Understanding Illinois Auto Insurance Requirements: What Every Driver Needs to Know
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In 2022, Illinois reported 298,347 car accidents, which averaged out to about 817 daily crashes. The state understands that each of these collisions equals potential financial losses to state families. To limit the risks to vehicle owners, it instated Illinois auto insurance requirements.
State mandates may not offer total financial protection for every Illinoisan, but they help offset the monetary toll. The right amount of coverage for you depends on your budget, vehicle, and risks. Discover how to find the best coverage for you and your car.
Introduction to Illinois Auto Insurance Requirements
Auto insurance requirements in Illinois focus on liability coverage. This type of insurance covers payments for property damage and injuries you cause others in a crash. It is not for personal injuries or personal property loss.
As a fault state, Illinois drivers who cause an accident are responsible for damage to other people and their property. Liability protection protects the at-fault driver from the financial consequences of their actions.
The amount of protection must meet the mandated liability limit, which is relatively low in the Prairie State. Thankfully, Illinois auto insurance requirements only set minimum mandates, so you can purchase more coverage for greater financial protection.
Illinois Minimum Liability Insurance Requirements
The minimum coverage requirements for liability coverage in the state are $25,000 for the injury or death of an individual in a crash and $50,000 for the injury or death of more than one person. Vehicle owners must also carry property damage liability coverage of a minimum of $20,000 per accident.
Illinois requires uninsured motorist coverage as well. Despite the legal Illinois car insurance requirements, not everyone obeys the rules. If an uninsured motorist causes an accident and you suffer severe bodily injury or property damage, you have limited restitution options. You can sue, but how long will that take, and what are the odds of recovering your financial losses? With uninsured or underinsured coverage, your own insurance protects you in these situations.
The Illinois auto insurance requirements for uninsured motorist coverage are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. It is automatically included in liability policies.
Review the insurance requirements of your state:
Optional Coverages for Illinois Drivers
While Illinois auto insurance requirements are an excellent starting point for financial protection, they don't represent a complete protection plan. An insurance agent can tell you that investing in optional policies is the best way to secure your assets.
For example, collision coverage is useful because liability protection doesn't cover your car. Collision policies pay for vehicle repairs after collisions with other vehicles or objects. Comprehensive coverage, on the other hand, covers automotive repairs for non-collision incidents such as theft or fire.
Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Illinois
The auto insurance Illinois requirements are legal mandates, not optional. Anyone who operates a motor vehicle in the state without the minimum coverage risks penalties. The minimum penalty for operating an uninsured car is a $500 fine and a suspended registration. If you choose to drive a vehicle with a suspended registration, you must pay a minimum fine of $1,000.
First-time offenders must pay a $100 reinstatement fee and submit proof of insurance to end the suspension. Repeat offenders get a mandatory 4-month suspension and must pay the $100 reinstatement fee and provide proof of insurance before the end of the suspension.
Suppose a driver receives a third violation for driving without required liability coverage. In that case, they will receive a registration suspension and must file proof of financial responsibility (SR22 certificate) for three years or risk a driver's license suspension.
Why Carrying More Than the Minimum Coverage is Important
There aren't specific Illinois full coverage auto insurance requirements, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't consider complete coverage or at least more coverage than state-required minimums. For example, while bodily injury coverage is part of liability insurance, $25,000 per person per accident might not be enough to cover all medical expenses. Severe collisions can see a motorist's bodily injury and medical expenses exceed $100,000.
Remember, Illinois is a fault state. Whatever your policy doesn't cover, you are liable for.
Tips for Finding Affordable Auto Insurance in Illinois
Going beyond Illinois auto insurance requirements means spending more money. Still, there is no reason you need to break the bank to get the coverage you need. Cheap car insurance in Illinois is a kind of residency privilege. The state has less expensive car insurance on average than the rest of the country.
You can further maximize your savings by shopping around, comparing insurance quotes, exploring pay-per-mile policies, and choosing higher deductibles (without getting carried away). It's important to consider your driving habits and history and keep your expectations realistic. An average monthly rate for liability-only coverage is $79, but several factors, including vehicle age, model, and individual claim history, can affect it.
Resources and Guidance From the Illinois Department of Insurance
The Illinois Department of Insurance has a comprehensive library of consumer auto insurance resources. It includes a shopping guide for auto insurance in Illinois, definitions of insurance terms, and explanations for filing claims.
Compare Auto Insurance Quotes for Better Coverage
Illinois auto insurance requirements help protect vehicle owners from significant financial losses. That said, when looking for car insurance in Illinois, it is best to seek more coverage than the mandatory minimums. Use EverQuote to compare several insurance quotes to find a policy that gives you the protection you need at a price you can afford.