Car Insurance Requirements in Illinois (2024)

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.

Find Cheap Car Insurance in Illinois

Quotes start as low as $28 for liability coverage

Código postalView My Quotes

Seguro. Gratis. Fácil de usar.

Basado en más de 3806 reseñas

4.8/5

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]

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]

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.

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 $79 per month. Below are some of the cheapest car insurance companies for liability-only car insurance in Illinois.

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 $184 per month. Below are some of the cheapest car insurance companies in Illinois for full coverage.

Shop for Car Insurance in Illinois

Check quotes from 100+ top insurance companies

Código postalGet My Quotes

Seguro. Gratis. Fácil de usar.

Basado en más de 3806 reseñas

4.8/5

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.

Illinois car insurance requirements FAQs