Illinois Minimum Coverage Car Insurance: Requirements and Costs (2024)

To meet the minimum car insurance requirements in Illinois, drivers must have liability coverage with limits of $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident and $20,000 for property damage per accident.

They also need uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage matching the bodily injury limits. Illinois operates under an at-fault system, meaning the driver responsible for the accident bears the financial responsibility for damages caused. For those seeking the cheapest car insurance in Illinois, state minimum coverage can cost as low as $32 per month.

In Illinois, to legally drive a vehicle, you must carry the state minimum coverage for car insurance, which includes:

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

The cost of your car insurance premium in Illinois will be influenced by the state being a fault state, meaning that the person responsible for causing a car accident is also responsible for paying any resulting bills. This can affect how much you pay for insurance, as insurers consider the potential costs if you're at fault in an accident.

The table reflects Illinois state minimum car insurance inclusions: bodily injury, property damage and uninsured motorist coverage. Coverage specifics depend on individual policy terms and conditions.

Age is a key factor influencing the cost of your minimum coverage auto insurance. In Illinois, drivers between the ages of 22 and 29 typically face the highest premiums. This is due to these younger drivers being statistically more likely to be involved in accidents, leading insurers to view them as higher risk. The table outlines the average minimum coverage auto insurance costs by age group in Illinois.

Illinois residents looking for economical state minimum coverage auto insurance can find the lowest annual rates with Mercury and Auto-Owners.

• Mercury: $271 per year and $23 per month
• Auto-Owners: $329 per year and $27 per month

Ensuring you meet the state minimum requirements with an insurance plan that's cost-effective is, but it's equally important to select the best car insurance in Illinois that aligns with your individual needs.

In Illinois, you can have optional add-on coverages, including uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and comprehensive, collision and gap insurance. These can protect against a variety of incidents and financial losses not covered by how much car insurance you need the state minimum. Although not required by law, they may safeguard your finances following accidents, theft or natural disasters.

The cost of a ticket for driving without insurance in Illinois varies if you've been caught before. First-time offenders face a fine, whereas repeat offenders encounter relatively steeper penalties. Consequences in Illinois escalate with repeat offenses, including higher fines and longer suspensions.

Additional penalties for driving without insurance can include:

• Vehicle impoundment, along with applicable fees: Your car may be taken away, and you'll have to pay costs related to its tow and storage.
• Suspension of your vehicle registration: Authorities can suspend your car's registration, preventing you from driving it.
• License suspension, coupled with a reinstatement fee: Your driving privilege may be temporarily withdrawn, necessitating a fee to restore your license once eligible.
• Mandatory SR-22 insurance filing: You might need to complete an SR-22 — a document proving that you carry the required insurance — which will raise your insurance premiums for years.
• A potential jail term: If you are involved in an accident while uninsured, your sentence may be up to six months.

Maintaining minimum coverage for your vehicle is a legal requirement and avoids these severe penalties.

If your car insurance policy is canceled in Illinois, you should immediately seek new coverage. Reach out to an insurance agent to discuss your options for a new policy or to address any issues that may have led to the cancellation.

The Illinois Secretary of State's office will be notified if you're uninsured due to an insurance company's requirement to report policy status changes. Illinois drivers whose policies have been canceled can find new coverage through various insurance companies.

The state does not offer a specific program for drivers unable to obtain insurance, but the Illinois Automobile Insurance Plan provides a way to get insured if you've been rejected by standard insurers. Always ensure you carry at least the state minimum car insurance to comply with Illinois laws.

Here, we help you understand the essential coverage needed to keep you legal on the road in Illinois.