Here you'll find specific information and helpful links based on where you live. Learn more about auto insurance so that you can protect yourself and your family. We hope this information makes it fast and easy to research and purchase auto insurance. And most importantly, helps you find the auto insurance policy that's right for you. If you drive in Illinois, you know how crazy it gets out there. Accidents happen, fenders get bent, people get hurt. Or you're innocently parked in your driveway and a tree limb crashes through your windshield. When disaster strikes, auto insurance is there to protect you.

Why buy auto insurance?
1.) Auto insurance protects you against the financial risk associated with personal injuries and property damage caused by auto accidents, theft, vandalism, or natural disasters.
2.) Illinois requires you to purchase at least a minimum amount of liability coverage. Other types of auto insurance coverage may be optional or required, depending on state regulations.
3.) If you have a car loan outstanding, you'll generally be required by the lender to purchase at least a minimum amount of auto insurance.

Liability coverage
Illinois law requires you to purchase a minimum amount of some or all of the following types of liability coverage: Bodily injury liability: Protects your assets if you are held liable for an auto accident in which other people are injured or killed. Property damage liability: Covers repairing or replacing the autos or other property of other people. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Unless you live in a "no-fault" state (where your own insurance will cover your losses), this coverage insures you against losses caused by other drivers with little (underinsured) or no (uninsured) auto insurance. To adequately protect yourself, you may want to purchase much more than the minimum amount of coverage required for Illinois. Collision, other-than-collision, and medical payments coverages Although these types of coverage are optional in most states, it often makes sense to purchase them, unless you can afford to pay for damages yourself.

Collision: Pays to repair or replace your car if it's damaged in an accident.
Comprehensive: Insures your car against damage caused by something other than an auto accident (e.g., theft, fire, flood, vandalism).
Medical payments or personal injury protection: Covers various medical expenses not covered by your health insurance or your passengers'.
And then the insurance company pays for everything, right? Wouldn't that be nice? But it's not always true.
Here are some things you'll always need to cover yourself:

Deductibles: The amount of money that you've agreed to pay out of your own pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in.
Exclusions: Events or situations your policy specifically omits from coverage, such as property damage or personal injury you intentionally cause to others, or damage to your own car due to mechanical failure.
Costs above limitations: Any expenses for which you're responsible that exceed the caps on the dollar amounts of coverage you're entitled to receive under your policy.

Illinois Auto insurance

Illinois auto insurance is necessary for any vehicle displaying license plates in Illinois. Such vehicles could be recreational vehicles, motorcycles, cars, trucks, vans, buses, etc. Trailers however, are exempt from auto insurance.

Where can I get my insurance?

It is very simple to secure Illinois auto insurance for your vehicle. You can meet any insurance agent or company to know all details about auto insurance. Beside, Illinois department of insurance monitors working of insurance industry as a whole. You can read different consumer tips, queries, how to file auto claims, cancellation, renewals, and non-renewals, etc. on their website and educate yourself about different processes in insuring your vehicle. You can also file any complainants against insurance companies, access application forms, etc.

What is my available coverage?

Illinois auto insurance provides following minimum coverage:

Bodily injuries: This is $20,000 for each person per accident and $ 40,000 for all such injuries in an accident. It also includes damages to property for $15,000 in each accident.

Uninsured Motorist: This coverage is of $20,000 for each person and $40,000 for every accident.

Although these are the minimum coverage limits, you can take higher limits in Illinois auto insurance to meet all medical and legal expenses in case of any accident. If your damages exceed your insurance coverage amounts, you might face lawsuits for uninsured amounts.

What is proof of my insurance?
llinois auto insurance provides valid proof of your insurance in the form of an insurance card. You need to carry the card permanently in your vehicle and have to furnish it to any law officer when they ask you for it. If you are unable to furnish such card, you could face suspension of your license plates, fines of $500 to $1,000, confiscation of vehicle registration, etc. ometimes, random verification of vehicles could pick up your vehicle for scrutiny. You then need to furnish all details, name of insurance company, policy number, etc. They inspect and check your insurance details, etc. Finding affordable car insurance in Illinois is not difficult if your driving history adheres to the basic underwriting standards as set forth by insurance companies. Below are a few of the underwriting criteria that can affect your rate:

1. Clean Driving Record: Having a history of filing many auto claims is an indication to the insurance company that you may continue the habit and thus they will increase your rate accordingly. Lower claims equates to a lower rate.

2. Driving Experience: If you’ve been driving for quite some time and have managed to rack up many tickets and moving violations, your driving experience wont be looked upon favorably. Unfavorable risks pay higher premiums.

3. Good Credit: Insurance companies equate good credit to being a good risk to insure. If your history shows a habit of not paying debts on time resulting in poor credit, you run the risk of being charged a high rate or being denied insurance.

For those drivers who have less than perfect driving record, poor credit, or who have just obtained a driver’s license, don’t despair. Since auto liability insurance is mandatory in the state of Illinois, all drivers, even those with less than perfect underwriting credentials are eligible to obtain insurance through the Illinois Automobile Insurance Plan.

The Illinois Automobile Insurance Plan is the assigned risk program for those who are unable to secure insurance in the voluntary insurance marketplace. All insurance companies licensed in the state of Illinois are required to participate in the plan.

If you’ve been unable to secure automobile insurance and have been turned down by insurance companies within the past 60 days, you can obtain coverage through the assigned risk insurance market. It is, of course, an option of last resort as the rates will be significantly higher than those through the voluntary market.

Your insurance agent can provide you with the necessary information and applications for approaching the Illinois Automobile Insurance Plan.