coverage amounts for both bodily injury and property damage liability. Look at the details below:
- Bodily injury liability coverage: This helps pay for accident-related injuries that you cause to others. Illinois law requires at least:
- $25,000 for injury or death of one person in an accident
- $50,000 for injury or death of more than one person in an accident
- Property damage liability coverage: This covers damage you cause to another person’s property. Illinois requires a minimum of:
- $20,000 for property damage per accident
By meeting these Illinois car insurance requirements, you’re not only following the law—you’re also giving yourself peace of mind knowing you’ll have some financial protection if you’re ever at fault in an accident.
Is Illinois a “no-fault” state?
Illinois isn’t a “no-fault” state when it comes to car insurance. Instead, Illinois follows a “fault” system. That means if you’re found to be responsible for an accident, you (and your insurance) are on the hook for any damages or injuries that occur. In other words, the person who caused the accident is the one who pays for the costs — so having the right coverage in place is extra important.
What does car insurance cover in Illinois?
Car insurance in Illinois provides a variety of coverage options to help protect you, your passengers, and your vehicle. Many drivers choose policies that go beyond the state’s minimum requirements for added peace of mind. These policies typically include a combination of:
- The state-required liability coverages (see above)
- Comprehensive coverage: Helps pay for damage to your car from things like theft, fire, hail, or other non-collision events
- Collision coverage: Covers damage to your car from a collision, no matter who’s at fault
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Protects you if you’re hit by a driver with little or no insurance
- Medical payments coverage: Helps with medical expenses after an accident
How much does car insurance cost in Illinois?
Age, driving record, location, and the type of coverage you select all influence Illinois auto insurance quotes. When shopping for car insurance quotes in Illinois, it’s a good idea to compare options and see what works best for your needs. With American Family, you can use DriveMyWay to get discounts based on how you drive. The process is quick and easy, and you can find the right balance of coverage and cost. For the most precise information, consider reaching out to your local agent or using our online tools to compare car insurance quotes in Illinois.
How can I get a lower rate on my car insurance in Illinois?
If you’re searching for affordable car insurance in Illinois, we’ve got good news for you. With American Family, you can take advantage of car insurance discounts that will lower your rates, including:
Common Illinois auto insurance coverages
Collision coverage
Collision coverage helps protect you from collision or rollover damages, no matter who caused the accident.
If another car bumps into yours as they back out of a parking spot, collision coverage may assist with any repairs you may need.
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive coverage helps protect you from damage caused by accidents that don’t involve colliding with another vehicle or object. Examples include hail damage, fire, flooding, theft, vandalism and collisions with animals.
So, if your car is parked under a tree and a branch falls and damages the windshield, comprehensive coverage may help for the repair or replacement costs.
Bodily injury liability coverage
If you cause a car accident that results in injuries, bodily injury liability coverage may help pay for accident-related medical treatment. It may also protect you if you're sued.
If you hit another car and the other driver suffers a broken bone, bodily injury liability may help compensate for their medical bill.
Medical expense coverage
If you were injured in a car accident, medical expense coverage may help pay for medical care for you and your passengers, regardless of who is at fault.
If a car backs into yours and causes your passenger to hit their head and need stitches, medical expense coverage can help pay for their medical bills
Additional Illinois car insurance coverages
Emergency Roadside Service
Get service and support if your car breaks down with emergency roadside assistance coverage.
Rental reimbursement
Cover transportation expenses while your vehicle is being repaired after a qualifying event.
Underinsured coverage
Protect yourself from accident-related losses if another driver doesn't have enough insurance.
Uninsured coverage
Help cover accident-related damages after a collision with an uninsured at-fault driver.
This article is for informational purposes only and based on information that is widely available. While we believe it to be reliable and accurate, we do not guarantee the accuracy or reliability of the information. Please check your state and local laws.
The information on this webpage represents only a brief description of coverages, is not part of your policy, and is not a promise or guarantee of coverage. If there is any conflict between this information and your policy, the provisions of the policy will prevail. Insurance policy terms and conditions may apply. Coverage features and limits vary by state and may be subject to change. Some products are not available in every state. Discount availability and eligibility vary by state and policy terms. (Discounts apply to auto and property policies.) Please check with your agent and read the policy for exact details on coverages and exclusions. We are not responsible for the content of any third-party sites that may be linked or mentioned in this article.
References
Illinois General Assembly - Illinois compiled statutes. (n.d.). https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K7-203#:~:text=Upon%20receipt%20of%20a%20written,time%20of%20such%20motor%20vehicle