Cheapest Liability Car Insurance in Illinois (2026)

What is liability car insurance?

Liability car insurance covers the legal liability of a driver who causes an accident. Illinois, like most states, requires drivers to have a minimum amount of liability coverage.

Minimum liability coverage includes property damage liability and bodily injury liability. If you cause an accident, liability insurance covers injuries and damages to the other driver and their passengers.^[1]

But liability car insurance doesn’t cover your injuries or damage to your vehicle. You’d need full coverage for that.^[2]

Full-coverage car insurance includes liability coverage, plus comprehensive and collision coverage. Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your vehicle from non-collision events like weather, theft, and vandalism. Collision insurance covers damage from an accident you cause, whether it’s with another car or a stationary object.

Find Cheap Car Insurance in Illinois

Compare quotes from top insurers, starting at an average of $40 per month

Enter your ZIP codeGet My Rates

Excellent

4.7 out of 5 based on 16,042 reviews

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.

Cheapest liability car insurance in Illinois

The average monthly cost of liability insurance in Illinois is $82. Full coverage is typically more expensive and averages $161 per month.

Many factors affect your insurance premiums, including your driving record, coverage limits, age, credit, and ZIP code. The table below shows the cheapest car insurance quotes for liability-only coverage in Illinois.

The below rates in Illinois are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, July 9 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

Insurance Company	Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only
Auto-Owners	$40
State Farm	$44
Certainly	$55
Progressive	$58
Country Financial	$61
Direct Auto	$62
The General	$63
GEICO	$64
Erie	$67
First Chicago	$67
USAA	$71
GAINSCO	$75
Safeco	$75
American Family	$76
Mercury	$76
Bristol West	$78
National General	$79
Freedom National	$87
Elephant	$90
Clearcover	$92
Dairyland	$93
First Acceptance	$94
Insurify Car	$94
Travelers	$97
Farmers	$104
Root	$105
Liberty Mutual	$107
Allstate	$109
Mendota	$109
Hugo	$112
State Auto	$137

Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time Illinois car insurance quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual car insurance quotes in Illinois may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Minimum liability car insurance requirements in Illinois

Drivers in the Prairie State must have a minimum amount of car insurance. The table below outlines Illinois’ car insurance requirements.

Type of Coverage	Amount Required	What It Covers
Bodily injury liability	$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident	Medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs related to bodily injury for another driver, pedestrian, or passenger
Property damage liability	$20,000 per accident	Damage to someone else’s vehicle or property, such as a fence
Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage (UM)	$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident	Your bodily injury expenses if an uninsured driver hits you or you’re the victim of a hit-and-run

Remember, minimum liability car insurance covers only your legal liability and not your injuries or vehicle damage. Liability insurance helps pay for the other driver’s vehicle repairs and medical bills. You’d need full-coverage car insurance to pay for your own repairs and injuries.

Is minimum liability coverage enough in Illinois?

For most drivers, minimum liability coverage may not be enough in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Insurance recommends higher coverage limits because minimum coverage may not fully protect you from potential lawsuits.

For example, if you cause significant injuries to someone in an accident, medical bills could easily exceed the state’s $25,000 minimum limit. In that case, you’d have to cover any excess amount out of pocket, and your personal assets may be at risk.

While higher limits can be beneficial, they still don’t cover your own injuries or vehicle repairs. Full coverage, which includes collision and comprehensive coverage, helps pay for damages from things like collisions, theft, fire, and severe weather.

Here are a few scenarios where higher liability coverage limits may make sense:

• You lease or finance your vehicle.

• You have a new vehicle.

• You have a higher-value car.

• You want coverage for damages to your vehicle.

Penalties for driving without liability insurance in Illinois

Drivers in Illinois must have liability insurance to drive legally. Driving without the minimum coverage could result in a $500 fine and the suspension of your registration.^[3] If you drive with suspended license plates from a previous insurance violation, you‘ll pay a minimum fine of $1,000.

The state uses the Illinois Insurance Verification System (ILIVS) to check if registered vehicles have the required insurance. If you don’t have liability insurance, the state may suspend your vehicle registration. To remove your suspension, you must buy the necessary liability coverage and pay a $100 reinstatement fee.

Compare Illinois Car Insurance

Get rates from top insurers in the Prairie State and save money in minutes

Enter your ZIP codeView My Quotes

Excellent

4.7 out of 5 based on 16,042 reviews

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.

How to find cheap liability car insurance in Illinois

Here are some steps you can take to find cheap liability car insurance in Illinois:

• Increase your deductible. Raising your deductible means you’ll pay more if you file a claim, but it can lower your monthly auto insurance premiums.

• Consider pay-per-mile coverage. If you live in Chicago, you may not drive as much as someone in Peoria, for example. Pay-per-mile coverage can help lower your costs if you don’t drive often.

• Bundle your home and auto coverage. U.S. Census data shows that 67% of Illinois residents own homes.^[4] Many insurers offer a discount for bundling your home and auto insurance.

• Shop for discounts. Most insurers offer a variety of discounts. For example, you may qualify for a good student discount if you attend the University of Chicago or Northwestern and maintain good grades.

• Compare rates. Compare auto insurance quotes every six months to ensure you’re getting the best deal on your liability insurance in Illinois.

Liability car insurance in Illinois FAQs