Best cheap car insurance in Chicago
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Finding the right car insurance can feel like a game of tug-of-war between quality and price. But it’s often possible to find affordable car insurance that still delivers the coverage you need. For instance, several options exist for the best cheap car insurance in Chicago. Geico and Mercury offer full auto insurance coverage in the Chicago area for average prices below $1,200 annually, based on Bankrate’s rate research. Close behind these two in price are Secura, State Farm and Erie.
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Compare auto insurance rates
Save on auto insurance with quotes from trusted providers like:
Drivers switch & save an average of $750+/year
Are you overpaying for auto insurance?
Safe drivers choose Allstate®
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
The average cost of full coverage auto insurance in Chicago is $2,069 annually, which comes to $172 per month. Minimum coverage car insurance in the state costs an average of $627 annually.
Best cheap car insurance companies in Chicago
Geico, Mercury, and Secura had the lowest average annual costs for full coverage, according to our analysis of rates from Quadrant Information Services. Bankrate also calculated a Bankrate Score for each reviewed company on a five-point scale using information from online 3rd party agencies such as J.D. Power, AM Best, S&P, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and Moodys. While customer satisfaction and financial strength are some of the biggest factors included in our ratings, we also consider affordability, coverage options and digital resources for policy and claims management. This information can help drivers to make quick, informed decisions when looking for the best cheap car insurance in Illinois and Chicago.
| Insurance company | Bankrate Score | J.D. Power score (North Central) | Average annual premium for full coverage | Average annual premium for minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geico | 4.7 | 847/1,000 | $1,152 | $312 |
| Mercury | 4.2 | Not rated | $1,194 | $335 |
| Secura | 4 | Not rated | $1,358 | $374 |
| State Farm | 4.7 | 848/1000 | $1,373 | $421 |
| Erie | 4.6 | 876/1000 | $1,386 | $696 |
Geico
Geico is a household name insurer and one of the more financially stable car insurance companies. It provides robust online and mobile app options for their policyholders and have relatively low annual averages for their auto insurance. While there are many points in Geico’s favor, some find that it provides fewer add-on coverage options than some competitors.
Learn more: Geico Insurance review
Mercury
Offering some of the lowest rates on our list for the Chicago area, Mercury has been in the insurance business for over 60 years. It offers competitive rates and comprehensive digital tools for policy management and maintains a strong presence of local agents in areas served. Unfortunately, Mercury is currently only active in 11 states and does not sell auto insurance outside those states.
Learn more: Mercury Insurance review
Secura
Secura is a lesser-known insurance company, but it could be a strong contender for some drivers. In many cases, Secura offers relatively low rates, and the company prides itself on maintaining a high social responsibility standard. While the company offers competitive rates on bundled policies, they also only sell bundled policies. Drivers cannot get an auto insurance policy from Secura by itself, and instead need to bundle it with a home insurance policy.
Learn more: Secura Insurance review
State Farm
State Farm has been awarded in the past with the 2021 Bankrate Award for auto, home and life insurance, thanks to high levels of customer service, competitive rates, digital policy management tools and accessible agents. However, despite the company’s many upsides, it does not have 24/7 customer service available.
Learn more: State Farm Insurance review
Erie
Erie has somewhat higher average rates compared to some others on our list, but still competes strongly against the statewide and national average. Additionally, this company scores highly in the 2022 J.D. Power study on customer satisfaction. Still, Erie Insurance is only available in 12 states and has limited options for online or mobile management of policies and claims.
Learn more: Erie Insurance review
How to get and keep the cheapest car insurance in Chicago
Beyond looking through reviews, there are a couple of tips and tricks to help you find and keep cheap car insurance in Chicago.
- Shop around between insurers. When looking for a new policy, it can help to request quotes from multiple companies. Looking at average rates is helpful, but it can be deceptive since so many personal variables go into calculating any given person’s rate. By pulling multiple quotes based on your information, you can see which company will offer the cheapest car insurance for you.
- Drive smart and safe. Maintaining a clean driving record is one of the more direct ways to maintain cheap coverage. The more you avoid moving violations, the lower your rates tend to be. There are limits to this, and it varies between companies, but in general, insurers charge lower premiums to drivers who are less likely to get into accidents or receive tickets. Additionally, many insurers offer a discount to drivers that haven’t filed a claim in the last two to three years.
Frequently asked questions
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The best car insurance company depends on your specific needs. The first step in shopping for insurance is often identifying what you are specifically looking for from a company. Then you can get quotes from several companies that meet your needs. Finally, you can compare your quotes by looking at coverage types, discounts, policy features and third-party ratings to choose the best option for you.
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Car insurance is a requirement for drivers in most states, including Illinois. In most states, driving without insurance is illegal. If you drive without insurance, you may face fines, license suspension and having your vehicle impounded. If you cause an accident and don’t have insurance, you could be responsible for paying for the damages and injuries you cause out of pocket. This could lead to financial devastation and even a lawsuit and seizure of assets if you cannot pay.
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Chicago is a busy area. The city’s roads and the roads of the surrounding area are often congested. With so many cars on the road, there may be a greater likelihood of accidents, leading to a higher likelihood of claims. Certain areas of the city are also at greater risk of vandalism or theft than other areas, particularly rural areas in Illinois outside the city.
Car insurance is based on risk, so car insurance companies usually charge a higher premium to compensate for the increased risk of claims. You may be able to keep your premium low by avoiding accidents and tickets, utilizing discounts and choosing a company that offers cheap average rates.
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You may be able to lower your car insurance rates in Illinois by comparing quotes from multiple carriers, choosing a carrier with discounts that apply to you, driving a vehicle equipped with safety features, keeping a clean driving record and adjusting your coverage as your vehicle ages.
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Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2022 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2020 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
Bankrate Scores
Bankrate Scores are calculated on a five-point scale and primarily reflect a weighted rank of industry-standard ratings for financial strength and customer experience in addition to analysis of quoted annual premiums from Quadrant Information Services, spanning all 50 states and Washington, D.C. We know it is important for drivers to be confident their financial protection covers the likeliest risks, is priced competitively and is provided by a financially-sound company with a history of positive customer support.
To determine how well the best car insurance companies satisfy these priorities, third-party agency ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best, S&P, NAIC, and Moody’s had the most impact on the companies’ Bankrate Scores. As price is a common consideration for drivers, we analyzed quoted premiums based on 40-year-old male and female drivers with a 2019 Toyota Camry. This profile, assessed across nearly 35,000 ZIP codes in the U.S., provided a basis on which drivers may compare each provider.
While coverage options, insurer availability, affordability and customer experience are often the top priorities, Bankrate also analyzed each insurer’s online and mobile resources for policy management and claims handling. Insurance is rapidly evolving to keep pace with our digital world, so these aspects also carried weight in determining Bankrate Scores.
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