Best Illinois Car Insurance (2025)

While they take life at a different pace, all of the nearly 13 million residents of Illinois do have one thing in common. Illinois car insurance is required to be on the road.

It’s the law in The Land of Lincoln, so whether you like it or not, you are going to have to buy it. If only it wasn’t so difficult to shop for car insurance; hours of searching websites, researching companies, and trying to figure out what you need on your quote, never mind comparing rates. There should really be a better way to compare car insurance.

We can’t tell you if the Cubbies will ever take home another World Series win, but we can make buying auto insurance in Illinois easier.

You have arrived at the best place to get started shopping for your insurance needs. We’ve gathered all the Illinois state laws, insurance coverage options, and company information right here. Read on to learn everything you need to know about Illinois auto insurance.

We’ve also got your rate information. Compare the best Illinois car insurance rates quickly and easily from top insurance companies without the hassle – right here. Just enter your ZIP code above for Illinois car insurance quotes.

Illinois Car Insurance Coverage and Rates

You know that the law in Illinois requires that every driver carry a basic amount of car insurance, but beyond that choosing your insurance gets complicated. Is the basic coverage enough? Should you add on extra coverage? What is even available to you, do you really need it, and how much will it cost?

Car insurance is confusing, and there’s a lot to think about. But it doesn’t have to be difficult.

We’ve broken down all of the coverage you need to know about, from the necessary to the extras. We’ve also gathered numbers for you through Quadrant, so you can compare companies on average rates.

Illinois Minimum Car Insurance Coverage

Illinois is a fault, or tort, state, which means you need to carry liability coverage. That coverage ensures that you will be able to handle the financial responsibility of an accident in which you are found to be at fault.

Here’s what you need to carry, at the absolute minimum, under Illinois law.

In Illinois, uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage is a must on every policy and is automatically included. The limits will always match your liability limits, so if you choose a higher level of coverage for one, it will automatically apply to the other.

Allstate lists all of the states that currently allow drivers to present proof of insurance in electronic format, and fortunately for Illinois drivers, the Land of Lincoln is on that list.

The cost of minimum coverage varies from state to state.

Forms of Financial Responsibility in Illinois

Unless you own 25 or more vehicles and therefore qualify for self-insurance, you have to carry car insurance according to Illinois car insurance law.

It is the only form of financial responsibility that is accepted in order to be in compliance with the law.

Premiums as a Percentage of Income

Your disposable income is the amount you have available to spend after taxes; out of that, you have to pay for all of life’s necessities as well as fun things like entertainment and vacations.

Among the less pleasant things that have to come out of your disposable income are your insurance premiums. What does that look like for the average person? Here’s a look at three years of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

You can see that Illinois is well below the national average for percent of income spent on car insurance.

Compared to neighboring states, Illinoisans spend a little more of their income on car insurance. Iowa to the west comes in at 1.72 percent, and Indiana to the east at 2.00 percent.

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Average Monthly Car Insurance Rates in Illinois (Liability, Collision, Comprehensive)

Core coverage refers to the basics of a full coverage policy. Those are liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage.

Below you will find the average cost of each in Illinois compared to the national average.

Illinois drivers pay less across the board for every aspect of coverage.

Additional Liability

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage for bodily injury isn’t an option in Illinois; it’s added to every policy at limits matching your bodily injury liability limits. UM/UIM property damage coverage, however, is an option that you can add.

This coverage is there to protect you from drivers that are either uninsured or whose liability limits aren’t sufficient to cover damages after a claim.

In Illinois, 13.7 percent of drivers are uninsured according to the Insurance Information Institute.

As for how many are underinsured, that’s something that can’t really be determined. You don’t know you’re underinsured until you’re in an accident where your coverage isn’t enough. Carrying only the legal minimum, however, puts drivers at a higher risk of being underinsured.

Illinois has reasonably high minimum limits at 25/50/20. But in a serious accident, those limits will be quickly exceeded. If you involved in an accident where the other driver is at fault and their limits aren’t high enough to cover the damages, your UM/UIM coverage will kick in.

You can compare the minimums in Illinois to other states courtesy of AAA’s state-by-state list of liability laws.

Another form of additional liability coverage available to Illinois drivers is Medical Payments (MedPay). this is a no-fault coverage for medical bills that benefits you and your household in the event of an injury. It helps to pay your medical bills no matter who is at fault in the accident.

We can look at how well these coverages perform in Illinois with loss ratios. Loss ratios show how much insurance companies are paying out in claims versus the amount they charge for premiums.

Loss ratios that are too high mean the company is paying out too much, potentially endangering their financial stability. If they are too low, on the other hand, they aren’t paying out as much as they should.

Illinois loss ratios are pretty close to the average nationwide, and neither too high nor too low.

Add-Ons, Endorsements, and Riders

Here you’ll find a list of the various add-on options that you can tack on to your policy for additional protection. You probably don’t need all of these, but if you do need some of them, you might have to shop around. Not all insurance companies offer all of these options.

• Guaranteed Auto Protection (GAP)
• Personal Umbrella Policy (PUP)
• Rental Reimbursement
• Emergency Roadside Assistance
• Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
• Non-Owner Car Insurance
• Modified Car Insurance Coverage
• Classic Car Insurance
• Pay-As-You-Drive or Usage-Based Insurance

You have probably seen major car insurance companies advertising programs designed to help you reduce your car insurance bills by allowing the company to monitor your driving habits.

Those are considered to be usage-based programs. They calculate a discount for you based on the information that’s gathered. a number of major insurance companies and many small ones offer these programs.

Less common are pay-per-mile programs, which are available in limited areas. Currently, none of the programs are offered in Illinois.

Average Car Insurance Rates by Age & Gender in Ilinois

Both your age and your gender can have an impact on your insurance rates. Statistically, the highest risk group of drivers are young males. That means they usually pay the most for their car insurance.

As you can see from the data below, that’s true in Illinois. Drivers at 17 pay the most for car insurance and males pay more than females. The difference varies a lot by insurance company; Liberty Mutual has a big rate gap and very high premiums for 17-year-old males, while State Farm has lower rates for 17-year-olds of both genders.

The rates drop by age 25, and after that, they drop further and the gender difference dissipates.

Illinois Rates By Zip Code and Carrier

Your zip code is another of the factors used in calculating insurance rates. You can search below to find your zip code and find out how top companies compare on rates.

Not surprisingly, the most expensive zip codes in Illinois are all located in Chicago.

Illinois Rates By City

Below are the average rates by city in Illinois; search the table to see how your city stacks up.

Read more: Anchor General Insurance Company Review & Complaints: Auto Insurance

Although Chicago is home to the most expensive zip codes, it doesn’t take the title of the most expensive city overall. Suburbs in the south/southwest region of Chicago earn that honor.

The cheapest cities are located in the southern and western parts of the state, far from Chicago.

The Best Car Insurance Companies in Illinois

A lot of people stay with their current car insurance company mainly because shopping is such a tedious task. You know it means you might be paying way too much for car insurance, but you also feel overwhelmed by all the companies out there and the overwhelming amount of information.

You want to get the best rate from the best company that you possibly can, but you’d rather not spend hours on the research.

The next section of this guide is dedicated to simplifying the process of choosing the best car insurance company.

We have gathered reviews and ratings from the most trustworthy sources and partnered with Quadrant to help you compare those companies in terms of price. Read on to find out which companies earn top marks.

Read more: Best Chicago, Iillinois Car Insurance

The Largest Car Insurance Companies’ Financial Ratings

When it comes to financial ratings of car insurance companies, the most trusted and well-known name is A.M. Best. They rate insurance companies in terms of financial stability and credit-worthiness.

What do those things mean to you?

Well, you pay your insurance company on the agreement that they will pay out when you have a claim. Imagine a major disaster hits, like a hurricane or a tornado, and the insurance company had to pay out a lot of very expensive claims. What happens if the insurance company doesn’t have the funds to pay all of the claims?

What happens if you have a claim as your insurance company files for bankruptcy? You’ve paid all those premiums and they aren’t able to keep their end of the bargain.

Insurance companies with good financial ratings are in a position to pay out all of their claims, even in catastrophes.

AM. Best gives all of the top companies in Illinois an A or better rating. A and A- ratings are considered Excellent, while A+ and A++ are one level better, at Superior.

All of these ratings are great; these companies are unlikely to have trouble paying claims.

Companies With the Best Ratings

J.D. Power publishes annual surveys of customer satisfaction in a variety of industries, including insurance. Earning one of their awards is a feather in the cap of any insurer, and every year a winner is crowned.

For 2019, regional insurance company Westfield took the top honors over all of the bigger companies holding a larger market share.

Of the top ten insurers, Country earned the highest ranking, with State Farm (Illinois’ largest insurer) not far behind. Geico was the only other top ten company to score an above-average rating.

Companies With the Most Complaints in Illinois

The Illinois Department of Insurance gathers complaints data on all insurance companies operating in the state. The table below lists the complaint ratios for each company.

A low complaint ratio means the company has few complaints compared to the amount of business they have. As you can see, Country earns a low ratio, matching its high rating from J.D. Power. Westfield, the J.D. Power winner, doesn’t appear in the data, which may indicate no complaints were filed.

Cheapest Insurance Companies in Illinois

Now that you know which companies have the best reputation, it’s time to look at what those companies charge their customers.

Below you will find rates for the biggest companies in Illinois.

The cheapest company is Safeco, but top-rated State Farm is a close second.

Commute Rates By Company

How far you drive each day (and on an annual basis) can impact how much you pay for car insurance. How much of a difference, however, really depends on the company. Here’s a look at two different commute lengths and the average rates from several different companies.

At some companies, a longer commute results in a minor increase in rates, while at other companies there is no increase at all.

Coverage Level Rates By Company

The amount of coverage you choose to carry on your policy is a pretty big factor in how much you pay. The higher your limits, the more the insurance company stands to pay out if you have a claim. But it’s not always that much more expensive to carry higher limits and be better protected.

The rates above show three levels of coverage for several major companies, and it’s quick;y obvious that higher coverage doesn’t always cost a lot more.

Several companies offer a high level of coverage for less than the low level at other companies.

This rate comparison really highlights the importance of shopping around; you could be paying a lot less for better coverage.

Credit History Rates By Company

Insurance companies in Illinois are permitted to use your credit history in calculating your rates. Good credit will always get you the lowest rate, but even with poor credit, shopping around can save you some money.

While poor credit will double your rate at Liberty Mutual, their rate for poor credit is still better than that for good credit at Allstate, again highlighting how different each company is when it comes to rates.

Driving Record Rates By Company

Few things can impact your rates more than your driving record, and if you have recently gotten a ticket or been in an accident, you’re probably dreading your renewal.

Here’s a look at how several common scenarios can impact your rates, from the baseline of a clean record to a DUI.

Once again it’s clear what a difference shopping your rate around can make. Even with a DUI State Farm has a better rate than several other companies offer to drivers with a clean record. If you have a new ding on your record, it’s time to compare rates.

The Largest Car Insurance Companies in Illinois

State Farm is the largest car insurance company in Illinois by a large margin, holding about 30 percent of the market share. That’s not surprising given their low rates even for drivers with poor credit and problematic records.

Number of Insurance Companies

There are a lot of insurance companies to choose from in Illinois. In fact, 1,031 property and casualty insurance companies are licensed to do business here. That doesn’t mean that all of them offer car insurance, but a good number do.

Of those companies, 191 are domestic (headquartered in Ilinois) and 860 are foreign (headquartered in another state.

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Illinois State Laws

There are a lot of laws on the books in Illinois, and it can be hard to keep track of all of them. Unfortunately, “I didn’t know!” will rarely get you any sympathy from an officer when you’ve been pulled over. So how do you get the basics on Illinois insurance, licensing, and road laws without digging through all those statutes yourself?

You come right here, where we have everything you need to know in one easy-to-read guide.

Below you will find the lowdown on the laws that influence insurance in Illinois, as well as vehicle and driver licensing rules and procedures, rules of the road, and more.

Illinois Car Insurance Laws

We’ll start by covering the laws related to car insurance in Illinois. You already know the law says you need it, but there’s a little more to the laws that every driver should know.

How State Insurance Laws are Determined

Car insurance laws are created and updated by the Illinois General Assembly and are found in Chapter 625, Article 5 of the Illinois State Code.

Illinois has a “use and file” system for rate filings, which means rates don’t require prior approval for use, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

Windshield Coverage

Although some states have laws regarding how windshield coverage is handled, Illinois does not.

You do have the right to request OEM parts for your windshield replacement, according to Windshields.info, but you may have to pay the difference.

High-Risk Insurance

High-risk insurance is also called non-standard insurance, and it’s designed to help drivers who have difficulty obtaining insurance from standard companies. This is usually due to a poor driving record, but sometimes other issues can require you to seek a non-standard insurer.

In some cases, a driver will be referred to a high-risk insurer because they’re required to provide an SR-22. That’s a financial responsibility filing that the state requires after a variety of violations including a DUI or driving without insurance.

Not all high-risk drivers will require an SR-22, and not all SR-22 drivers will need high-risk insurance. It all depends on the driver’s history and the nature of the need for non-standard insurance.

In some cases, a driver will have issues that result in being denied coverage from both standard and non-standard insurance companies.

In that situation, there is the Illinois Automobile Insurance Plan (IAIP). This plan is a high-risk pool that assigns drivers to a company; all insurers in the state must participate. This spreads the risk among the companies.

High-risk insurance is always expensive, even on the state plan. It’s not an ideal situation for any driver, but it will keep you on the right side of the law until you can qualify for standard coverage.

Low-Cost Insurance

Illinois doesn’t currently offer any sort of state plan for low-cost insurance.

The best way to save on your coverage is to shop around and compare rates; as we have already seen, rates differ a lot from company to company.

Automobile Insurance Fraud in Illinois

Insurance Fraud is a crime in Illinois. If you’re convicted, you could face serious penalties. The laws are strict – any amount of fraud more than $300 is classified as a felony. Here’s a look at the penalties.

The state uses the National Insurance Crime Bureau for fraud reporting.

Fraud can be reported online or by calling 800-835-6422. Reports can also be texted to TIP411 (847411).

Statute of Limitations

In Illinois, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years.

You have longer to report a property damage claim; that statute of limitations is five years.

State-Specific Laws

Although it’s not the only state to have such a law, it’s worth noting that Illinois prohibits drivers from hanging anything from the rearview mirror.

The law is designed to prevent obstruction of the driver’s view that could cause an accident. You’ll have to find another spot to hang your fuzzy dice.

Vehicle Licensing Laws in Illinois

Illinois has plenty of laws on the books regarding who can drive a vehicle in the state and how to get licensed. Here’s a look at the ones you need to know.

REAL ID

The REAL ID Act was passed a long time ago in response to the attacks of 9/11, but it’s only impacting the lives of the Americans as of October 1, 2020, when Homeland Security will start enforcing it. After that date, a driver’s license that isn’t REAL ID-compliant will not be accepted for domestic airline travel.

You’ll still be able to travel with another acceptable form of ID, like a passport or military ID, but if you don’t have one of those, you need to get the REAL ID option on your license.

Illinois is REAL ID-compliant, and you can get a new, updated license at any time. The requirements for a REAL ID are a little different; you will need more documentation than is required for a regular license. You will need to provide:

• Proof of identity such as birth certificate, passport, or permanent resident card
• Proof of your Social Security Number (your card is the easiest choice)
• Proof of any name changes
• Two documents proving residency in Illinois (utility bills, rental agreements, property deeds, etc.)
• Proof of signature

With these documents and the same requirements as a standard license, you can be issued a license with the gold star that denotes it’s good to go for airline travel.

Penalties For Driving Without Insurance in Illinois

Driving without insurance can land you in some trouble. The fines are stiff and you will lose your driving privileges for a while.

Here’s what will happen with each offense.

The Secretary of State uses a random sampling program that selects license plates and requests proof of insurance. Drivers that are selected are required to enter insurance information online.

Teen Driver Laws

Illinois has a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program similar to that used in other states. This program helps teen drivers to develop driving skills and experience over time, with restrictions and requirements along the way designed to reduce risk.

These are the stages of the GDL program and all of the requirements for each stage.

Older Driver Licensing Procedures

The rules for older drivers are a little different in Illinois compared to the general population.

New Residents

If you’re a new resident of the Land of Lincoln, you need to get your Illinois license within 90 days. You can take care of that at any Secretary of State location that provides licensing services.

If you have a valid license from another state, the process is simple. You’ll take a written knowledge test and a vision test, and then have your photo taken. You will need to surrender your current license in return for the new Illinois license.

If you don’t have a valid license or your license is from another country with which Illinois doesn’t have an agreement, you will need to take the road test in addition to the other tests in order to get your license.

License Renewal Procedures

Illinois drivers will need to renew their license every four years. Your renewal letter will tell you whether or not you are eligible to renew online; all drivers must renew online every second renewal.

Drivers with a problematic record – violations of the law – may be required to take a written test at renewal every eight years.

Negligent Operator Treatment System

Like many states, Illinois uses a points system to keep track of each driver’s violations of the law. Too many points can result in a suspension of your license.

Points range from five for a minor speeding violation (0-10 mph over) to a whopping 55 points for a reckless driving charge.

Violations add up – three or more in the span of three months will result in a suspension of your license, the length of which varies based on the number of points.

This is what the suspension times look like for various numbers of points:

• 15-44 points is a two-month suspension
• 45-74 points is a three-month suspension
• 75-89 points is a six-month suspension
• 90-99 points is a nine-month suspension
• 100 or more points is a 12-month suspension

Rules of the Road in Illinois

This next section will take a look at the must-know parts of the Illinois state code regarding the rules of the road.

Fault Vs. No-Fault

Illinois is a fault state, which means that the party found to be at fault in an accident will be required to pay for damages. Since most drivers carry insurance in accordance with the law, the at-fault driver’s insurance policy is the one that will pay out on the claim.

In a fault state, you can also be sued for damages. If the cost of the damages exceeds the limits of your policy, you can be required to pay the rest out of pocket. You can also face a lawsuit for pain and suffering.

Illinois uses comparative fault. That means the fault isn’t always 100 percent; in some cases, both drivers may share the fault. The amount of the damage you can collect is reduced by the amount of fault you bear.

For example, if your actions led you to be found 20 percent at fault in the accident you can collect only 80 percent of your damages.

Seat Belt and Car Seat Laws

All drivers and passengers in Illinois vehicles must be secured with a safety belt.

For children under the age of seven, car seat laws apply. In Illinois, children are required to remain rear-facing until age two or until they weigh at least 40 lbs according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The AAP recently updated their recommendations to age four for rear-facing car seats, and up to the seat’s weight rating.

It’s illegal to ride in the cargo area of a pickup truck in Illinois, by the way, so stay in the passenger areas and buckle up.

Keep Right and Move Over Laws

Illinois law states that drivers must travel in the right lane of a multi-lane highway unless in the process of passing or preparing to make a left turn.

Drivers are also required to move over when safe and possible to do so for a stopped emergency vehicle, including tow vehicles. If you can’t move over, you are required to slow to a reasonable speed when passing. The law also applies to passing a disabled vehicle, according to AAA.

Speed Limits

In Illinois, the rural speed limit on interstate highways is 70 mph. On urban interstates and other limited-access roads, the speed limit is 65 mph, and on all other roads it’s 55 mph.

Speed limits can vary, including in construction zones.

Ridesharing

Illinois enacted legislation aimed at governing the activities of Transportation Network Providers – or rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft.

All drivers for these companies are required to carry liability coverage with limits of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per incident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage.

It’s important to know that personal insurance won’t cover you when you are driving for Uber or Lyft. Those companies do provide a $1 million liability policy to drivers from the time they have accepted a ride to the time that passenger is out of the car, but there is no coverage for the gap between activating the app and accepting a ride.

Several insurance companies in Illinois do offer an endorsement that will cover you during this gap. You will be required to carry the legally mandated limits on this policy.

Automation on the Road

In Illinois, automated cars are only allowed on the road for testing purposes. An operator has to be in the vehicle at all times.

Automated vehicles are also required to carry the minimum amount of car insurance.

Illinois Safety Laws

These last few laws are all about safety on the road. They’re in place to make sure drivers are in control of the vehicle and responsible when driving.

DUI Laws

Illinois DUI laws are strict. Even for a first offense, you will face a full year’s suspension of your license and large fines. The penalties for subsequent offenses are progressively more serious.

All DUI convictions require a mandatory ignition interlock device on the vehicle.

Marijuana-Impaired Driving Laws

The legal limit for THC in a driver’s system in five nanograms. At that level, the driver can be charged with a DUI, and the same penalties apply.

As with alcohol, law enforcement can make judgment calls on your level of sobriety and can charge you with a DUI if you appear to be impaired with any drug.

Distracted Driving Laws

Handheld use of a cell phone while driving is illegal for all drivers in Illinois. It’s illegal to use a phone in any capacity while driving, including texting and making phone calls.

The law is even stricter for drivers under 18, who are not permitted to use a cell phone at all while driving – hands-free or otherwise.

Driving in Illinois

Whether you’re navigating the Chicagoland area or the rural roads, driving in Illinois has its pros and cons. Some areas are risky in terms of car theft, while others may be known for a high rate of fatal accidents. What should you be worried about, and what’s a lower risk than you’d think?

It’s hard to dig through the sensationalism of news stories and the worrisome reports of your friends and neighbors to find out what’s a real concern. Some straightforward facts would be helpful, right?

We have those facts for you right here, including FBI crime data and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) statistics.

Below you will find data on car theft in Illinois, fatal crash statistics including details on crash types and factors influencing accidents, and also commute times and traffic in the state.

Vehicle Theft in Illinois

If you have ever had your car stolen, you know what an awful experience it is to realize your car isn’t where you parked it. If you have never experienced it, you already know you don’t want to.

A total of 17,652 vehicles were stolen in Illinois in 2015.

Which cars are at the highest risk of theft? Let’s take a look at the stats below.

Here’s a look at vehicle theft by city in Illinois; search your city to see how it stacks up.

Road Fatalities In Illinois

A fatal car accident is everyone’s worst nightmare, and sadly that risk is very real on Illinois roads. In 2017, there were a total of 1,097 fatal crashes in the state.

A lot of factors can contribute to a fatal rash; we’ll take a look at some of the most common ones to see which are the biggest risks on the road using NHTSA crash statistics.

Fatal Crashes By Weather and Light Conditions

In some crashes, darkness and poor weather can play a role. According to the numbers, darkness was a bigger factor than the weather in fatal crashes. Almost half occurred in daylight hours with normal weather conditions indicating other factors may have caused the crash.

Fatalities By County

Here’s the NHTSA’s data on fatal crashes by county. You can search for your county below.

Fatal Crashes Rural Vs. Urban

A fatal crash is more likely to happen in an urban area. 609 fatal crashes were urban versus 402 rural crashes in 2017.

Fatalities By Person Type

Are you more likely to be involved in a crash as a car passenger or on a motorcycle? Here’s the data on fatal crashes by person type.

You can see that the occupants of enclosed vehicles make up the majority of fatalities.

Fatalities By Crash Type

As you can see, single-vehicle crashes are the most common fatalities. The most common factor in crashes was a roadway departure.

Five-Year Trend For The Top Ten Counties

While some counties have seen crash numbers go down, Cook County has had a steady increase in the past five years.

Fatalities Involving Speeding By County

Search by county below to see how many fatal crashes involved speeding.

Illinois Speeding Fatalities By County

Fatalities Involving a DUI By County

The data below provides numbers for alcohol-impaired driving fatalities by county.

Illinois DUI Fatalities By County

Teen Drinking and Driving in Illinois

Teenage drinking and driving is a problem across the nation. Illinois, however, performs well compared to the national average. According to Responsibility.org, the state has a lower than average rate of teen drunk driving fatalities.

Illinois also has low rates of teen drunk driving arrests.

EMS Response Time

Below you’ll find statistics on the average response time of emergency medical services in Illinois as reported by the NHTSA’s Traffic Safety Facts.

Ilinois Transportation

While there are some Chicago residents that can get by without a car, most Illinoisians still rely on a set of wheels to get around. Let’s take a look at car ownership and commute times in Illinois with data from Data USA.

Car Ownership

Two-car households are the most common, and Illinois is similar to the national average at around 40 percent.

Commute Time

The average commute time in Illinois is 27.7 minutes, above the national average of 25.5 minutes. A lot of that can be attributed to the traffic in Chicago, which skews the data for the rest of the state.

Commuter Transportation

Most drivers in Illinois choose to commute alone, in their own vehicle. Chicago’s excellent public transportation system may play a role in the state’s above-average use of public transit.

Traffic Congestion in Illinois

Chicago and the surrounding areas are responsible for most of the congestion in the state. In fact, Inrix ranks Chicago as the third most congested city in the United States and 23rd in the world.

Chicago drivers spend an average of 138 hours per year in congestion at an annual cost per driver of $1,920.

During peak rush hour the average speed in Chicago is 23.04 mph. Off-peak hours see an average speed of 42.11 mph, and in free-flowing traffic the average speed is 51.1 mph.

While you may have to spend a lot of time in traffic if you’re in Chicago, you don’t have to spend a lot of time shopping for car insurance. Get started with our free comparison quotes right now.

Illinois Car Insurance: The Bottom Line

Illinois is a land of open spaces and famous faces; it’s the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln, and the state proudly carries The Land of Lincoln as its name. And there is a lot more to be proud of in Illinois, like Chicago’s two baseball teams; both the Cubs and the White Sox have brought home a World Series win since the turn of the century.

It’s also the home of the infamous – like Al Capone, who made Chicago’s mobsters some of the most famous in the world. Chicago is the setting of countless movies and celebrated in song, too, by none other than the “Chairman of the Board”, Frank Sinatra.

While the Windy City is the most famous part of the state, Illinois isn’t all about Chicago (or the other big cities). Away from the bustle of big city life, the state is mainly rural, where a slower pace of living prevails. And among the fields of America’s breadbasket are plenty of equally proud Illinoisans.

Ready to compare Illinois car insurance rates right now? Enter your ZIP code and we’ll do the rest.