Do you need car insurance to register a car in Illinois?

Yes. You must provide proof of car insurance to register a vehicle in Illinois. Additionally, the state’s Electronic Liability Insurance Verification program verifies each vehicle’s coverage at least twice per year.

Does insurance follow the car or the driver in Illinois?

Car insurance in Illinois follows the car, which means that if someone else drives your vehicle and causes an accident, your insurance should still cover it. However, your insurer may deny your claim if a member of your household drives your car regularly but isn’t listed on your auto insurance policy.

Can you drive a car without insurance if you just bought it in Illinois?

No. Driving a car without insurance is never permissible, even if you just bought it. But if you already have an insurance policy, your insurer may grant you a grace period of between one week and 30 days to add your new vehicle to your policy.

When did Illinois make car insurance mandatory?

Illinois’ state government made car insurance mandatory in 1988. A judge from southern Illinois ruled the law unconstitutional, but the state’s Supreme Court upheld it in 1991.

Car Insurance Requirements in Illinois (2023)

IL requirements
ILAIP
Required coverage
Liability only
Full coverage
Driving uninsured
Optional coverages
FAQs

IL requirements
ILAIP
Required coverage
Liability only
Full coverage
Driving uninsured
Optional coverages
FAQs

Nearly every state in the U.S. requires drivers to carry auto insurance to legally operate a vehicle, and Illinois is no different.

Before taking your vehicle on the road, it’s crucial to understand the coverage requirements in your state. Failure to properly insure your car can result in penalties such as fines and suspension of your vehicle registration.

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Illinois car insurance requirements

Illinois requires all drivers to carry liability car insurance. It comprises bodily injury and property damage insurance, and the state sets specific coverage limits for each. Illinois also requires all drivers to have uninsured motorist coverage, which fewer than half of states require.^[1]

Bodily injury liability coverage

Bodily injury liability coverage pays for costs that result from injuries to other people when you’re at fault for a car accident. Bodily injury coverage may also cover other passengers in your car who aren’t members of your household.

Illinois requires all drivers to have at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident of bodily injury liability coverage.^[1] But you can carry higher limits for each if you want more thorough coverage.

Property damage liability coverage

Property damage liability coverage pays for damages to other people’s property when you’re at fault for an accident. Covered property can include other peoples’ vehicles, fences, signs, and more. However, it doesn’t cover your own vehicle or personal property.

Illinois drivers must have at least $20,000 per accident of property damage coverage.^[1] However, as with bodily injury liability coverage, it may be wise to buy more. Given that the average new car price is more than double the minimum requirements in Illinois, you could easily find yourself on the hook for damages above and beyond your insurance limits.^[2]

Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage

Uninsured motorist coverage pays for your own injuries and those of your household members if you’re in an accident where the person at fault is an uninsured driver or if they drive away without taking responsibility for the accident. Illinois requires all drivers to carry at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident of uninsured motorist coverage.^[1]

Good to Know

Illinois also requires underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage for drivers who purchase higher limits of uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage. Underinsured motorist coverage pays the difference between your uninsured motorist coverage limits and the liability coverage limits of the at-fault driver.^[1]

Illinois Automobile Insurance Plan

The Illinois Automobile Insurance Plan (ILAIP) provides insurance to drivers who otherwise couldn’t purchase it. Insurers deny some high-risk drivers because of violations on their driving histories, like driving without insurance, DUIs, and more.^[3]

The Best Car Insurance for Bad Drivers (2023)

Do you need more than state-minimum coverage in Illinois?

Illinois’ minimum insurance requirements represent the absolute least amount of coverage you need to drive legally. But you may want to consider carrying more coverage, especially if you drive frequently, as damages in an accident can easily exceed the minimum liability requirements in Illinois.

If you want more protection, consider collision and comprehensive coverage. These two coverages, along with liability coverage, make up full-coverage car insurance. Full coverage pays for damages to your vehicle after collisions with vehicles and other objects, theft or vandalism, inclement weather, and other covered incidents.

If you drive an older vehicle that isn’t worth much or you could afford to replace it out of pocket if it’s totaled, you might only need liability coverage. But if you drive a more valuable vehicle or can’t afford to replace it, it’s probably worth paying more for full coverage. Additionally, most auto lenders require that you carry full coverage as long as you have a loan on your vehicle.

What Does Collision Insurance Cover and What’s Not Covered?

The cost of liability-only car insurance in Illinois

Liability-only car insurance is the cheapest type of policy on the market. It includes the state’s minimum insurance requirements but doesn’t provide additional protections for your own vehicle. In Illinois, the average cost of liability coverage is $77 per month. Below are some of the cheapest car insurance companies for liability-only car insurance in Illinois.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST.

Insurance Company	Average Monthly Quote
Auto-Owners	29
State Farm	32
Hugo	41
GEICO	42
COUNTRY Financial	44
Mile Auto	49
Erie	49
USAA	52
American Family	56
Safeco	57
Mercury	61
Nationwide	66
Travelers	71
Clearcover	71
Dairyland	75
Farmers	76
Allstate	79
Midvale Home & Auto	80
Direct Auto	80
GAINSCO	84
State Auto	85
Elephant	89
Liberty Mutual	89
The General	95
Bristol West	106
Foremost	131

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 cost of full-coverage car insurance in Illinois

Full-coverage insurance is more expensive than liability-only coverage, but it also provides more protection. The average cost of full coverage in Illinois is $164 per month. Below are some of the cheapest car insurance companies in Illinois for full coverage.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST.

Insurance Company	Average Monthly Quote
Auto-Owners	51
State Farm	55
Mile Auto	66
GEICO	74
COUNTRY Financial	77
Hugo	80
Erie	85
USAA	90
American Family	97
Clearcover	104
Mercury	106
Travelers	107
Safeco	115
Nationwide	116
Direct Auto	124
Farmers	132
Midvale Home & Auto	133
Allstate	138
Liberty Mutual	149
Elephant	151
Dairyland	158
GAINSCO	172
State Auto	178
The General	237
Bristol West	243
Foremost	284

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Penalties for driving without proof of insurance in Illinois

Driving without insurance is illegal in Illinois, and if you’re caught doing so, you’ll be subject to certain penalties:

Driving without insurance (first offense): You’ll need to pay a fine of at least $500. You’ll also have your vehicle registration suspended until you pay a reinstatement fee of $100 and provide proof of insurance.
Driving without insurance (repeat offenses): You’ll pay a fine of at least $500. You’ll also have your vehicle registration suspended for four months, at the end of which you must pay a $100 reinstatement fee and provide proof of insurance.
Driving without insurance and with a suspended vehicle registration: You’ll have to pay a fine of at least $1,000.
Driving without insurance (third or subsequent offense): In addition to the penalties outlined above, you’ll need to file an SR-22, proof of financial responsibility, for three years after the incident or have your license suspended.^[4]

Optional car insurance coverages to consider

In addition to the liability and uninsured motorist coverages Illinois requires, you can add several other coverages to your policy. These optional coverages will increase your premiums but also provide additional protection:

Collision coverage
Collision coverage pays for damage to your vehicle after a collision with a vehicle or another object, like a tree or telephone pole.
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive coverage pays for damage to your vehicle caused by non-collision incidents, such as weather, theft, and vandalism.
Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage
PIP coverage pays for some medical expenses and lost income after a covered accident, regardless of fault.
Medical payments coverage
Medical payments coverage pays for your medical bills after a covered accident, regardless of fault.
Gap coverage
Gap coverage pays the difference between your remaining auto loan amount and the amount your insurer compensates you if your car is totaled.

Best Cheap Auto Insurance in Chicago, Illinois (2023)

Illinois car insurance requirements FAQs

Are you looking to buy car insurance in Illinois? Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the state’s car insurance requirements.

Is car insurance required in Illinois?
Yes. Car insurance is required in Illinois. All drivers must have bodily injury liability coverage, property damage liability coverage, and uninsured motorist coverage to operate a vehicle legally in the state.
Do you need car insurance to register a car in Illinois?
Yes. You must provide proof of car insurance to register a vehicle in Illinois. Additionally, the state’s Electronic Liability Insurance Verification program verifies each vehicle’s coverage at least twice per year.^[4]
Does insurance follow the car or the driver in Illinois?
Car insurance in Illinois follows the car, which means that if someone else drives your vehicle and causes an accident, your insurance should still cover it. However, your insurer may deny your claim if a member of your household drives your car regularly but isn’t listed on your auto insurance policy.
Can you drive a car without insurance if you just bought it in Illinois?
No. Driving a car without insurance is never permissible, even if you just bought it. But if you already have an insurance policy, your insurer may grant you a grace period of between one week and 30 days to add your new vehicle to your policy.
When did Illinois make car insurance mandatory?
Illinois’ state government made car insurance mandatory in 1988. A judge from southern Illinois ruled the law unconstitutional, but the state’s Supreme Court upheld it in 1991.^[5]

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.

More cities in Illinois

More states

Sources

Illinois Department of Insurance. "Auto Insurance Shopping Guide." Accessed September 6, 2023
Kelley Blue Book. "Average New Car Price Sees Smallest Increase in a Decade." Accessed September 6, 2023
Automobile Insurance Plan Service Office. "Illinois Automobile Insurance Plan." Accessed September 6, 2023
The Office of the Illinois Secretary of State. "Mandatory Insurance." Accessed September 6, 2023
Chicago Tribune. "REQUIRED CAR INSURANCE ON ROAD TO VICTORY." Accessed September 6, 2023

Erin Gobler

Erin Gobler is a personal finance writer and journalist based in Madison, Wisconsin. With more than five years of experience, Erin has covered topics such as investing, credit cards, mortgages, insurance, and more. Her work has been featured in major publications like Business Insider, Fox Business, and Time. Erin received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 2013, studying journalism and political science. She also received a certificate of financial planning from Boston University in 2022.

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Edited byDanny SmithHome and Pet Insurance Editor

Danny SmithHome and Pet Insurance Editor

P&C license candidate in Massachusetts
4+ years in content creation and marketing

As Insurify’s home and pet insurance editor, Danny also specializes in auto insurance. His goal is to help consumers navigate the complex world of insurance buying.

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