Cheapest car insurance in Illinois for 2025

If you’re on the hunt for affordable car insurance in Illinois, getting a picture of average costs can help you understand what you might pay. The good news is that many drivers in the Land of Lincoln pay less than people in other states. The average annual premium for full coverage in Illinois is $2,479, notably below the national average of $2,677. For those opting for minimum coverage in the state, the annual rate is approximately $688, which is also less than the national average of $807. If you are on the hunt for the cheapest car insurance companies in Illinois, these averages could help you make more informed decisions.

Key takeaways

• Cheapest company for minimum coverage: Mercury
• Cheapest company for full coverage: Mercury
• Cheapest company for drivers with prior incidents: Mercury and Geico
• Cheapest company for young drivers: First Chicago and Mercury

Budget-conscious drivers may consider minimum coverage or liability-only options for car insurance. For this type of coverage, the average annual cost is $688. This is notably lower than the national average, which is $807 per year for minimum coverage. Your rate will be determined based on personal factors including your age, credit-based insurance score, marital status and specific details of your vehicle. It’s also worth noting that minimum coverage only protects you against damage you cause to other drivers and their personal property, not the cost to repair your own car. Several insurance companies offer minimum coverage rates below the state average, but The Hanover and Secura stand out as some of the most competitive.

Minimum coverage requirements for Illinois drivers

Regardless of whether you live in the heart of downtown Chicago or a rural town in the middle of the state, you are required by law to carry a minimum amount of car insurance in order to operate a vehicle on Illinois public roads. The fine for driving without insurance is a $500 minimum, and if you continue to drive when your registration has been suspended for lack of insurance, the fee increases to $1,000.

Minimum car insurance coverage in Illinois is abbreviated as 25/50/20 and includes:

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

Purchasing minimum coverage insurance may mean you pay the cheapest rate. However, you may want to consider purchasing coverage beyond the minimum requirement for added financial protection. Illinois is an at-fault state, so the person found liable for causing the event is responsible for all resulting expenses. Car accidents can be expensive, and if you are found at fault and your policy does not cover the full cost of an accident, you are responsible for paying the rest out-of-pocket. With minimum coverage, your liability limits are relatively low and may not cover all damage or injuries caused to the other party. Damage to your own vehicle as well as any medical costs for yourself or your passengers would not be covered at all. For this reason, you may want to consider purchasing full coverage car insurance.

For Illinois drivers seeking more comprehensive protection on the road, full coverage car insurance is often a preferred choice. While the Illinois state average for full coverage sits at $2,479 annually, it's worth noting that your rates will differ based on personal circumstances and vehicle specifics. Among the cheapest car insurance companies in Illinois we studied, Mercury consistently emerges as a top contender, providing a blend of affordability and comprehensive benefits.

Driving incidents, whether minor or significant, can substantially impact insurance rates for Illinois motorists. Understanding how driving infractions could influence your premiums is crucial, especially if you’re looking for the cheapest car insurance Illinois after a recent ding on your driving record. Fortunately, there are companies that specialize in offering competitive rates for drivers who have less-than-perfect driving records.

• Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a ticket: Mercury
• Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: First Chicago
• Cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers: Mercury

Cheapest insurance companies for drivers in Illinois with a speeding ticket: Mercury

If you receive a single speeding ticket, your premium may increase when your car insurance policy renews. Insurers consider this a sign that you are perhaps not as careful and safe a driver as you could be and will likely compensate for that risk with a higher premium. Like in many states, the insurance surcharge after a speeding ticket may last about three to five years in Illinois and then drop off. The following insurers offer cheap average insurance rates in Illinois for those who have received one speeding ticket.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers in Illinois with an at-fault accident: First Chicago

An at-fault accident is another factor that may raise your rate. In fact, annual full coverage car insurance rates are an average of 44 percent more after an at-fault accident in Illinois. The exception to this is if you have accident forgiveness on your policy, which would allow your rate to remain stable after a single incident. However, your accident will probably be reflected in your rates if you shop for car insurance with other companies, even if you have accident forgiveness with your current insurer. For Illinois drivers, these five companies may help you keep your rate increase to a minimum after an accident.

Cheapest rates in Illinois for high-risk drivers: Mercury

Every insurer has its own criteria for determining who is considered a high-risk driver. Generally, multiple speeding tickets or accidents may land you on this list, as will a single instance of DUI. Insurers take major violations, such as DUIs, seriously. In addition to other penalties you may incur if you are convicted of one, you can expect your insurance rate to increase. Here are several insurers you may want to look at for affordable car insurance if you are considered high-risk by your current insurance company:

Age plays a significant role in determining car insurance rates in the Land of Lincoln. Generally, younger drivers in Illinois, like in most states, face higher insurance premiums. This is attributed to their limited driving experience, which insurance providers interpret as an elevated risk factor. While it might be tempting to opt for the cheapest car insurance Illinois has to offer, it's essential for young drivers and their guardians to comprehensively evaluate what coverage makes the most sense for their family. Fortunately, with thorough research, young drivers may be able to find carriers that provide more accommodating rates without compromising on essential coverage.

• Cheapest car insurance for insuring a teen driver: First Chicago
• Cheapest car insurance for teens with a ticket: Erie
• Cheapest car insurance for teens with an at-fault accident: Erie
• Cheapest car insurance for young drivers with a DUI: Progressive

Cheapest Illinois car insurance for insuring a teen driver: First Chicago

Adding a teen driver to your policy in Illinois may be one of the most expensive rate increases a driver will see. Teens are statistically more likely to be involved in an accident than any other age group, largely because they lack experience and have a tendency to drive distracted. Some companies, however, do offer lower average rates for teens listed on their parents' policy. Additionally, it's worth exploring potential discounts for teen drivers – from good student rebates to reductions for taking approved driver's education courses. By leveraging these discounts, families might find ways to cushion the financial impact of insuring their young driver. Based on our research, First Chicago offers the cheapest minimum coverage rates on average for 16-year-old Illinois drivers on their parents’ policy, and Mercury offers the cheapest full coverage rates, on average.

Cheapest Illinois car insurance for teens with a ticket: Erie

Navigating the Illinois auto insurance landscape can be especially tricky when a teen driver also has a speeding ticket on their record. Such infractions can amplify the already heightened premiums typically associated with youthful inexperience and digital distractions. Fortunately, for those seeking relief, Erie emerges as a notable option, offering some of the most competitive average minimum coverage rates for 18-year-old drivers with a speeding ticket conviction in Illinois. If you're looking for broader financial protection, Erie may be a good company to get a quote from for full coverage.

Cheapest Illinois car insurance for teens with an at-fault accident: Erie

Young drivers involved in at-fault accidents often transition into the high-risk category, potentially leading to a significant surge on their already expensive insurance premiums. Given the combination of their age and the perceived risk that comes from causing an accident, finding a pocket-friendly option in such scenarios can be difficult. For 18-year-old Illinois drivers seeking the most affordable solution after causing an accident, Erie emerges as the cheapest choice based on its average rates.

Cheapest Illinois car insurance for young drivers with a DUI: Progressive

Young drivers are already considered fairly high-risk by insurers; young drivers with a DUI conviction on their record can face astronomical car insurance premiums due to the combination of their inexperience with a serious driving infraction. Progressive, however, stands out by offering relatively affordable options on average for Illinois 21-year-olds with their own policy who have been convicted of a DUI, potentially alleviating some of the financial burden a DUI can cause.

If you are wondering how to save on car insurance in Illinois, one of the best ways could be by taking advantage of car insurance discounts you qualify for. Most insurers offer at least a handful of these, and they can offer substantial savings if you are eligible for several of them. Here are some of the most common discounts that could help you get more affordable car insurance in Illinois.

• Young driver discounts: There are several discounts that could work for young drivers. If they are still in school, they may earn a good student discount if they maintain a "B" or better average, and may also save if they attend college at least a hundred miles away from where their car is garaged.
• Safe driver discounts: Many insurers will reduce your premium if you take a state-approved defensive driving course. You may also earn a discount if you go for a certain number of years without filing a claim, usually three to five, depending on the insurer.
• Telematics discounts: Using real-time technology to monitor your driving, some insurers offer significant savings of up to 40 percent if you allow them to monitor your driving with telematics and prove to be a careful driver. Keep in mind that this can cut both ways–if you enroll in telematics and practice unsafe driving habits, you could see your premium increase with some insurers.
• Organizational discounts: Some insurers reward members of organizations with a discount. There are also discounts available from some insurers for those in certain professions, such as teachers, first responders and military members.
• Vehicle-based discounts: Safety features that are found on most new cars, such as anti-lock brakes and airbags, are typically an easy way to earn a discount. Installing an anti-theft device in your car may also net you some savings.

To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes. Your quotes will differ.