What car insurance costs in Illinois

Illinois's bill and the U.S. average

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) reports average premiums for each state from insurers' own data; the newest state year is 2023. Illinois's average expenditure that year was $1,153 per insured car, up 16% from $994 in 2022, a faster rise than the national 14%. Expenditure blends liability-only cars with fully covered ones. With liability, collision and comprehensive together, the average was $1,257.

Every Illinois line sat below the national figure. Liability was the furthest under, about 19% lower, while collision and comprehensive were within roughly 5% to 8% of the U.S. averages. The 16% one-year jump, though, was among the five largest in the table. A statewide average also hides wide differences between drivers; a past claim is one personal factor that can raise a quote, as our page on claims history explains.

Coverage Illinois law requires

Every vehicle owner in Illinois must carry liability insurance. The minimums are $25,000 for one injured person, $50,000 per accident for injuries and $20,000 for property damage, or 25/50/20. The Illinois Department of Insurance notes that these amounts may not be enough to protect you from a lawsuit.

• Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage is part of the requirement, at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
• Underinsured motorist coverage is required if you buy uninsured motorist limits above the minimum.
• Uninsured motorist property damage is optional; insurers must offer it, with a deductible of no more than $250.

About 15.2% of Illinois drivers were uninsured in 2023, according to the Insurance Research Council's estimate, close to the national 15.4%. If you raise your liability limits, matching your uninsured motorist limits also brings in underinsured coverage. Our guide to limits and deductibles shows how to price those choices.

How Illinois handles rates and credit

Oversight of Illinois auto rates is about to change. Senate Bill 714 (Public Act 104-0753), signed by the governor on August 4, 2026 and taking effect July 1, 2027, requires insurers to justify their auto rates and lets the Department of Insurance object to rates that are excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory. Insurers will also have to give customers at least 30 days' notice before a renewal increase of more than 10%.

The new law doesn't specifically ban rating on credit, NPR Illinois noted. The Department's shopping guide says companies may review your credit and may charge more based on it. The Use of Credit Information in Personal Insurance Act (215 ILCS 157) sets the limits: no refusal, cancellation or nonrenewal solely on credit; a written explanation of up to four main reasons when credit works against you; and an exception review, if you send a signed explanation, after a catastrophic illness or injury, the death of a spouse, child or parent, a job loss of three months or more, identity theft or divorce. See credit-based insurance scores.

The Illinois Automobile Insurance Plan

If your driving record or your vehicle keeps you from finding coverage, the Illinois Automobile Insurance Plan is the fallback. To qualify, you must have been turned down by other insurers, hold a valid license or be eligible for one, owe no unpaid premium from the past 36 months and drive a safe vehicle. Ask your agent first; any agent or broker licensed for auto insurance in Illinois can submit an application. Our guide to assigned risk plans explains the trade-offs.

Paying less in Illinois

1. 1 Get quotes that match. Ask two or three companies to price the same liability, uninsured motorist and deductible choices so the comparison is fair.
2. 2 Check a bundle. If you also insure a home or apartment, ask what the same company would charge for both; our page on bundling home and auto explains when it helps.
3. 3 Check complaint ratios. The Department of Insurance posts complaint ratios for companies with 10 or more auto insurance complaints, a useful check before you switch.
4. 4 Question a rate increase. Ask the insurer what changed, then contact the Department in Chicago at (312) 814-2420 or in Springfield at (217) 782-4515, or file a complaint online. Our guide to complaining about a rate increase lays out the steps.

Questions drivers ask