)
)
7+ years in personal finance writing
Small business blogger
Charlie Hope D’Anieri is an experienced copywriter, researcher, and journalist. He has written about business formation and home and auto insurance for several years. He’s covered agriculture and politics for outlets including The Guardian, The New Republic, and many others.
A graduate of Middlebury College, he also holds a master’s degree in English Language & Literature from The University of Maryland-College Park. Charlie is passionate about helping readers understand how insurance works, and why it’s important to their financial wellbeing.
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 21630969
MacKenzie Korris is an insurance copy editor with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance in Missouri.
)
)
Media relations director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
Impartial, independent expert
As Senior Director, Media Relations, for Insurance Information Institute, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
)
)
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
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.
Updated
At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.
We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.
Table of contents
- Average car insurance cost in Chicago, IL
- Cheap Chicago car insurance quotes
- Driving in Chicago
- Chicago car insurance rates vs. IL cities
- Traffic in Chicago
- Why is Chicago car insurance so expensive?
- Cheapest state minimum car insurance in Chicago, IL
- Cheap full-coverage car insurance in Chicago
- Affordable car insurance in Chicago with a ticket
- Cheap auto insurance with an accident in Chicago
- Car insurance quotes for Chicago drivers with a DUI
- Cheapest car insurance for Chicago teen drivers
- Cheap car insurance quotes for Chicago senior drivers
- Chicago car insurance FAQs
Table of contents
- Average car insurance cost in Chicago, IL
- Cheap Chicago car insurance quotes
- Driving in Chicago
- Chicago car insurance rates vs. IL cities
- Traffic in Chicago
- Why is Chicago car insurance so expensive?
- Cheapest state minimum car insurance in Chicago, IL
- Cheap full-coverage car insurance in Chicago
- Affordable car insurance in Chicago with a ticket
- Cheap auto insurance with an accident in Chicago
- Car insurance quotes for Chicago drivers with a DUI
- Cheapest car insurance for Chicago teen drivers
- Cheap car insurance quotes for Chicago senior drivers
- Chicago car insurance FAQs
The cheapest overall insurer in Chicago is Auto-Owners.
Chicago has the highest car insurance rates in Illinois.
Chicago has the worst traffic congestion in the country.
How much is car insurance in Chicago, IL?
Car insurance in Chicago costs an average of $159 per month. Liability-only insurance averages $101 per month, and full coverage costs an average of $217 per month.
Unsurprisingly, Chicago has the highest car insurance rates in Illinois. Chicago has more than 12,000 people per square mile, which is more than five times the population density of the state.[1] Drivers also spend far more time getting to work than the state average.
More time spent driving on crowded Chicago roads increases the risk of auto accidents, which leads to higher insurance rates. The nearby suburb of Schaumburg is less dense and has car insurance rates that are similar to the Illinois average — $72 per month for liability coverage and $152 per month for full coverage.
The table below shows which companies offer the cheapest car insurance quotes for liability insurance in Chicago, according to Insurify data.
Car Insurance Costs in Chicago vs. Illinois | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Chicago average | $159 |
| Illinois average | $120 |
Cheapest car insurance quotes in Chicago
Auto-Owners offers the cheapest quotes for liability-only car insurance in Chicago, at an average of $51 per month.
Auto-Owners has the cheapest average full-coverage rates, at $96 per month.
Driving in Chicago: What to know
As one of the country’s largest metropolitan areas, Chicago isn’t an easy place to drive. Aside from traffic congestion, Chicagoans deal with snow and icy roads every winter. The city urges drivers to clear snow and ice from their cars and defrost their windshields before driving.[2]
More than 164,000 car crashes occurred in Cook County in 2024.[3] Defensive driving in the Windy City is essential. Be especially attentive at traffic lights and stop signs. One-quarter of traffic fatalities in Chicago occur when drivers fail to obey traffic signals.[4]
Vehicle theft trends in Chicago
Cook County has the third-highest volume of vehicle thefts in the country, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. The Chicago Police Department also cites catalytic converter thefts as a persistent problem.[5] Both trends help explain why full-coverage car insurance is so expensive in the city.
If you often park in the Loop, make sure your car has adequate security to deter theft and vandalism. Installing safety features like anti-theft alarms can help lower your car insurance rates.
Chicago car insurance rates vs. other Illinois cities
Illinois car insurance rates vary significantly from city to city. Chicago is the most expensive, while downstate cities like Decatur, Champaign, and Moline have the lowest rates among Illinois’ urban areas.
Because Chicago accounts for the vast majority of the state’s crashes and vehicle thefts, it makes sense that insurance is more expensive in the city. Full coverage costs 41% more than the state average in Chicago.
The table below shows how average car insurance rates in Illinois vary by city, according to Insurify data.
City | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Aurora | $114 |
| Berwyn | $130 |
| Chicago | $159 |
| Cicero | $150 |
| Decatur | $101 |
| Elgin | $114 |
| Joliet | $121 |
| Naperville | $105 |
| Peoria | $113 |
| Rockford | $109 |
| Springfield | $119 |
| Waukegan | $114 |
How traffic in Chicago affects car insurance rates
Chicago has the most traffic congestion in the U.S., according to transportation analytics company INRIX.[6] The average commute time in Chicago is more than 33 minutes. That’s a lot of time to spend on the road every year. Long commutes increase the risk of car crashes, which, in turn, raise insurance rates.
Chicago has a few major hot spots for car accidents.[7] The Loop, Near North Side, and Garfield Park all have high rates of crashes. Because accident rates vary across the city, your ZIP code plays a significant role in your car insurance rates.
Why is car insurance in Chicago so expensive?
Chicago has the most expensive car insurance in Illinois for a few reasons. The city leads the country in traffic congestion and ranks No. 3 for vehicle thefts. Winter weather also creates hazardous driving conditions throughout the city.
Traffic, thefts, and severe weather partly explain why Chicago’s premiums are far higher than the average cost of car insurance in Illinois.
Cheapest state-minimum car insurance in Chicago, IL: Auto-Owners
Chicago drivers pay an average of $101 per month for state-minimum liability car insurance.
Illinois requires drivers to have at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident of bodily injury liability coverage, plus $20,000 of property damage liability coverage.[8] You also need uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage matching the minimum liability limits.
This table shows the companies with the cheapest liability-only car insurance coverage in Chicago, according to Insurify data.
)
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
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.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $51 |
| State Farm | $56 |
| Certainly | $72 |
| Country Financial | $77 |
| Progressive | $79 |
| GEICO | $82 |
| Direct Auto | $82 |
| The General | $84 |
| Erie | $86 |
| First Chicago | $87 |
| USAA | $90 |
| Mercury | $94 |
| American Family | $98 |
| GAINSCO | $98 |
| Safeco | $98 |
| Bristol West | $103 |
| National General | $106 |
| Dairyland | $114 |
| Freedom National | $114 |
| Nationwide | $115 |
| Elephant | $119 |
| Clearcover | $123 |
| First Acceptance | $124 |
| Travelers | $124 |
| Farmers | $132 |
| Root | $136 |
| Allstate | $139 |
| Liberty Mutual | $142 |
| Mendota | $144 |
| State Auto | $174 |
Insurify Car: Weekly Car Insurance in Chicago
Insurify Car makes it affordable and easy to get same-day liability coverage
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Chicago, IL: Auto-Owners
Full-coverage car insurance in Chicago costs an average of $217 per month. That’s 41% more than it costs in the rest of the state. Still, in a city with a high volume of thefts and crashes, full-coverage car insurance is a good idea for many Windy City drivers.
This table shows the cheapest car insurance quotes for full-coverage auto insurance in Chicago, according to Insurify data.
)
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
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.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $96 |
| State Farm | $104 |
| Country Financial | $146 |
| Safeco | $152 |
| Erie | $159 |
| GEICO | $159 |
| Direct Auto | $162 |
| Progressive | $163 |
| Mercury | $166 |
| USAA | $170 |
| American Family | $183 |
| Elephant | $199 |
| National General | $202 |
| Certainly | $208 |
| Nationwide | $215 |
| Root | $218 |
| The General | $218 |
| First Chicago | $219 |
| Liberty Mutual | $227 |
| Clearcover | $231 |
| Travelers | $232 |
| Bristol West | $238 |
| Farmers | $247 |
| Freedom National | $253 |
| GAINSCO | $257 |
| Allstate | $259 |
| Mendota | $281 |
| First Acceptance | $294 |
| Dairyland | $325 |
| State Auto | $326 |
Cheapest recent car insurance quotes in Illinois
Drivers using Insurify have found quotes as cheap as $49/mo for liability only and $71/mo for full coverage in Chicago and other Illinois cities.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Chicago, Illinois within the last 10 days. Last updated on May 12, 2026. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Chicago, Illinois within the last 10 days. Last updated on May 12, 2026. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
Affordable car insurance for Chicago drivers with a ticket: Auto-Owners
On average, Chicago drivers with a speeding ticket on their record pay $131 per month for car insurance.
When it comes to speed, drivers in Chicago should be extra careful around schools and parks. The city has 162 automated speed enforcement cameras in areas on the North, South, and West Side.[9]
These companies offer the cheapest auto insurance rates to Chicago drivers with speeding tickets on their records, according to Insurify.
)
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
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.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $68 |
| State Farm | $72 |
| Certainly | $93 |
| Progressive | $102 |
| Direct Auto | $105 |
| Country Financial | $106 |
| GEICO | $109 |
| First Chicago | $113 |
| The General | $114 |
| Erie | $115 |
| USAA | $118 |
| GAINSCO | $119 |
| American Family | $129 |
| Safeco | $131 |
| Bristol West | $132 |
| Mercury | $132 |
| National General | $135 |
| Dairyland | $144 |
| Elephant | $145 |
| Freedom National | $148 |
| Nationwide | $152 |
| First Acceptance | $160 |
| Clearcover | $160 |
| Travelers | $164 |
| Farmers | $172 |
| Root | $184 |
| Allstate | $184 |
| Liberty Mutual | $184 |
| Mendota | $186 |
| State Auto | $235 |
Cheap auto insurance with an at-fault accident in Chicago: Auto-Owners
Chicago drivers with an at-fault accident on their record pay an average of $139 per month for car insurance. Insurify data shows that 3% of Chicago drivers have an at-fault accident on their record, which is lower than the state average.
These auto insurance companies offer the cheapest average rates to drivers in Chicago with at-fault accidents.
)
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
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.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $69 |
| State Farm | $76 |
| Certainly | $99 |
| Country Financial | $107 |
| Progressive | $108 |
| GEICO | $110 |
| Direct Auto | $114 |
| Erie | $117 |
| The General | $118 |
| First Chicago | $119 |
| USAA | $123 |
| GAINSCO | $128 |
| American Family | $134 |
| Bristol West | $139 |
| Safeco | $139 |
| Mercury | $143 |
| National General | $144 |
| Dairyland | $154 |
| Freedom National | $156 |
| Nationwide | $158 |
| Elephant | $159 |
| First Acceptance | $170 |
| Travelers | $171 |
| Clearcover | $179 |
| Farmers | $180 |
| Root | $187 |
| Allstate | $190 |
| Liberty Mutual | $192 |
| Mendota | $198 |
| State Auto | $243 |
Cheapest car insurance quotes for Chicago drivers with a DUI: Auto-Owners
People with a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction in Chicago pay an average of $142 per month for liability car insurance.
The state may also suspend your driver’s license for a minimum of one year for a first-offense DUI in Chicago. You’ll also face a fine of up to $2,500 and possible prison time.[10]
The table below shows the companies with the cheapest rates for drivers with DUIs in Chicago, according to Insurify data.
)
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
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.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $73 |
| State Farm | $80 |
| Certainly | $101 |
| Country Financial | $107 |
| Progressive | $111 |
| GEICO | $116 |
| The General | $116 |
| Direct Auto | $117 |
| Erie | $123 |
| First Chicago | $123 |
| USAA | $128 |
| American Family | $133 |
| GAINSCO | $140 |
| Mercury | $142 |
| Bristol West | $147 |
| Safeco | $148 |
| National General | $151 |
| Freedom National | $161 |
| Dairyland | $162 |
| Nationwide | $164 |
| Elephant | $170 |
| First Acceptance | $175 |
| Clearcover | $175 |
| Travelers | $177 |
| Farmers | $188 |
| Root | $195 |
| Allstate | $198 |
| Liberty Mutual | $202 |
| Mendota | $203 |
| State Auto | $238 |
Cheapest car insurance for Chicago teen drivers: Auto-Owners
Adding a teenage driver to your auto insurance in Chicago isn’t easy on the wallet. Chicago teens pay an average of $207 per month for liability car insurance.
Illinois drivers can get their license as young as age 16. But until they turn 18 or have had their license for one year, they’re subject to nighttime restrictions and passenger limits.[11]
This table shows the cheapest auto insurance quotes for Chicago teenagers.
)
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
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.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $110 |
| State Farm | $115 |
| Country Financial | $133 |
| Certainly | $148 |
| GEICO | $158 |
| The General | $161 |
| Progressive | $162 |
| Erie | $169 |
| Direct Auto | $169 |
| USAA | $177 |
| First Chicago | $179 |
| Mercury | $183 |
| GAINSCO | $186 |
| Bristol West | $195 |
| American Family | $197 |
| Safeco | $211 |
| Dairyland | $212 |
| Clearcover | $216 |
| National General | $225 |
| Elephant | $226 |
| Freedom National | $234 |
| Nationwide | $238 |
| Root | $252 |
| First Acceptance | $254 |
| Liberty Mutual | $266 |
| Travelers | $273 |
| Farmers | $280 |
| Allstate | $292 |
| Mendota | $296 |
| State Auto | $444 |
Find Cheap Car Insurance in Chicago
Compare quotes from multiple insurers and get covered today
Cheap car insurance quotes for Chicago senior drivers: Auto-Owners
At $86 per month, senior drivers have the lowest average car insurance rates of any Chicago age group.
Chicago has a lower proportion of seniors than the state as a whole. Effective July 1, 2026, senior drivers won’t have to take an annual test to renew their license until age 79.[12]
Below, you’ll find the companies with the cheapest car insurance quotes for Chicago’s senior drivers, according to Insurify data.
)
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
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.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $40 |
| State Farm | $44 |
| Country Financial | $60 |
| Certainly | $61 |
| GEICO | $64 |
| Erie | $65 |
| Progressive | $67 |
| Direct Auto | $67 |
| The General | $71 |
| USAA | $72 |
| Mercury | $74 |
| First Chicago | $74 |
| American Family | $78 |
| National General | $82 |
| GAINSCO | $83 |
| Bristol West | $85 |
| Safeco | $85 |
| Nationwide | $87 |
| Dairyland | $96 |
| Elephant | $96 |
| Freedom National | $97 |
| Travelers | $98 |
| Farmers | $104 |
| First Acceptance | $105 |
| Clearcover | $108 |
| Allstate | $112 |
| Root | $113 |
| Liberty Mutual | $117 |
| Mendota | $122 |
| State Auto | $130 |
Chicago car insurance FAQs
Below, we answer some common questions about car insurance in Chicago.
What is the cheapest car insurance company in Chicago?
Auto-Owners offers the cheapest average car insurance rates in Chicago, at $51 per month. But the cheapest company for you will depend on factors like your insurance needs, ZIP code, and age.
How much is car insurance in Chicago?
Car insurance in Chicago costs an average of $159 per month. That’s typically more than the state average of $120 per month.
What car insurance coverage is recommended in Chicago, given the weather conditions?
Full-coverage car insurance offers the most protection in Chicago. Freezing winter temperatures and snow create dangerous driving conditions, increasing the risk of accidents. Falling branches due to severe thunderstorms can also cause damage to your car. Full coverage typically covers your injuries and damage to your vehicle.
What factors affect car insurance rates in Chicago?
A number of factors affect car insurance rates in Chicago. Personal details like marital status, age, and gender influence how much you pay for coverage. Your ZIP code, driving record, and coverage choices also affect your premium.
How can you find affordable car insurance in Chicago?
Comparing quotes from multiple companies is the easiest way to find affordable car insurance in Chicago. You can also ask your insurer about discounts. Many insurers offer savings for bundling policies and safe driving. Increasing your deductible will lower your monthly costs, but make sure you can afford the extra out-of-pocket expense if you file a claim.
Are there any specific discounts available for car insurance in Chicago?
Not typically. Discounts vary from company to company, but no insurers advertise discounts specific to Chicago. Common discounts offered by insurers in Chicago include savings for safe driving, good grades, and installing safety features.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 190 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 500+ 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
- 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.
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Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau. "QuickFacts."
- City of Chicago. "Winter Preparedness - During Winter Storm and Extreme Cold."
- Illinois Department of Transportation. "2024 Crash Facts."
- City of Chicago. "Reckless Driving."
- Chicago Police Department. "Annual Report 2024."
- INRIX. "INRIX 2025 Global Traffic Scorecard: Traffic Congestion Surges Worldwide as U.S. Safety Improves for the First Time in Four Years."
- Chicago Department of Transportation. "Chicago Traffic Crashes Annual Report."
- Illinois Department of Insurance. "Auto Insurance Shopping Guide."
- City of Chicago. "Automated Enforcement Program."
- Illinois State Police. "Impaired Driving."
- Illinois Secretary of State. "Graduated Driver's License."
- Office of the Governor JB Pritzker. "Gov. Pritzker Takes Bill Action."
)
)
7+ years in personal finance writing
Small business blogger
Charlie Hope D’Anieri is an experienced copywriter, researcher, and journalist. He has written about business formation and home and auto insurance for several years. He’s covered agriculture and politics for outlets including The Guardian, The New Republic, and many others.
A graduate of Middlebury College, he also holds a master’s degree in English Language & Literature from The University of Maryland-College Park. Charlie is passionate about helping readers understand how insurance works, and why it’s important to their financial wellbeing.
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 21630969
MacKenzie Korris is an insurance copy editor with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance in Missouri.
)
)
Media relations director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
Impartial, independent expert
As Senior Director, Media Relations, for Insurance Information Institute, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
)
)
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
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.
)
)
)