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

In Rockford, Illinois, Mercury offers the cheapest minimum coverage car insurance policy. American Family is the most affordable for full coverage and ranks the best overall, combining price and service. State Farm is the most cost-effective provider for families with teens. Westfield stands out for customer service. Choosing the best insurer hinges on your individual needs and coverage priorities.

MoneyGeek found that Mercury is the cheapest car insurance option in Rockford for minimum coverage. Drivers looking to save should explore these most affordable providers:

• Mercury: $290 per year
• Country Financial: $324 per year

Grange Insurance offers Rockford's most expensive minimum coverage policy at an annual premium of $702. This is a significant $412 difference from Mercury's lowest-priced policy, exemplifying the importance of comparing rates to ensure you're not overpaying for your car insurance.

For all cities in Illinois, state law dictates car insurance minimums. These are the mandated coverages:

• $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

If you have a minimum coverage policy and are at fault in an accident, your insurance pays up to $25,000 for an individual's injuries and $50,000 for all injuries sustained in one accident. However, if the actual expenses exceed these limits, you're personally liable for the difference. Having enough to cover the basics is essential, but be aware of your liability risk.

MoneyGeek found that American Family offers the cheapest full coverage car insurance in Rockford. The top two most affordable providers are:

• American Family: $722 per year
• Country Financial: $773 per year

Hanover offers the most expensive policy at $1,754 per year — $1,032 more than the cheapest option. The rate difference highlights the need to compare rates for full coverage car insurance, which tends to be more costly due to the comprehensive protection it offers.

Full coverage policies have increased liability limits and incorporate comprehensive and collision insurance as part of the policy.

• Collision Insurance: This insurance covers repairs if your vehicle incurs damage from hitting another car or object like a tree or light pole. It also covers rollover accidents and pothole damage.

• Comprehensive Insurance: This covers repair costs if your car is damaged from non-collision incidents, such as theft, vandalism, fires, natural disasters or being hit by an animal like a deer.

For owners of new vehicles, investing in a full coverage insurance policy is wise to protect your substantial investment. For those with older vehicles, the additional expense of a few hundred dollars for enhanced insurance may not prove economical. Determining how much car insurance you need lies in striking a balance between affordable premiums and the risks associated with insufficient coverage.

MoneyGeek found that American Family is the most affordable insurer for drivers with a poor driving history in Rockford, offering lower rates for various infractions.

• Speeding Ticket: American Family ($864 per year)
• At-Fault Accident: American Family ($851 per year)
• DUI: American Family ($864 per year)

Hanover is the most expensive provider after a DUI at $2,915 per year and following an at-fault accident at $2,719 per year. Grange Insurance has the highest rate for drivers with a speeding ticket at $2,139 per year. The severity of driving offenses can affect car insurance rates, but cheaper options are still available.

Insurance rates often rise as the severity of driving violations increases, reflecting the higher risk presented by drivers with poor driving records. For example, drivers in Rockford with a DUI face an average annual rate of $2,446 compared to $1,839 for those cited with a speeding ticket. This steep rate disparity underscores the importance for individuals with driving offenses to diligently compare insurance rates, ensuring they secure the most economical coverage.

MoneyGeek found that State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance for teens in Rockford.

• State Farm: $1,881 per year for female teens; Auto-Owners: $2,043 per year for male teens
• Progressive: $1,963 per year for female teens and $2,113 per year for male teens

These figures represent annual premiums for policies that cover two parents and a teenage driver. Allstate has the highest quoted annual premium for female teen drivers at $2,202. The rate difference of $321 between the cheapest and most expensive options illustrates why shopping around is crucial, especially given that teen drivers are considered higher risk.

In Rockford and many U.S. cities, the difference in teen auto insurance costs is notable when comparing individual policies to family plans. A teen purchasing an individual car insurance policy faces an average annual premium of $5,029. In contrast, if a teen is added to a family plan, the cost significantly drops to an average of $2,288 per year. This difference of $2,741 illustrates the economic benefit of a joint family insurance plan. Insurers typically quote higher rates for individual teen policies due to the increased risk associated with inexperienced drivers. Securing approval for an individual policy can also be challenging for teens, as insurers often require an established driving record that most teens don't have yet.

MoneyGeek found that American Family offers the cheapest car insurance for military backgrounds in Rockford. Consider the following options:

• American Family: $722 per year
• Country Financial: $773 per year

While not the cheapest at $1,219 per year, USAA is known for providing service specifically tailored to the needs of active-duty military members.

In Rockford, diligently comparing car insurance rates is crucial for savings. However, it typically requires over an hour to thoroughly evaluate three or more companies.

MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator helps expedite the process. By inputting essential information such as age, driving history, credit score and desired coverage, the tool provides instant rate estimates that align with factors affecting Rockford car insurance.

The ideal car insurance depends on how you value factors such as service, cost and coverage options. MoneyGeek's tailored scoring system factors in these variables and ranks Rockford's top providers for different needs.

• 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 80 out of 100)

American Family is acclaimed for delivering the best balance of service and affordability. Westfield excels in service quality and is the most cost-effective option.

MoneyGeek found that American Family offers the best best car insurance in Rockford, ensuring customers receive top-tier service and coverage.

• American Family: MoneyGeek score of 85 out of 100 ($722 per year)
• Westfield: MoneyGeek score of 81 out of 100 ($1,121 per year)

American Family stands out in Rockford with the highest MoneyGeek score for a full coverage policy, supported by excellent customer satisfaction and affordability. The combination of these factors positions the company as the leading insurer in the region, providing clients with comprehensive coverage and protection.

MoneyGeek found that Westfield is the best option in Rockford for top-notch customer service in car insurance, regardless of cost. This evaluation focuses solely on customer satisfaction, claims process efficiency and comprehensive coverage.

• Westfield: MoneyGeek score of 82 out of 100 ($1,121 per year)
• American Family: MoneyGeek score of 80 out of 100 ($722 per year)

Westfield stands out in Rockford with the highest MoneyGeek score, mainly due to its excellent customer satisfaction and claims handling scores. The company's commitment to quality service and reliable coverage options cement its position as the leading provider in the region.

MoneyGeek found that Westfield offers the best combination of affordability and satisfaction for cheap car insurance in Rockford.

• Westfield: MoneyGeek score of 80 out of 100 ($418 per year)
• Mercury: MoneyGeek score of 80 out of 100 ($290 per year)

Westfield stands out for its exceptional affordability, customer satisfaction and claims handling. Significant aspects contributing to the company's high MoneyGeek score include a strong balance between affordability and comprehensive consumer service. This score reflects the value offered by a minimum coverage policy.

Car insurance in Rockford, Illinois, costs $1,045 per year. Compared to the Illinois state average of $1,153, Rockford's premium is $108 cheaper. Illinois's average car insurance cost is significantly lower by $628 than the national average of $1,781.

Car insurance premiums are influenced by various factors, including driving history, vehicle type and coverage level. Location remains a key aspect because it determines risk exposure, accident rates and theft frequencies. For instance, Chicago has the most expensive insurance premium at $1,442 per year, while Springfield is the most affordable city at $989 per year — a $453 difference. Such contrasts highlight how urban areas with denser traffic tend to have higher insurance costs, while less congested non-metropolitan regions could see even lower rates.