Illinois Car Insurance Requirements

Minimum Coverage Requirements

Illinois requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance of 25/50/20 — meaning $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $20,000 for property damage.

Average Car Insurance Costs in Illinois

Drivers in Illinois typically pay approximately $1,270 per year ($106/month) for car insurance, based on 2026 industry average data.

Car Insurance Rates by City in Illinois

State Regulations and Key Rules

Illinois is an at-fault state. Uninsured motorist coverage is required at the same limits as liability coverage. Illinois uses a modified comparative fault system allowing recovery when a driver is less than 51% at fault.

What Makes Illinois Unique

Illinois mandates uninsured motorist coverage, providing automatic protection against uninsured drivers. Chicago's dense traffic contributes to higher urban rates compared to rural areas of the state.

Uninsured Drivers in Illinois

Approximately 11.8% of drivers in Illinois are estimated to be uninsured.

Risk Factors Specific to Illinois

Chicago's congested expressways produce high accident rates during rush hour. Winter storms and black ice are significant statewide hazards. Flooding along the Illinois and Chicago rivers periodically affects roadways.

What Illinois’s Minimum Actually Covers

Illinois’s minimum is 25/50/20: $25,000 per injured person, $50,000 total per accident for injuries, and $20,000 for property damage. With new vehicles averaging roughly $50,000, the $20,000 property damage limit would leave about $30,000 unpaid if you totaled an average new car — and that gap becomes your personal debt.

No-Fault, PIP, and Required Add-Ons in Illinois

Illinois also requires uninsured motorist coverage, which pays when the at-fault driver has no insurance or too little.

How Illinois Compares: Uninsured Drivers and Price

An estimated 11.8% of Illinois drivers are uninsured — roughly 1 in 8 — a middle-of-the-pack uninsured rate.

Our average premium estimate of $1,270 a year puts Illinois below the national middle in our 50-state estimates (median $1,395).

How to Save on Car Insurance in Illinois

Chicago rates are significantly higher than the Illinois state average — suburban and rural drivers have a meaningful cost advantage. Illinois has strong insurer competition, making annual quote shopping particularly effective. Commuters who switch to remote work should immediately notify their insurer to potentially lower their annual mileage classification.

• Illinois's minimum liability requirement of 25/50/20 is the legal floor, not a safe target — since PIP isn't required in Illinois, a separate medical payments (MedPay) add-on is worth pricing out.
• With an estimated 11.8% of Illinois drivers uninsured, carrying uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage above the state minimum is one of the highest-value add-ons you can buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum car insurance in Illinois?

25/50/20: $25,000 of bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 per accident, and $20,000 of property damage liability.

Is Illinois a no-fault state?

No. Illinois is an at-fault state, so the driver who causes an accident is responsible for the resulting injuries and damage, usually through their liability insurance.

Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Illinois?

Yes. Illinois requires uninsured motorist coverage.

How many drivers are uninsured in Illinois?

An estimated 11.8% of Illinois drivers are uninsured, roughly 1 in 8.

The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and reflects estimated industry averages and state requirements as of 2026. Insurance regulations and rates change periodically; always verify current requirements with your state's department of insurance or a licensed insurance professional before making coverage decisions. City-level and statewide premiums shown are approximations — individual rates will vary based on personal factors.