Car Insurance in Chicago


Key Takeaways
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GEICO offers the cheapest car insurance in Chicago. Auto Owners, Erie Insurance, Travelers and Progressive also provide coverage in the city.

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Car insurance in Chicago costs an average of $877 per year for minimum coverage and $1,750 per year for full coverage.

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GEICO also offers the cheapest car insurance in Illinois at $364 per year for minimum coverage and $825 per year for full coverage.

Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance in Chicago?

Adult drivers with GEICO pay Chicago's cheapest rates at $521 annually for minimum coverage. Young drivers with Auto Owners face the highest costs at $1,335 per year, paying 156% more than clean-record adults.

Drivers with a DUI from Travelers pay $988 annually, 89% more than clean-record adults with GEICO. The substantial rate differences across profiles make comparing quotes essential for your situation.

Chicago's varied pricing by carrier and profile requires careful shopping to secure the best rate.

Young DriversAuto-Owners$111
Adult DriversGEICO$43
Senior DriversGEICO$52
Drivers With an AccidentAuto-Owners$60
Drivers With a DUITravelers$82
Drivers With a Speeding TicketAuto-Owners$51
Drivers With Bad CreditCountry Financial$136
Drivers With Newer CarsGEICO$51
Drivers With Old CarsAuto-Owners$33
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Cheapest Chicago Car Insurance by Company

GEICO leads Chicago with rates of $521 annually for minimum coverage and $1,179 for full coverage, both 41% below the city average. Erie Insurance ($603) and Auto-Owners ($723) offer competitive minimum coverage alternatives.

Travelers maintains a strong market position with balanced pricing across driver profiles. Your best carrier depends on age, driving record and coverage needs, so compare quotes from at least three insurers before buying.

Geico$43$98-38%
Auto Owners$45$102-35%
Erie Insurance$50$149-12%
Travelers$60$108-27%
AAA$77$133-8%

Cheapest Chicago Car Insurance by Age

Young drivers pay $1,335 annually with Auto-Owners for minimum coverage, the highest rate among age groups. Adult drivers get the best deal with GEICO at $521 per year, 61% lower than young drivers.

Senior drivers pay $621 annually with GEICO, 19% more than adults. The best carrier changes by age group, so compare quotes specific to your demographic rather than assuming one insurer wins across all ages.

Data filtered by:
Adult Drivers
Geico$43$521-43%
Auto Owners$45$537-41%
Erie Insurance$50$603-34%
Travelers$60$714-22%
Country Financial$72$867-5%

Cheapest Chicago Car Insurance by Driving Record

At-fault accidents result in moderate rates at $723 annually with Auto Owners. Speeding tickets create lower penalties at $611 with Auto Owners.

DUIs impose the steepest penalties at $988 annually with Travelers, an 89% increase that adds nearly $500 to yearly costs. After any violation, shopping multiple insurers becomes crucial.

Chicago's violation penalties run higher than many markets, making clean records particularly valuable for keeping costs down.

Data filtered by:
At Fault Accident ($1000-$1999 Prop Dmg)
Auto Owners$60$723
Geico$65$785
Travelers$77$928
Erie Insurance$80$960
Country Financial$101$1,210

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$128
High
$88
Average
$72
Low

Rates updated:

Nov 29, 2025

Insurance Carrier
MoneyGeek Score
Average Monthly
Payment
1
State Farm

State Farm

88
/of 100
$72
2
Progressive

Progressive

83
/of 100
$73
3
Travelers

Travelers

85
/of 100
$78
4
GEICO

GEICO

80
/of 100
$84
5
92
/of 100
$91
6
Allstate

Allstate

63
/of 100
$128
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Best Car Insurance Companies in Chicago

Auto Owners leads Chicago's insurance market with a MoneyGeek score of 96 out of 100. The company combines competitive base rates with outstanding customer experience scores and minimal complaint ratios.

Travelers, GEICO, Erie Insurance and Progressive are also great options. These insurers stand out for offering competitive rates, quality customer service and comprehensive coverage options.

Auto-Owners96216
Travelers94335
GEICO91167
Erie Insurance91423
Progressive87742
Auto-Owners

Auto-Owners: Best Customer Service

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  • Top-rated customer experience

  • Multiple driver category wins

  • Strong affordability ratings

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  • Limited coverage options

  • Higher minimum coverage costs

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

Auto-Owners ranks first in Chicago for outstanding customer service and competitive rates. The company offers the lowest rates for young drivers, those with accidents and drivers with old cars. Minimum coverage costs run slightly above average, but full coverage rates beat most competitors. High customer satisfaction ratings translate to faster claims processing and better support when filing.

Travelers

Travelers: Best Overall Value

checkmarkpros
  • Strong all-around performance

  • Competitive full coverage rates

  • Good customer service scores

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  • Higher minimum coverage costs

  • Limited discounts available

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

Travelers earns Chicago's second spot with consistent performance across all categories. The company offers competitive full coverage rates and strong customer service ratings, with the best rates for drivers with DUI records. Travelers combines good coverage options with reliable claims service, though minimum coverage rates run above the city average.

How Much Is Car Insurance in Chicago?

Car insurance in Chicago costs an average of $877 annually for minimum coverage and $1,750 for full coverage, 48% and 52% above Illinois state averages.

Auto-Owners offers minimum coverage starting at $723. Compare quotes from multiple insurers, as Chicago's high rates make finding competitive pricing crucial for your budget.

Full Coverage$146$1,750
Minimum Coverage$73$877

Chicago Car Insurance Costs by ZIP Code

In Chicago, car insurance rates by ZIP code range from $62 to $182 per month. ZIP code 60628 is the most expensive, while 60631 is the cheapest. Check the average rates for your ZIP code below.

Data filtered by:
60628
60628$88$182

How to Get the Best Cheap Chicago Car Insurance

Chicago drivers face some of the highest car insurance rates in Illinois, but finding affordable coverage doesn't have to be overwhelming.

  1. 1
    Know your coverage requirements

    Understand how much coverage you need for driving in Chicago. Consider your vehicle's value, your assets and your risk tolerance. Use our car insurance coverage needs calculator to find coverage beyond Illinois minimum requirements.

  2. 2
    Explore alternative insurance types

    Look into different types of car insurance that can save you money. If you drive infrequently, consider pay-per-mile coverage. Don't own a car? Non-owner insurance is your best option.

  3. 3
    Check average costs in your area

    Research average vehicle insurance costs in your Chicago neighborhood. Understanding typical rates helps you spot good deals and avoid overpaying. Rates vary significantly by ZIP code, driving history and coverage levels.

  4. 4
    Stack up available discounts

    Maximize savings with bundling, multi-car discounts and safe driver programs. Ask about car insurance discounts for anti-theft devices, defensive driving courses and paid-in-full policies when requesting quotes.

  5. 5
    Research company reliability

    Research insurance companies' customer service ratings and claims satisfaction scores from other Chicago drivers. A slightly higher premium from a reliable insurer often saves money through faster claims processing.

  6. 6
    Get quotes from multiple providers

    Collect quotes from at least three different insurance providers. Use comparison websites, contact local agents and visit company websites directly.

  7. 7
    Review coverage annually

    Set a yearly reminder to review your policy and shop for better rates. Life changes like improved credit scores, safer driving records, or moving to a new neighborhood qualifies you for lower premiums.

Cheapest Car Insurance in Chicago: Bottom Line

Car insurance rates in Chicago depend on your age, driving history and vehicle type. While GEICO and Auto-Owners offer the lowest average premiums in the city, compare quotes from multiple providers to find your best rate.

Cheap Chicago Car Insurance: FAQ

We break down coverage options and costs to help you get the protection you need at the best price.

What is the cheapest car insurance company in Chicago, Illinois?

Who offers the best car insurance in Chicago?

What is the average cost of car insurance in Chicago?

Is car insurance in Chicago expensive?

How We Chose the Best and Cheapest Car Insurance in Chicago, IL

Finding affordable car insurance in Chicago starts with understanding how insurers price policies across the city. Traffic congestion, theft risk and Illinois’ insurance requirements all shape your premium. Even within city limits, drivers in ZIP code 60628 often pay much more than those in 60631.

We partnered with the Illinois Department of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services to analyze hundreds of thousands of quotes from 12 insurers across every Chicago ZIP code. This research identifies which companies consistently offer competitive rates for real driver profiles — not just advertised averages that disappear once neighborhood, credit and driving history are factored in.

Our Baseline Driver Profile

  • Age: 40 years old
  • Gender: Male
  • Vehicle: 2012 Toyota Camry LE
  • Annual Mileage: 12,000 miles
  • Driving Record: Clean, no violations
  • Credit Score: Good
  • Coverage History: Continuous coverage with no claims

This baseline reflects a typical Chicago driver who qualifies for standard rates before insurers adjust for individual risk factors.

Adjustments for Different Profiles

We modified key variables — age, driving record, credit score and military status — to measure how premiums change across driver types. Insurers weigh these factors differently. For example, GEICO might charge around $98 per month, while another company could quote more than $200 for the same coverage, depending on how they assess your ZIP code’s theft risk and accident frequency.

Coverage Levels Analyzed

We examined both minimum and full coverage options to capture the range of financial protection available to drivers.

Minimum coverage meets Illinois’ legal limits of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage. It covers costs you cause to others but doesn’t protect your own car.

Full coverage combines 100/300/100 liability limits with comprehensive and collision coverage and $1,000 deductibles. It adds protection for theft, vandalism, weather damage and repairs after an at-fault accident.

How We Weighted Each Factor

  • 60% – Affordability: Based on average rates across multiple driver profiles.
  • 30% – Customer Experience: Includes Google reviews, J.D. Power ratings, AM Best financial strength, and verified consumer feedback.
  • 10% – Coverage Options: Reflects the availability of features like rental reimbursement and roadside assistance.

Why This Matters

Our methodology reveals which insurers maintain competitive rates across Chicago neighborhoods and driver categories while delivering reliable claims service, not just advertised rates for perfect-record drivers.

About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.


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