Where to get car insurance quotes in Illinois
You can get quotes directly from insurers, through independent agents, or on comparison websites. Major national carriers operating in Illinois include State Farm, GEICO, Allstate, Progressive, and Farmers. Regional insurers like Kemper and Infinity also write policies in the state. Each company uses different formulas to price risk, so the same driver will see different quotes from different insurers — sometimes by hundreds of dollars per year.
Direct online quotes from an insurer's website take 10 to 15 minutes and usually don't require a phone call. Independent agents can shop multiple carriers at once, which saves time if you want to compare five or more quotes. Comparison sites like Insurify, The Zebra, and NerdWallet collect quotes from several insurers in one form, though not all carriers participate in every site. The trade-off: comparison sites often sell your contact information to insurers, so expect follow-up calls and emails.
Illinois also has a state-run insurer of last resort called the Illinois FAIR Plan, but it only covers drivers who cannot find coverage in the standard market — it is not a first choice and costs more than standard policies.
Key Takeaways
- Illinois requires minimum liability coverage of 15/30/6 (fifteen thousand per person, thirty thousand per accident, six thousand property damage), but most drivers need more to protect their own assets.
- Quotes depend on your age, driving record, vehicle type, coverage limits, and deductible choice — changing any of these will change the price.
- You can get quotes online in minutes without committing to anything, and rates are locked for 30 to 60 days while you decide.
- Illinois insurers must offer uninsured motorist coverage, but you can decline it in writing — most drivers should keep it because one in eight Illinois drivers is uninsured.
- Bundling home and auto policies, paying in full instead of monthly, and maintaining continuous coverage all lower your rate.
What information you need to gather before requesting quotes
Have your driver's license, vehicle registration, and current insurance policy (if you have one) in front of you. You will need your driver's license number, the vehicle identification number (VIN) from your registration or dashboard, and the current mileage. If you are switching insurers, note your current coverage limits and deductibles so you can compare apples to apples.
Insurers will ask about your driving history, including accidents and violations from the past three to five years. They will also ask how you use the car — commute distance, annual miles, whether it is garaged overnight. Be accurate on these points; misrepresenting your use or driving history can void a claim later. If you have been cited for a violation or had an accident, have the date and details ready.
How Illinois insurance rates are calculated
Illinois law allows insurers to base rates on age, gender, marital status, driving record, credit score, years of driving experience, and vehicle type. Younger drivers and male drivers typically pay more. A clean driving record costs less than one with accidents or violations. Drivers with higher credit scores usually get lower rates, though this varies by insurer — some weight it heavily, others less so.
The vehicle itself matters: a 2024 Honda Civic will cost less to insure than a 2024 Dodge Charger, because repair costs and safety ratings differ. Comprehensive and collision coverage (which cover damage to your own car) cost more for expensive or high-theft vehicles. The deductible you choose — usually $250, $500, or $1,000 — directly affects the premium: a higher deductible means a lower monthly payment but more out of pocket if you have a claim.
Illinois does not allow insurers to use your insurance score or prior claims history as the sole reason to deny or cancel a policy, but they can use it to set rates. Insurers must file their rates with the Illinois Department of Insurance, and they cannot change rates mid-policy unless you change your coverage or have a major life event.
Minimum coverage requirements and what you actually need
Illinois requires a minimum of 15/30/6 liability coverage: fifteen thousand dollars per person for bodily injury, thirty thousand dollars per accident, and six thousand dollars for property damage. This is the floor, not a recommendation. If you cause an accident and your liability limit is exhausted, you are personally liable for the rest — a judgment can follow you for years and lead to wage garnishment.
Most financial advisors suggest carrying at least 100/300/100 coverage if you own a home or have savings. If you finance or lease a vehicle, your lender will require comprehensive and collision coverage with a deductible they approve (usually $500 or less). If you own the car outright and it is worth less than five thousand dollars, skipping comprehensive and collision is a common choice — but if you owe money on it, you cannot skip these.
Uninsured motorist coverage is required in Illinois but you can decline it in writing. It covers you if an uninsured or hit-and-run driver injures you or damages your car. About one in eight Illinois drivers is uninsured, so this coverage is worth keeping unless you have a specific reason not to.
Discounts that lower your Illinois car insurance rate
Bundling auto and home insurance with the same carrier typically saves 15 to 25 percent on auto alone. Paying your premium in full rather than monthly saves 5 to 10 percent. Maintaining continuous coverage — not letting your policy lapse — qualifies you for loyalty discounts and prevents rate increases when you renew. Some insurers offer discounts for completing a defensive driving course; the course costs thirty to fifty dollars but can save that back in one or two months.
Low-mileage discounts explore if you drive fewer than five thousand to seven thousand miles per year (varies by insurer). Usage-based programs like Snapshot (State Farm) or Milewise (Allstate) track your driving habits and can lower your rate if you drive safely and at low-risk times. These programs require installing an app or device, and rates can go up if the data shows risky driving, so read the terms carefully.
Good student discounts (usually 3 to 10 percent) explore to drivers under twenty-five with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Some insurers offer discounts for paperless billing or paying by automatic bank transfer. Ask each insurer for a full list of discounts when you get a quote — not all are advertised online.
How to compare quotes side by side
Request quotes for the same coverage limits and deductible from at least three insurers. Use a spreadsheet or table to list the insurer name, monthly premium, annual premium, coverage limits, deductible, and any discounts applied. This makes it straightforward to see which insurer is cheapest for your situation. Do not compare a quote with a $1,000 deductible to one with a $250 deductible — the prices will not be equivalent.
Check the quote expiration date. Most quotes are valid for 30 to 60 days, giving you time to decide without pressure. If you are not ready to buy, note the expiration and request a new quote before it expires — rates can change, especially if you have a birthday or your driving record updates.
Look beyond price. An insurer with the lowest quote might have poor customer service ratings or slow claims processing. Check reviews on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) website or on independent review sites like J.D. Power. A fifty-dollar-per-year difference is not worth it if the insurer takes weeks to settle claims.
When to shop for new quotes and switch insurers
Shop for new quotes every six to twelve months, or whenever your situation changes — a move, a new vehicle, a birthday, or a change in driving habits. Your rate can increase at renewal even if nothing changed, so getting quotes from competitors keeps you from overpaying. Switching insurers is free; you straightforward buy a new policy and cancel the old one. Make sure the new policy starts before the old one ends so you have no gap in coverage.
Do not worry about your credit score taking a hit from shopping around. Insurers use a "soft inquiry" when you request a quote, which does not affect your credit. Hard inquiries (the kind that lower your score) only happen if you actually buy a policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to buy insurance from the company that gave me the lowest quote?
No. A quote is not an offer to buy; it is an estimate. You can request quotes from ten insurers and buy from none of them, or buy from the one with the highest quote if you prefer their service. Once you decide to buy, you will provide final information and the insurer will issue a policy.
What if my quote changes when I actually buy the policy?
If you provided accurate information on the quote request, the final premium should match or be very close. If it is significantly different, ask the insurer why. Common reasons include a change in your driving record (a violation was added), a mistake in the VIN, or a misunderstanding about coverage limits. You can cancel within a grace period (usually 14 days) if you are unhappy.
Can I get a quote without providing my Social Security number?
Most insurers will give you a preliminary quote with just your driver's license number and vehicle VIN. A full quote that includes credit-based rates usually requires your Social Security number so they can pull your credit report. You can decline to provide it, but your quote may be higher or the insurer may not be able to complete it.
How long does it take to get a quote?
Online quotes typically take 10 to 15 minutes. Quotes from an independent agent can take a few hours to a day if they are shopping multiple insurers. Comparison websites usually show quotes within minutes, though some insurers take longer to respond.
Will getting a quote affect my current insurance?
No. Requesting a quote does not change your current policy or notify your current insurer. Your current coverage stays in place until you cancel it.