Every Illinois driver needs car insurance, and you have several choices when it comes to your coverage. As an independent agent, Frank Isadore can help you shop around and compare rates and coverages from multiple reputable insurance companies until you find a policy that meets your needs and budget.
Illinois Car Insurance Coverage Requirements
Like other states, Illinois has minimum coverage requirements. Drivers must comply with these requirements or else face fines and penalties. Currently, drivers are required to have coverage that includes $25,000 for individual bodily injury and $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident, as well as $20,000 for property damage liability.
It is important to note that while purchasing coverage to meet these minimums will keep drivers legally compliant, low-limit coverage does little to protect against financial responsibility in a major accident. That is why drivers should consult with an independent agent when determining how much coverage is necessary to protect individual income and assets against a potential lawsuit.
Car Insurance FAQs
How much auto insurance do I need in Illinois?
The Illinois minimum auto insurance requirements are designed to provide a small level of protection in the event you damage someone else’s property, or you cause harm to another person. In Illinois, drivers need a minimum of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for Bodily Injury Liability Coverage and $20,000 per accident for Property Damage Liability Coverage. The minimum amount for uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
What is the best deductible?
The best deductible is what you can afford to pay out of pocket when you file an auto insurance claim. The higher the deductible, the lower your premium will be, and vice versa. A higher deductible means your accepting a more significant portion of the risk yourself. It is best not to take on more risk than you can afford.
What is “full coverage?”
There is no such thing as “full coverage” insurance. Full coverage auto insurance is a term that is used to suggest you have chosen protection that goes beyond the minimum coverage required by your State. It typically includes collision and comprehensive coverage, medical payment coverage, and uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
How can I save money on my car insurance?
You can save money on your car insurance by avoiding moving violations, crashes, DUIs, and other incidents. By having a clean driving record, you may also qualify for a safe driver discount. Students may qualify for good student and student-away-at-school discounts. Your vehicle’s anti-theft devices and safety features may also provide more discounts. Paid-in-full, multi-car, and prior carrier discounts are also common.
How long does an auto accident affect my insurance?
An accident won’t impact your car insurance premiums forever. After about three to five years, your rates should recover. Exactly how long this takes will depend on the type of accident as well as the company you are insured with. Also, some insurance companies offer accident forgiveness as an endorsement, which will help keep premiums down in the case of having only one accident.
Is buying direct cheaper than buying through an agent?
Buying direct is not always cheaper than buying through an agent. You might think that cutting out the middleman would result in cheaper car insurance rates, but when it comes to insurance, this isn’t the case. In fact, an independent agent, one that represents many insurance companies, can often save you money.
What is the best auto insurance company?
The best auto insurance company differs per individual. No insurance company is objectively the best. It all depends on what you’re looking for. Do you want the best customer service, the broadest coverage, or the lowest rates? Or maybe you have unique coverage or underwriting needs? An agent can help you compare car insurance quotes from multiple insurance companies and find the right policy for your situation.
What is the best or cheapest auto insurance rate?
The best or cheapest auto insurance rate can be found by comparison shopping. Compare premiums as well as differences in coverage. An independent insurance agent can help. They can provide options from multiple carriers, along with the expert guidance you need to make a smart choice.
How do I switch to a new auto insurance company?
You can switch to a new auto insurance company at any time, but to avoid overpaying or violating state law, you do need to watch out for a couple of things. car insurance policies are often sold for coverage periods of six months or one year. In some cases, you may be charged a fee if you decide to cancel your insurance policy early. You may also be entitled to a refund for the unused portion of the premium. You also want to make sure you have continuous coverage to avoid a coverage gap.
Types of Illinois Car Insurance Coverage
If you purchase car insurance in Illinois, your policy will likely contain several different types of coverage – not just those required by state law. Many are optional, although some, such as collision and comprehensive coverage, may be required under the terms of lease and finance agreements. Even if you have no obligation to purchase these additional coverages, however, doing so could reduce your risk exposure and protect your vehicle and finances against potential loss.
Although the specific types and details of available coverage can vary slightly from insurer to insurer, most companies offer similar types of protection. Examples include:
Liability
Liability is a mandatory part of your car insurance policy. It pays for victim injuries and property damages when you are at-fault for an accident. Victims can sue you for medical bills, lost wages, vehicle repairs, and other related expenses after a collision. If you have enough liability coverage, you may not have to pay for legal bills and judgments out-of-pocket. If you only have the minimum coverage, however, you may have to empty savings accounts, liquidate investments, or face wage garnishments to help cover the damages.
Uninsured Motorist and Underinsured Motorist
When drivers have no insurance, they are not only breaking the law, but they are also creating leaving you vulnerable to financial loss when they cause an accident. If you are injured by an uninsured driver, your uninsured motorist protection can help cover costs not covered by another insurance policy. Similarly, underinsured motorist protection can help fill in the gaps that remain when an at-fault driver’s liability limits are too low to meet your needs.
Medical Payments
Medical payments coverage is designed to protect you and your passengers. It is not contingent upon fault; rather, medical payments coverage pays for things like emergency room expenses and health insurance deductibles if you are hurt in a wreck. You can choose your medical payment limit in an amount suitable to your needs. For many drivers, that means purchasing at least enough coverage to pay for a health insurance deductible if necessary.
Collision
Collision insurance is not required by law, but it lien-holders may require it until you pay off your loan or finish out your lease. This important coverage can help you get back on the road quickly in the event your vehicle is damaged in a car accident. It can also reimburse you for a complete loss if your car is totaled in an accident.
Comprehensive
Comprehensive insurance is designed to compensate you for damages to your vehicle when they are caused by incidents other than collision. For example, you may file a comprehensive claim if you hit a deer with your car or if an icy tree branch comes crashing down on your vehicle.
Claims against this collision and comprehensive coverage are subject to a deductible, which is the amount you will pay out of pocket toward each covered loss. You can choose your deductible when you purchase your policy and adjust it if your needs change over time. Generally, a high deductible can lower policy premiums, but a low deductible can reduce your personal costs for a claim.
Roadside Assistance and Towing
If you have a flat tire or lock your keys in your vehicle, roadside assistance coverage can help pay for professional services that will have you rolling again as quickly as possible. You can also purchase coverage for towing, which helps cover the cost of towing your vehicle to a repair facility following an accident or breakdown.
Temporary Transportation
Whether you need a way to work or need reliable transportation to get the kids to school and back, your insurance can help cover the cost of a rental car or other temporary transportation if your vehicle is damaged due to a covered event. Coverage is typically limited by the amount and by the number of days it is available per incident.
Using an Independent Agent for Car Insurance
Independent agents work for drivers – not insurers. While it costs you nothing to use the services of an agent, it could save you a tremendous amount of time and money. Not only can an independent agent shop and compare rates from multiple Illinois insurance companies on your behalf, but we can also help you assess your actual coverage needs so you are better protected against loss.
You May Qualify for Car Insurance Discounts
They’re your discounts, so don’t let them slip away. If you are not using an independent agent to shop for car insurance, you could be missing out on earned discounts without even realizing it. At our office, we help the driver secure big savings when they qualify for:
- Good student discounts
- Low mileage discounts
- Safe vehicle discounts
- Safe driving discounts
- Multiple-policy discounts
- Multiple-vehicle discounts
- And more
We serve drivers throughout northwest Chicago and the surrounding areas, including but not limited to:
- Rolling Meadows
- Schaumburg
- Palatine
- Mt. Prospect
- Arlington Heights
- Hoffman Estates
- Bloomingdale
- Inverness
- Roselle
If you are in the market for Illinois car insurance, turn to Frank Isadore for competitive rates on the coverage you need. Contact us today to request a personalized coverage review and a free auto insurance quote. We look forward to serving you soon.
