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To legally drive a car in any U.S. state, you need to have at the very least liability auto insurance. This insurance is used to pay for the costs of personal injury and vehicle repair for the non-at-fault party in an accident.
Uninsured drivers made up 13.7% of all drivers in Illinois in 2015, which is about average for all states. What is more, in 2017, Illinois was among the top 10 states in terms of the most vehicle thefts, which amounted to 20,881, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
Good car insurance protects you not only from road incidents but also from theft and that’s one more reason not to skip auto insurance.
To better understand all your options and find the right insurance for your needs, read on. In this guide to Chicago car insurance, you’ll discover some of the best deals currently available.
Overview: Car Insurance in Chicago, Illinois
- Average number of vehicles: 1 per household
- Minimum state insurance requirements:
- $25,000 per injured person in bodily injury coverage
- $50,000 total per accident in bodily injury coverage
- $20,000 per accident in property damage coverage
- Average annual insurance rate: $1,296
Chicago's Car Insurance Minimum Explained
You are in compliance with the mandatory insurance law of Illinois if you have vehicle liability insurance. The minimal amount for death or injury of a single person as a result of an accident is $25,000, or $50,000 for more than one person. As for property damage, the minimum insured amount is $20,000.
You should always keep your insurance card in the car as proof of insurance. Otherwise, if you fail to show proof of insurance at the scene of an accident or when pulled over for a traffic violation, a police officer can issue a traffic citation. This can result in license plate suspension and additional fines.
How Much You'll Pay for Auto Insurance in Chicago
Your rate will largely depend on your vehicle's make and model, your credit score and your driving history, among other things. While we can't predict what rate you'll get before you actually go in and get a quote yourself, we can tell you what you can expect to pay.
Insurance Rates Per Vehicle
The type of vehicle you drive has a great impact on the insurance rate. Standard four-door sedans are generally cheapest vehicles to insure. Newer cars are favored by insurance companies since they have all of the latest safety and anti-theft features. Some insurers will even give a new car discount.
The Toyota Camry is the most popular car in Chicago which is a great choice since it is a reliable vehicle that typically has moderate insurance rates.
SUV, Foreign cars and sports cars are typically more expensive to insure since they are costly to repair and can require special parts.
Insurance Rates by Insurance Credit Score
Insurance companies are allowed to use your insurance credit score to set insurance rates in 47 states, Illinois being one of them. If you have a bad credit history, you might have to pay as much as double the regular rate. Rest assured, some insurance companies offer good rates even for people whose credit is not perfect. If you are looking to raise your credit score to avoid these higher rates, you can make sure you are paying your monthly bills on time, paying down credit card debt, and monitoring your credit for any misinformation.
You can get a quote and decide which company is your best choice.
| Credit Score | Cheapest Provider | Rate for Reccomended Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Poor 300-579 | Country Financial | $2,966 |
| Fair 580-669 | State Farm | $2,142 |
| Good 670-739 | State Farm | $1,584 |
| Excellent 740+ | Erie Insurance | $1,430 |
Insurance Rates for Drivers with a Clean Record
Having a clean driving record is critical when it comes to insurance. Overall, it is in your best interest to pay attention while driving and to avoid texting while driving and to respect speed limits at all times.
Not only will you save money on tickets and keep your record clean, but you will also save on insurance. There are many categories of insurance premiums, but all of them will be cheaper if you have a clean driving record.
First, there are the bare minimum auto insurance coverages that are determined by the state. Drivers need to have a valid liability insurance policy at all times. Full coverage insurance is a combination of different types of coverages. Liability insurance covers the damage caused to other parties (assuming the policyholder is at fault), including their car repairs and personal injuries. The comprehensive type is for repairs which are not a result of an accident (like vandalism, theft, fire to name to name a few). Collision covers the damage to your own vehicle.
This table shows the best deals in Chicago which reward drivers with a clean record.
| Insurance Agency | State Minimum Insurance | Standard Coverage | Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $1,215 | $1,348 | $1,771 |
| Travelers | $1,343 | $1,497 | $1,960 |
| USAA | $1,286 | $1,468 | $1,757 |
| GEICO | $1,542 | $1,772 | $2,024 |
| Progressive | $1,248 | $1,523 | $1,839 |
Insurance Rates with Driving Infractions
Driving infractions have a negative impact on car insurance rates. Depending on their severity, they can lead to a considerable increase.
Driving without a valid license, running a red light, speeding, and any form of distracted driving fall into the traffic infraction category. These are reported to your insurance agency. These types of offenses will raise your insurance premium.
Repeated offenses, leaving the scene of an accident and DUI can all lead to felony charges. Your license may be revoked and you will not be able to drive for an extended period of time.
Drivers who respect the law enjoy the benefits of cheaper insurance. You can see the effects of various offenses in the table below.
| Insurance Agency | At-Fault Accident | Speed Violation | DUI |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $2,809 | $2,443 | $3,879 |
| Nationwide | $3,162 | $2,806 | $3,718 |
| American Family | $3,981 | $3,182 | $5,293 |
| Farmers | $3,013 | $2,630 | $4,888 |
| Allstate | $4,324 | $3,890 | $5,877 |
The Best Insurance Providers in Chicago
As you might guess, some insurance providers in Chicago are better than others. Here are some of the worthy mentions: USAA, GEICO, State Farm, and Progressive. All of them are a great choice; it just comes down to personal preference.
Let’s go over the best car insurance companies in Chicago. The choice was made based on service quality, price, and reputation.
Related content: Best Car Insurance in South Carolina
- Rideshare drivers
1. Best Overall: State Farm
State Farm came out on top overall. What is great about this company is that it rewards people with clean driving records and average credit scores.
Respecting traffic laws and regulations is something everyone should do. State Farm encourages this by decreasing the rates for law-abiding citizens. With many families sharing a vehicle in Chicago, State Farm offers discounts for new drivers, driver training discount, and even good student discounts.
With State Farm, it’s easy to bundle your home, renters, business, auto and more.
You can see that State Farm’s prices are low all around. The average state minimum annual rate of $1,215 for those with a clean driving record making it less than what other insurance providers have to offer.
If you have a clean driving record with no repeated tickets or vehicle felony charges in recent years, you might be able to get a full coverage policy at a very affordable price.
With a little more than the standard coverage, State Farms offers the most affordable full coverage auto insurance for the average driver. The average full coverage policy is just a few hundred more and most may consider it money well spent.
- Drivers with consistently good driving habits
2. Best Premium Car Insurance in Chicago: Progressive
Progressive offers some interesting features, such as Name Your Price. It lets you name a price that you are willing to pay and it will tell you which coverage option you can afford.
If you own a premium or luxury car, you might find that Progressive offers the best deal and protection including accidents, hail, glass damage, and theft.
Read Benzinga's full Progressive Auto Insurance Review
Drive Safe and Insured in Chicago
Chicago is the third-most populous city in the U.S. Because traffic jams and long commutes are inevitable , you should always drive carefully and avoid distractions and carry a reliable car insurance policy.
There are many affordable options to choose from. These options are well-suited for everyone, even for people with a bad credit score or people who have some recent driving infractions.
Want to learn more about the best insurance providers? Check out our guide to home insurance in Illinois, the best tornado insurance providers and the best health insurance companies.
*Quotes were obtained using the following profile: base 2015 Toyota Camry, male, 40-years-old. Policies reflect state minimum coverage options. We make every effort to provide the most accurate quotes based on the profile above. Due to the many combined variables involved in insurance quotes, the only way to get an accurate quote is to enter your own information through our partners' secure websites.
