How do I get car insurance in Illinois?

You can get car insurance in Illinois online, by phone or in person. When searching for car insurance, choose whether you want more than the minimum coverage in Illinois, then compare quotes from both national and local insurance companies to find the best deal. Some of the cheapest companies in Illinois include Westfield, GEICO, and Secura.

8 Steps to Get Car Insurance in Illinois

1. Gather vehicle and driver details

You’ll need to have information about yourself and any other drivers you want on your policy, including driver names, addresses, and driver’s license numbers. You will also need details about the vehicles you’d like to insure, such as vehicle makes and models, VINs, and mileage.

2. Decide how you want to purchase insurance

Most insurance companies allow you to purchase car insurance online. You can also purchase it over the phone or in person through a company’s agent or an independent broker. Purchasing through an agent or broker instead of getting insurance online yourself may be better for people who are less tech-savvy and want to have a person walk them through the available options.  

3. Look into the required types of insurance in Illinois

In Illinois, drivers must have at least a minimum amount of bodily injury liability, property damage liability and uninsured motorist coverage.

The minimum amount of car insurance required in Illinois may not provide enough coverage if you are involved in an accident. If you cause damage that surpasses your policy limits, you would be responsible for paying the remaining amount out of pocket. So, you should get as much insurance as you can afford, with the goal of covering your net worth.   

4. Consider additional types of coverage

You should look into optional types of coverage, like collision and comprehensive insurance. While they aren’t required by state law, lenders and lessors will often require financed vehicles to carry collision and comprehensive insurance, and these types of coverage can help protect your finances against vehicle damage.

5. Compare quotes

Comparing prices from several different companies is the best way to make sure you’re getting the best deal. You can start by checking out the cheapest car insurance companies in Illinois for minimum coverage.

Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Illinois

For more options, check out WalletHub’s full list of the cheapest car insurance companies in Illinois.

6. Check for discounts

Always make sure you’re taking advantage of every discount available. Most car insurance companies in Illinois offer discounts for having multiple policies or multiple cars insured with them, being a safe driver, or setting up automatic payments, among many other things.

7. Pay for your policy

You’ll need to figure out whether you’d rather pay monthly or pay in full up front. Most companies offer a slight discount for paying up front. When choosing a specific policy, you’ll also need to pick deductibles for certain types of coverage, like comprehensive and collision. 

8. Get proof of insurance

Once you make a payment, your policy will be active. You will be able to see your electronic insurance card right away online or in the insurer’s mobile app. If you want a physical insurance card, you can get the insurance card mailed to you in seven to 14 business days.

To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guide to getting car insurance.