Illinois Car Insurance Laws and Requirements (2023)

Illinois law dictates the minimum requirements for insurance coverage that all drivers must carry. All drivers in Illinois must hold 25/50/20 in liability coverage and uninsured motorist coverage. Additionally, drivers can pick from a long list of additional coverages for added protection.

Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Illinois

The minimum car insurance requirements in Illinois^[1] are:

• $25,000 for bodily injury liability per person

• $50,000 for bodily injury liability per accident

• $20,000 for property damage liability per accident

• $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury to you caused by an uninsured driver

• Underinsured motorist liability insurance, which is required if you purchase higher limits of uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage

Like most states, Illinois is an at-fault state, which means that the driver responsible for an accident must pay for the damages of their victims.

Bodily Injury Liability

Bodily injury liability is part of your liability car insurance coverage. If you cause an accident, this coverage will help cover the other party’s medical expenses. This type of coverage will not cover your own medical expenses for injuries sustained in a car accident you caused. Bodily injury liability coverage is required in Illinois.

Property Damage Liability

Property damage liability is the other half of your liability car insurance. It covers repair costs and damage expenses to the other cars involved in an accident you caused. This coverage does not cover damage to your own car in an accident you were at fault for. Property damage liability coverage is required in Illinois.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

If an uninsured (or underinsured) driver causes an accident and you suffer bodily injury, uninsured motorist coverage will cover your medical expenses. If the at-fault driver surpasses their bodily injury liability coverage limits, your underinsured motorist coverage will cover the rest of your medical expenses.

Is state minimum car insurance enough in Illinois?

The minimum required car insurance coverage in Illinois provides drivers with a solid foundation of auto insurance coverage, but it may not be enough for everyone.

An auto insurance policy that just meets the minimum amounts required by law would only give you $25,000 for bodily injury liability, for example. This relatively small amount may not cover the medical payments needed for a severe injury.

Optional Car Insurance Coverage for Illinois

Illinois drivers who want to be protected in any situation should consider bolstering the minimum car insurance coverage with the following supplemental car insurance coverages:

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage covers damages to your car after a collision with another vehicle or object. If your vehicle is a total loss, collision coverage will reimburse you for the actual cash value of your vehicle. This is a great addition to the required property damage liability coverage in Illinois, which applies only to the damages to the other driver’s vehicle.

Comprehensive Coverage

Complementing your collision coverage, comprehensive insurance covers damage to your vehicle that occurs during an event that is not a collision with another vehicle or object. This may apply in situations of vandalism, theft, weather damage, or a run-in with an animal. Adding comprehensive and collision coverage together creates a full-coverage car insurance policy.

Other Supplemental Coverage

Coverage that goes beyond the minimum liability requirements can help make your life easier when you’re in an accident. For example, rental car reimbursement will pay you a specific amount per day to rent a car while yours is being repaired after an accident.

Roadside assistance is also a good idea. You can call to receive help if your vehicle is disabled after an accident, including having your vehicle towed to a repair facility.

Penalties for Driving Uninsured in Illinois

It is illegal to drive in Illinois without the minimum car insurance coverage. The potential penalties include^[2]:

• A minimum $500 fine for operating an uninsured vehicle

• Registration suspension, plus a $100 fee and proof of insurance to reinstate it

• A $1,000 fine if you’re driving while your registration is suspended for no insurance

• Filing an SR-22 certificate or losing your license if you keep driving without insurance

Minimum Requirements for High-Risk Drivers in Illinois

High-risk drivers with a spotty driving record have to take a few extra steps to get back on the road. SR-22s, which prove financial responsibility in case of an accident, are a common requirement that the state of Illinois uses for drivers who exhibit risky behavior, such as driving under the influence.

Repeatedly driving without insurance is viewed as a high-risk behavior. If you’re convicted of driving without insurance three or more times, you may have to file an SR-22 for three years or face having your driver’s license suspended.

More Information for High-Risk Drivers in Illinois

DUI Insurance in Illinois

SR-22 Insurance in Illinois

Cheapest Minimum Car Insurance in Illinois

Car insurance companies weigh different factors to determine what to quote drivers on their car insurance policies. Minimum coverage generally means lower car insurance rates. It also means low coverage limits, which may cost you if you’re ever involved in an accident. Here are the cheapest car insurance quotes for minimum coverage in Illinois.

How to Find Cheap Car Insurance in Illinois

The best way to find the minimum required Illinois auto insurance coverage at an affordable price is to compare quotes from different insurers. Compare car insurance quotes online and see which insurance companies can offer you the best deal.