Chicago drivers pay an average of $2,040 per year for full coverage car insurance. That’s significantly more than the Illinois state average of $1,403. Since Chicago is the third-largest city in the United States, it’s not surprising that car insurance rates are so expensive. More people means more cars on the road, which means more chances for an accident.
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The easiest way for Chicago drivers to save money on car insurance is by comparing quotes from multiple companies. Policygenius can help you see quotes from top companies and choose the option that works best for you and your wallet.
Key Takeaways
Auto-Owners Insurance has the lowest average rates in Chicago at $1,103 per year for full coverage
The ZIP code with the cheapest rates in Chicago is 60601, with a yearly rate of $1,803
The minimum liability car insurance requirements in Illinois are $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability and $20,000 in property damage liability
Illinois also requires uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage of $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
Cheapest car insurance companies in Chicago, IL
Insurance companies all use the same basic information to establish car insurance rates (age, location, driving history). However companies apply that data in different ways. That’s why some companies may consider a low credit score to be worse than multiple speeding tickets, while others may not.
Company
Average cost
JD Power Rating
Auto-Owners Insurance
$1,103
890
State Farm
$1,270
881
COUNTRY Financial
$1,292
863
GEICO
$1,317
871
Travelers
$1,515
861
Cheapest car insurance rates by ZIP code in Chicago, IL
Insurers look at the number of accidents, stolen vehicles, and acts of vandalism in a specific neighborhood and set rates accordingly. The more risk factors in your area, the more you’ll pay for car insurance. Below are the cheapest car insurance rates by ZIP code in Chicago.
ZIP code
Average cost
60601
$1,803
60602
$1,808
60603
$1,852
60604
$1,851
60605
$1,837
60606
$1,806
60607
$1,951
60608
$2,154
Choosing the right car insurance company in Chicago, IL
Selecting the right car insurance is an important decision for you and your family. You need enough coverage to protect you if you’re involved in an accident at a rate that won’t break the bank.
That’s why shopping around is the best way to be sure you’re getting the most out of your policy. Answer a few questions, and Policygenius can help you see quotes from top companies.
Car insurance rates for drivers with driving violations in Chicago, IL
Chicago is the third-largest city in the United States. More traffic means more accidents and claims, leading to higher rates for everyone — but especially people with poor driving records.
A single speeding ticket can raise your insurance rates by $300 annually, while a DUI conviction can double, or even triple rates with some insurers.
Violation
Auto-Owners Insurance
State Farm
COUNTRY Financial
GEICO
Travelers
At-fault accident
$1,409
$1,531
$2,117
$2,488
$2,218
DUI
$2,107
$1,410
$2,218
$3,081
$2,452
Suspended license
$2,107
$1,410
$2,218
$3,398
$2,452
Open container
$2,107
$1,410
$1,865
$3,081
$2,096
Expired registration
$1,105
$1,410
$1,865
$1,499
$2,096
Driving without lights
$1,105
$1,410
$1,865
$1,701
$2,096
Not showing documents
$2,107
$1,410
$1,865
$1,499
$2,096
Running a red light
$1,105
$1,410
$1,865
$1,701
$2,096
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in Chicago, IL
Insurance companies use your credit score to establish insurance rates. A low score means higher rates, which is why it’s all the more important for drivers with poor credit to shop around and compre quotes. The table below shows the cheapest average rates for drivers in Chicago with a low credit score.
Company
Rates for drivers with bad credit
COUNTRY Financial
$2,021
Travelers
$2,588
USAA
$2,668
GEICO
$2,699
State Farm
$2,800
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Buying car insurance in Chicago, IL
The Illinois minimum liability insurance requirements and requirements are:
Bodily Injury Liability Coverage per person: $25,000
Bodily Injury Liability Coverage per accident: $50,000
Property Damage Liability Coverage: $20,000
Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
Maintain continuous Illinois liability insurance coverage on vehicles with active registrations even if the vehicle isn’t driven
If you have a car payment, your lienholder likely requires you to carry full coverage insurance on your vehicle, meaning you also need comprehensive and collision coverage in your policy. If you’ve been turned down by insurance companies because of your credit score or other factors, you can get insurance through the Illinois Automobile Insurance Plan.
Illinois is a fault state when it comes to car accidents. This means that if an accident is your fault, your insurance company pays the other party’s repair costs and medical bills.
How to get cheap car insurance in Chicago, IL
Car insurance is expensive in Chicago — but most insurance companies offer customers discounts to save money. Here are some of the most common:
Bundling discount: For combining policies like your home, car, or renters insurance with the same company
Multi-car discount: Having more than one car on the same policy
Military discount: A discount for active-duty service members and their families
Safe-driver discount: For drivers without any accident claims during a given timeframe
Not everyone will qualify for discounts, so shopping around and comparing quotes is another way to save on car insurance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the required car insurance in Illinois?
Illinois state law requires drivers to have a minimum of 25/50/20 in liability coverage, as well as uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Does Illinois require full coverage insurance?
Drivers in Illinois are not required to have full coverage car insurance, but drivers who have a lease or loan on a vehicle may be contractually obligated to have comprehensive and collision coverage.
Is Illinois an at-fault auto insurance state?
Illinois is an at-fault state, which means the driver who was deemed responsible for the accident will be required to pay any bodily injury and property damage expenses caused by the accident. Drivers who don't have enough liability coverage will be required to pay any expenses beyond their liability limits out-of-pocket.
How much is car insurance per month in Illinois?
Drivers in Illinois pay an average of $1,403 per year for car insurance, which breaks down to $116.92 per month. Drivers in Chigago pay an average of $170 per month, which is $53.08 higher than the state average.
Methodology
Policygenius has analyzed car insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services for every ZIP code in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. For full coverage policies, the following coverage limits were used:
Bodily injury liability: 50/100
Property damage liability: $50,000
Uninsured/underinsured motorist: 50/100
Comprehensive: $500 deductible
Collision: $500 deductible
In some cases, additional coverages were added where required by state or insurer.
Rates for overall average rate, rates by ZIP code, and cheapest companies determined using averages for single drivers ages 30, 35, and 45. Our sample vehicle was a 2017 Toyota Camry LE driven 10,000 miles/year.
Rates for driving violations and “Poor” credit determined using average rates for a single male 30-year-old driver with a credit score under 578.
Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.
