13+ years writing insurance and personal finance content
Insurance, lending, and retirement expert
Jacqueline has contributed content, and her personal finance passion, to dozens of noteworthy financial brands, including Credit Karma, Bankrate, and MagnifyMoney.
Evelyn PimplaskarEditor-in-Chief, Director of Content
10+ years in insurance and personal finance content
30+ years in media, PR, and content creation
Evelyn leads Insurify’s content team. She’s passionate about creating empowering content to help people transform their financial lives and make sound insurance-buying decisions.
Mark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications
Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
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Cheapest recent rates in Illinois
Drivers using Insurify have found quotes as cheap as $34/mo for liability only and $90/mo for full coverage in Illinois.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users from Illinois within the last 10 days. Last updated on March 14, 2024
Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from March 14, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users from Illinois within the last 10 days. Last updated on March 14, 2024
Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from March 14, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
The total average monthly cost of car insurance in Chicago is $153, according to Insurify data. By comparison, the average cost of car insurance in Illinois is $129 per month, and nationally the average is $157.
More than 2.6 million people live in the Windy City, according to U.S. Census data. High population density increases the risk of car accidents, which could help explain why Chicago's car insurance rates are higher than the state average. But the city also has a formal plan for improving traffic safety – Vision Zero – which may help explain why average insurance costs in Chicago are lower than national averages.
If cost is top of mind for you, you have ways to get the auto insurance coverage you need at a great price. Here’s what you need to know about cheap car insurance in Chicago.
Best car insurance companies in Chicago
The best auto insurance company for you will depend on your individual situation and needs, so it’s important to research a handful of options to make sure you’re working with the right insurance company and are getting an adequate amount of coverage.
The following table provides insights into the best insurance companies in Chicago, based on Insurify data. The quotes shown in the table are state-level averages.
Insurance Company
Best For
Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.4
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
848
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$37/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$63/mo
With an Insurify Quality (IQ) Score of 4.4 out of 5 and one of the lowest average monthly rates for liability-only insurance in Chicago, State Farm offers a lot of bang for your buck if you’re looking for cheap car insurance.
The company has been around for more than 100 years and has AM Best’s highest rating, an A++, for financial strength. In addition to the usual car insurance coverages, State Farm offers optional coverages like car rental, travel expense, and rideshare driver insurance.
Pros
Major savings possible when bundling auto, life, or property insurance[1]
Mobile app makes policy management easy
Cons
May not be the cheapest option for drivers with moving violations
Doesn’t offer gap insurance
I am happy with their coverage. I just bought a new car, and my insurance quadrupled. YIKES.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.1
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
834
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$34/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$58/mo
Auto-Owners offers a low average rate for liability-only car insurance. An IQ Score of 4.1 indicates this insurer is a reliable option, even at the lower price point. Working with independent agents may allow Auto-Owners to identify discounts that can help lower their premiums.
Pros
Multi-policy discount available for having two or more auto, home, business, or life policies
AM Best financial strength rating of A++ (Superior)
Cons
Only available in 26 states
Can only file glass claims online — all others require calling an agent
I was pleased with the agent and for years the price, but now they have gotten too expensive for a person on a fixed income.
Mary - August 13, 2023
Verified
I was dropped because of two minor at-fault accidents in two plus years.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.3
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
891
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$60/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$102/mo
Young drivers can be expensive to insure, which is why it’s helpful to choose a car insurance company like USAA that makes it possible for newer drivers to save. In addition to a relatively low monthly cost for liability-only insurance in Chicago, USAA also offers discounts designed to encourage young drivers. Its SafePilot program rewards good driving habits with savings of up to 30%.
An IQ Score of 4.4 indicates USAA generally does well with customer satisfaction and financial reliability.
Pros
Variety of youth-friendly discounts available, including good grade and multi-car discounts
Claims filing and policy changes available through mobile app
Cons
Only serves active-duty military members, veterans, and their families
Limited customer service hours
They have stopped thinking about how today's financial strain is impacting their customers.
Darcy - November 26, 2023
Verified
Not satisfied with price hike even after lowering coverage.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.3
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
847
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$49/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$83/mo
A highly recognizable name in car insurance, GEICO is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. The company started out as the Government Employees Insurance Company, serving U.S. government workers and military personnel. In addition to auto insurance, GEICO also sells homeowner, flood insurance, life insurance, business insurance, and identity protection, among other products. A.M. Best gives GEICO its highest rating for financial stability and credit. However, GEICO has nearly twice as many complaints as expected in the National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s Consumer Complaints Index.
Pros
Variety of available discounts, including bundling discounts, can help you save
Rewards clean driving records with lower rates and extra discounts
Cons
Poor reviews and ratings from J.D. Power
Telematics app not available in all 50 states
Everything good except the price.
RAY - December 4, 2023
Verified
I have not had problems; prices just remain high with little to no customer service and little benefit from 26+ years of customer loyalty.
Elizabeth - December 3, 2023
Verified
I had been with them a few years until they started raising my rates every time I was up for renewal. I got a new quote from another company that was $50 less than GEICO for the same coverage. That's not how to show customer loyalty, and it's the reason GEICO lost me as a customer.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.3
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
829
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$83/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$128/mo
One of the oldest auto insurance companies in the U.S, Travelers has an AM Best financial strength rating of A++ and a 4.3 IQ Score. While most insurers offer at least some discounts, Travelers’ range of discounts stands out. Besides standard discounts for things like bundling and having multiple cars on one policy, Travelers also offers unique discounts, like breaks for driving a hybrid or electric car, buying a vehicle that’s less than 3 years old, or getting a Travelers quote before your current insurance expires.
Pros
A dozen different discounts available
Robust options allow for easy policy customization
Cons
Rideshare insurance unavailable in most states
Below-average customer satisfaction ranking from J.D. Power
Superior customer service.
Susan - November 25, 2023
Verified
They are the best.
David - November 15, 2023
Verified
I have no tickets and no accidents, yet my premiums keep going up every year.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.2
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
838
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$65/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$110/mo
Comparatively low monthly rates for liability-only insurance and an IQ Score of 4.2 make American Family a good option for drivers with bad credit who are looking for quality car insurance without overspending. Because bad credit can affect the price of a variety of insurance products, American Family’s bundling discount can come in handy. American Family also scored well above average in J.D. Power’s 2022 Customer Satisfaction Index.
Pros
High rates of customer satisfaction
Numerous discount and coverage options
Cons
Only available in 18 states
Rates are merely moderate compared to other insurers
Prices are higher than expected.
Tyrone - October 9, 2023
Verified
They're OK but too expensive.
Sally - July 21, 2023
Verified
They are nice people to do business with, just kind of expensive
How Insurify’s experts used internal proprietary data to rate the top auto insurers
Data scientists at Insurify analyzed more than 40 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partner providers across the United States to compile the car insurance quotes, statistics, and data visualizations displayed on this page.
The car insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers' vehicles, driving records, and demographic information. Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Service's database of auto insurance rates.
With these insights, Insurify is able to offer drivers insight into how companies price their car insurance premiums. The data included on this page represent averages across all driver ages, gender, credit scores, and driver profiles for Chicago drivers.
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Liability rates start at $34/mo. in Chicago
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How to shop for the best car insurance in Chicago
When shopping for car insurance, take the following steps to make sure you’re finding the right fit for your needs:
Research different insurance companies. Read up on their offerings, check out customer reviews, and see what potential discounts they may offer.
Confirm the insurance company is licensed in your state. That way, you don’t waste time requesting quotes from companies that can’t serve you.
Ask for quotes. Once you know how much coverage you need, request quotes from a handful of different insurers to see which one can potentially offer you the best price. The trick here is to request quotes for the same amount of coverage with all insurers — the goal isn’t to find the absolute lowest price but the best price for the coverage level you desire. Using an online comparison website can make this process quick and easy.
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Chicago
Many different factors affect car insurance rates. Some are outside your control, but you can still take steps to get cheaper rates:
Increase your deductible. The higher your collision or comprehensive deductible is, the lower your monthly premium will be. Just be careful that you choose a deductible that you can afford to pay if you do ever need to file a claim.
Bundle your insurance policies. Most insurance companies that sell more than one type of insurance give a discount if you buy multiple policies through them. If you can, choose an insurer that also provides renters, homeowners, life, business, or another type of insurance alongside car insurance.
Ask for discounts. Before choosing an insurance company, see what discounts it offers that you or other family members on your policy may qualify for, like defensive driving or good student discounts.
Liability-only vs. full-coverage insurance in Chicago
Illinois has minimum requirements for the amount ofliability auto insurance drivers must carry. These include bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverages. You can get more coverage if you also choose to buycollision coverage or comprehensive coverage. But if your car is older, and not worth replacing if damaged or stolen, full coverage may not make sense for you.
Buying full-coverage insurance makes sense if you drive an expensive car, have a new car, or if you drive a lot in high-traffic areas. And if you lease or finance your vehicle, your leasing company or lender will require you to carry full coverage.
Here’s a look at the cheapest auto insurance in Illinois by policy type. It’s easy to see here how the type of coverage and company you choose can affect your car insurance costs. For example, the average monthly cost of full coverage in Chicago is $215, while liability policies average $91.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, March 14 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Illinois car insurance rates by driving and accident history
The better your driving history is, the less likely you are, statistically, to file a claim. Because of this, insurance companies extend better rates to drivers with good driving records. Infractions like speeding tickets, driving under the influence, and at-fault accidents on your driving record can all increase your car insurance premium.
Here’s a look at average monthly quotes for the cheapest liability-only car insurance in Illinois based on driving and accident history.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, March 14 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Chicago car insurance quotes by credit tier
Illinois allows car insurance companies to consider credit history when determining insurance premiums. Generally, poor credit indicates a driver is more likely to file a claim, so insurance companies charge higher premiums for drivers with bad credit scores. Working toward having an excellent or good credit score can help you save money on your insurance premiums in Illinois.
Chicago car insurance rates by driver age
Younger drivers typically face higher insurance costs since their lack of experience and maturity often translate to increased claim risks. However, insurance companies tend to decrease premiums as a driver gets older.
You can see in the following tablehow age can affect insurance rates for Chicago drivers. Teenagers pay about 86% more for car insurance each month than drivers in their 70s, who have the lowest average premiums in Chicago.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Is car insurance more expensive in Chicago?
The overall average monthly cost of car insurance nationwide is $157, while in Chicago, the average is $153. Location (down to the ZIP code) plays a big role in car insurance pricing. Local crime rates, traffic patterns, and weather events all affect how likely someone is to file a claim.
For example, in Tampa, Florida, the average monthly cost for car insurance is significantly higher, at $341. The large number of hurricanes that the state experiences likely contributes to the higher insurance premiums.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
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Find local Chicago agents
Inner City Underwriting Agency
1631 S Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60616
LR WINDSOR
205 W Randolph St. Suite 730, Chicago, IL 60606
The Horton Group
500 W Monroe St Ste 3300, Chicago, IL 60661
Oak Brook Insurance Agency dba KSA Insurance Agency
To help you better understand how to find cheap car insurance in Chicago, let’s address some frequently asked questions about this topic.
Who has the cheapest car insurance in Chicago?
In Chicago, Auto-Owners has the cheapest car insurance rates, starting at $34 per month for a liability-only policy. Chicago drivers can also find low rates through State Farm and GEICO, which have the second- and third-cheapest liability rates of $37 and $49, respectively.
Why is car insurance so expensive in Chicago?
Chicago car insurance may be so expensive because of the high number of carjackings in the city, which can increase insurance rates. Having an increased likelihood of car theft can cause insurance companies to perceive you as more likely to file a claim.
What are the best car insurance companies in Chicago?
Some of thebest car insurance companies in Chicago include State Farm, GEICO, and USAA. These companies earned high IQ Scores and landed top spots on the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Insurance Study that looks at customer satisfaction.
Do you need uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage in Chicago?
Uninsured motorist coverage is included in liability-only policies (which are required) in Illinois, so there’s no need to purchase this coverage separately.
Is Chicago in a no-fault state?
No. Illinois, where the city of Chicago is located, is not a no-fault state. At-fault drivers in this state are required to pay for damages they cause.
Can you get cheap no-down-payment insurance in Chicago?
It’s possible but not necessarily likely. Most car insurance providers make you pay a down payment before your coverage kicks in — no matter what city or state you live in. But you can always ask if the insurer will waive the down payment requirement.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
No additional coverage
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
During college, Jacqueline DeMarco interned at a retirement plan advisory firm and was tasked with creating a presentation on the importance of financial wellness. During her research into how money can affect our health, relationships and career, Jacqueline realized just how important financial education is. Jacqueline is a contributor for Insurify and has worked with more than a dozen financial brands, including LendingTree, Capital One, Credit Karma, Fundera, Chime, Bankrate, Student Loan Hero, ValuePenguin, SoFi, and Northwestern Mutual, providing thoughtful content to give readers insight into complex topics that they likely didn’t learn in school.
Evelyn PimplaskarEditor-in-Chief, Director of Content
10+ years in insurance and personal finance content
30+ years in media, PR, and content creation
Evelyn leads Insurify’s content team. She’s passionate about creating empowering content to help people transform their financial lives and make sound insurance-buying decisions.
Mark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications
Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.