In Illinois, auto insurance can be less expensive than in other parts of the country. While the average driver in the U.S. pays about $2,545 for coverage in 2024 according to Bankrate data, the average Illinois driver pays about $2,316 for full coverage and about $682 for minimum coverage.
Whether you live in Chicago, Springfield, Peoria, or anywhere else in the Land of Lincoln, it’s possible to get the best deal you can on your car insurance with the right company.
CNBC Select reviews the top Illinois car insurance companies to help you cover your car and stay within your budget. (See our methodology for more information on how we made this list.)
Best car insurance in Illinois
Best for affordability Â
Geico Auto Insurance
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Cost
The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
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App available
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Policy highlights
Geico coverage and services are available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and there are 16 different types of discounts available. In addition to the standard coverage options, Geico offers various optional add-ons, such as emergency roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and mechanical breakdown insurance.
Pros
- Lowest average rates
- Inclusive coverage options, including high-risk drivers
- Available nationwide
Cons
- High premiums for high-risk driversÂ
- Fewer branches for in-person services
Who’s this for? Geico is a strong choice for those wanting to ensure their car insurance fits their needs and budget. It has the lowest sample premiums in Illinois of the companies we considered.
Standout benefits:Â This insurer also offers a variety of specialty insurance for motorcycles and RVs, making it a standout option for those who need to cover additional vehicles in addition to life insurance, homeowners insurance and renters insurance.
Average annual cost for full coverage: $1,091
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Best for discounts  Â
Travelers Auto Insurance
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Cost
The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
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App available
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Policy highlights
Travelers auto insurance policies are affordable and backed by the sixth largest company for car insurance by market share according to the NAIC. The company also offers a number of discounts to customers, including discounts for bundling, owning a hybrid or electric car, and good student discounts.
Pros
- Sixth largest auto insurer in the U.S. by market share
- Many discounts available
Cons
- Not all discounts available in every state
Who’s this for? Travelers stands out for having many discounts to help drivers save. From multi-policy discounts to good student discounts, it’s possible to save with a total of 12 discounts.
Standout benefits:Â A discount is also available to those with an electric car, making it an especially good choice for those drivers.
Average annual cost for full coverage: $1,686
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Best for customer serviceÂ
Erie Auto Insurance
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Cost
The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
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App available
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Policy highlights
Erie Insurance offers auto insurance for many different situations and affordable premiums. Several different coverages allow you to customize your policy.
Pros
- Offers affordable premiums
- Below average NAIC complaint index
Cons
- Only available in 12 states and Washington, D.C.
Who’s this for? Erie is only available in a few states, but Illinois is one of them. The insurer is known for combining affordable premiums with excellent customer service ratings.
Standout benefits: The company offers several discounts to those who bundle policies and have factory-installed safety features on their cars.
Average annual cost for full coverage: $1,541
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Best for specialty cars
Auto-Owners Insurance
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Cost
The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
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App available
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Policy highlights
Auto-Owners offers affordable premiums with high customer satisfaction ratings. There are 12 different types of discounts available, as well as various other types of insurance besides auto.
Pros
- tOffers at-fault accident forgiveness as an add-on
- High customer satisfaction scores from JD Power
- Low NAIC complaint index score
Cons
- Only available in 26 states
- Quotes must be obtained through an agent
Who’s this for? Auto-Owners is ideal for those wanting to insure classic cars in Illinois as it offers coverage for these cars and the option to bundle your coverage with your daily driver (your primary vehicle) for a discount. Similarly, Auto-Owners offers coverage for converted cars or cars modified with accessibility devices.
Standout benefits:Â Auto-Owners stands out for its coverage of various vehicles in addition to a low complaint index from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
Average annual cost for full coverage: $1,611
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More on our top auto insurance companies in Illinois
Geico
J.D. Power Overall Customer Satisfaction Index Rating (Average)
816Â
NAIC complaint index (1 is expected)
1.88, above expectedÂ
A.M. Best rating
A++
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Travelers
J.D. Power Overall Customer Satisfaction Index Rating (Average)
806
NAIC complaint index (1 is expected)
0.89, below expected
A.M. Best rating
A++
[ Return to summary ]Â
ErieÂ
While it has limited availability, Erie stands out in the areas where it is available for combining excellent customer service with low costs for auto insurance policies. It also tends to offer lower premiums for high-risk drivers, including for people with at-fault accidents.
J.D. Power Overall Customer Satisfaction Index Rating (Average)
855
NAIC complaint index (1 is expected)
0.73, below expectedÂ
A.M. Best ratingÂ
A+
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Auto-OwnersÂ
J.D. Power Overall Customer Satisfaction Index Rating (Average)
813
NAIC complaint index (1 is expected)
0.73, below expected
A.M. Best rating
A++
[ Return to summary ]Â
FAQs Â
Who has the cheapest auto insurance in Illinois?
Geico had the lowest average cost for full coverage car insurance in Illinois, according to the data we analyzed.
How much is car insurance in Illinois per month?
The average Illinois resident pays $193 per month for full coverage car insurance, or $56.83 per month for minimum coverage, according to Bankrate data.
What is the minimum car insurance requirement in Illinois?
Illinois requires drivers to carry $25,000 of coverage for bodily injury or death per person, $50,000 of coverage for bodily injury or death per accident and $20,000 in property damage coverage per accident according to the Illinois Secretary of State.
Bottom line
Car insurance in Illinois isn’t one-size-fits-all. Consider getting several quotes from top insurers in the state and comparing them based on price, customer service and coverage to see which company offers the best policy for you.
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Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every auto insurance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of insurance products. To research the best insurance companies, we compiled over 100 data points on more than a dozen insurance companies. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best car insurance companies in Illinois.Â
Our methodology Â
To determine the best car insurance companies in Illinois, CNBC Select analyzed dozens of U.S. insurance companies offering car insurance coverage in the state and compared them based on various factors including cost and customer service.
While narrowing down the best auto insurance companies in Illinois, we focused on an average sample premium for full coverage auto insurance policies in the state from Bankrate. Full coverage premiums were based on:
- $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 bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 deductibles
We also gathered data from J.D. Power’s Overall Customer Satisfaction Index Ranking, A.M. Best, and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ complaint index scores. We also considered the number of discounts available from each company and any other standout features.
Note that the premiums and policy structures advertised for auto insurance companies are subject to fluctuate in accordance with the company’s policies. Â
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Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.
Based in New York, Stephen Freeman is a Senior Editor at Trending Insurance News. Previously he has worked for Forbes and The Huffington Post. Steven is a graduate of Risk Management at the University of New York.