Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes in Chicago

It’s illegal for drivers in Chicago, Illinois, to hit the open road without a minimum level of car insurance. Minimum-coverage car insurance in Chicago costs an average of $133 per month, which is 24% less than the Illinois average monthly premium of $176.

The unique details of your vehicle, driving record, and location will affect your car insurance costs. But the Windy City has a comparatively large number of drivers, which often pushes premiums higher.

How much does car insurance cost in Chicago?

Insurify data scientists analyzed insurance quotes and found that the average monthly cost of auto insurance in Chicago is $179.

Many factors affect car insurance costs.^[1] One significant factor is the coverage level you choose. The average cost for a full-coverage policy is $198 per month, while the average cost of a liability-only policy is $133 per month.

Since everyone’s situation is different, shopping around can help you find the best rates. But in general, some insurance companies tend to charge less than others. Here’s a look at the cheapest car insurance options in Chicago:

• Cheapest liability-only insurance: On average, Kemper offers Chicago drivers the cheapest liability-only insurance policies, at $65 per month.

• Cheapest full-coverage policy: On average, Mile Auto offers Chicago drivers the cheapest full-coverage insurance policies, at $101 per month.

• Cheapest insurance for young drivers: Mile Auto is the lowest-cost insurance option for young drivers, with an average cost of $118 per month.

Mile Auto and Kemper offer the cheapest options for drivers in Chicago, Illinois. However, coverage needs vary among drivers. Taking the time to get quotes from multiple insurance companies lets you lock in the most affordable policy for your needs.

Learn More: Cheap Car Insurance in Illinois

Cheapest car insurance in Chicago: Mile Auto

Insurance companies evaluate the unique details of your situation to set your monthly premium, such as your location, age, driving record, ZIP code, and vehicle type.

At an average cost of $94 per month, Mile Auto offers the cheapest car insurance rates in Chicago. But the unique factors on your application could lead to a higher or lower rate. As a driver, you can find the best rates for your situation by comparing quotes from multiple insurance companies.^[2]

Here’s a breakdown of average costs across multiple insurance companies:

How much car insurance do you need in Chicago?

Illinois state law requires a minimum amount of liability coverage. Legally, you have to carry at least 25/50/20 insurance. Here’s the breakdown of these minimum requirements:

• $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage: If you’re in an at-fault accident, this coverage will kick in to cover the medical bills of the other driver and passengers involved. But this type of coverage won’t help cover your own medical costs.

• $20,000 per accident in property damage coverage: If you cause property damage during an at-fault accident, this coverage pays for repairs for the other parties involved. Plus, this coverage can pay for legal costs if the other parties involved sue you.

A minimum-coverage policy is enough to drive legally in Illinois, but you can buy more coverage. For example, collision insurance can help pay for your vehicle repair costs after an accident.

Regardless of the insurance coverage you choose, you must carry proof of insurance on the road. Depending on your insurance company, this proof might be in the form of a digital insurance card or a physical paper copy. You must provide a law enforcement officer your proof of insurance upon request. Additionally, you’ll need this proof when renewing your vehicle registration or after an accident.^[3]

Illinois DMV information

The Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) operates through the Illinois Secretary of State. Drivers can access many services online, including license plate renewals, address changes, and driver’s license renewals. Additionally, in-person services, like driver tests and vehicle registration, are available at more than 20 DMV locations.^[4]

Tips for getting cheap car insurance in Chicago

Drivers in Chicago pay an average of $179 per month for car insurance, which adds up to $2,148 per year. Since the costs of car insurance can add up quickly, finding cheap car insurance is a top priority for most drivers.

Here are some tips to lock in cheap car insurance in Chicago:

• Seek out discounts. Insurance companies typically offer discount options. For example, you might find a discount related to your occupation or lock in savings by taking a defensive driving course.

• Maintain a clean driving record. Drivers without any violations on their record tend to find lower car insurance premiums.

• Bundle with other insurance policies. Some companies offer a discount when you bundle multiple policies, like home insurance and car insurance.

• Raise your deductible. Your deductible is the amount you pay up front when filing a claim. Although higher deductibles often come with lower insurance premiums, make sure you can reasonably afford the deductible.

Shopping around is another effective way to find cheap car insurance. When you compare quotes across multiple insurance companies, you may be able to find lower rates.

Before you skip this money-saving tip out of lack of time, consider an online quote-comparison tool. Instead of spending an afternoon calling around town, shop online to find a cost-effective option in less time.

How age affects car insurance rates in Chicago

Drivers with more years of experience under their belts tend to have fewer accidents than younger drivers. Insurance companies typically charge young drivers the highest premiums in Chicago.

Cheapest car insurance for young drivers in Chicago

On average, young drivers in Chicago can find the cheapest car insurance premiums of $118 per month for full coverage with Mile Auto. Other insurers on the cheaper end of the spectrum include Stillwater and SafeAuto. 

Cheapest car insurance for middle-aged drivers in Chicago

With more driving experience, middle-aged drivers tend to find lower-cost auto insurance premiums than young drivers. On average, the cheapest option for full coverage is Mile Auto, with premiums of $80 per month. 

Cheapest car insurance for senior drivers in Chicago

In Chicago, senior drivers tend to find the cheapest full-coverage insurance options with Mile Auto. But with other affordable insurers out there, it still makes sense to shop around.

How credit scores affect cheap car insurance in Chicago

The state of Illinois allows insurance companies to consider your credit when determining insurance premiums.^[5] In general, Chicago drivers with excellent credit scores find lower auto insurance premiums than drivers with poor credit scores.

The range of FICO scores runs on a scale from 300 to 850. A good FICO credit score sits between 670 and 739. A FICO score below 579 is considered poor, while a score of 580 to 699 is considered fair.^[6] In some cases, you can get your credit score for free through your credit card issuer or an online service.^[7]

Find the average full-coverage premiums for your credit score in the chart below.

Learn More: Car Insurance Rates by Credit Tier

The effect of driving habits on car insurance in Chicago

Bad driving habits often lead to violations on your driving record. Any red flags on your driving record tend to push your insurance costs higher. For example, causing an accident could lead to higher insurance costs.

Insurance companies take a close look at your driving record when determining premiums. Drivers with clean records typically find the lowest car insurance rates.

It’s important to note that when you see a negative difference in a table, it doesn’t mean that particular insurance company lowers rates for drivers with that infraction on their records. Rather, it may mean that our sample size was small — insurers may choose to not offer policies to drivers with that infraction. Your actual rate can vary, based on a number of factors other than driving record.

Cheapest car insurance with an accident in Chicago: Progressive

At-fault accidents on your driving record may negatively impact your premiums, increasing your monthly car insurance rate. Insurers typically increase your premiums in correlation with your risk, and an accident can stay on your record for three years.^[8]

Cheapest car insurance with a DUI in Chicago: National General

If you get a DUI in the Windy City, you should expect your car insurance rates to increase. Insurance companies may treat drivers with a DUI on their record as a high risk, which leads to higher premiums. However, Insurify data shows that SafeAuto has the cheapest premiums for people with a DUI, at an average of $124 a month.

Cheapest car insurance with a speeding ticket in Chicago: Mile Auto

A speeding ticket on your record presents a risk to insurance companies. Insurers typically compensate for this higher risk by raising your insurance premiums. Mile Auto has the cheapest premiums for Chicago drivers with speeding tickets on their record, at an average of $98 a month.

Car insurance in other Illinois cities

Car insurance rates vary great from city to city — even within the same state. Here’s a look at car insurance rates in some other Illinois cities:

• Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Arlington Heights, IL

• Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Plainfield, IL

• Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Wheaton, IL

• Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Granite City, IL

• Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Des Plaines, IL

Find local Chicago agents

Chicago car insurance FAQs

Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about car insurance in Chicago.