Illinois Car Insurance Laws and Requirements (2023)

Jennifer Pendell
Written byJennifer Pendell
Photo of an Insurify author
Jennifer PendellInsurance Writer

Jennifer Pendell is a personal finance expert. She specializes in breaking down dense subjects to make them easier for consumers to understand, with a particular interest in homeowners, renters, and auto insurance concepts. She studied at the University of Iowa.

Jackie Cohen
Edited byJackie Cohen
Photo of an Insurify author
Jackie CohenEditorial Manager

Jackie Cohen is an editorial manager at Insurify specializing in property & casualty insurance educational content. She has years of experience analyzing insurance trends and helping consumers better understand their insurance coverage to make informed decisions about their finances.

Jackie's work has been cited in USA Today, The Balance, and The Washington Times.

Updated June 17, 2022

Save up to $717 by comparing quotes from the top 70+ insurance companies

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Shopper Approved
ProgressiveLiberty MutualTravelers

Advertiser Disclosure


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.

Why you can trust Insurify: As an independent agent and insurance comparison website, Insurify makes money through commissions from insurance companies. However, our expert insurance writers and editors operate independently of our insurance partners. Learn more.

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.

Quick Facts
  • Car insurance is required by law in Illinois.

  • Drivers in Illinois must carry 25/50/20 in liability coverages.

  • If caught driving uninsured, drivers face $500 to $1,000 in fines and potential jail time.

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.

Why is car insurance required in Illinois?

Auto insurance protects drivers from financial liability in the event of an accident. Depending on a policy’s specific coverage limitations, car insurance may cover everything from vehicle damage to medical bills.

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.

Compare Car Insurance Quotes Instantly

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Shopper Approved
ProgressiveLiberty MutualTravelers

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.

Average Cost of Car Insurance in Illinois

Average Cost of Car Insurance in Illinois

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

High-Risk Car Insurance in Illinois

High-Risk Car Insurance in Illinois

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.

Insurance CompanyMonthly Quote for Minimum Coverage
Progressive$69
Travelers$78
Dairyland$119
Bristol West$115
Nationwide$163
Liberty Mutual$131
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.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is car insurance mandatory in Illinois?

    Yes. Mandatory insurance requirements in Illinois follow the 25/50/20 rule—$25,000 for bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 for bodily injury liability per accident, and $20,000 for property damage coverage per accident.

  • Is Illinois a no-fault state?

    No. Like most states, Illinois is an at-fault state. The driver who is at fault for an accident must pay for the damages of the victims.

  • Does Illinois require uninsured motorist protection?

    Yes. According to the Illinois Department of Insurance, minimum limits for uninsured motorist bodily injury are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.

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

    Yes. Insurance is required for any vehicle that has to display license plates and is being driven.

  • How can I find cheap car insurance in Illinois?

    Start by comparing car insurance quotes from lots of different insurance companies. This will help you make sure you’re getting the best deal on car insurance.

Compare Car Insurance Quotes Instantly

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Shopper Approved
ProgressiveLiberty MutualTravelers

Methodology

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.

Sources

  1. Illinois Department of Insurance. "State Minimum Car Insurance Requirements." Accessed June 15, 2022
  2. Illinois Secretary of State. "Penalties for Driving Uninsured." Accessed June 16, 2022
Jennifer Pendell
Jennifer PendellInsurance Writer

Jennifer Pendell is a personal finance expert. She specializes in breaking down dense subjects to make them easier for consumers to understand, with a particular interest in homeowners, renters, and auto insurance concepts. She studied at the University of Iowa.

Jackie Cohen
Edited byJackie CohenEditorial Manager
Photo of an Insurify author
Jackie CohenEditorial Manager

Jackie Cohen is an editorial manager at Insurify specializing in property & casualty insurance educational content. She has years of experience analyzing insurance trends and helping consumers better understand their insurance coverage to make informed decisions about their finances.

Jackie's work has been cited in USA Today, The Balance, and The Washington Times.