Best car insurance in Illinois (2024)

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Gianetta PalmerContributing WriterGianetta Palmer is a contributing writer at Policygenius, where she covers life insurance, home insurance, and auto insurance. Her writing has also appeared in TIME, Readers Digest, Healthline, and elsewhere.&Rachael 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.
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Reviewed by

Michael Reynolds, CSRIC®, AIF®, CFT-I™Michael Reynolds, CSRIC®, AIF®, CFT-I™Financial AdvisorMichael Reynolds, CSRIC®, AIF®, CFT-I™, is a financial advisor, principal and founder of Elevation Financial, host of the weekly personal finance podcast Wealth Redefined®, and a member of the Financial Review Council at Policygenius.

Updated|5 min read

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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.

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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

Methodology & why you can trust our rates

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.

Cheapest car insurance companies in Illinois

Pekin

Pekin logo

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

  • Receives few complaints from its policyholders

Cons

  • Not available in every state

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

4.7

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 logo

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

Cons

  • Coverage not available in every state

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.

State Farm

4.8

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.

State Farm logo

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 logo

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

Cons

  • No longer has a usage-based insurance discount

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.

GEICO

4.7

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.

GEICO logo

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

Cons

  • Mixed reputation for claims satisfaction

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 a DUI in Illinois

Company

Rates for drivers with DUIs

State Farm

$1,039

COUNTRY Financial

$1,441

Pekin Insurance

$1,467

Auto-Owners Insurance

$1,824

GEICO

$2,290

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket in Illinois

Company

Rates for drivers with speeding tickets

Pekin Insurance

$864

State Farm

$1,039

Auto-Owners Insurance

$1,273

COUNTRY Financial

$1,441

GEICO

$2,081

→ Read more about SR-22 insurance in Illinois

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.

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Buying car insurance in Illinois

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.

Find car insurance in your city:

Frequently asked questions

Who has the lowest car insurance in Illinois?

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.

References

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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 oureditorial standards.

  1. J.D. Power

    . "

    2022 Auto Insurance Study

    ." Accessed January 23, 2023.

Authors

Gianetta Palmer is a contributing writer at Policygenius, where she covers life insurance, home insurance, and auto insurance. Her writing has also appeared in TIME, Readers Digest, Healthline, and elsewhere.

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.

Editor

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.

Questions about this page? Email us at .