8 Best Car Insurance Companies in Illinois of 2023

Car insurance in Illinois protects you from unforeseen automobile events.

No matter how much you use your car, you are more likely to get into a car accident that’s either your fault or the fault of another driver, given that there are so many drivers on the road.

Illinois has around eight million licensed drivers, and any one of them may not practice safe driving.

As such, purchasing auto insurance is a good idea, as it will protect you and your car. Plus, it’s mandatory to have it in Illinois.

Also, if you cause an accident that injures the other driver, your auto policy will cover medical payments that the driver sustains.

If you didn’t have insurance, you’d have to pay for the medical bills out-of-pocket. That’s serious money, but one that you can avoid because Illinois has some of the lowest car insurance rates in the US.

Illinois's average auto insurance cost is 8% lower than the national average auto insurance premium.

So, there’s no excuse not to buy an auto policy.

There are so many auto insurance companies, and choosing the one that best suits your needs can be hard.

So, if you are looking for auto insurance that is affordable or has the right coverage, we’ve gathered a list of the best auto insurers and included a section about all you need to know about car insurance to help you make an informed decision.

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The Best Car Insurance Companies in Illinois

• Amica: Best for Special Features
• Liberty Mutual: Best for Mobile App
• Erie: Best for New Car Replacement
• GEICO: Best for the Cheapest Rates
• Farmers: Best with the Most Discounts
• Allstate: Best Car Insurance That Rewards You for Good Driving
• State Farm: Best for Teens & Young Drivers
• Progressive: Best for Quality Coverages

Amica: Best Car Insurance for Special Features

Amica offers many insurance products, so bundling is easy, and has an above-average customer satisfaction rating based on verified reviews.

Amica has many special features compared to other auto insurers. These include:

• Free lock replacement if you lose your car keys.
• The glass deductible modification add-on means if your car windows get damaged, you don’t have to pay for a deductible.
• Identity theft add-on protects your valuable personal information from fraud.
• Free repair if your airbag deploys in an accident.
• If you have a new car—owning one within the first year---and it is totaled, Amica will not charge a deduction for depreciation.

Amica Mutual Car Insurance Discounts

• Payment discounts: By choosing electronic billing, making full payment, or signing up for automatic payments, you become eligible for a discount.
• Policy discounts: You can save by owning a home, bundling your auto insurance with another policy, insuring multiple vehicles, and/or remaining with the same auto insurance provider for two years or longer.
• Car discounts: If your vehicle(s) are equipped with safety features like airbags, anti-theft devices, adaptive headlights, collision avoidance features, and/or electronic stability control systems, you may be eligible for discounts.
• Family-based discounts: Amica provides opportunities for families to save with young drivers. If a young driver completes an accredited driver's course, studies away from home without a car, and/or maintains a B average, they can take advantage of these savings. Moreover, young policyholders whose parents have been loyal Amica customers for at least five years can benefit from legacy discounts.
• Safe-driving discounts: You can earn a discount by maintaining a claims-free record for a minimum of three years. Furthermore, you can save even more by completing an approved defensive driving course. These incentives reward safe and responsible driving behavior, allowing you to enjoy additional savings on your insurance premiums.

Liberty Mutual: Best Car Insurance for Mobile App

Liberty Mutual, like many insurers of its size, offers customers technological advancements that make your life easier, save you time, and offer you convenience.

In particular, Liberty’s insurance app, available on iOS and Android, can’t be beaten.

The easy-to-use app is designed to provide you with your insurance needs anytime. It does almost everything its website can do but with more features.

You can access your account, ID card, and important insurance information and documents using the app.

You can easily schedule payments not only by linking your bank account but also by linking your credit or debit card.

The app also makes it easy to file claims, upload claim photos, get repair quotes, request a rental car after a covered accident, contact emergency roadside assistance, and sign documents electronically.

Read a full Liberty Mutual car insurance review.

Liberty Mutual Car Insurance Discounts

• Driver-based discounts: These discounts are available to eligible households and drivers, such as homeowners, military members, and households with students. Early shoppers can also benefit from a discount.
• Policy discounts: You can save by purchasing multiple policies with Liberty Mutual or insuring multiple cars. Additionally, buying a policy online, opting for automatic payments, and choosing paperless policies can earn you additional discounts.
• Driving record discounts: Additional savings are offered to drivers who have a violation-free and claims-free record. Enrolling in the RightTrack program can also lead to extra savings.

GEICO: Best Car Insurance for the Cheapest Rates

GEICO is known for its easy-to-use website and robust mobile app, making it easy to get a quote or claim.

GEICO is also known for having the lowest rates in the auto insurance industry.

So, how does GEICO keep its rates low? There are several factors.

Because GEICO has the longest list of discounts—over twenty—you are guaranteed a lower premium.

Here are other ways that GEICO uses to lower your rates:

• If you add multiple drivers to your policy.
• If you combine auto and home policies.
• If you pay for your policy in full.
• If you complete a defensive driving course.
• If you keep your driving record clean.
• If you update your policy info many times each year.
• If you have safety and anti-theft devices on your car
• If you practice safe driving.

GEICO’s affordable rates don’t mean you have to compromise on service and features. It offers everything the typical auto insurer has but is cheaper.

Read a full GEICO car insurance editorial review.

GEICO Car Insurance Discounts

• Vehicular equipment discounts: Benefit from your car's advanced safety features and enjoy potential discounts. You may qualify for savings if your vehicle is equipped with anti-theft systems, anti-lock brakes, airbags, and daytime running lights or is less than three years old.
• Driver habit discounts: Maintain a spotless, accident-free driving record for five years and consistently wear your seatbelt to receive premium savings.
• Driver education discounts: GEICO appreciates drivers who have completed a defensive driving course and young drivers in your household who have finished a driver's education course and maintain a good GPA in school. Enjoy discounts for these achievements.
• Policy discounts: Not only will you receive a discount for purchasing multiple policies or insuring multiple cars, but also for maintaining continuous coverage without any gaps, even between insurers.
• Driver affiliation discount: Active and retired members of the military, government employees, and individuals associated with various organizations or companies may be eligible for additional discounts on their insurance premiums.

Farmers: Best Car Insurance with the Most Discounts

Farmers websites and apps have various online tools to make them useful and save you time. Using either, you can make or file a claim, pay your bills, and sign up for a policy, for example.

The company’s policy rates can be slightly higher than its competitors, but Farmers makes it up by offering you the most discounts ever which will significantly lower your premium.

The discounts include the following:

• Alternative fuel vehicle
• If you have anti-theft devices installed in the car.
• Paying premium electronically.
• Getting insurance documents by email rather than mail.
• Good student discount if the student has a GPA of 3.0 or above.
• If you own a home.
• If you pay the premium in full.
• If you are a safe driver.
• Senior defensive driver.
• If you have an umbrella policy.
• If you have a clean driving record.
• If you are a senior and have passed a driver’s ed course approved by the DMV.

Farmers Car Insurance Discounts

• Affinity discount: Eligible members of specific associations and professions, including active and retired military personnel, can qualify for Farmers' Affinity discount, offering additional savings.
• Policy discounts: Maximize your savings by bundling your auto insurance with home, life, umbrella, business, or other specialty policies. Insuring multiple cars and taking advantage of renewal discounts can also earn you extra savings.
• Shared Car discount: If more active drivers are in your household than vehicles, you can enjoy a discount per car, resulting in additional savings.
• Student/youth discounts: Families with excellent student drivers or those studying away from home without a car can qualify for additional savings. Discounts are also available for households with young drivers and even for young drivers who have moved out of their parents' homes.
• Senior driver discount: Drivers aged 55 and older who have completed an approved defensive driving course can benefit from the discount, offering cost savings.
• Driver-based discount: Safe drivers and homeowners can qualify for discounts, even if their home is insured through another carrier, allowing them to enjoy additional savings.
• Payment discounts: Opt for paying your premium in full or enrolling in automatic payments to save money on your insurance policy.

Allstate: Best Car Insurance That Rewards You for Good Driving

Allstate is one of the largest auto insurers in the country and yet stays competitive by offering its customers rewards for safe driving habits.

You can save some extra money with this program, which is separate from Allstate’s auto policy.

The Drivewise Program

Here’s how it works. You fit a device into your car while using the mobile app. Both work together to document your driving, including:

Time of Day

Drivewise tracks the time you start driving and end your trip using your local time.

Speed

Calculates your average speed, as well as how long you are driving that exceeds 80 MPH.

Stops and Starts

This tracks how many times you accelerate too quickly and how many times you keep braking.

Once you end your trip, Drivewise gives you feedback about your driving habits and calculates how many points you’ve earned.

Just by being a safe driver, Allstate rewards its policyholders with a discount on their premiums.

In addition, every six months you drive safely, you get cash back. Also, you earn reward points that can be redeemed for merchandise, gift cards, and shopping discounts.

Plus, you can earn 15,000 points if all you do is download the app and activate an account with Allstate.

Allstate Car Insurance Discounts

• Policy purchase discounts: Allstate provides numerous opportunities for savings in this category. By bundling policies, insuring multiple cars, paying the full premium upfront, shopping early, maintaining a good payment history, choosing paperless billing, and opting for an auto-pay plan, you may qualify for discounts.
• Vehicle-based discounts: Allstate offers discounts on new cars and vehicles equipped with anti-lock brakes and anti-theft devices, providing cost savings for policyholders.
• Smart Student discount: Exclusive to single drivers under 25 years old, the Smart Student discount is applicable to those who maintain a GPA of 2.7 or higher, complete the teenSMART program, or reside 100 miles away from their car. This discount rewards responsible young drivers with potential savings.
• Safe driver discount: By becoming a member of Allstate's safe driving club, you can earn a significant discount. This program recognizes and rewards safe driving behavior, allowing policyholders to enjoy reduced premiums.

State Farm: Best Car Insurance for Teens and Young Drivers

State Farm is one of the oldest auto insurers in the nation. With auto, home, renters, and umbrella insurance policies, you are able to consolidate all of them when you buy insurance from State Farm.

State Farm also has many perks, but the one that stands out is its coverage for teens or young drivers.

To reduce young adult insurance premiums, you can do the following:

• Purchase a safe car for your teen
• Reduce or remove comprehensive and collision insurance.
• Increase the deductible on your teen’s coverage.

To save money, you can add these discounts for your teen driver.

State Farm Car Insurance Discounts

Below, we've listed the major ways policyholders can save on having young drivers in their households.

• Good Student DiscountL You can save up to 25% if your teen driver gets good grades. That means your teen should have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Driver Training Discount: If a teen drives your car and is under the age of 21, you get a discount if your teen completes an approved driver’s ed course.
• Student Away at School Discount: You also get a discount if one of your drivers is under the age of 25 and operates your covered car, then moves away to college, and only uses that car while at home during holidays or school vacations.

Other ways to save also include the following:

• Vehicle-related discounts: Save more on your insurance by owning a newer vehicle with a range of safety features. These features can contribute to significant savings on your premiums.
• Policy-based discounts: Take advantage of savings by insuring multiple vehicles or bundling your auto insurance with another policy. Doing so allows you to enjoy discounted rates and maximize your cost savings.
• Driver-based discounts: Senior drivers qualify for a discount, as well as households that only have one driver.

Progressive: Best Car Insurance Policy for Quality Coverages

Progressive is the third-largest auto insurance provider in the U.S. It is the best insurer for drivers with blemishes on their driving records. The company offers some of the lowest rates for high-risk drivers and those with DUI, traffic violations, or speeding tickets.

That said, Progressive also has the best coverage compared to similar insurers. For example, many companies don’t offer gap insurance, but Progressive does.

Here are the most important programs.

Gap insurance

Progressive pays up to 25% above the value of your car if it’s totaled, which covers the balance on your car loan or lease.

Note: To buy gap insurance, you must add comprehensive and collision coverage to your policy.

Custom parts and equipment value

This coverage pays to fix or replace customizations you made on your car, up to $5,000.

Pet injury insurance

If your pet is injured in a car accident, this program will pay the vet bill included in your collision coverage.

Deductible savings bank

This can reduce your deductible by $50—and down to $0—every six months you remain claim-free. Again, you must have comprehensive and collision coverage to take advantage of the program.

Rideshare insurance

If you drive for Uber, Lyft, Via, GoKid, or other ridesharing companies, you know that your typical insurance (from the rideshare group) covers only the period between accepting a ride and dropping off a customer. This program gives you coverage between rides.

Small accident forgiveness

The insurer won’t raise your premium for claims up to $500.

Large accident forgiveness.

This program won’t raise your rate even if your car accident is catastrophic, but you do need to be insured with Progressive for at least five years and remain accident-free for at least three years.

Read a full Progressive car insurance review.

Progressive Car Insurance Discounts

• Policy-related discounts: At Progressive, you can enjoy discounts for purchasing multiple policies or insuring multiple cars and maintaining continuous coverage without any lapses, even when switching between insurers. This rewards responsible policyholders and offers savings opportunities.
• Driver-based discounts: Progressive provides discounts for safe drivers through its Snapshot Road Test program. Additionally, homeowners can also benefit from discounts. Moreover, if young students drive in your household, Progressive offers ways to save on your premiums.
• Online discounts: Take advantage of additional savings with Progressive by obtaining your quote online, purchasing your policy online, or opting for paperless billing. You can also save by paying your policy in full or enrolling in automatic payments. These convenient options offer convenience and help reduce your insurance costs.

How Does Auto Insurance Work?

Auto insurance covers the costs if you hurt someone, destroy a car after an accident, or cause damage to a person’s property with your car.

What Does Auto Insurance Cover?

Your coverage will vary by state. However, to drive your car,

there are two main components of an auto insurance policy: bodily injury liability and property damage liability.

Liability

Liability insurance covers property damage or injuries you may have caused to others in an accident.

Liability also includes medical payments if you or your passengers were injured in a car accident.

Bodily Injury

Bodily injury liability pays for injuries you cause to another driver if you are at fault in the accident. It covers a person’s medical expenses and lost wages if the person can’t work due to bodily injuries. It also covers funeral costs.

Property damage

Property damage liability is when you damage property not your own while driving, such as a fence, a garage, or other structure. Property damage will cover any expenses related to repairs or replacements.

The key takeaway is that liability insurance only covers injuries or damages you cause to others. It never pays for injuries you sustain or damages to your property.

Is Auto Insurance Mandatory?

Illinois law requires all motor vehicles in Illinois to be covered by auto insurance.

However, to drive legally, you only have to carry liability insurance.

This means purchasing additional car insurance, such as personal injury protection, uninsured/underinsured motorist, and comprehensive and collision coverage is optional.

If you financed your car, a bank or lienholder may require you to carry higher limits to the minimum amounts required by the state.

What are the Minimum Amounts of Liability Insurance Required by the State of Illinois?

The minimum liability coverage is set at 25/50/20.

That’s:

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person.
• $50,000 bodily injury per person
• $20,000 property damage per accident

Should You Increase Your Liability Limits?

Illinois requires a minimum level of liability coverage, as indicated above. But you should get higher coverage limits if you don’t feel the minimum is enough.

If your policy limits are exhausted, or you have reached your accident limits, you will be held responsible for the remaining out-of-pocket costs.

As such, increasing your liability limits beyond the required amount is strongly suggested.

Just remember, it’s better to be overinsured than underinsured.

Is Illinois a Fault State?

Illinois is what’s known as a fault state. This means that the driver who causes the accident is responsible for covering the damages. 

Other Types of Insurance You May Need

Comprehensive / Collision Coverage

Comprehensive collision pays for your car when you cause physical damage due to a non-collision-related incident. These include theft, fire, hail damage, falling objects, contact with animals such as deer, vandalism, glass breakage, and storm damage.

Collision Coverage

You must buy comprehensive coverage to purchase collision coverage.

Liability insurance doesn’t cover your car or any injuries after an accident. If you want coverage for your car, you need to purchase collision coverage.

Collision coverage protects your car against accidents.

If you incur physical damage from a collision with another car object or property (such as mailboxes, trees, light posts, and other inanimate objects), a collision will repair your car minus your deductible.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

This covers your medical treatment in a car accident, regardless of who caused the accident.

In no-fault states, PIP coverage is mandatory.

However, Illinois is not a no-fault state. PIP is not even available in Illinois.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist

This protects you when you have an accident where the motorist is at fault, and either doesn’t carry insurance or else has insurance limits that are not enough to reimburse you for damages the motorist caused.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist will pay you the difference between your expenses and the policy limit of the other motorist.

What are the Factors that Determine Your Premium?

Insurance premiums vary a lot by insurer because each considers certain factors while offering policies to people. This means no two insurers will have identical prices for the same policy.

There are many factors that Illinois auto insurers use to calculate your rate.

Factors such as the car's age, your car's engine’s cubic capacity, and the insured declared value of your vehicle (IDV) are just some examples.

Here are the most important factors that can impact your auto premium.

Your Age

Young people and teenagers will increase your rate because it’s assumed that they drive more recklessly and get into many accidents.

Older generations will see their rates increase due to natural aging, such as having vision problems or limited bodily movement.

Credit Score

If you have a good credit score, you’ll pay less. If you have poor credit, insurers will believe that you are more likely to skip payments or not pay at all and are more likely to file claims. So your premium will be higher.

Driving History

If you have a bad driving record, insurers will likely charge you more because insurers believe that your current driving history will be reflected in the future.

Gender

Statistically, women tend to drive more safely than men, which means their rate will be low.

As for men, they are often risk-takers on the road and, as such, will pay a higher premium.

What Does Car Insurance Not Cover?

• Any contents or personal effects inside your car that have been stolen or robbed, such as expensive stereo systems.
• Any damage you caused intentionally.
• Normal wear and tear.
• Mechanical failure was unrelated to a covered event.

How to Save on Car Insurance in Illinois

The best way to get a rate that fits your budget is to shop around and get quotes from several insurers. Remember that all quotes should cover the same amount of coverage and deductibles you want.

In addition, you should give each auto insurer the same information for drivers and cars you want to be covered. Only then can you shop around properly by comparing quotes to find the insurer you like the best.

The greater the coverage amounts, the better your policy will be.

But that will increase your rate. If you are on a budget, the best thing to do is to apply for as many discounts as possible that an auto insurer may provide.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Illinois?

The cost of your auto policy varies depending on different factors, such as those described above.

That said, the average monthly cost of minimum car insurance in Illinois is $35 per month or $445 per year.

The average monthly cost of full coverage car insurance in Illinois is $125 per month or $1,490 per year.

Insurers give rates tailored to the customer’s risk, which is how probable it will be if he or she makes a claim. The less risky you are, the lower your premium.

How We Picked and Ranked the Best Auto Insurance Companies

Here are some of the factors we took into consideration when picking the best insurers on our list:

Discounts

Discounts help to make auto insurance affordable.

So, we looked at insurers that had the most discounts so you can save.

If an insurer had a premium above the national average, you could still consider it. Our research found that even the most expensive insurers offered discounts that could significantly lower your rate.

Coverage

We looked at an insurer’s coverages to see if they were useful enough to

purchase. If an insurer had a wide range of them, such as gap coverage. protection from uninsured/underinsured motorists, and being able to access roadside assistance on your mobile app, to name a few, we put that company on our list.

And then, we looked at coverages not typically seen by a standard policy.

Technology

If a company had a website and mobile app, and both could simplify your life by allowing you to do several things related to your policy online, that’s an insurer we put on our list. Things like filing a claim, tracking a claim, and using electronic tools that allow you to compare auto insurance policies were meaningful for us.

Price

An insurer with a low premium and the ability to lower it more by using discounts ranked higher on our list than others.