Best Car Insurance in Chicago, IL

Driving in Chicago is a challenge. Residents face heavy traffic during rush hours, blocked roads during sports games and snowstorms in the winter. While car insurance in Chicago is already a necessity, all of these circumstances make having extra car insurance coverage a good idea.

• Crashes in Chicago: According to the city of Chicago’s data, there were more than 30,000 crashes in just the summer of 2019, and this data doesn’t include minor accidents that didn’t generate a police report. Chicago residents should have at least the minimum liability coverage so they don’t wind up paying out of pocket after an accident.
• Road conditions in Chicago: Difficult road conditions in Chicago also prompt residents to get additional car insurance coverage. Rain, snow, ice, damaged roads and construction in Chicago all contribute to high car accident rates. If you’re concerned about getting into an accident as a result of poor road conditions, look for a comprehensive vehicle insurance policy with emergency roadside assistance so you’re never left without a helping hand.
• Vehicle theft in Chicago: In May 2019, the Chicago Police Department reported that car thefts in the city were down 36%. Still, residents deal with more than 24,000 vehicle thefts per year. Many of the offenses happen in Austin, Humboldt Park, Lawndale, Garfield Park, Englewood, South Shore, Auburn Gresham and Chatham. If you live in a high-crime area, a car insurance policy that covers the cost of a replacement vehicle is more valuable than cheap car insurance.

Car insurance policies in Chicago costs anywhere from $350 to $1,900 a year. The table below shows average annual estimates for a 30-year-old woman living in different Chicago neighborhoods.

Your ZIP code affects what you pay for car insurance in Chicago, but additional factors increase or decrease your yearly premium as well:

• The make, model and year of your vehicle affects insurance rates. Older cars generally receive more affordable insurance rates, while more expensive cars cost more to insure.
• Your driving history helps or hurts your car insurance premiums. A clean driving record usually means you often qualify for cheap car insurance, but additional drivers, new drivers and teenage drivers all pay higher premiums. When researching insurance companies, include every person that needs to be covered under the policy to make sure you get an accurate quote.
• Personal details such as your gender, age and marital status influence insurance rates.

Car insurance in Chicago is required by law, and minimum liability coverage must include $25,000 for the injury or death of one person, $50,000 for the injury or death of more than one person and $20,000 for damage to other drivers’ property.

While car insurance is legally required in Chicago, there are still many uninsured drivers on the road. According to The Pew Charitable Trusts, 12% of all drivers in the U.S. are uninsured, leading to $2.6 billion in uninsured motorist claims during 2012, the most recent data available.

The consequences of not having basic liability coverage are serious. Uninsured drivers are not only liable for paying for any damages from an accident they cause but also can face hefty fines or jail time.

Chicago car insurance alternatives

High-risk drivers can get auto insurance coverage through the Illinois Automobile Insurance Plan. The state of Illinois offers this program as a last resort for drivers who can’t get insurance through regular providers. Under ILAIP, insurance companies in Illinois are obligated to accept a certain number of high-risk insurance applicants each year. Coverage provided from ILAIP must last for three years and adhere to Chicago’s minimum coverage limits.