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Icon CheckLast updated: October 9, 2024

Best Car Insurance in Illinois of 2024

USAA, Allstate, and State Farm are among the best for Illinois drivers. Direct Auto is a good choice for high risk drivers.

Best for Good Drivers
Allstate Logo 2023

Full Coverage Averages in Illinois
• Annual Premium: $2,844
• Monthly Premium: $237

Pros + Cons
Robust safe driver discounts
Agents in 150+ Illinois cities
X Pay-per-mile recently discontinued in IL

Read our Allstate review.

Best for High-Risk Drivers
Direct Auto Logo

Full Coverage Averages in Illinois
• Annual Premium: N/A
• Monthly Premium: N/A

Pros + Cons
SR-22 availability
Payment plans available
X Low online customer satisfaction ratings

Read our Direct Auto review.

Best for Teens and Military Families
USAA Logo 2023

Full Coverage Averages in Illinois
• Annual Premium: $1,324
• Monthly Premium: $110

Pros + Cons
Low rates for teen drivers in Illinois
Good customer service
X Only available for USAA members

Read our USAA review.

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Searching for quality car insurance in Illinois? Illinois drivers pay less on average for car insurance than the national average—the average cost of full coverage car insurance in Illinois is about 15 percent cheaper than the national average.

Even so, there’s a lot of variety in policies and rates. With so many options available, we’re making the decision process easier by looking closely at Illinois’s top auto insurance companies depending on your needs and driver profile.

Allstate is our top pick for good drivers, while Direct Auto is best for high-risk drivers. USAA is best for military and veterans, and State Farm has some of the best cheap auto insurance in the state.

Editor’s Note (last updated on July 11, 2024): We updated this guide to the best auto insurance in Illinois to reflect the latest pricing information, third-party reviews, and coverage details. 

Average Annual Rates in Illinois

On average, drivers in Illinois pay about $300 less annually for full coverage than the national average, and about $100 less for minimum coverage.

Area Full coverage average annual premium Minimum coverage average annual premium
Illinois $1,627 $447
U.S. $1,924 $547

Average Premiums in Illinois by City

Among Illinois’s major cities, Aurora and Naperville have some of the cheapest rates with an average of $1,572 and $1,588 annually. Chicago is the most expensive city in Illinois for car insurance, with an average annual rate of $2,150.

City Monthly average premium Annual average premium
Chicago $179 $2,150
Aurora $131 $1,572
Joliet $142 $1,699
Naperville $132 $1,588
Rockford $135 $1,619
Elgin $152 $1,828
Springfield $135 $1,617

Blue CarBest Auto Insurance in Illinois

  1. Allstate – Best Auto Insurance in Illinois for Good Drivers
    Allstate is one of the largest providers in the country, and it’s known for its wide range of coverage policies, first-rate customer service, affordable prices, and various other insurance products. It offers multiple safe driving discounts to add to your savings.
  2. Direct Auto – Best Auto Insurance in Illinois for High-Risk Drivers
    Direct Auto has protected drivers for over three decades with car insurance policies. The company aims to cover all drivers, regardless of their driving history.
  3. USAA – Best Auto Insurance in Illinois for Teens and Military Families
    Available only to military members, veterans, and their families, USAA offers some of the lowest rates in the state, including the lowest average rate for teen drivers.

The Best Auto Insurance in Illinois for 2024

  1. 1.

    Best Auto Insurance in Illinois for Safe Drivers: Allstate

  2. 2.

    Best Auto Insurance for High-Risk Drivers in Illinois: Direct Auto

  3. 3.

    Best Auto Insurance for Teens and Military Families in Illinois: USAA

  4. 4.

    Best Cheap Auto Insurance in Illinois: State Farm

Comparison of the Best Auto Insurance in Illinois

Provider Average annual cost for full coverage in Illinois Average annual cost for minimum coverage in Illinois Average annual cost for full coverage after a speeding ticket in Illinois Average annual cost for full coverage after an at-fault accident in Illinois J.D. Power North Central Customer Satisfaction rating (average 652 out of 1,000)1
Allstate $2,768 $810 $3,321 $4,711 652
Direct Auto N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
USAA $1,324 N/A ($356 national average) $1,571 $1,842 726
State Farm $1,384 $432 $1,382 $1,492 665

Detailed List of the Best Auto Insurance of 2024

1. Best Auto Insurance in Illinois for Safe Drivers - Allstate

What We Like Most:

  • Three ways to earn a student discount
  • Pay-per-mile option for drivers with low mileage
  • No waiting period to purchase accident forgiveness

According to the most recent data from the Illinois Department of Insurance, Allstate is the second-highest writer of private passenger auto liability insurance in Illinois after State Farm, with a market share of about 9 percent.2 Allstate has agents in over 150 cities in Illinois, including Chicago, Aurora, and Joliet.

Allstate also earned the highest ranking of the companies we surveyed on the Service sector of J.D. Power’s 2024 Insurance Digital Experience Study with 716 out of 1000 points.3 Learn about what Illinois drivers value most about Allstate below.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    New drivers, like young drivers or recent immigrants
  • pro
    Those who value the convenience of mobile apps to manage their policies
  • pro
    People who want to save by bundling auto insurance with other policies
  • pro
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Low mileage drivers, as Allstate recently discontinued Milewise in Illinois
  • con
    Drivers looking for the absolute lowest rates

Savings for Safe Drivers

Allstate recently revamped its Drivewise program, a telematics-based app that tracks driving data. To participate, you will download the mobile app and sign up—triggering immediate savings of 10 percent for signing up and 6 percent for remaining active in the program. Additional savings of up to 40 percent will result from avoiding behaviors like speeding, sudden braking, and late-night driving. You can check the app for driving insights, trip summaries, plus help if you get into an accident.

Allstate also has a safe driving bonus program that reduces your deductible by $100 the day you sign up and $100 each year you drive accident-free up to a $500 total discount.

Allstate Ride for Hire

Like State Farm and USAA, Allstate offers rideshare coverage in Illinois. If you drive for a rideshare company like Lyft or Uber, it’s important to be familiar with the limitations of your auto policy. Personal insurance policies do not cover commercial driving, and your rideshare company’s insurance coverage covers you only when you have passengers in the car.

This means that if you get into an accident while you wait for a ride request or drive to pick up a customer, neither your rideshare company nor your coverage will cover the costs. Like State Farm and USAA, Allstate offers rideshare insurance. You can add its Ride for Hire coverage to your policy as optional coverage. Allstate’s Ride for Hire provides deductible gap coverage to pay for damage to your vehicle up to $2,500. Ride for Hire coverage covers you while you are signed in to your rideshare app.

Excellent Digital Tools

Allstate’s mobile app offers Illinois drivers a convenient and feature-rich tool to manage their insurance needs on the go. The app provides easy access to digital ID cards, which can be added to Apple or Google Wallet for quick retrieval. Illinois drivers can use the app to pay bills, view policy details, and manage claims, all from their smartphones.

Allstate’s digital experience has been recognized for its quality. The company scored above average in J.D. Power’s Insurance Digital Experience Study for both shopping (5 points above average) and service (15 points above average) categories, indicating a user-friendly and efficient digital platform. Additionally, Allstate offers fully online quotes, making it easy for Illinois residents to explore their insurance options without leaving home.

Other useful features for Illinois drivers include:

  • Crash detection, which can quickly connect users with help in case of an accident
  • Search for direct (“in-network”) repair shops
  • Find the best gas prices nearby
  • On-demand roadside assistance

By combining these features with the potential for insurance savings through Drivewise, Allstate’s mobile app offers Illinois drivers a comprehensive tool for managing their auto insurance and enhancing their overall driving experience.

2. Best Auto Insurance for High-Risk Drivers in Illinois - Direct Auto
Direct Auto Logo

What We Like Most:

  • Low rates for high-risk drivers
  • Can pay in cash locally
  • Save money by bundling with life insurance

Direct Auto has over 30 years of experience protecting drivers with its range of coverage options. The company aims to provide low car insurance rates for high-risk drivers and strong coverage to all drivers, regardless of their driving history. With its specialization in nonstandard auto insurance, Direct Auto is great for those who need SR-22 certifications or who are high-risk drivers. Unlike the other providers on our list, Direct Auto caters specifically to high-risk drivers who may struggle to find coverage elsewhere.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    High-risk drivers, like those with a DUI or multiple at-fault accidents on their record
  • pro
    Those who want flexibility in how they pay their bills to pay their bills online
  • pro
    Motorcycle drivers
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Drivers with clean records
  • con
    Drivers with high credit scores

SR-22s in Illinois

An SR-22 certifies you meet the minimum insurance requirements. In Illinois, an SR-22 may be required for individuals with safety responsibility suspensions, unsatisfied suspensions, license revocations, mandatory insurance supervisions, and people who receive three or more convictions for mandatory insurance violations.

Not all insurance agencies can provide an SR-22, but Direct Auto specializes in high-risk drivers and can submit the SR-22 on your behalf. You can add an SR-22 to your Direct Auto policy by speaking with an agent in person or over the phone.

Once you pay Direct Auto for the SR-22 filing, it will submit a request from its central office. From there, the Secretary of State’s office may take up to 30 days to process it. Remember to renew your SR-22 a minimum of 45 days ahead of expiration.4

HEADS UP:

In Illinois, you can deposit $70,000 in cash or securities to the State Treasurer, file a surety bond, or file a real estate bond with court approval as an alternative to SR-22 insurance.

Discounts

Unfortunately, high-risk drivers will pay more than average for auto insurance. Companies determine your risk by looking at your driving history, including DUIs, reckless driving citations, hit-and-runs, and multiple at-fault accidents. You may also be considered high risk if you have a low credit score. If you’re a high-risk driver, insurance companies may deny you outright. They may also deny you indirectly, for example by quoting an exorbitant premium that is unrealistic for most people to pay.

Because your risk determination impacts your premium, you should work with an auto insurance company that provides discounts. There are many ways to save with Direct Auto:

Discount Eligible customers Maximum savings
Affinity Active members of organizations that partner with Direct Auto 5%
Driver education Drivers who complete qualifying accident prevention courses 10%
Good student Unmarried, full-time students who are on the honor roll or rank in the upper 20% of their class 10%
Homeowner People who own homes, townhomes, or condos and keep their cars there 15%
Military Active servicemembers who provide copies of their current orders 25%
Multi-car Customers with more than one vehicle on their policy 25%
Multi-policy People who bundle their car insurance with other policies, like motorcycle or commercial auto insurance 10%
Payment Customers who set up automatic payments, pay their policies in full, or go paperless 9%
Safe driver Policyholders that have been accident- and violation-free for the past 36 months 10%
Senior citizen Customers 55 years old or older who have completed motor vehicle accident prevention courses 10%
Welcome back People who have previously purchased policies with Direct Auto 6%
Vehicle Equipment Those with vehicles equipped with an anti-theft system or other safety features 10%

Flexible Payment Options

With Direct Auto, you can customize your payment plan to fit how and when you wish to pay for your policy. Here are the different ways you can choose to pay for your insurance:

  • Online: Enter your credit, debit, or checking account information, and you can pay your bills without logging in.
  • By phone: Call 1-877-GO-DIRECT to pay your bills over the phone.
  • MyAccount insurance portal: Set up your MyAccount portal to make monthly payments or set up AutoPay.
  • Mobile app: Make payments anytime with a credit card or electronic check through the Direct Auto mobile app.
3. Best Auto Insurance for Teens and Military Families in Illinois - USAA

What We Like Most:

  • Cheapest rates for teens on a family policy or on their own
  • Special discount for teens transitioning off their parents’ policy
  • Strong customer service and claims process

USAA provides some of the most affordable insurance policies for its customer base, which includes active-duty military members, veterans, and their families. Customers have saved an average of $725 annually with USAA, thanks to its expansive list of discounts. Our research finds that USAA offers the lowest rate for teen drivers in Illinois at $4,128 on average.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Good students and their parents
  • pro
    Military members, dishonorably discharged veterans, and their families
  • pro
    Drivers of vehicles that are fewer than three model years old
  • pro
    Children and stepchildren of USAA policyholders
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Individuals not affiliated with the U.S. military
  • con
    People who want to work with a local agent

Competitive Rates

Along with State Farm, USAA offers some of the cheapest rates in Illinois. For instance, according to the company, the average annual cost for a USAA policy issued in Illinois was $1,896 as of 2023, and your rates may be even lower depending on your driving history and other factors. Nationally, USAA customers saved an average of $725 per year by switching companies. As the largest insurer of military members, USAA policyholders can achieve low rates with discounts:

Discount Amount Eligibility
Bundling 10% Those who bundle auto with property insurance policies
Vehicle Storage 60% Policyholders who store their cars due to deployment or any other reason
Legacy 10% People whose parents held USAA insurance policies
Military On-Base Discount 15% Save if you work or live on one of the eight military installations in Illinois5
SafePilot program 10% for participation

Up to 30% for safe driving

Drivers who track their habits behind the wheel (phone handling, braking, speed, mileage, etc.) and demonstrate safe driving through the SafePilot safe driving telematics-based program

Strong Customer Satisfaction Ratings

USAA has maintained above-average customer satisfaction ratings from third-party organizations such as J.D. Power and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). USAA’s superior ratings indicate its trustworthiness, reliability, and history of quickly responding to complaints. It holds the highest regional J.D. Power customer satisfaction score, well ahead of next-highest rated State Farm and Allstate.

Organization Rating
BBB (A through F) A+
J.D. Power North Central region Customer Satisfaction (out of 1,000) 726

Usage-Based Insurance

As of March 2023, Illinois residents are eligible for USAA’s usage-based insurance (UBI) through its company Noblr. If you have low annual mileage and drive safely, you could save on your premium with Noblr’s telematic-based mobile app. Rated 3.8 out of 5 stars on both Google Play and the App Store, the Noblr app measures the following behaviors to calculate your potential savings:

Since Allstate discontinued Drivewise in Illinois, USAA is the only company on our list to offer pay-per-mile insurance in the state. However, if you don’t qualify for USAA, State Farm has a low mileage discount you can take advantage of, and its telematics discount (Drive Safe & Save) will reward you for low mileage.

TIP:

Consider switching to USAA’s usage-based insurance if you drive less than 10,000 miles annually. Consider this program for your teen drivers if they do not drive much.

4. Best Cheap Auto Insurance in Illinois - State Farm

What We Like Most:

  • Multiple discounts for safe driving, including one specifically for young drivers
  • Local agents
  • Discounts for multiple cars

State Farm consistently had some of the cheapest auto insurance rates we found in our research. It also provides a range of insurance products to meet the diverse needs of its customers. State Farm is known for its bundling discount, which enables customers to combine their auto insurance with other insurance products, such as home and life insurance, to access savings. Along with USAA and Allstate, State Farm offers robust coverage for classic and vintage cars. And like Allstate, State Farm has local agents in hundreds of cities across Illinois.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Customers who plan to bundle auto with home, renters, or life insurance policies
  • pro
    People who want to work with a local agent
  • pro
    Drivers looking for cheap rates and good coverage
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    People with a bad driving record
  • con
    Those who lease or finance their car (limited gap insurance available)

Low Rates from State Farm

State Farm offered the lowest rates across multiple categories we researched in Illinois. Its full coverage auto insurance costs an average of $1,384—over $300 less than the statewide average of $1,727. It also offered the cheapest rates for drivers after a DUI, at-fault accident, or speeding ticket in Illinois.

Category State Farm average rate in Illinois Illinois statewide average rate Savings
Full coverage $1,384 $1,727 -20%
Minimum coverage $432 $447 -3%
Speeding ticket $1,382 $1,562 -12%
DUI $2,282 $2,017 +13%
At-fault accident $1,492 $1,879 -21%

Great Bundling Options

As one of the largest auto insurance providers in the industry, State Farm offers multiple kinds of insurance policies beyond auto. If you own a home or other property, you could save up to 25 percent by buying more than one policy from State Farm. Here is a list of the insurance policies you can choose from:

Bundle Average annual savings
Auto and home $1,127
Auto and condo Varies
Auto and renters $722
Auto and life Varies

Multiple Ways to Save for Safe Drivers

State Farm offers extra savings for drivers who participate in one of its safe driving programs, Drive Safe & Save and Steer Clear. Drive Safe & Save is available to any State Farm customer in Illinois, while Steer Clear is exclusively for young drivers.

Eligibility Program requirements Maximum discount iOS rating  (out of 5 stars) Android rating (out of 5 stars)
Not restricted in Illinois Pair your phone with a Bluetooth beacon and limit the following driving habits:

  • Speeding
  • Hard braking
  • Quick acceleration
  • Phone use
30% 4.6 4.1
  • Under 25 years old
  • Valid driver’s license
  • 3 years of accident- and violation-free driving
  • Program certification
  • Course training modules, including lessons, quizzes, videos, and driving scenarios
  • 5 hours of driving practice in at least 10 trips
15% 4.7 4.4

Vintage and Classic Car Coverage

State Farm distinguishes itself by providing coverage for vintage and classic cars, which not all auto insurers offer. A classic car is 10 to 24 years old, and an antique car is 25 or older. Your State Farm agent will work with you to determine an agreed value for your classic or antique car. State Farm uses this agreed value and your deductible to calculate your monthly premium.

Classic car coverage is different from regular car insurance in a few ways. Firstly, repairing classic cars requires skilled labor and specific, often hard-to-find or special-order, parts. Additionally, it is more difficult to determine the value of classic cars, as their values appreciate over time.

FYI:

State Farm has strong third-party Customer Satisfaction ratings. It scored highest of the companies on this list in J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study (695, fourth place)6 and its 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study (891, fifth place).7

Methodology - How We Chose the Best Providers in Illinois

We assessed auto insurance companies in Illinois across four key categories: pricing, claims handling, customer experience, and coverage options.

  • Pricing (40%): We analyze average annual premiums for multiple driver profiles in Illinois, accounting for driver risk, driving record, coverage options, and discounts. Full coverage averages use the following limits:
    • Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident
    • Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident
    • Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident
    • Comprehensive and collision: $500 deductible
  • Claims Handling (25%): If you need to file a claim, you want your auto insurance company to handle it quickly and efficiently. We consider third-party evaluations and surveys from J.D. Power, AM Best, Better Business Bureau, and other sources that reflect real-life customer experiences with claims handling.
  • Customer Experience (25%): Likewise, we listen to customer experiences obtaining a quote, purchasing a policy, and interacting with their insurers. We use regional data from sources like J.D. Power and the NAIC.
  • Coverage Options (10%): We always check for unique coverage add-ons, like gap insurance, rideshare insurance, and classic car insurance.

Why You Can Trust AutoInsurance.com

At AutoInsurance.com, we are committed to providing accurate, unbiased, and comprehensive reviews of auto insurance providers to help you make informed decisions.

  • 20 years of industry knowledge
  • 1,000+ research & analysis hours
  • Over 2 million customer transaction data points
  • 3,000+ local agent partners

Our editorial team, comprised of dynamic writers, editors, journalists, and researchers, holds years of experience creating high-quality auto insurance content. Our work has been featured in USA Today, MSN, Yahoo, CBS News, and other local and national publications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is car insurance in Illinois cheaper compared to other states?

Car insurance in Illinois is cheaper compared to other states. The average annual cost of a full coverage policy in Illinois is $1,627, compared to the national average of $1,924.

How much is car insurance for a 16-year-old in Illinois?

The average rate for full coverage car insurance for a 16-year-old in Illinois is $6,131 per year, or $2,585 per year for minimum coverage. These rates are slightly lower than the average annual rates for 16-year-olds countrywide, at $6,613 for full coverage insurance and $2,733 for minimum requirements coverage.

Compare rates from multiple providers, like USAA and State Farm, to see what you will pay.

What car insurance is required in Illinois?

Illinois car insurance requirements are as follows:

  • Bodily injury liability coverage: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
  • Property damage liability coverage: $20,000 per accident
  • Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
  • Underinsured motorist bodily injury insurance: Required if you purchase higher limits of uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage (UIM); the limit is the difference between the UIM and liability limits of the driver at fault in an accident

What are the fines for not having car insurance in Illinois?

According to the Illinois Secretary of State, not having car insurance in Illinois can result in a traffic citation and a minimum fine of $500 if convicted. Your license plate will be suspended until you’ve proved to the state that you’ve purchased the minimum coverage. Then, you’ll have to pay a $100 reinstatement fee before you can drive again. For repeat offenders, the suspension will last four months.

Maya Afilalo Headshot MBA Photo
Written by:Maya Afilalo
Managing Editor & Industry Analyst
Maya Afilalo holds over 10 years of professional experience in writing, communications, and research, which she leverages to provide accurate and reliable information to empower consumers. In addition to overseeing content production, Maya has herself written many articles on auto insurance costs, company comparisons, state laws and requirements, and other topics. She is committed to helping consumers navigate the complex world of car insurance with clarity and confidence. Maya holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s from North Carolina State University.

Citations

  1. Trust Emerges as Top Driver of Customer Satisfaction with Auto Insurance as Prices Continue to Surge, J.D. Power Finds. J.D. Power. (2024, Jun 11).
    https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2024-us-auto-insurance-study

  2. 2023 Market Share Report: Property and Casualty. Illinois Department of Insurance. (2024, March).
    https://idoi.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/insurance/reports/reports/2023-pc-ms-report-final.pdf

  3. Auto Insurer Websites and Apps Become Primary Driver of New Customers, Putting Pressure on Digital Experience, J.D. Power Finds. J.D. Power. (2024, May 21).
    https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2024-us-insurance-digital-experience-study

  4. Financial Responsibility (SR-22) Insurance. The Office of the Illinois Secretary of State. (2024).
    https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/drivers/drivers_license/SR-22_uninsured_crashes/finressr22.html

  5. Illinois Installations. Military Installations. (2024).
    https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/state/IL/state-installations

  6. Half of Auto Insurance Customers Currently Shopping for New Policies, J.D. Power Finds. J.D. Power. (2024, Apr 30).
    https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2024-us-insurance-shopping-study

  7. Auto Insurers Manage Customer Expectations as Repair Cycle Times Double in Two Years, J.D. Power Finds. J.D. Power. (2023, Oct 26).
    https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2023-us-auto-claims-satisfaction-study