Best and Cheapest Car Insurance in Illinois for 2024 (Find Savings With These 10 Companies!)
Geico, USAA, and State Farm have the best and cheapest car insurance in Illinois.
Geico takes our top spot for the cheapest Illinois car insurance, with rates starting at $18 per month. Federal employees may be able to get even lower costs by taking advantage of Geico’s government discount.
| Company | Rank | Monthly Rates | A.M. Best | Best For | Jump to Pros/Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
#1 | $18 | A++ | Cheap Rates | Geico |
 |
#2 | $24 | A++ | Military Savings | USAA |
 |
#3 | $25 | B | Local Agents | State Farm |
 |
#4 | $29 | A | Diverse Coverage | Liberty Mutual |
 |
#5 | $33 | A++ | Discount Options | Travelers |
 |
#6 | $34 | A+ | Tight Budgets | Progressive |
 |
#7 | $35 | A+ | Commercial Insurance | Nationwide |
 |
#8 | $43 | A | Customer Service | American Family |
 |
#9 | $45 | A | Available Discounts | Farmers |
 |
#10 | $67 | A+ | Drivewise Program | Allstate |
Read on to learn more about the average car insurance cost in Illinois, how much coverage you need, and which are the best car insurance companies in Illinois coverage. Then, enter your ZIP to find rates in your area today.
What You Should Know
- Illinois drivers can get cheap coverage by comparing quotes and finding discounts
- Save on your insurance by lowering your coverage or raising your deductible
- Geico and USAA have the cheapest Illinois car insurance
On this page:
- #1 – Geico: Top Pick Overall
- #2 – USAA: Best for Military Families
- #3 – State Farm: Best for Personalized Service
- #4 – Liberty Mutual: Best for Extensive Policy Customization Options
- #5 – Travelers: Best for Superb Claims Handling
- #6 – Progressive: Best for Illinois Drivers on a Budget
- #7 – Nationwide: Best for UBI Savings
- #8 – American Family: Best for Costco Members
- #9 – Farmers: Best for Generous Discount Options
- #10 – Allstate: Best for Teen Driver Policies
- Illinois Car Insurance Rates
- Illinois Auto Insurance Rates by Marital Status
- Illinois Auto Insurance Rates for Older Drivers
- How Your ZIP Code Affects Your Rates
- Choosing the Right Amount of Illinois Insurance
- How to Compare Illinois Car Insurance Rates
- How Car Insurance Rates are Calculated in Illinois
- How to Save Money on Your Illinois Car Insurance
- How Clearsurance Rates and Ranks Car Insurance Companies
- How to Find More Information Online
- Find the Best and Cheapest Car Insurance in Illinois
#1 – Geico: Top Pick Overall
Pros
- Competitive Pricing: Geico often offers some of the cheapest auto insurance in Illinois. See Geico rates in your area in our car insurance review of Geico.
- User-Friendly Digital Tools: The best car insurance in Illinois wouldn’t be complete without robust digital tools to manage your policy. Geico offers user-friendly online management tools.
- Wide Range of Discounts: With Geico’s numerous discounts, finding affordable car insurance quotes in Illinois is easy.
Cons
- Limited Local Agents: Geico maintains fewer physical locations in Illinois for in-person assistance on car insurance problems, instead focusing its efforts on its digital experience.
- Potential Rate Increases: Your car insurance rates will always increase after traffic violations or accidents in Illinois, but they can increase significantly at Geico.
#2 – USAA: Best for Military Families
Pros
- Competitive Rates: When you need cheap car insurance in Illinois, USAA is usually the most affordable option.
- Outstanding Customer Service: USAA sets itself apart as one of the best car insurance companies in Illinois with its high satisfaction ratings in Illinois.
- Military Discounts: True to its commitment to help military members find cheap auto insurance in Illinois, USAA offers a variety of service-friendly discounts.
Cons
- Eligibility Restrictions: USAA is only available to military members, veterans, and their families in Illinois. See if you qualify in our USAA car insurance review.
- Limited Local Presence: There are fewer USAA car insurance offices in Illinois for providing in-person support.
#3 – State Farm: Best for Personalized Service
Pros
- Local Agents: State Farm maintains a strong network of local car insurance agents offering personalized service and support to all Illinois drivers.
- Safe Driving Discounts: Safe drivers in Illinois can increase their savings with State Farm’s multiple discounts for good driving habits and safety features in their cars. See how much you can save in our State Farm car insurance review.
- Comprehensive Coverage Options: Get the best Illinois auto insurance quotes by picking add-ons from State Farm’s coverage selection.
Cons
- Higher Premiums: Although it often offers quotes well below the average cost of car insurance in Illinois, some drivers will see expensive State Farm rates.
- Limited Discount Availability: State Farm only offers 13 discounts, making it a little harder to find affordable car insurance in Illinois.
#4 – Liberty Mutual: Best for Extensive Policy Customization Options
Pros
- Customizable Policies: Liberty Mutual offers a long list of coverage options in Illinois so you can get a policy that perfectly matches your needs. Explore your coverage options in our Liberty Mutual car insurance review.
- RightTrack: Save up to 30% on your car insurance in Illinois by enrolling in the usage-based insurance (UBI) program RightTrack.
- Financial Ratings: Liberty Mutual receives excellent ratings for its financial stability, meaning you don’t have to worry about your car insurance claims going unpaid in Illinois.
Cons
- Mixed Customer Service Reviews: Despite being one of the best car insurance companies in Illinois, Liberty Mutual has inconsistent service quality reported by customers.
- Discount Availability: Some Liberty Mutual car insurance discounts in Illinois can be hard to qualify for, while others require verification before they apply to your account.
#5 – Travelers: Best for Superb Claims Handling
Pros
- Personalized Service: Drivers looking for a personal touch to their car insurance will benefit from Travelers’ large network of representatives working throughout Illinois.
- High Claims Satisfaction: The majority of Travelers’ customers in Illinois report satisfaction with how their claims were resolved. See how the claims process works in our Travelers car insurance review.
- Wide Range of Discounts: With 17 discounts available, Travelers offers drivers plenty of ways to get the cheapest car insurance in Illinois possible.
Cons
- Higher Rates for High-Risk Drivers: A car insurance policy from Travelers can be more expensive for drivers with Illinois violations or accidents.
- Limited Online Tools: Some Illinois customers find the Travelers digital car insurance experience less user-friendly.
#6 – Progressive: Best for Illinois Drivers on a Budget
Pros
- Budget-Friendly Rates: Progressive makes it easy for Illinois drivers to stick to a budget with low rates and tools like Name Your Price. Explore ways to stick to your budget in our Progressive car insurance review.
- Snapshot: Progressive offers safe Illinois drivers savings of up to 30% on their car insurance by participating in the UBI program, Snapshot.
- Excellent Add-Ons: Customize your Illinois car insurance policy with Progressive’s coverage options, including things like roadside assistance or rental car reimbursement.
Cons
- Mixed Reviews on Claims: Some Illinois drivers are perfectly content with how their Progressive car insurance claims were resolved, while others report being unsatisfied.
- Rates Increase Unexpectedly: Some Progressive customers in Illinois report that their car insurance premiums increased unexpectedly and unfairly.
#7 – Nationwide: Best for UBI Savings
Pros
- Vanishing Deductible: Nationwide helps drivers get the cheapest Illinois car insurance possible by reducing the deductibles of safe drivers.
- SmartMiles and SmartRide: Nationwide offers two UBI plans in Illinois – SmartRide and SmartMiles.See which is the right choice for you in our Nationwide car insurance review.
- Comprehensive Insurance Options: Nationwide offers a wide range of car insurance coverages available for Illinois drivers.
Cons
- Fewer Discounts: With only 11 discount options, finding cheap insurance in Illinois is a little more difficult with Nationwide.
- Limited Digital Experience: Reviews for Nationwide’s online tools and mobile app features for car insurance don’t compare to some of its Illinois competitors.
#8 – American Family: Best for Costco Members
Pros
- Costco Policies: Costco offers some of the cheapest insurance in Illinois, and American Family underwrites the policies. Read more about Costco policies in our American Family car insurance review.
- Unique Discounts: American Family offers unique Illinois car insurance discounts, such as those for young drivers and keeping your policy for multiple years.
- Strong Customer Satisfaction Ratings: American Family receives positive reviews in Illinois for its car insurance service and claims handling.
Cons
- Higher Rates: While American Family belongs in the top 10 car insurance companies in Illinois, it can be more expensive, particularly for high-risk drivers.
- Lacking Digital Tools: American Family’s mobile app does not impress Illinois drivers looking for a digital car insurance experience.
#9 – Farmers: Best for Generous Discount Options
Pros
- Generous Discounts: Farmers offers 23 discounts, which makes it much easier to find the cheapest Illinois auto insurance. Explore every one of those 23 discounts in our Farmers car insurance review.
- Flexible Payment Plans: Famers offers multiple payment car insurance options in Illinois to accommodate different financial situations.
- Extensive Coverage Options: Get access to a wide range of car insurance coverage options tailored to Illinois drivers when you shop at Farmers.
Cons
- Higher Average Premiums: You may not find the cheapest Illinois car insurance at Farmers, but this provider is rarely the most expensive choice either.
- Mixed Customer Service Reviews: Farmers can help you find the cheapest Illinois car insurance, but it struggles with its customer service ratings.
#10 – Allstate: Best for Teen Driver Policies
Pros
- Teen Driver Insurance: Allstate provides a variety of ways to help Illinois teens and their families find affordable coverage. Learn more in our Allstate car insurance review.
- Extensive Network of Local Agents: One of the keys to Allstate’s position in the top car insurance companies in Illinois is that you can get help from a local agent easily.
- Comprehensive Coverage Options: Allstate provides a range of car insurance choices, which especially benefits Illinois drivers looking for full coverage policies.
Cons
- Expensive Coverage: No matter how clean your driving record is, Allstate is almost always one of the most expensive car insurance options in Illinois.
- Discount Limitations: While Allstate offers a few good car insurance discount options, they’re usually not enough to bring rates low enough to be competitive in Illinois.
Illinois Car Insurance Rates
Car insurance in Indiana is generally affordable. Take a look below to see how much you might pay for your Indiana car insurance.
| Insurance Company | Minimum Coverage | Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $67 | $176 |
| American Family | $43 | $114 |
| Farmers | $45 | $117 |
| Geico | $18 | $47 |
| Liberty Mutual | $29 | $76 |
| Nationwide | $35 | $93 |
| Progressive | $34 | $89 |
| State Farm | $25 | $64 |
| Travelers | $33 | $87 |
| USAA | $24 | $62 |
While these average rates are fairly low, there are plenty of ways to save even more. A convenient place to begin your search for cheap insurance is to look at discounts. We’ve compiled a list of our top companies’ most popular discounts.
Other top ways customers have saved on their car insurance is by doing things like lowering their coverage or raising their deductible. When you’re in the market for cheap coverage, however, the best thing you can do is compare quotes from multiple companies.
Most insurance companies have quote request forms on their website’s homepage. Filling them out requires some basic information and about 15 minutes.
Since comparing multiple quotes is integral to finding cheap insurance in Illinois, you should consider using a quote-generating tool to save time and see multiple prices at once.
Illinois Auto Insurance Rates by Marital Status
Geico offers the best car insurance companies for married couples in Illinois. The table below displays average Illinois car insurance rates for a married couple with two cars on a policy from the five largest companies in the state.
| Insurance Company | Married Couple |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $172 |
| Country Financial | $163 |
| Farmers | $164 |
| Geico | $87 |
| State Farm | $135 |
These rates are based on a 35-year-old married couple with two drivers and two vehicles on a policy. The cars used were two 2015 Toyota Highlander LEs. Full coverage was used with 100/300/50 limits and a $500 collision and comprehensive deductible. The drivers had one driving incident within the past three years for a fairly clean driving record, and they both have a good credit score. Poor credit can raise rates substantially. The rates displayed should only be used for comparative purposes as individual rates in Illinois will differ. Rate data is provided by Quadrant Information Services.
Illinois Auto Insurance Rates for Older Drivers
Geico provides the best car insurance companies for senior drivers in Illinois. Below you can see average Illinois car insurance rates for male and female senior drivers for the five largest companies in the state.
| Insurance Company | Age 65: Female | Age 65: Male |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $108 | $108 |
| Country Financial | $71 | $73 |
| Farmers | $70 | $77 |
| Geico | $51 | $55 |
| State Farm | $60 | $60 |
These rates are based on profiles for 65-year-old male and female drivers. The car used for each was a 2015 Toyota Camry LE. Full coverage was used with 100/300/50 limits and a $500 collision and comprehensive deductible. The drivers had zero incidents within the past three years and a good credit score. A clean driving record plays a large role in these rates. Even with one or two marks, though, the average rate for seniors is generally pretty reasonable. The rates displayed should only be used for comparative purposes as individual rates in Illinois will differ. Rate data is provided by Quadrant Information Services.
How Your ZIP Code Affects Your Rates
While car insurance rates vary based on your age, gender, and marital status, there are many other factors that help determine your rates including the area you live in. Finding cost effective coverage in some areas in Illinois are much harder than others.
Car insurance rates in Illinois vary by the area you live in because rates are based on factors specific to your area. That's why it's so important to compare rates with multiple companies - what good would it be to find low rates if you don't choose one of the car insurance companies that customers recommend.
That includes accident and car insurance claim frequency in your area as well as your area's crime rate. It could also take into account if you have a garage to park in. In the table below, you can see the top 10 cheapest areas in Illinois for car insurance based on average rates for single adults.
| Area | Rates |
|---|---|
| Gridley | $92 |
| Normal | $93 |
| Chenoa | $93 |
| Hudson | $93 |
| Towanda | $94 |
| Bloomington | $94 |
| Charleston | $94 |
| Le Roy | $95 |
| Mattoon | $95 |
These rates are based on a 35-year-old single adult with one driver and one vehicle on a policy. The car used was a 2015 Toyota Highlander LE. Full coverage was used with 100/300/50 limits and a $500 collision and comprehensive deductible. The driver had one driving incident within the past three years and had a good credit score. The rates displayed should only be used for comparative purposes as individual rates in Illinois will differ. Rate data is provided by Quadrant Information Services.
Choosing the Right Amount of Illinois Insurance
Illinois requires all drivers to have two types of auto insurance coverage: liability and uninsured motorist. Illinois drivers also have the option to purchase collision and comprehensive coverage. The lowest rates based on minimum coverage leave you uncovered for your own damages after an accident. So if you don't want collision coverage or comprehensive coverage, you may want to consider saving more money for a rainy day.
The minimum coverage limits in Illinois are listed below. While purchasing the minimum coverage will make you a legal driver, it's still important to also consider purchasing higher limits to ensure you have enough protection in the event of a lawsuit. You can learn more about different car insurance coverage types and what the limits mean here. Below, you'll find minimum car insurance requirements in Illinois.
- Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $20,000 per accident
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
Bodily injury liability provides coverage for injuries sustained by the other vehicle's driver and passengers if you are held responsible for an accident. This coverage also kicks in to defend you in the event of any legal claims.
Property damage liability provides coverage in the event you damage someone else's property in a car accident. Most commonly this is the other vehicle, but also could be things like a home or fence.
The required uninsured motorist coverage in Illinois is only for bodily injury. This coverage protects you in the event you are injured in a car accident caused by a driver who either doesn't have insurance or not enough insurance. Uninsured motorist property damage, which would cover your vehicle in the event it was damaged by an uninsured driver, is optional.
Illinois is particularly interested in catching drivers who lack car insurance, as it sends out random questionnaires throughout the year. Drivers must respond with the name of their insurance company and policy number. Drivers who are found to not have car insurance will have their license plate suspended.
Despite its policies set in place, according to 2015 data from the Insurance Information Institute, 13.7 percent of Illinois drivers are uninsured, which is the 18th highest percentage in the country.
How to Compare Illinois Car Insurance Rates
When you're shopping for auto insurance policies, you can get quotes from different companies, and with different policy limits and coverage types. You could compare minimum auto insurance with policies that have collision insurance and more. You could compare the impacts of different deductibles, property damage coverage amounts, and much more.
This is the best way to make sure your insurance coverage makes sense for you. Sometimes paying a little more to avoid greater liability per accident is the right move. If you're ready, you can read our ultimate guide to switching car insurance companies to save money to save money to figure out how much you might pay.
How Car Insurance Rates are Calculated in Illinois
When searching and comparing quotes from the best auto insurance companies in Illinois, it can be frustrating trying to understand how your insurance rates are calculated. This can sometimes lead to a bad customer experience, if an insurer isn't being upfront with how they select their offered rates for drivers.
While there is no exact formula that each car insurance company uses when providing you a quote, there are many factors that do contribute to the price you pay for your insurance. Among the factors that car insurers consider are:
- Age, Gender, and Marital Status
- Driving Record & Mileage
- Location & Credit Score
- Car’s Make, Model, and Year
- Type of Car Insurance Coverages
There are certain things that are mentioned above that a person can control, though it would be impossible to ask someone to change their age in order to get a lower annual premium. However, altering one's driving habits to become less of a high-risk driver can help lower prices on a coverage policy, and so can working on a low credit score. Learning what a driving record is and what it tracks can also help you save.
That being said, if you have a lot of tickets or you just got your first one, you can lower or maintain your rate by taking defensive driving classes. It depends on the offense on your ticket, but if you show initiative in wanting to amend your driving history, you may be given more affordable rates.
Bundling different policies and cars is also a great way to save on affordable coverage. The cheapest options often involve individualized auto insurance discounts.
How to Save Money on Your Illinois Car Insurance
When it comes down to it, we'd all like to have the best coverage at a cheap, affordable price from one of the best Illinois car insurance companies. We would also love it if that meant we had a full-coverage policy and never had to worry about how much coverage per accident we actually have.
While you never want to sacrifice quality to save a couple of dollars, there are some different ways you can lower your car insurance premium. It's a driver's responsibility to look out for not only themselves, but the other drivers on the road. This is another example of why underinsured motorist coverage exists - we can't ever speak for what other drivers are doing with their finances, so it's better to be prepared for anything.
While Illinois auto insurance is usually on the affordable side, there are plenty of ways to find lower rates. Here are five ways you may be able to lower your car insurance rates:
- Bundle your car insurance with other policies.
- Consider raising your deductibles.
- Pay your car insurance policy in full.
- Try usage-based car insurance.
- Monitor price changes to your policy.
The most important step to take when shopping for a new insurance policy is to compare quotes. Comparing quotes in the only way to ensure you've chose then the provider with the cheapest rates for your unique situation.
How Clearsurance Rates and Ranks Car Insurance Companies
Consistent with its mission towards greater transparency, Clearsurance does not keep its rating and ranking formulas in a black box. You may have to hunt for affordable rates and what companies use to determine their average costs, but you won't have to do any hunting here.
Our algorithm analyzes a range of inputs from our independent community of insurance customers, including:
- Price
- Customer Service
- Claim service
- Likelihood to renew
The algorithm also takes into account the percentage of what customers say the company does well vs. the percentage of what customers say the company could do better.
Finally, there is also a confidence factor based upon the number of reviews a company has by product. If the total number of reviews is less than 100, then a confidence deduction is applied to the star rating. The maximum impact of this deduction occurs when there are less than 25 reviews.
Companies with 100 or more reviews, aged two years or less, receive 100% weighting (no deduction), while companies with 50 to 99 customer reviews receive a weighting of 95%, 25 to 49 reviews receive a weighting of 90% and companies with less than 25 reviews a weighting of 85%.
The Clearsurance customer ratings and rankings are derived entirely from customer reviews and ratings, making easier than ever to understand why car insurance is so expensive so much and what you can do to combat high prices.
How to Find More Information Online
Whether you're buying your insurance direct or going through an agent, understanding the different car insurance coverage options is a must. Do you know what is covered by comprehensive coverage? Are you familiar with uninsured motorist coverage? Do you know how a deductible works?
We want to make sure you’re equipped with a proper knowledge of car insurance, so check out our car insurance guide. Looking for more educational information about car insurance? Check out our car insurance blog for more information and topics related to car insurance.
When it comes to finding a company who will work the best with you, don't just look at the cheapest companies. Compare average prices across the entire market, and don't be afraid to ask for quotes. You may discover more competitive rates if you mention you're shopping around.
Find the Best and Cheapest Car Insurance in Illinois
Whether you want to purchase the least amount of insurance possible or a full coverage policy, comparing quotes from car insurance companies that customers recommend is a great way to find affordable rates.
Now that you have an idea of how much Illinois insurance might cost you, looking at actual rates is the next step. Enter your ZIP code into our free car insurance comparison tool to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who offers the best annual rates for teen drivers in Illinois?
For teen drivers in Illinois, Country Financial offers the cheapest car insurance rates out of the five largest car insurers in the state. As teen drivers get a little older, they should consider shopping at the best car insurance companies that decrease rates after they turn 21 to ensure they’re still getting the best prices.
Who offers the most affordable car insurance rates for married drivers in Illinois?
Geico offers the cheapest rates for married couples in Illinois.
Who offers the best rated auto policies for seniors in Illinois?
Geico provides both male and female senior drivers with the cheapest car insurance rates in Illinois.
Who has the best and cheapest car insurance in Illinois?
Our research shows that Geico, USAA, and State Farm have the best car insurance in Illinois.
How much car insurance do you need in Illinois?
Before you can legally drive in Illinois, you’ll need to have a policy that includes 25/50/20 liabilty insurance. While these are the minimum amounts you need to drive in Illinois, you should consider more coverage if your budget has room. For example, the best car insurance companies that cover car windows can provide coverage for your windshield, while Illinois minimum insurance does not.
How can you save on your Illinois car insurance?
Saving on your Illinois car insurance is possible through a few simple steps. Things like checking for discounts, lowering your coverage, and increasing your deductible can immediately decrease your rates. You should also compare car insurance quotes from multiple companies.
Can you cancel Illinois car insurance?
You can cancel your insurance whenever you’d like, but you should make sure you have another plan in place if you’ll still be driving. Having a lapse in your insurance can increase your rates dramatically. Luckily, learning how to switch car insurance companies is easy.
Can you register a car in Illinois without car insurance?
You’ll need to present proof of insurance when registering a car in the state of Illinois. Without insurance, you won’t be issued registration for your vehicle.
Why is Illinois car insurance so expensive?
There are many factors that affect car insurance rates, but the primary causes in Illinois are higher theft rates, more accidents, and denser traffic.
What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Illinois?
The penalty for driving without car insurance can be severe and should be avoided by consistently maintaining your car insurance. In Illinois, the consequences can include fines, license suspension, and even vehicle impoundment.