Auto Insurance · Illinois
Car Insurance in Illinois: 2026 Rates & Requirements
Khari Lewis
Updated July 9, 2026
Full coverage
$2,220/yr
Full coverage
$185/mo
State minimum
$800/yr
Min. liability
25/50/20
Drivers in Illinois pay an average of $2,220 per year ($185/month) for full-coverage car insurance in 2026 — about 7% below the national average of $2,392. That makes Illinois the #23 cheapest of the 51 U.S. jurisdictions we track. A state-minimum policy averages $800 per year, versus a $895 national average.
Averages hide a wide spread: your own quote depends on your ZIP code, driving record, age, and vehicle — and the gap between the cheapest and most expensive carrier for the same Illinois driver is routinely over $1,000 a year. The only way to know where you land is to check your own rate.
Free rate check
See what you'd actually pay in Illinois
Answer a few quick questions and get your estimated rate range for Illinois — free, no contact info required to see your estimate.
See My Rate →Takes under 60 seconds · No obligation · No spam calls
Minimum car insurance requirements in Illinois
Illinois requires drivers to carry at least 25/50/20 liability coverage, plus UM/UIM. Here's what those numbers mean:
| Coverage | Required minimum | What it pays for |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury (per person) | $25,000 | Injuries you cause to one person in an accident |
| Bodily injury (per accident) | $50,000 | Total injuries you cause in one accident |
| Property damage | $20,000 | Damage you cause to vehicles and property |
| Also required | UM/UIM | Additional coverage Illinois mandates on every policy |
Note: Uninsured motorist coverage of 25/50 is also required.
Keep in mind that state minimums are the legal floor, not a recommendation — a serious accident can exceed $50,000 in injuries quickly, leaving you personally liable for the rest. Most Illinois drivers are better served comparing the cost of higher limits, which is often smaller than expected.
60-second check
Illinois drivers: check your 2026 rate
See your Low / Typical / High estimate before sharing any contact info.
See My Rate →Takes under 60 seconds · No obligation · No spam calls
How Illinois drivers pay less
- Compare at every renewal. Carrier pricing in Illinois shifts constantly; the insurer that was cheapest for you two years ago frequently isn't today.
- Bundle home or renters insurance — multi-policy discounts commonly run 10–25%.
- Raise your deductible if you have savings to cover it; going from $500 to $1,000 typically cuts the collision/comprehensive portion 10–20%.
- Ask about usage-based programs if you drive less than ~10,000 miles a year — low-mileage pricing is one of the fastest-growing discounts in 2026.
- Special situations have their own playbook: see our guides for teen drivers, coverage after a DUI, and getting insured after a lapse.
Guides for specific situations
Free rate check
Stop guessing — see your real Illinois rate
The average Illinois driver who compares saves hundreds a year. Your estimate takes under a minute.
See My Rate →Takes under 60 seconds · No obligation · No spam calls
Car insurance costs in other states
Rate data: 2026 state averages compiled from published figures at NerdWallet, Insurify, and ValuePenguin (July 2026); requirements from state statutes as of July 2026. Averages are for comparison only — your rate will differ based on your profile.