Illinois minimum car insurance requirements
Illinois requires vehicle owners to carry bodily injury liability limits of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, plus $20,000 for property damage liability. Uninsured motorist bodily injury minimums are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage is required when you buy uninsured motorist limits above those minimums.
State minimums may leave you responsible for losses above the policy limits. Ask about higher limits and review the Illinois Department of Insurance auto insurance shopping guide when comparing protection.
Liability, comprehensive and collision
Liability insurance addresses covered injuries or property damage you cause to others. Collision generally covers damage to your car from a collision, while comprehensive may cover theft, hail and other covered non-collision losses. Deductibles, exclusions and policy terms apply. “Full coverage” is an informal label, so check the actual coverages and limits. A lender may require comprehensive and collision.
Other protection to discuss with an agent
Ask about medical payments coverage, which can help with covered medical expenses for you or passengers under the policy terms. Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage address different situations from damage to your own vehicle. Review the selected limits and any options for additional protection rather than assuming every policy includes the same benefits.
For theft, hail or other weather damage, check whether comprehensive coverage applies and what deductible you would pay. For collision damage, review collision coverage separately. Optional rental reimbursement or roadside assistance, if offered, has its own limits and conditions; confirm what is included before you need it.
SR-22 and non-owner insurance options
An SR-22 is an insurer's financial-responsibility filing, not a separate type of vehicle coverage. Tell us if the Illinois Secretary of State requires a filing so we can check available policy options. A filing alone does not reinstate a suspended license.
If you do not own a vehicle, ask whether non-owner car insurance is appropriate. Tell the agent about household vehicles and any car you regularly use. A non-owner policy does not replace insurance for a vehicle you own.
Received an Illinois insurance verification notice?
Check the vehicle, verification date and deadline on your ILIVS letter, then contact your insurer about coverage on that date. Buying insurance today does not prove that you were insured earlier. Our suspended-registration and ILIVS guide explains the next steps. The Illinois Secretary of State controls registration status; confirm that any suspension has cleared before driving.
