Illinois Auto Insurance Guide
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Get affordable Illinois auto insurance quote rates for free.
Call Now: (866) 845-3808
Get Illinois Auto Insurance State Guides, Laws and Regulations before You Buy Insurance
From Champaign to Cairo, Waukegan to Waterloo, Illinois has thousands of miles of roadways. They’ll take you from the shores of Lake Michigan, along the Wabash River and into the heart of Chicago. Illinois’ roads are used by about 8.3 million licensed drivers, who each travel an average of 8,000 miles a year. Along the way, Illinois’ drivers are involved in thousands of traffic accidents every day, including many that result in serious injury or death. Wherever you live and drive in the Prairie State, carrying adequate car insurance is both a legal requirement and commonsense protection. This is your guide to Illinois vehicle insurance requirements and laws.
Illinois state law requires you to carry a minimum amount of car insurance. Failure to do so can result in severe penalties that may include monetary fines and jail time. Under Illinois’ tort system, you may also be liable for actual damages (expenses associated with property damage and medical costs), economic damages (lost wages and earning capacity) and emotional and physical pain and suffering.
The bare minimum car insurance requirement for Illinois drivers is:
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverages can be rejected in writing if you prefer not to purchase them. Illinois does not require you to carry additional coverage such as personal liability or Collision and Comprehensive. However, if you own property or other valuable assets, supplementing the minimum requirements can help you protect yourself from monetary loss. More specifically, as the Illinois Department of Insurance states, “You may want to consider buying higher limits because the state minimums may not be enough to fully protect you from lawsuits.”
When you register your vehicle in Illinois you are also agreeing to maintain adequate insurance. Illinois law requires that you carry proof of Illinois auto insurance in your car and show it if a law enforcement officer asks to see it. Failure to do so can mean a minimum fine of $500 and your license plates can be suspended for up to 4 months. Driving with a suspended registration can bring a $1,000 fine. Illinois randomly selects licensed drivers to verify that they have the required car insurance coverage. You must complete and return a form within 30 days of receipt or face fines or suspension.
If you are caught driving with a suspended license in Illinois, you are guilty of a Class A misdemeanor and can be sentenced to up to 1 year imprisonment and a $2,500 fine. If you cause an accident that results in bodily harm while driving without insurance in Illinois, you are guilty of a Class A misdemeanor with the same penalties mentioned above.
Illinois vehicle insurance premiums are regulated by the Illinois Department of Insurance. Insurance companies are allowed to charge premiums and award discounts based on a number of factors that can include:
Illinois also allows insurers to consider your credit rating to determine your premium.
You may be able to lower the cost of your premiums in the following ways:
Simply enter your zipcode to compare car insurance rates and find the best coverage.
Laws regarding driving and car insurance can change frequently. It is your responsibility to stay current about the legal requirements in Illinois. The following laws have recently been enacted in Illinois and may affect your insurance coverage decisions.
Illinois Department of Insurance
Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles
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