Best car insurance in Illinois for 2024

Our 2024 Bankrate Score considers variables our insurance editorial team determined impacts policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These rating factors include a robust assessment of each company’s product availability, financial strength ratings, online capabilities and customer and claims support accessibility. Each factor was added to a category, and these categories were weighted in a tiered approach to analyze how companies perform in key customer-impacting categories. 

Each category was assigned a metric to determine performance, and the weighted sum adds up to a company’s total Bankrate Score — out of 5 points. Our scoring model provides a comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and highlighting where they fall short.

• Tier 1 (Cost & ratings): To determine how well auto and home insurance companies satisfy these priorities, average quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services (if available), as well as any of the latest third-party agency ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best, Demotech and the NAIC, were analyzed.
• Tier 2 (Coverage & savings): We assessed companies’ coverage options and availability to help policyholders find a provider that balances cost with coverage. Additionally, we evaluated each company’s discount options listed on its website.
• Tier 3 (Support): To encompass the many ways an auto and home insurance company can support policyholders, we analyzed avenues of customer accessibility along with community support. This analysis incorporated additional financial strength ratings from S&P and Moody’s and factored a company’s corporate sustainability efforts.

Tier scores are unweighted to show the company's true score in each category out of a possible five points.

When determining what coverage you need, you may want to look into Illinois car insurance laws and state minimum requirements. If you purchase higher limits of uninsured motorist coverage, you will also be required to purchase underinsured motorist coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage protects your finances if you are hit by a driver who has no insurance; underinsured motorist coverage is designed to help pay the overage if the driver who hit you does not have enough coverage to pay for your damages.

If you lease your vehicle, lenders often require higher liability limits along with full coverage insurance, which includes collision and comprehensive coverage. Standard liability limits for a leased vehicle are 100/300/50 and it is common for lenders to cap comprehensive and collision deductibles at $1,000. If you damage or total your vehicle, lenders need to make sure funds are available to pay the damages to repair your vehicle.

Drivers who have a loan on their vehicles may also want to consider purchasing gap insurance along with the required full coverage. Gap insurance will pay the value between the actual cash value claim payout from your insurance company and the remaining balance of your car loan if it’s totaled in a covered accident or stolen and unrecoverable. This coverage is especially helpful if you have made a low down payment or have a high interest rate.

Car insurance is a highly-personalized product, so no one company is best for all drivers. For instance, some drivers may need to carry SR-22 insurance, so they must find a company that underwrites high-risk drivers and is willing to file the form with the Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles on their behalf. Others may work a non-standard work schedule and need a company that offers 24/7 customer service. While a company's overall rate may be important when shopping for the best car insurance in Illinois, it’s also vital to prioritize any other individual needs that you may have.

Obtaining auto insurance quotes in Illinois isn't difficult, and there are several ways you may do it. Some insurers have offices throughout the state, and a quick visit can find you a knowledgeable agent who will work with you and answer questions. If you don't have time to visit an office, a phone call may be enough to start the process of purchasing your policy. But the speediest option may be asking for quotes online at company websites. Generally, most major insurers allow you to do this by inputting some simple information: your name, address, driver's license number and VIN number, for example. The more information you can include, the more accurate your quote will be. Once you find the company that offers the right coverage options at an affordable price, it is often possible to complete your purchase online or via a mobile app.

Besides requesting multiple quotes, looking for all available discounts with each car insurance company could help you get the cheapest car insurance. Not all companies advertise all available discounts, so doing a little research is the best way to save. You may also qualify for discounts with one insurer that don’t apply with another, For example, if you get Travelers car insurance, you may qualify for a discount just for being a homeowner, even if you insure your property with another company. Erie car insurance has a price lock policy that may guarantee a consistent premium for years. Investigating discounts may help you narrow down which policy is the best for you.