Looking for Cheap Car Insurance in Illinois?
Insurance rates are different across the United States, and Illinois' insurance rates, in particular, are known to be among the lowest in the country—especially compared to other major metropolitan areas like New York City or Los Angeles.
A blend of rural and urban areas characterizes Illinois, but it is the state's large city, Chicago, that weighs most heavily on rates of car insurance. Illinois is prone to harsh winter weather, netting above-average yearly precipitation; this helps explain why residents pay more for auto coverage. If you live in one of the many small towns throughout the state, your car insurance premiums will be even lower than if you were to live in Chicago or St. Louis.
Luckily, no matter where you live, there are several ways to save on your car insurance without sacrificing coverage when you shop with Carlay. Sign up for Carlay, and it will help you find the cheapest car insurance based on the coverage you need. All it takes is 45 seconds, and Carlay will provide you with quotes from over 50 top insurance providers. As a result, the average Carlay user saves $879 per year on car insurance.
The results speak for themselves. These are actual quotes and savings from customers in Illinois who switched with Carlay:
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Illinois?
If you opt for liability-only car insurance in Illinois, you'll pay an average of $1,742 per year. Full coverage car insurance in Illinois will cost you an average of $2,271 per year.
As compared to the national average, liability-only car insurance costs $1,783 per year in this city, while full-coverage car insurance costs $2,485 per year.
What contributes to the insurance rates in Illinois?
The following are the most important factors that contribute to the cost of auto insurance in Illinois:
- Interstates
As a state, Illinois has a lot of interstate driving opportunities, which means more accidents, stolen cars, and damage claims for insurers to pay out on. Additionally, the sheer volume of traffic over interstate means there are more vehicles on highways at any given time. All of these things contribute to higher-than-average car insurance rates.
- Busy cities
Chicago and its suburbs occupy a region that's home to 6 of America's 10 most-congested highways. Busy roads mean more traffic accidents, and more traffic accidents mean higher insurance rates.
- Harsh weather
Ice, sleet, and snow are common problems, especially in northern Illinois, where winter can last for six months or more. All these hazards contribute to expensive claims for auto repair and property damage.
Here's how prices for Illinois homeowners' insurance stacked up to nationwide averages:
| All Coverage Before Carlay | All Coverage After Carlay | Minimum Coverage Before Carlay | Minimum Coverage After Carlay | Full Coverage Before Carlay | Full Coverage After Carlay | |
| IL | $1,995 | $1,410 | $2,427 | $1,308 | $2,405 | $1,704 |
| National Average | $2,490 | $1,672 | $2,360 | $1,391 | $2,762 | $1,964 |
| IL | National Average | |
| All Coverage Before Carlay | $1,995 | $2,490 |
| All Coverage After Carlay | $1,410 | $1,672 |
| Minimum Coverage Before Carlay | $2,427 | $2,360 |
| Minimum Coverage After Carlay | $1,308 | $1,391 |
| Full Coverage Before Carlay | $2,405 | $2,762 |
| Full Coverage After Carlay | $1,704 | $1,964 |
Top auto insurance providers in Illinois
Insurers like Geico, State Farm, and Travelers are just a few of many top car insurance providers in Illinois. To explore what each company offers, visit their sites and compare coverage, prices, and customer satisfaction scores to find an auto insurance provider that suits your needs.
But if you have time to compare us with another provider, you might find the other provider works better for you. When you're looking for car insurance quotes, you may get some very different quotes back from each provider. Illinois carriers consider many factors as they develop your premiums, so your rates can be quite different even if you have the same coverage with more than one company.
Your car insurance rates will vary based on the type of vehicle you drive. For example, it is cheaper to protect a Toyota Camry than a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited because of the difference in cost between their respective MSRPs and the cost of individual parts to repair or replace them.
Carlay Insurance can provide quality auto insurance to Illinois drivers, regardless of their demographics. Carlay gives them the best possible rates on car insurance. Here are some of the savings we have found for our customers in that state:
| Insurance Company | Average Cost | Annual Savings with Carlay | |
| Kemper | $3,823 | $2,171 | Compare Prices |
| State Auto | $3,232 | $1,013 | Compare Prices |
| Dairyland | $2,774 | $952 | Compare Prices |
| Allstate | $3,122 | $938 | Compare Prices |
| National General | $2,977 | $937 | Compare Prices |
| Travelers | $2,655 | $892 | Compare Prices |
| Nationwide | $2,264 | $722 | Compare Prices |
| Safeco | $2,452 | $564 | Compare Prices |
What Car Insurance Do You Need in Illinois?
Residents of Illinois must carry minimum liability insurance for their vehicles. This coverage includes the following:
| Coverage | Amount | Description |
| Bodily injury liability | $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident | Covers the costs of injuries caused to other people. |
| Property damage liability | $20,000 per accident | This insurance policy will pay for any damage you cause to other people's vehicles or property. |
If you are caught driving without insurance, you could be penalized with:
- Up to $1,000 for a first offense
- $1,000 fine for driving with suspended plates due to an insurance violation
- Drivers license and vehicle registration suspension of up to three months
- $100 reinstatement fee
Liability insurance protects you from financial responsibility for accidents that happen in your vehicle. However, accidents can be unpredictable and costly, so it's smart to carry more than the minimum liability insurance to protect your assets and family. Here are some Illinois insurance plans you might want to consider:
| Coverage | Description |
| Collision insurance | Covers the cost of damage caused by a collision with a stationary object or vehicle. |
| Comprehensive insurance | Covers your vehicle against losses that aren't the result of a collision, such as vandalism, theft, or a natural disaster. |
| Roadside assistance | Covers the costs associated with a breakdown |
Carlay is committed to helping you find an insurance policy that meets your needs and supports your financial goals. Sign up for free, and in minutes you'll receive quotes from dozens of leading insurers. If you'd like help with the paperwork or have questions about changing policies, we're also here to help. We'll even send you a quote whenever it's time to renew—so you know you're getting the best rates available.
Now that you know what insurance to get, here's more about insurance in Illinois.
How is Your Cost of Car Insurance Determined in Illinois?
Car insurance companies determine your premiums based on a number of factors, including your credit history, your driving record and claims history, the model of the car you drive, and its safety features.
What young drivers in Illinois need to know
Young drivers aged 17-24 in Illinois are considered high-risk drivers due to their inexperience and the high accident or citation rate. To receive a discount on premiums, they can take a defensive driving course. In addition, these young drivers who keep a B average or higher could be eligible for a good student discount.
Young drivers should shop around for insurance quotes and maintain a clean driving record to avoid high car insurance costs.
Carlay's insurance comparison tool helps young drivers save money on their car insurance in Illinois by comparing quotes from top providers. Here are the approximate average rates charged by insurers in the state for young drivers:
| Age Group | Average Cost | Annual Savings with Carlay |
| 18-20 | $2,442 | $953 |
| 21-24 | $2,634 | $934 |
| 25-34 | $2,390 | $888 |
| 35-44 | $2,248 | $875 |
| 45-54 | $2,274 | $939 |
| 55-64 | $2,012 | $693 |
| 65+ | $2,214 | $939 |
- Cost to insure your car in Illinois with a poor driving record
When calculating your Illinois car insurance rates, providers will consider your previous driving record. If you've been in an accident, gotten a speeding ticket, or had a DUI or other major violation, your premiums will be higher than those of drivers who have clean records. Because of your previous offense, your insurance company will consider you a high-risk driver, and they will raise your rates.
For drivers with previous infractions, Carlay can help find the most affordable rates for the coverage they need. Here are the best rates Carlay has negotiated for her customers who have a past violation:
| Driving Violation | Average Cost | Annual Savings with Carlay |
| Clean Record | $2,521 | $852 |
| DUI | $4,488 | $2,934 |
| Careless Driving | $3,200 | $1,830 |
| Open Container | $2,838 | $1,623 |
| Speeding under 15 | $3,048 | $1,159 |
| Improper Passing | $2,695 | $980 |
| Defective Equipment | $1,980 | $958 |
| Speeding over 15 | $3,292 | $899 |
| Wrong Way/Wrong Lane | $2,629 | $844 |
| Failure to Obey Traffic Sign | $2,706 | $696 |
- Cost to insure your car in Illinois based on where you live
While Illinois's average car insurance rates are low compared with the rest of the country, your premiums will be determined by your home address. Here's one example: Chicago residents pay higher car insurance premiums because their city has busy roads, higher accident rates, and higher car theft rates.
If you live in Illinois and want to find affordable insurance rates, Carlay is the company for you:
- Cost to insure your car in Illinois based on the type of car you drive
The cost of your car insurance can vary depending on the type of car you drive. The more expensive the car, the higher the premiums!
For example, drivers in Illinois who purchase Honda Accord can reduce their insurance premiums by choosing a car with an affordable base price and high reliability and safety ratings. This is because Accord is less likely to need repairs than many other models of cars.
However, in Illinois, some people have expensive tastes, preferring luxury cars like the McLaren GT. In fact, many insurance companies have started to charge these car owners more for car insurance because of the higher cost of repairs and parts.
Here are some sample insurance quotes for a few Illinois models with and without Carlay:
How to Save Money On Car Insurance in Illinois?
There are plenty of ways to save money on car insurance in Illinois if you know where to look. Suppose you shop around, compare rates and policies carefully, and select the best offer. In that case, it's easy to see how you can save some big bucks per year on car insurance in Illinois just by making the right decisions in your search for the right policy with Carlay.
- Shop around for quotes
Saving money on car insurance can be simple if you compare quotes from reputable companies. However, this does not always work the quickest. You might have to make many phone calls to find the best deal.
Fortunately, Carlay can cut through finding the right insurance for you, saving you time and money. Sign up today to get quotes from over 50 top insurance providers. Once you choose your policy, Carlay will take care of the paperwork and answer any questions you may have throughout the process. Best of all, Carlay users save $879 on average on car insurance.
Your renewal date is an important reminder for you to weigh your options and review quotes from Carlay — and we're happy to help with that.
- Look for discounts
Most insurers offer discounts, so you should do some investigation to see whether you qualify for any of them.
Now, here's a quick overview of some popular Illinois discounts:
In addition to offering discounts for seniors and low-income individuals, Illinois providers may also offer discounts for homeowners, married couples, and veterans.
- Increase your deductible
If you set your deductible to a higher amount, you could reduce the amount of money you're paying out of pocket for insurance.
On the other hand, with a lower monthly premium, you may have to pay more at once if you do need to make a claim. So, be sure that you are able to pay your deductible in full each time you have to make a claim.
Registering Your Car in Illinois
You need to have all of the following paperwork on hand if you want to register a car in Illinois:
- A driver's license or ID card
- A car title or signed lease agreement
- Completed application for vehicle transaction
- Proof of Illinois residency
- Description of the vehicle Odometer
- Disclosure Statement
- Proof of insurance
- Payment and fees
To avoid a long wait at the DMV, make an appointment online. You will need to fill out more forms when you go in person, including personal and vehicle information.
Illinois motorists are required to renew their vehicle registration every year.