Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in Joliet, IL (July 2024)

In Joliet, Illinois, Mercury offers the cheapest minimum coverage car insurance. American Family has the most affordable full coverage. It is also the overall best, balancing cost and customer satisfaction, which is critical for those evaluating comprehensive value. Progressive is the most cost-effective provider for families with teens. Westfield leads in service quality. The ideal insurer depends on individual needs and coverage preferences.

MoneyGeek found that Mercury is the cheapest option in Joliet for drivers looking for the cheapest car insurance.

• Mercury: $326 per year
• Country Financial: $378 per year

Allstate has the most expensive minimum coverage policy in Joliet, at a premium of $758 per year. The rate difference between the most and least expensive options is $432, demonstrating the importance of shopping around for car insurance to ensure you are getting the best deal for your budget.

Across all cities in Illinois, state law predetermines the minimum car insurance coverage required. These are the mandated limits:

• $25,000 bodily injury per person
• $50,000 bodily injury per accident
• $20,000 property damage liability per accident
• $25,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
• $50,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident

Suppose you're covered with the legal minimum and cause an accident where one person's bodily injury expenses are $30,000. Your policy would cover up to $25,000, with the remaining $5,000 being your responsibility. If multiple people are injured, you could reach the per-accident limits quickly. Your car insurance policy covers you up to a certain amount, and you are liable out of pocket for the rest of the expenses.

MoneyGeek found that American Family is the cheapest option in Joliet for the cheapest full coverage car insurance.

• American Family: $848 per year
• Country Financial: $849 per year

Hanover has the most expensive full coverage policy in Joliet, at an annual cost of $1,942 — $1,094 more than American Family. This price gap underscores the importance of comparing rates to ensure you're not overpaying for full coverage, which tends to be pricier than minimum coverage due to its comprehensive protection.

Full coverage car insurance policies have higher liability limits. It also includes both comprehensive and collision coverage:

• Collision Insurance: This coverage reimburses you for any damage your car sustains after hitting or being hit by another vehicle or object like a tree or light pole. It also covers rollover accidents and pothole damage.

• Comprehensive Insurance: This protection covers the costs for non-collision-related damage to your automobile, such as vandalism, theft, fires, the impact of natural disasters or being hit by an animal like a deer.

For drivers with brand-new vehicles, opting for full coverage is a strategic move to protect your investment against unforeseen events. However, the decision may not be as straightforward for owners of older cars, where the cost of added protection might outweigh its benefits. Figuring out the right amount of car insurance for you involves weighing the potentially high premiums of comprehensive coverage against the risk of being inadequately insured. It's essential to assess these factors to make an informed insurance decision that aligns with your needs.

MoneyGeek found that the most affordable full coverage policy options for drivers in Joliet with a poor driving record vary depending on the specific driving infraction. These are the cheapest providers for each offense:

• Speeding Ticket: Auto-Owners ($1,004 per year)
• At-Fault Accident: American Family ($1,009 per year)
• DUI: American Family ($1,025 per year)

Hanover has the most expensive annual rates after a DUI at $3,245 and following an at-fault accident at $3,027. Grange Insurance is the most costly after a speeding ticket at $2,230 per year. The severity of a traffic violation can significantly affect car insurance costs, but you may still find affordable options.

In cities like Joliet, insurance rates typically increase with the severity of a traffic violation due to the higher risk perceived by insurers. For instance, drivers with a DUI may see annual rates soar to an average of $2,723, while those with a speeding ticket face slightly lower premiums at around $2,022. This contrast underscores why comparing insurance quotes is crucial for individuals with driving offenses, as it could lead to significant cost savings.

MoneyGeek found that Progressive offers the cheapest car insurance for teens in Joliet. These are the top companies to consider:

• Progressive: $1,952 per year for female teens and $2,100 per year for male teens
• Auto-Owners: $2,127 per year for female teens and $2,179 per year for male teens

These rates reflect the annual premiums of a policy covering two parents and a teenage driver. GEICO has the highest teen family policy rate at $2,673 per year for female teens — a significant difference of $721 compared to Progressive's rate. This disparity underscores the importance of comparing insurance options, especially for high-risk drivers like teenagers.

In Joliet and many cities, teens seeking car insurance face steep premiums. An individual teen policy costs an average of $5,651 per year, compared to $2,572 when added to a family plan. Insurance providers charge more for independent teen policies due to inexperienced drivers' higher risk of accidents. Teens may also struggle to secure a policy on their own, as providers often require an established record of responsible driving and credit history, which many young drivers lack. Opting into a family plan cuts costs and increases the likelihood of approval.

MoneyGeek found that American Family offers the cheapest car insurance for military backgrounds in Joliet. These are the most affordable providers:

• American Family: $848 per year
• Country Financial: $849 per year

While USAA is not the cheapest at $1,153 per year, it provides tailored service to active duty military members.

Comparing car insurance rates in Joliet is vital for savings. However, evaluating three or more companies may take over an hour.

MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator streamlines this process. You can receive tailored rate estimates quickly by inputting key variables such as age, driving history, credit score and coverage preferences.

Finding the right auto insurance for you depends on your preferences for service, cost and coverage. MoneyGeek’s unique scoring system weighs these aspects to recommend Joliet's premier insurance providers tailored to various needs.

• Best overall: American Family (MoneyGeek score 85 out of 100)
• Best for service: Westfield (MoneyGeek score 82 out of 100)
• Best cheap: Mercury (MoneyGeek score 80 out of 100)

With different companies excelling in each category, consumers have clear choices. Mercury might be the optimal choice if saving money is a high priority, as the company offers cost-effective policies without compromising service quality. Westfield caters to those who value customer service above cost concerns. Meanwhile, American Family represents the best balance between affordability and quality service, making it the top pick for overall value in Joliet.

MoneyGeek found that American Family is the best car insurance option in Joliet. It ensures customers have outstanding service and policies tailored to meet their needs. These are the top providers:

• American Family: MoneyGeek score of 85 out of 100 ($848 per year)
• Westfield: MoneyGeek score of 84 out of 100 ($1,095 per year)

American Family's exceptional rating is a combination of the highest satisfaction and the maximum affordability scores, establishing its mark as the leading provider in Joliet. Its well-rounded offer includes a full coverage policy that secures policyholders comprehensively at a competitive annual premium.

MoneyGeek found that Westfield is the best option in Joliet for car insurance in terms of customer service. This ranking is attributed to the company's remarkable performance in general satisfaction, claims handling and available coverages without considering rates.

• Westfield: MoneyGeek score of 82 out of 100 ($1,095 per year)
• American Family: MoneyGeek score of 80 out of 100 ($848 per year)

Westfield distinguishes itself in Joliet's competitive insurance market primarily due to its superior general satisfaction rate and claims handling process. These key factors contributed significantly to its leading MoneyGeek score, confirming its status as the top provider of consumer-oriented car insurance services.

MoneyGeek found that Mercury is the best option in Joliet for those seeking affordable car insurance that doesn't compromise on quality.

• Mercury: MoneyGeek score of 80 out of 100 ($326 per year)
• Westfield: MoneyGeek score of 80 out of 100 ($469 per year)

Mercury leads with a score demonstrating exceptional value, especially for drivers needing minimum coverage policies. Its top score in Joliet is influenced by its affordability, customer satisfaction and claims processing ratings. This combination positions Mercury at the forefront for consumers focused on cost and quality assurance in their car insurance choice.

Car insurance in Joliet, Illinois, costs an average of $1,126 per year, which is $27 less than the state average of $1,153. Illinois’s average cost is cheaper by $628 than the national average of $1,781.

Location plays a significant role in determining car insurance rates due to factors such as traffic density, crime rates and the likelihood of accidents. For instance, Chicago, Illinois, has the highest premium at $1,442, which is $289 more than the state average. On the other hand, Springfield has the most affordable premium at $989, showing a decrease of $164 from Illinois' average car insurance cost. Car insurance rates may drop even further in less urbanized areas with lower levels of traffic density, highlighting the significant impact location has on insurance costs.