Gianetta PalmerGianetta PalmerFreelance contributorGianetta Palmer is a freelance writer who lives in the Georgia mountains. Her writing on health and car insurance, has appeared on numerous sites.&Rachael BrennanRachael BrennanSenior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance ExpertRachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.
Edited by
Anna SwartzAnna SwartzSenior Managing Editor & Auto Insurance ExpertAnna Swartz is a senior managing editor and auto insurance expert at Policygenius, where she oversees our car insurance coverage. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic.com, as well as an associate writer at The Dodo.
Expert reviewedExpert reviewedThis article has been reviewed by a licensed Policygenius expert to ensure that sources, statistics, and claims meet our standard for accurate and unbiased advice.Learn more about oureditorial review process.
The cheapest car insurance for drivers in Illinois is Pekin Insurance, which offers coverage for $56 per month. That’s $668 per year — about half the cost of the statewide average car insurance rate in Illinois.
Our other picks for cheap car insurance in Illinois are COUNTRY Financial, State Farm, Auto-Owners, and GEICO. But rates can vary, so be sure to compare quotes to find the cheapest car insurance for you.
Company
Monthly average cost
Annual average cost
Pekin Insurance
$56
$668
COUNTRY Financial
$73
$875
State Farm
$79
$953
Auto-Owners Insurance
$83
$998
GEICO
$85
$1,024
Cheapest car insurance companies in Illinois
Pekin
Pekin Insurance is a small company with much cheaper rates than average. In addition to affordable coverage, Pekin Insurance offers lots of useful car insurance add-ons. Pekin’s coverage, price, and service all earn it few complaints from policyholders.
Pros
Cheaper-than-average rates
Useful extras like gap insurance and coverage for personal belongings
The cheapest car insurance in Illinois is Pekin Insurance, which offers policies for an average of $56 per month, or $668 per year. The average annual cost of car insurance from Pekin is $664 cheaper than the statewide average in Illinois.
We also found that Pekin has the cheapest car insurance in Illinois for higher-risk drivers who have an at-fault accident or speeding ticket on the records.
COUNTRY Financial
4.3
Policygenius rating
How we score: Policygenius’ ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our methodology takes multiple factors into account, including pricing, financial ratings, quality of customer service, and other product-specific features.
COUNTRY Financial only offers car insurance in 19 states, but it’s often one of the best and cheapest companies where it’s available. Besides its affordable rates, COUNTRY Financial also has high satisfaction ratings compared to other big insurers.
Pros
Lower-than-average rates
One of the cheapest companies for young drivers
Offers new car replacement and personal effects coverage
Our analysis shows that COUNTRY Financial has the second-cheapest car insurance in Illinois. On average, car insurance from COUNTRY Financial costs drivers $73 per month, or $875 per year, for a full-coverage policy. That's $457 cheaper than the statewide average in Illinois.
How we score: Policygenius’ ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our methodology takes multiple factors into account, including pricing, financial ratings, quality of customer service, and other product-specific features.
As the country’s biggest car insurance company, State Farm makes it easy for drivers to get coverage, make claims, and stay in contact. Also, State Farm is one of the cheapest insurers for most drivers, and tends to have great customer service.
Pros
Coverage available in nearly every state (along with in-person offices)
Cheap car insurance, including for some high-risk drivers
Consistently high customer service ratings
Some discounts, especially for good drivers
Cons
Doesn’t offer as many coverage options as some competitors
State Farm has the third-cheapest car insurance in Illinois. We found that coverage from State Farm costs Illinois drivers $79 per month, or $953 per year on average. State Farm also has the cheapest average rates for drivers in Illinois with a past DUI on their driving record.
Auto-Owners
3.9
Policygenius rating
How we score: Policygenius’ ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our methodology takes multiple factors into account, including pricing, financial ratings, quality of customer service, and other product-specific features.
Auto-Owners tends to be a cheap option for most drivers. Available in 26 states spread out across the country, Auto-Owners brings together affordable coverage and highly-rated customer service.
Pros
Cheap car insurance rates for many drivers
Offers lots of add-ons, like gap coverage and diminished value protection
Receives fewer complaints from policyholders than competitors
Auto-Owners Insurance also has some of the cheapest car insurance rates in Illinois. On average, car insurance from Auto-Owners is $83 per month, or $998 per year.
How we score: Policygenius’ ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our methodology takes multiple factors into account, including pricing, financial ratings, quality of customer service, and other product-specific features.
GEICO is nationally available and often has some of the cheapest rates. GEICO gets fewer service complaints than average, even though claims satisfaction can be mixed. Drivers can also customize their car insurance from GEICO with a few useful add-ons.
Pros
Available in every state and the District of Columbia
Usually has some of the cheapest rates
Gets fewer complaints than expected for its service
Allows drivers to add different types of useful coverages to a basic policy
We found that the fifth-cheapest car insurance company in Illinois is GEICO. On average, car insurance from GEICO is $75 per month in Illinois, or $1,024 per year. That's still $308 cheaper than the statewide average.
Best car insurance companies in Illinois
The best car insurance company in Illinois is USAA. In the most recent J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study, which measures how policyholders feel about their insurance company’s overall price, value, and claims service, USAA scored the best in the region that includes Illinois. [1]
But USAA is only available for members of the military and their families. The best-rated car insurance company in Illinois that’s available to most drivers is Erie, a smaller carrier known for top-notch customer service.
Rank
Company
Score
1
USAA
891
2
Erie
876
3
COUNTRY Financial
868
4
State Farm
848
5
Allstate
847
5
GEICO
847
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Cheapest car insurance companies by age in Illinois
If you have a teenager in your household, one of the most important rites of passage in their lives is getting a driver’s license. Unfortunately, statistics show young drivers are more likely to be in an accident, which, in turn, makes their car insurance rates more expensive.
The table below shows the company with the lowest rates in every age group. The cheapest car insurance in Illinois for most young drivers is Pekin Insurance.
Age
Cheapest company
Average cost
16
Pekin Insurance
$2,123
18
COUNTRY Financial
$1,711
21
Pekin Insurance
$1,195
25
Pekin Insurance
$735
30
Pekin Insurance
$702
35
Pekin Insurance
$669
45
Pekin Insurance
$632
55
Pekin Insurance
$623
60
Pekin Insurance
$633
65
Pekin Insurance
$653
70
Pekin Insurance
$692
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Choosing the right car insurance company in Illinois
It’s more than just price when choosing an insurance company. You want a company that has a track record of good customer service and won’t raise your rates if you have too many claims. Here’s what to look for when you’re ready to switch insurance companies:
Are there offices nearby where you can speak directly with an agent?
Do they return phone calls promptly?
Do they score well with current customers on things like claims satisfaction and customer service?
Our insurance experts at Policygenius can help you see quotes from top companies and choose the best coverage.
Car insurance rates for drivers with driving violations in Illinois
WIth many insurance companies, a single ticket can raise your rates by several hundred dollars. Additionally, if you’re caught driving while intoxicated, your rates could go up by over a thousand dollars. The easiest way to save on your car insurance is to obey posted speed limit signs and obey all traffic laws.
The average car insurance rates for Illinois drivers with moving violations are shown below. The cheapest car insurance in Illinois after a driving incident is Pekin Insurance or State Farm.
Violation
Pekin Insurance
COUNTRY Financial
State Farm
Auto-Owners Insurance
GEICO
At-fault accident
$920
$1,367
$1,119
$1,260
$1,783
DUI
$1,467
$1,441
$1,039
$1,824
$2,290
Suspended license
$1,167
$1,441
$1,039
$1,824
$2,696
Open container
$1,467
$1,241
$1,039
$1,824
$2,290
Expired registration
$864
$1,241
$1,039
$1,014
$1,169
Driving without lights
$690
$1,241
$1,039
$1,014
$1,335
Running a red light
$864
$1,241
$1,039
$1,014
$1,335
Following too closely
$864
$1,241
$1,039
$1,014
$1,335
Hit and run
$1,167
$1,441
$1,039
$1,824
$2,290
Not-at-fault accident
$690
$940
$970
$1,014
$1,371
Passing a school bus
$864
$1,241
$1,039
$1,111
$1,335
Reckless driving
$1,467
$1,441
$1,039
$1,824
$2,290
Speeding
$864
$1,441
$1,039
$1,273
$2,081
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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in Illinois
A few missed or late payments are all it takes for some car insurance companies to increase your rates. A bad credit score can make it hard to lease an apartment, keep a job or get a car loan. Higher credit scores translate to lower insurance rates, which means paying your bills on time can save you money on car insurance.
Below are the average rates for drivers in Illinois with bad credit. The cheapest car insurance in Illinois for drivers with bad credit is Pekin Insurance.
Company
Rates for drivers with bad credit
Pekin Insurance
$1,308
COUNTRY Financial
$1,396
Travelers
$1,715
Progressive
$1,881
Nationwide
$2,016
Car insurance costs in Illinois cities
We know that the average car insurance rates in Illinois are $1,332 per year for full coverage. But statistics like crime rates and population density also impact rates too. Below are the average car insurance rates for the ten largest cities in Illinois, based on population.
Chicago: $1,950
Aurora: $1,319
Naperville: $1,303
Joliet: $1,448
Rockford: $1,345
Springfield: $1,303
Elgin: $1,337
Peoria: $1,287
Champaign: $1,191
Waukegan: $1,437
Residents in Chicago pay the highest rates in the state because of the city’s population density and crime rate. If you live in an urban area, comparing rates is a great way to reduce your insurance costs.
If your vehicle is registered in Illinois, state law mandates drivers must have the following minimum liability insurance requirements:
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
Have continuous coverage on a vehicle even if it is inoperable or not being driven.
The insurance must be issued by a company licensed in the state of Illinois.
These are just the basic required minimum rates. However, if you have a car loan or lease a vehicle, then you’ll need to have more than liability insurance.
Physical damage or full coverage insurance helps pay for loss or damage to your vehicle. There are two kinds of physical damage insurance.
Collision: Covers collisions with other vehicles
Comprehensive: It covers theft, fire, and vandalism to your car
All registered vehicles in Illinois are now checked at least twice a year for compliance with the mandatory liability insurance law.
Illinois is a fault state when it comes to car accidents. What this means for you as a driver is if you cause a wreck, then your insurance company must compensate the other driver for any damages or personal injuries resulting from the collision.
How to get cheap car insurance in Illinois
Most car insurance companies in Illinois offer ways to save on your insurance. Here are some of the discounts they offer:
Safe-driver discount: For drivers without any accident claims during a given time frame or for those drivers who take a defensive driving course
Bundling discount: When you get more than one insurance policy (auto and home) from the same insurer
Good student discount: A discount for young drivers who earn good grades, usually a B average or higher
Military discount: A discount for active-duty service members and their family
Not everyone will qualify these discounts, so be sure and ask about what others may apply to you.
According to our research, Pekin Insurance has the lowest rates in Illinois, at $668 per year for full coverage.
Does Illinois require full coverage insurance?
No, Illinois state law only requires drivers to have 25/50/20 in liability coverage, as well as uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Drivers who have a loan or lease may be required by their lender to have comprehensive and collision coverage.
Is auto insurance expensive in Illinois?
The average cost of auto insurance in Illinois is hundreds of dollars cheaper than the national average, but drivers may see higher (or even lower) rates depending on where they live.
How much is car insurance per month in Illinois?
The average cost of car insurance in Illinois is $111 per month, or $1,332 per year.
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: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident
Property damage liability: $50,000
Uninsured/underinsured motorist: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident
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.
References
Policygenius uses external sources, including government data, industry studies, and reputable news organizations to supplement proprietary marketplace data and internal expertise. Learn more about how we use and vet external sources as part of our
Rachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.
Anna Swartz is a senior managing editor and auto insurance expert at Policygenius, where she oversees our car insurance coverage. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic.com, as well as an associate writer at The Dodo.
