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

In Peoria, Illinois, Mercury offers the cheapest minimum coverage, while American Family is most affordable for full coverage. Progressive provides the best rates for families with teens. Westfield is the best choice in terms of customer service. American Family is the best overall, offering a compelling blend of price and service quality. Choose a provider based on your needs and preferences for optimal insurance value.

MoneyGeek found that Mercury offers Peoria's cheapest car insurance with minimum coverage.

• Mercury: $272 per year
• Country Financial: $330 per year

Allstate has the most expensive minimum coverage policy in Peoria, with an annual cost of $690. The price difference of $418 between Mercury and Allstate highlights why it's essential for drivers to compare rates before choosing an insurer. Taking the time to shop around can lead to significant savings on car insurance.

For every car owner in Illinois, state law mandates the minimum car insurance specifications. These are required coverage 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 there's an accident and you're at fault, your minimum coverage would cover up to $25,000 for an individual's injuries but only up to $50,000 for one accident. If the expenses exceed these limits, you will have to shoulder the costs from your own pocket.

MoneyGeek found that American Family provide the cheapest full coverage car insurance option in Peoria. These are the most affordable full coverage providers:

• American Family: $672 per year
• GEICO: $745 per year

Hanover offers the priciest full coverage policy in Peoria at $1,613 per year. The $941 difference between the cheapest and the most expensive options underscores the importance of comparing rates for full coverage car insurance, which tends to cost more than minimum coverage due to its comprehensive protection.

A full coverage policy extends beyond higher liability limits. It also incorporates both comprehensive and collision coverages:

• Collision Insurance: This insurance pays for repairs to your car caused by collisions, whether with another car or an object like a tree or light pole. It also covers rollover accidents and pothole damage.

Comprehensive Insurance: This feature covers expenses arising from non-collision incidents, such as theft, vandalism, fires, natural disasters or being struck by an animal.

Owners of new vehicles are advised to opt for full coverage insurance to protect their substantial investment. Conversely, for older vehicles, the benefits of this extended coverage may not justify the extra expenditure, often amounting to hundreds of dollars more. When deciding how much car insurance you need, it is crucial to weigh the premium costs associated with more comprehensive coverage against the risk of inadequate protection from policies with lower coverage.

MoneyGeek found that American Family is the cheapest option for drivers with various driving infractions in Peoria. For a Peoria driver with a poor driving record, full coverage prices can differ based on the type of offense:

• Speeding Ticket: American Family ($804 per year)
• At-Fault Accident: American Family ($788 per year)
• DUI: American Family ($804 per year)

Grange Insurance has the most expensive rate after a speeding ticket at $2,066 per year. Hanover is the least affordable after an at-fault accident at $2,515 per year and for drivers with a DUI at $2,694 per year. The severity of a driving offense can impact the cost of car insurance, emphasizing the importance of comparing insurers and taking into account your specific driving history.

In Peoria and other cities, insurance rates typically escalate with the severity of a driving infraction due to increased risks assessed by insurers. For example, drivers with a speeding ticket may face an average annual rate of $1,752, while those with a DUI could see rates soar to around $2,316 per year. With such significant financial implications, drivers with offenses should diligently compare insurance rates to mitigate the higher costs associated with their driving record.

MoneyGeek found that Progressive offers the cheapest car insurance for teens in Peoria. These are the two most affordable providers:

• Progressive: $1,638 per year for female teens and $1,763 per year for male teens
• State Farm: $1,748 per year for female teens; Auto-Owners: $1,919 per year for male teens

These rates are for a family policy that includes two parents and a teenage driver. Teen drivers typically face higher quotes due to the increased risk they pose on the road. Allstate has the most expensive family policy in Peoria for teens at $2,264 per year for female teenagers. The rate difference of $626 for female teens highlights the potential impact on the household budget and the importance of researching options.

In Peoria and other cities in the U.S., it's financially advantageous for teens to opt into a joint family car insurance plan rather than seeking individual policies. On average, a standalone teen policy costs $4,761 per year, while being added to a family plan averages $2,161 — a substantial difference of $2,600. Insurers often charge higher premiums for individual teen policies due to the elevated risk that inexperienced drivers pose. Teens may also find obtaining approval for individual policies challenging without an established credit or driving history, making a family plan cost-effective and more accessible.

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

• American Family: $672 per year
• GEICO: $745 per year

Although USAA ranks tenth cheapest at $1,115 per year, it is known for its services tailored to the specific needs of active duty military members. This makes it an excellent option for those eligible for its policies.

Finding the best car insurance rates in Peoria can result in significant savings. However, manually comparing quotes from multiple companies can take over an hour.

MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator simplifies this process, delivering instantaneous estimates tailored to your specific parameters. You can effortlessly receive a personalized rate estimate by inputting details such as age, driving history, credit score and desired coverage.

Choosing the right auto insurance for you hinges on what you prioritize: service quality, cost or coverage options. MoneyGeek's comprehensive evaluations reveal the top car insurance providers in Peoria for various needs, employing distinct scoring metrics across categories:

• Best overall: American Family (MoneyGeek score 85 out of 100)
• Best for service: Westfield (MoneyGeek score 82 out of 100)
• Best cheap: Westfield (MoneyGeek score 81 out of 100)

When the same company emerges as a leading option in multiple categories, it indicates its outstanding performance citywide. In Peoria, Westfield stands out with its top-tier affordable service, establishing itself as the prime choice for both service-centric and budget-conscious consumers. American Family balances cost-effectiveness and service, ensuring comprehensive value for a wide range of customers.

MoneyGeek found that American Family offers the best option for full coverage car insurance in Peoria. Consider these top providers for the best car insurance:

• American Family: MoneyGeek score of 85 out of 100 ($672 per year)
• Westfield: MoneyGeek score of 81 out of 100 ($1,045 per year)

American Family earns its top spot primarily due to perfect satisfaction and affordability scores, making it an exceptional choice for drivers in Peoria seeking quality service and competitive pricing.

MoneyGeek found that Westfield is the best option in Peoria for top-notch car insurance customer service. This is based on its impressive performance in general satisfaction, claims handling and coverages, without considering its rates.

• Westfield: MoneyGeek score of 82 out of 100 ($1,045 per year)
• American Family: MoneyGeek score of 80 out of 100 ($672 per year)

Westfield stands out mainly due to its exceptionally high general satisfaction and claims scores, which are the largest contributors to its MoneyGeek score. These metrics highlight the company’s commitment to delivering outstanding service and support to its policyholders.

MoneyGeek found that Westfield is the leading provider of the most affordable car insurance in Peoria. The company's impressive MoneyGeek score reflects its superior services, encompassing affordability, claims handling and customer satisfaction.

• Westfield: MoneyGeek score of 81 out of 100 ($391 per year)
• Erie: MoneyGeek score of 80 out of 100 ($388 per year)

Westfield distinguishes itself from the competition by offering the most competitive rates and excellent customer service — a combination that is essential to consumers looking for car insurance that offers top value. This MoneyGeek score represents the cost for a minimum coverage policy. With Westfield, policyholders can enjoy a harmonious balance between expense and quality service.

Car insurance in Peoria, Illinois, costs an average of $993 per year. Compared to the Illinois state average of $1,153, residents in Peoria pay $160 less for car insurance. Illinois also benefits from lower average car insurance rates than the national average of $1,781.

Geographic location plays a significant role in determining car insurance premiums. Factors such as the frequency of accidents, theft rates and the volume of traffic influence how insurers calculate premiums for different locales. According to MoneyGeek's analysis, Springfield is the city with the lowest average insurance cost at $989, while Chicago has the highest at $1,442. These figures illustrate a substantial difference of $453 within the same state. It's also worth noting that the rates may be even more favorable in rural areas or non-city regions with a lower traffic density.