Cheap Car Insurance in Illinois – August 2022

Auto insurance is an important purchase, but finding cheap car insurance in Illinois isn’t always easy. That’s why it’s important to compare rates from multiple insurers.

The average cost of full coverage car insurance in Illinois is $1,383 per year, or about $115 per month, according to NerdWallet’s analysis. Minimum coverage in Illinois is $512 per year on average, but we found you can likely get a cheaper policy. For example, Pekin offers the cheapest rates in Illinois at $243 per year, on average, for minimum coverage car insurance for a 35-year-old driver with a clean driving record.

If you're looking for the cheapest options in The Windy City, check out NerdWallet's guide to the cheapest car insurance in Chicago.

Why you can trust NerdWallet: Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our writing and data analyses. You can trust the prices we show you because our data analysts take rigorous measures to eliminate outliers and inaccuracies in pricing data, which include rates from every locale in the country where coverage is offered and data is available. When comparing rates for different coverage amounts, ages and backgrounds, we change only one variable at a time, so you can easily see how each factor affects pricing.

How we chose the cheapest companies in Illinois

NerdWallet’s editorial team analyzed car insurance rates from 25 auto insurers in Illinois and found the five cheapest options for drivers in several age brackets and with different histories, all driving a 2019 Toyota Camry L. For minimum coverage, we looked at rates that reflect the minimum requirements in Illinois. For full coverage, we used the below coverage limits:

• $100,000 bodily injury liability per person.

• $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident.

• $50,000 property damage liability per accident.

• $100,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person.

• $300,000 uninsured motorist coverage per accident.

• Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible.

• Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible.

Cheapest for 20-year-old drivers

Drivers in their 20s may have to get a lot of quotes to find the best cheap car insurance. Prices can be sky-high for younger 20-somethings, but tend to come down as drivers get more experience on the road. Still, some companies routinely have better insurance rates for young drivers, so it's best to shop around to find them.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in Illinois for 20-year-olds

Drivers in Illinois with clean driving records may want to consider the following companies, which had the lowest average rates:

1. Pekin: $1,514 per year, or about $126 per month.

2. Erie: $1,579 per year, or about $132 per month.

3. Travelers: $1,851 per year, or about $154 per month.

4. Geico: $1,933 per year, or about $161 per month.

5. Grange: $2,026 per year, or about $169 per month.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Illinois for 20-year-olds

Drivers in Illinois who want just the state minimum coverage may want to check with these companies, which had the lowest average rates:

1. Erie: $461 per year, or about $38 per month.

2. Geico: $541 per year, or about $45 per month.

3. Pekin: $650 per year, or about $54 per month.

4. Travelers: $655 per year, or about $55 per month.

5. State Farm: $730 per year, or about $61 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Illinois for 20-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in Illinois should look at the following insurers with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

1. Geico: $742 per year, or about $62 per month.

2. Travelers: $983 per year, or about $82 per month.

3. Erie: $984 per year, or about $82 per month.

4. Grange: $1,014 per year, or about $84 per month.

5. Country Financial: $1,146 per year, or about $96 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Illinois for 20-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers with a recent accident in Illinois, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

1. Erie: $623 per year, or about $52 per month.

2. Geico: $749 per year, or about $62 per month.

3. Travelers: $838 per year, or about $70 per month.

4. Pekin: $868 per year, or about $72 per month.

5. State Farm: $941 per year, or about $78 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Illinois for 20-year-old drivers after a DUI

The cheapest auto insurance we found after a DUI is shown here, alongside the insurers' average rates for minimum coverage.

1. Erie: $711 per year, or about $59 per month.

2. Travelers: $938 per year, or about $78 per month.

3. Geico: $1,106 per year, or about $92 per month.

4. State Farm: $1,123 per year, or about $94 per month.

5. Mercury: $1,175 per year, or about $98 per month.

Cheapest for 30-year-old drivers

By the time they reach their 30s, most drivers will enjoy cheaper car insurance rates than in their teens and 20s. Still, factors like a person’s driving record and car make and model can increase prices. Drivers in their 30s can get lower rates by shopping around and taking advantage of any car insurance discounts.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in Illinois for 30-year-olds

Drivers in Illinois with clean driving records may get the lowest rates from these companies:

1. Pekin: $729 per year, or about $61 per month.

2. Geico: $932 per year, or about $78 per month.

3. Erie: $937 per year, or about $78 per month.

4. Grange: $981 per year, or about $82 per month.

5. Hastings Mutual: $1,034 per year, or about $86 per month.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Illinois for 30-year-olds

Drivers in Illinois who want their state's minimum coverage can check with the following companies, which had the lowest average rates:

1. Pekin: $255 per year, or about $21 per month.

2. Geico: $259 per year, or about $22 per month.

3. Erie: $277 per year, or about $23 per month.

4. Grange: $296 per year, or about $25 per month.

5. Auto-Owners: $319 per year, or about $27 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Illinois for 30-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in Illinois should consider the following companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

1. Grange: $1,292 per year, or about $108 per month.

2. Geico: $1,335 per year, or about $111 per month.

3. Pekin: $1,378 per year, or about $115 per month.

4. Hastings Mutual: $1,398 per year, or about $116 per month.

5. Encompass: $1,621 per year, or about $135 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Illinois for 30-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers in Illinois with a recent accident, here are the lowest average rate options for full coverage:

1. Pekin: $966 per year, or about $80 per month.

2. Erie: $1,269 per year, or about $106 per month.

3. Grange: $1,341 per year, or about $112 per month.

4. State Farm: $1,362 per year, or about $114 per month.

5. Travelers: $1,432 per year, or about $119 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Illinois for 30-year-old drivers after a DUI

For the cheapest auto insurance after a DUI, we found the following options for full coverage.

1. Pekin: $1,468 per year, or about $122 per month.

2. Erie: $1,502 per year, or about $125 per month.

3. Travelers: $1,563 per year, or about $130 per month.

4. State Farm: $1,565 per year, or about $130 per month.

5. Mercury: $1,577 per year, or about $131 per month.

Cheapest for 40-year-old drivers

Drivers in their 40s tend to have better insurance rates than their younger counterparts on average, but still pay more than older age groups. Shopping around for cheap car insurance quotes with multiple insurers is the best way to find lower rates. Good drivers who don’t get behind the wheel often might want to consider pay-per-mile insurance, which charges drivers by how many miles they drive.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in Illinois for 40-year-olds

Drivers in Illinois with clean driving records may want to think about the following companies, which had the lowest average rates:

1. Pekin: $674 per year, or about $56 per month.

2. Erie: $839 per year, or about $70 per month.

3. Geico: $881 per year, or about $73 per month.

4. Grange: $901 per year, or about $75 per month.

5. Hastings Mutual: $905 per year, or about $75 per month.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Illinois for 40-year-olds

Drivers in Illinois who want just the minimum coverage may want to check prices from these companies, which had the lowest average rates:

1. Pekin: $234 per year, or about $20 per month.

2. Erie: $249 per year, or about $21 per month.

3. Geico: $250 per year, or about $21 per month.

4. Grange: $268 per year, or about $22 per month.

5. State Farm: $329 per year, or about $27 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Illinois for 40-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in Illinois can check out the following insurers with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

1. Grange: $1,177 per year, or about $98 per month.

2. Hastings Mutual: $1,221 per year, or about $102 per month.

3. Geico: $1,243 per year, or about $104 per month.

4. Pekin: $1,272 per year, or about $106 per month.

5. Mercury: $1,383 per year, or about $115 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Illinois for 40-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers with a recent accident living in Illinois, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

1. Pekin: $891 per year, or about $74 per month.

2. Erie: $1,136 per year, or about $95 per month.

3. Grange: $1,255 per year, or about $105 per month.

4. State Farm: $1,328 per year, or about $111 per month.

5. Travelers: $1,353 per year, or about $113 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Illinois for 40-year-old drivers after a DUI

The cheapest full coverage auto insurance we found for drivers with a DUI came from the following companies.

1. Erie: $1,343 per year, or about $112 per month.

2. Pekin: $1,352 per year, or about $113 per month.

3. Mercury: $1,359 per year, or about $113 per month.

4. Travelers: $1,479 per year, or about $123 per month.

5. State Farm: $1,529 per year, or about $127 per month.

Cheapest for 50-year-old drivers

Drivers in their 50s have cheaper car insurance rates than most other age groups on average. Prices will continue to drop as they inch toward their 60s and gain more driving experience. Rates can still vary depending on other factors such as a driver’s gender and location, so it’s smart to shop around to find the best rate. Our list of cheap auto insurance companies is a good place to start.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in Illinois for 50-year-olds

Drivers in Illinois with clean driving records may want to get quotes from these insurers, which had the lowest average rates:

1. Pekin: $650 per year, or about $54 per month.

2. Hastings Mutual: $759 per year, or about $63 per month.

3. Erie: $767 per year, or about $64 per month.

4. Geico: $814 per year, or about $68 per month.

5. Mercury: $949 per year, or about $79 per month.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Illinois for 50-year-olds

Drivers in Illinois who opt for the state minimum coverage may want to consider the following companies, with the lowest average rates:

1. Erie: $228 per year, or about $19 per month.

2. Pekin: $228 per year, or about $19 per month.

3. Geico: $239 per year, or about $20 per month.

4. Rockford Mutual: $298 per year, or about $25 per month.

5. First Chicago: $308 per year, or about $26 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Illinois for 50-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in Illinois can check with the following companies, which showed the lowest average rates for full coverage:

1. Hastings Mutual: $1,022 per year, or about $85 per month.

2. Geico: $1,148 per year, or about $96 per month.

3. Pekin: $1,225 per year, or about $102 per month.

4. Grange: $1,273 per year, or about $106 per month.

5. Mercury: $1,284 per year, or about $107 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Illinois for 50-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers living in Illinois with a recent accident, here are the insurers with the lowest average full coverage rates:

1. Pekin: $859 per year, or about $72 per month.

2. Erie: $1,036 per year, or about $86 per month.

3. State Farm: $1,293 per year, or about $108 per month.

4. Hastings Mutual: $1,305 per year, or about $109 per month.

5. Travelers: $1,328 per year, or about $111 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Illinois for 50-year-old drivers after a DUI

The cheapest auto insurance we found for drivers with a recent DUI comes from the following companies, listed with rates for full coverage.

1. Erie: $1,225 per year, or about $102 per month.

2. Pekin: $1,304 per year, or about $109 per month.

3. Mercury: $1,323 per year, or about $110 per month.

4. Travelers: $1,452 per year, or about $121 per month.

5. State Farm: $1,494 per year, or about $124 per month.

Cheapest for 60-year-old drivers

Although 60-year-olds have cheaper car insurance rates than many other age groups on average, prices will start increasing as they get older. To find cheap auto insurance for seniors, drivers in their 60s should make sure to shop around to find the best rate. Drivers in this age group should also take advantage of any available discounts for senior citizens.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in Illinois for 60-year-olds

Drivers in Illinois with clean driving records may want to think about getting quotes from these companies, which had the lowest average rates:

1. Pekin: $658 per year, or about $55 per month.

2. Erie: $748 per year, or about $62 per month.

3. Grange: $760 per year, or about $63 per month.

4. Hastings Mutual: $777 per year, or about $65 per month.

5. Geico: $824 per year, or about $69 per month.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Illinois for 60-year-olds

Drivers in Illinois who want just the state minimum coverage may want to check with these insurers, which had the lowest average rates:

1. Erie: $223 per year, or about $19 per month.

2. Grange: $235 per year, or about $20 per month.

3. Pekin: $241 per year, or about $20 per month.

4. Geico: $246 per year, or about $20 per month.

5. Rockford Mutual: $298 per year, or about $25 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Illinois for 60-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in Illinois can look at the following companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

1. Grange: $976 per year, or about $81 per month.

2. Hastings Mutual: $1,046 per year, or about $87 per month.

3. Geico: $1,168 per year, or about $97 per month.

4. Mercury: $1,225 per year, or about $102 per month.

5. Pekin: $1,239 per year, or about $103 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Illinois for 60-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers with a recent accident living in Illinois, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

1. Pekin: $872 per year, or about $73 per month.

2. Erie: $1,011 per year, or about $84 per month.

3. Grange: $1,060 per year, or about $88 per month.

4. State Farm: $1,218 per year, or about $102 per month.

5. Travelers: $1,279 per year, or about $107 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in Illinois for 60-year-old drivers after a DUI

The cheapest auto insurance we found after a DUI came from the following companies, shown with their average rates for full coverage.

1. Erie: $1,196 per year, or about $100 per month.

2. Mercury: $1,280 per year, or about $107 per month.

3. Grange: $1,305 per year, or about $109 per month.

4. Pekin: $1,328 per year, or about $111 per month.

5. Travelers: $1,399 per year, or about $117 per month.

Minimum auto insurance limits required in Illinois

Illinois law requires residents to carry liability insurance, including uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage (UMBI), in the following amounts:

• $25,000 bodily injury liability per person.

• $50,000 bodily injury liability per incident.

• $20,000 property damage liability per incident.

• $25,000 UMBI per person.

• $50,000 UMBI per incident.

Liability car insurance covers the cost of any damage, injuries or deaths you cause in a car accident, up to your policy’s predefined limits.

Uninsured motorist coverage will cover expenses from injuries or damage after an accident with a driver who doesn’t have car insurance. Underinsured motorist coverage will cover the same expenses if you’re hit by a driver with some car insurance, but not enough to cover all costs from the crash.

Personal injury protection will cover your medical bills and expenses if you’re injured in a car crash, up to your policy limits, no matter whose fault it was. Depending on your state, PIP may also pay for:

• Lost wages if you’re unable to work due to injuries from an accident.

• Services you can no longer perform, like house cleaning or child care, because of your injuries.

• Funeral costs if an accident-related injury leads to death.

• A small death benefit as a cash payout.

Even though this will be enough to drive legally, you may want more than the minimum requirements. Imagine causing a crash and totaling another person’s car, for instance. The damages could easily top your $20,000 liability limit, and the remaining balance would have to come out of your pocket.

The Illinois secretary of state randomly selects registered vehicles and requires their owners to prove they have insurance via questionnaire. Residents who fail to fill out the form or who report they don’t have insurance will have their license plates suspended.

Check out NerdWallet’s guide to car insurance requirements by state to learn more about coverage options for your policy in the Land of Lincoln.

Alternative car insurance in Illinois

High-risk drivers who are denied car insurance on the voluntary market because of prior crashes, DUIs, poor credit or other factors can seek coverage through the Illinois Automobile Insurance Plan.

For even more help finding cheap car insurance in Illinois, try NerdWallet’s car insurance comparison tool.