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One of the most important things you can do as a driver in Illinois is secure auto insurance that will protect you in the event of a claim. But where do you begin looking? Here, we've combed through Illinois auto insurers to find the best and to help you decide which one is right for you.
Farmers rose to the top in nearly every category we evaluated. That doesn't mean that Farmers is always the least expensive car insurance option, but for reasons we'll explain, it is always an option worth considering.
We chose Farmers as best overall because it stands out over so many other companies across the board.
The average statewide auto insurance rate is $2,498. Farmers average rate is $1,323, or 47% less. That's not to say that you'll never find a lower rate. For example, bundling policies through another insurer may end up costing less. Even though overall auto insurance premiums are lowest with Farmers, none of the rates we've gathered here factor in discounts. Be sure to shop around before making a final decision.
Given the number of categories in which Farmers shines, it's earned its spot as best for typical drivers. Not only are standard rates highly competitive, but Farmers is one of the most forgiving insurers in the state for drivers with a speeding ticket on their record.
While Farmers rocks most categories, USAA blows competitors out of the water when it comes to customer satisfaction. The J.D. Power 2023 Auto Insurance Customer Satisfaction survey shows USAA receiving 878 out of a possible 1,000 points.
USAA serves only military members and their families. Country Preferred, Farmers, Geico, Standard Fire, and Progressive are strong options for non-military members.
By law, Illinois drivers must be able to provide proof of insurance, but paying for full coverage is not always possible for drivers working hard to meet other financial obligations. Another area in which Farmers shines is writing minimum coverage policies. While Farmers wins this budget-minded category with an average rate of $352, here are two other companies worth shopping:
It's natural to assume that USAA would easily be best for military veterans. However, many Illinois insurers compete to serve those who've served our country. Farmers takes this category due to its low rates and A rating with AM Best for financial strength. Military veterans may also want to check with Geico, a company that offers veterans 15% off its already low prices.
But don't stop there. Veterans who already have insurance through USAA (or are willing to take out another policy with USAA) may find that the military insurer is best for them. It's possible that bundling policies and taking advantage of other discounts could make USAA the best financial choice. In addition, with an AM Best financial rating of A++, policyholders know their insurance company will be there when they need it.
Teen drivers don't have the same experience behind the wheel as older drivers, which is one of the reasons rates for young drivers can be exceedingly high. One company that tries to keep a lid on teen policies is Country Preferred. While the average annual premium statewide runs $5,421, the average Country Preferred policy for young drivers is $2,548.
If your household includes a teen driver, here are a few tips to help land a policy that works for you:
In addition to paying a fine, drivers who receive a speeding ticket are typically hit with higher (sometimes much higher) auto insurance rates until the ticket falls off their driving record. In Illinois, that's four to five years. Among the most forgiving insurers in Illinois is Farmers.
The average cost of auto insurance in Illinois is $2,498. That's 17% lower than the national average of $3,017.
Here, we break down the average monthly and annual premiums for a variety of common driver personas in Illinois:
Persona | Average Monthly Premium | Average Annual Premium |
---|---|---|
Overall | $208 | $2,498 |
Drivers with Clean Records | $188 | $2,259 |
Drivers with One Accident | $230 | $2,765 |
Drivers with One Speeding Ticket | $211 | $2,532 |
Drivers with One DUI | $303 | $3,631 |
Teen Drivers | $452 | $5,421 |
Senior Drivers | $143 | $1,712 |
Military Veterans | $162 | $1,940 |
Drivers Seeking Minimum Coverage | $48 | $580 |
Driving without insurance in Illinois is charged as a petty offense, and in most cases, it can carry serious consequences.
The minimum liability insurance requirements in Illinois are as follows:
While it may feel unnecessary for a state to require U/UIM bodily injury, it is important coverage to have available. U/UIM bodily injury covers medical expenses for you and your passengers if you're hit by a driver who is uninsured or underinsured.
These tips can help you land the best coverage at a price you can afford:
Choose a higher deductible: A deductible is the amount you pay toward a claim before your insurance company kicks in to pay the remainder. Agreeing to a higher deductible is one way to trim your annual premium. If you're concerned about how you would pay the deductible, consider building an emergency fund. Putting money aside means not worrying about where you'll find the money to pay your deductible.
Anyone who gets behind the wheel in Illinois is legally required to be covered by auto insurance. Failure to do so can result in fines and suspension of the driver's license.
Driving without auto insurance could lead to fines starting at $500 and suspension of the driver's license.
Farmers is one of the best insurance companies in Illinois, but that doesn't mean it's right for everyone. For example, someone looking for a lower rate may find it by taking advantage of premium discounts with another company.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Motley Fool Money is 100% owned and operated by The Motley Fool. Our knowledgeable team of personal finance editors and analysts are employed by The Motley Fool and held to the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.
The data found on this page is a combination of publicly available quote data obtained directly from the carrier as well as insurance rate data from Quadrant Information Services. These rates were publicly sourced from the top ten (10) to fifteen (15) carrier markets, within each state, based on annual written premium and should be used for comparative purposes only — your own quotes may be different.