- In Illinois you can expect to pay $83 a month or $991 a year for state minimum liability. Full coverage policies cost around $296 a month or $3,552 a year.
InsuranceQuotes cost rates are pulled from our real-time auto insurance database from recent quotes in Illinois – Rates are based on a used car driver who is single, middle aged & has a clean driving record. Read on to learn about the cheapest local rates filtered by insurance providers, new cars, vehicle types and age.
Who are the Cheapest Auto Insurance Companies in Illinois?
Illinois car insurance averages $150 per month for full coverage in 2026, based on InsuranceQuotes.com’s analysis of market rate data. Country Financial and State Farm offer competitive rates for Illinois drivers outside Chicago; Chicago drivers pay significantly more due to one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the US. Illinois requires 25/50/20 minimum liability coverage, with Personal Injury Protection not required in this at-fault state.
- In Illinois the cheapest average auto insurance providers are Country Preferred, Progressive and State Farm. State minimum liability car insurance starts at $53 a month or $635 a year. Full coverage car insurance starts at $169 a month or $2,025 a year with Country Preferred Insurance.
Here is a breakdown of average costs from the cheapest local insurance providers in Chicago from our data set of used-car drivers who are single, middle aged and have a clean driving record.
| Insurance Provider: | State Minimum: | Monthly: | Full Coverage: | Monthly: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country Preferred | $635 | $53 | $2,025 | $169 |
| Progressive | $743 | $62 | $2,268 | $189 |
| State Farm | $839 | $70 | $2,628 | $219 |
| GEICO | $991 | $83 | $3,524 | $294 |
| Allstate | $1,204 | $100 | $4,387 | $366 |
Illinois State Minimum Car Insurance Requirements
Auto insurance is mandatory for Illinois car owners. If you decide to drive without insurance coverage, there is a penalty if you are caught. You are only required to have liability insurance, but you may decide to purchase supplemental insurance that covers damage to others, passengers, and your vehicle. Full coverage offers the most peace of mind, but obviously costs much more, so it’s often a matter of weighing risk vs. budget. The minimums set by the state are:
Liability
- $25,000 for bodily injury for one person
- $50,000 for bodily injury for more than one person
- $20,000 per accident for property damage
Uninsured Motorist
- $20,000 of bodily injury (UMBI) per person
- $40,000 of bodily injury as a total per accident
Those just receiving their license are usually young and inexperienced drivers so premiums may be higher. Younger drivers also do not have the expendable income many experienced drivers, or adults, have. While upfront cost is an issue, it is also important to think of long term costs if you were to get into an accident.
Most Popular IL Cost Guides by City
| Illinois City | State Minimum | SM Monthly | Full Coverage | FC Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington Heights | $850 | $71 | $2,642 | $220 |
| Aurora | $831 | $69 | $2,623 | $219 |
| Berwyn | $973 | $81 | $3,376 | $281 |
| Bloomington | $655 | $55 | $2,249 | $187 |
| Bolingbrook | $880 | $73 | $2,840 | $237 |
| Champaign | $687 | $57 | $2,259 | $188 |
| Chicago | $991 | $83 | $3,552 | $296 |
| Cicero | $1,065 | $89 | $3,808 | $317 |
| Decatur | $730 | $61 | $2,459 | $205 |
| Des Plaines | $976 | $81 | $3,017 | $251 |
| Elgin | $845 | $70 | $2,694 | $225 |
| Evanston | $935 | $78 | $2,946 | $245 |
| Joliet | $883 | $74 | $2,821 | $235 |
| Naperville | $846 | $70 | $2,617 | $218 |
| Oak Lawn | $980 | $82 | $3,181 | $265 |
| Orland Park | $917 | $76 | $2,915 | $243 |
| Palatine | $861 | $72 | $2,679 | $223 |
| Peoria | $725 | $60 | $2,476 | $206 |
| Rockford | $767 | $64 | $2,581 | $215 |
| Schaumburg | $883 | $74 | $2,740 | $228 |
| Skokie | $1,106 | $92 | $3,405 | $284 |
| Springfield | $736 | $61 | $2,505 | $209 |
| Waukegan | $861 | $72 | $2,732 | $228 |
List of Illinois Cities:
Average Cost for Car Insurance in Illinois by County
If you live in Illinois the average cost for auto insurance will vary; however, here is a breakdown of the costs for state minimum coverage for each county in IL below:
| Costs by County: | Sedan: | SUV: | Coupe: | Truck: | Hybrid: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams | $678 | $504 | $635 | $582 | $645 |
| Alexander | $794 | $602 | $812 | $680 | $757 |
| Bond | $740 | $565 | $683 | $641 | $718 |
| Boone | $663 | $485 | $714 | $561 | $627 |
| Brown | $780 | $601 | $705 | $673 | $772 |
| Bureau | $658 | $482 | $661 | $547 | $629 |
| Calhoun | $793 | $592 | $746 | $672 | $756 |
| Carroll | $658 | $489 | $702 | $555 | $627 |
| Cass | $799 | $596 | $728 | $673 | $764 |
| Champaign | $583 | $424 | $632 | $496 | $549 |
Helpful Tips about Illinois Auto Insurance and Teenage Laws
If you are moving to Illinois for the first time, or determining how to purchase insurance for your teenager, the process may seem overwhelming. Here are a few tips to help you in your journey through the Illinois DMV.
1. Illinois has a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program that helps teens become more comfortable behind the wheel. After completing a drivers course and 50 hours of practice, 16 and 17 year olds may apply for an initial license. At 18 years of age, they may apply for a full license without restrictions.
2. Drivers may apply for a permit as young as 15 years of age.
3. You must apply for a new license within 30 days of legally changing your name. To obtain a license, you need to bring certain pieces of identification, which may include two or more of the following:
- Your passport.
- Your Social Security card.
- Proof of residence.
- Authorized signature for comparison.
How Do Credit Score and Driving Record Affect Your Illinois Car Insurance Rate?
Illinois allows insurers to factor credit-based insurance scores into your premium, and it’s one of the largest cost swings in the state — 2026 rate data shows drivers with excellent credit paying around $99 a month for full coverage compared to roughly $298 a month for drivers with poor credit, a difference of about $199 a month. A DUI conviction carries an even steeper penalty relative to a clean record, raising full coverage premiums by as much as 83%, or roughly $192 a month. Chicago drivers already pay 30-50% more than the statewide average due to traffic density and theft rates, so stacking a credit or driving-record issue on top of a Chicago ZIP code can push a policy well above the state average. Improving your credit score and keeping a clean record for three to five years are the two most effective ways to bring an Illinois premium back down.
Moving to Illinois: Important Information
Presenting information that includes your signature, date of birth, residency information, and signature for comparison are just a few of the items you need when applying for a license. On the back of your license, you should add your blood type, emergency information, and indicate if you have a power of attorney just in case you are unable to make your own decisions in the event of a severe accident.
Here are some important stipulations to remember when moving to Illinois:
1. If you are moving to Illinois for the first time, or if you are relocating within the state, you must notify the Secretary of State’s office within 10 days of legally changing your address by visiting a Driver Services facility. However, your old license is still valid for 90 days from the date of arrival in the state.
2. If you are an out-of-state student, you can apply for a license, but it is not mandatory that you do so.
3. If you move to Illinois and only operate farm equipment and machinery with limited driving on public roads, you do not need to apply for a license.
4. You must change your vehicle registration and order new license plates within 30 days by filling out a form at a Driver Services facility. Proof of Illinois vehicle auto insurance is required at the time of registration.
Understanding Driving Laws in Illinois
Driving might come naturally to most drivers, however, certain states have strict laws when it comes to driver safety, and Illinois is no exception.
1. Children under 8 must be in a car seat or booster seat in Illinois.
2. You must use your headlights from sunset to sunrise in Illinois, and when it rains, snows, is foggy, or when visibility is minimal. The light must be visible 1,000 feet away.
3. The use of a cellphone while driving is illegal for anyone under 19 years of age, learner’s permit holders, school bus drivers, and all drivers in construction and school zones.
Frequently Asked Questions About Illinois Auto Insurance
1. What does 25/50/20 mean when searching for insurance in Illinois?
The 25 refers to what the insurance company pays for each injured person in an accident you are legally held at fault for ($25,000). The 50 refers to the total injury payout by your company for each accident ($50,000). The 20 refers to what the insurance company pays out for property damage per accident ($20,000). If the medical bills are over $40,000, you, as the at-fault driver, can be sued for the remainder of the costs in court.
2. What happens if you are caught driving without insurance in Illinois?
If caught, your license plates are suspended until you pay a $100 reinstatement fee in addition to current insurance. If you are a repeat offender, you will serve a four-month suspension, pay the $100 fee, and again have to provide current evidence of insurance. If your license plates are suspended, no one may drive that vehicle. However, you can operate other insured vehicles.
3. Do all vehicles need a safety inspection sticker?
Yes, all vehicles operated on roads in the state of Illinois must pass a yearly safety inspection.
- About the Author
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Michael Giusti is a senior insurance analyst, business journalist, and university professor with over 20 years of experience. He serves as department chair at Loyola University New Orleans and contributes to Insurance Thought Leadership, U.S. News, and other leading financial outlets.
