Making the most of auto insurance in Illinois requires that you choose the right auto insurance company. You will need to ensure that your auto insurance is able to handle your claims efficiently, fairly and quickly. You may want to check a database of national claims for any complaints on a company. Another strategy is to check with your state's insurance department for the number of consumer complaints on a company compared to the number of policies it sold.

You should also feel comfortable with your method of purchasing automotive insurance in Illinois. You can buy insurance from a local agent, directly from the company or online. Auto insurance consists of the following types of coverage:

1. Liability coverage for personal injury and property damage; auto insurance companies in Illinois should provide the minimum coverage that the state requires;
2. Property coverage; this pays for damages and theft of your vehicle;
3. Medical coverage that pays for treating injuries and rehabilitation; this may also cover funeral expenses and lost wages.
   

Action Steps
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Find out more about the laws Illinois auto insurance coverage

Each state has its own laws regarding auto insurance. These laws cover such issues as the minimum liability coverage, acceptable proof of financial responsibility and the procedure for obtaining license plates in Illinois.

I recommend: The Illinois Insurance Association provides a FAQ on auto insurance, including the state requirements on coverage. MValue provides a summary on the auto insurance laws in Illinois.

Get quotes on Illinois auto insurance rates

There are many websites that provide insurance quotes online based on specific information about your vehicle. These websites may also provide other information on car insurance.

I recommend: NetQuote provides quotes on all types of insurance in Illinois by zip code. AutosInfo.com allows you to compare rates on auto insurance in Illinois and it also provides other resources on auto insurance.

Find more information on auto insurance from Illinois auto insurance companies

Car insurance companies in Illinois frequently may be more familiar with local insurance regulations than national competitors. They may also offer articles on car insurance in Illinois.

I recommend: Allstate offers information on auto insurance coverage that is specific to Illinois. Accurate Auto Insurance offers auto insurance in the Chicago area and has a FAQ on auto insurance.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Get price quotes from at least three different Illinois auto insurance companies. You may also be able to get a comparison of prices charged by major providers of car insurance. Illinois premiums will also be partially based on your vehicle's sticker price, repair costs, safety record and likelihood of theft.
• •  Join a state assigned risk pool if you have difficulty finding auto insurance in Illinois. Each insurer in a state assigned risk pool must accept the drivers that are assigned to it and keep the profit or pay the loss associated with that customer.

Car insurance in Illinois, like gas or rent, is expensive yet necessary. It doesn't just protect your car from dents, after all; it protects you and other drivers from both bodily harm and financial ruin. For that reason, Illinois car insurance coverage isn't just something that drivers in the "Prairie State" should have; it's something they must have.

Illinois auto insurance coverage doesn’t have to break the bank. You may be able to save by shopping around, declining unnecessary coverage and trading high deductibles for lower premiums. Indeed, you can cut costs, but you can't cut corners. If you drive in Illinois, you need auto insurance in Illinois. Here's what kind and how much, according to Illinois state law:

1. When buying auto insurance in Illinois, drivers must purchase bodily injury liability (BIL), property damage liability (PDL) and uninsured motorist bodily injury (UM) coverage; collision, comprehensive, personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured property damage coverage are recommended, but not required.
2. Auto insurance in Illinois must cover at least $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident for costs associated with the injury or death of others in a wreck.
3. Auto insurance in Illinois must cover at least $15,000 for damage to another person's property in an accident.
4. In Illinois, car insurance must include at least $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident in uninsured motorist bodily injury (UM) coverage.

Action Steps
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Browse Illinois auto insurance rates online

If you need Illinois auto insurance, online quotes are a good starting point. Available from all major auto insurance companies in Illinois, they offer a fast and convenient way to research and compare premiums.

I recommend: Get comprehensive online quotes from Illinois car insurance providers at websites like InsWeb, Insurance.com, InsuranceUSA and InsuranceFinder, or from companies like Progressive and Esurance, which quote both their own and competitors' rates.

Solicit Illinois car insurance quotes from national providers

Most major car insurance carriers offer auto insurance in Illinois and all provide competitive Illinois auto insurance rates.

I recommend: Among the largest and most popular car insurance companies in Illinois are AIG, Allstate, Chubb, Farmers, GEICO, The Hartford, Liberty Mutual and State Farm. National associations like AAA and AARP are also good sources for affordable auto insurance in Illinois.

Get car insurance in Illinois from local and regional companies

In Illinois, auto insurance rates can vary dramatically; for some of the most affordable, consider locally based providers.

I recommend: For automotive insurance in Illinois, try Illinois-based companies like First Chicago Insurance, Founders Insurance Company and Hawk Agency. Also consider local programs, like the Illinois Automobile Insurance Plan, which is designed for drivers who can't easily find auto insurance in Illinois.

Use an independent agent to find Illinois car insurance bargains

Buying car insurance in Illinois via an independent insurance agent can expose you to new resources, practical advice and special rates.

I recommend: To find an independent agent who can sell you car insurance in Illinois, use the “agency search” feature at the Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois or search the member directory at the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America.

Choose Illinois auto insurance companies that you can trust

Before doing business with Illinois car insurance providers, review their records with consumers to make sure they are reliable, reputable and responsible.

I recommend: If you subscribe to Consumer Reports, you can check up on car insurance companies in Illinois. Another good resource is the Illinois Division of Insurance, which compiles statistics on complaints about auto insurance companies in Illinois.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider buying more coverage than is required by state law; minimum Illinois car insurance might not be enough to cover car repairs or medical bills after an accident.
• •  Penalties for drivers who don't have Illinois car insurance include driver's license and license plate suspension, as well as cash fines of at least $500.
• •  If you're leasing or financing your car, dealerships might require you to have more and better Illinois auto insurance than is required by state law.
• •  Higher deductibles typically mean lower premiums and more monthly savings on auto insurance in Illinois.

Auto insurance in Illinois education and training will teach you how to evaluate multiple auto insurance policies and recommend the best one to benefit your customer. You also may need to know about the insurance business in general.

The requirements needed to work for car insurance companies in Illinois are determined by the state and also depend on the type of auto insurance coverage being issued. There are three general categories of car insurance coverage:

1. Collision car insurance in Illinois covers damage to the car due to a collision with some object. The cause of collision damage is typically another car but may also be a falling rock or branch. If the insured driver is at fault, collision coverage will generally cover the repair cost up to the coverage limit after the deductible has been paid.
2. Complete insurance covers damage to the insured driver’s vehicle caused by something other than collision. Non-collision damage typically includes damage due to burglary, fire and corrosive liquids.
3. Liability covers damages to other persons or other property that is the fault of the insured driver. It typically includes damage to other vehicles, medical bills of other people and legal expenses.
   

Action Steps
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Complete the courses needed to work for Illinois car insurance providers

There are a variety of on-site universities and distance learning classes that teach students the various aspects of Illinois auto insurance rates. These courses should be updated frequently to reflect changes in federal and Illinois insurance law.

I recommend: The Insurance School of Chicago offers pre-licensing classes that prepare students to take the Illinois Insurance Producer’s license exam. AHICE offers pre-licensing and continuing education courses in insurance for Illinois.

Learn the laws regarding automotive insurance in Illinois

Auto insurance brokers and agents in Illinois will need to be familiar with the state laws about their profession. The required coverage limits on auto insurance vary widely by state.

I recommend: InsuranceDirectory.org provides facts on Illinois car insurance, including its coverage limits. Illinois Auto Insurance.com offers an educational summary of the auto insurance laws in Illinois.

Obtain the license required by an Illinois auto insurance company

Illinois has four different types of insurance licenses: a life insurance agent, life insurance broker, property and casualty insurance agent and property and casualty insurance broker. Get licensing information necessary for a career in IL auto insurance.

I recommend: The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation has extensive information on obtaining an insurance license in Illinois. ABRC provides the insurance examination requirements for Illinois.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Illinois car insurance providers should set themselves apart by becoming a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU). This designation is respected throughout the insurance industry and identifies the holder as a dedicated and knowledgeable professional. A variety of insurance professionals may become CPCUs such as agents, brokers, claim adjusters and risk managers. Many attorneys, consultants and educators may also hold the CPCU designation.

An examination of auto insurance in Illinois basics should include a look at the different types of auto insurance. Accident coverage is the total coverage for a single accident. Injury liability insurance generally refers to coverage against injuries that are a direct result of an accident. Property liability coverage applies to damages or theft of the covered vehicle, and also pays for damage to other property.

There are three general steps that you will need to complete in order to obtain car insurance in Illinois:

1. Find the government department that regulates Illinois auto insurance rates. This agency will serve as a central location for many resources on auto insurance.
2. Determine the auto insurance requirements for Illinois. Many drivers will choose to obtain only the minimum insurance that Illinois requires, especially if their car loan has been paid off.
3. Get a quote for auto insurance. There are a large number of auto insurance agencies in Illinois and multiple quotes will help establish a likely range for a given coverage.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate government agencies that deal with Illinois automotive insurance providers

Illinois regulates auto insurance, as well as other types of insurance, at the state level. State laws on insurance specify issues such as the insurance coverage requirements, proof of financial responsibility and the licensing requirements for insurance agents.

I recommend: The Illinois Division of Insurance provides many resources on auto insurance, including a list of shopping tips. The Illinois Secretary of State provides a summary of the mandatory auto insurance for Illinois.

Find out the minimum coverage limits for Illinois auto insurance coverage

Insurance agencies frequently provide a summary of the types and amounts of auto insurance that Illinois requires. Other organizations also may provide quick facts on auto insurance requirements in Illinois.

I recommend: Insurance.com summarizes the minimum amount of car insurance that Illinois requires. LowIllinoisRates.com offers the coverage limits for Illinois auto insurance, in addition to other specific information on Illinois car insurance rates.

Get Illinois auto insurance online quotes

You can easily obtain quotes for Illinois car insurance over the phone or through email. Most insurance companies will require you to complete a short questionnaire on your vehicle, insurance needs and driving habits.

I recommend: Clover Insurance is located in Chicago and provides a free quote upon completion of an application. McNellis Insurance has its headquarters in Illinois and has free online quotes.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Auto insurance companies in Illinois frequently express insurance requirements as a/b/c where the letters a, b and c represent the different types of coverage needed in thousands of dollars. The letter 'a' is the bodily injury liability, 'b' is the coverage per accident and 'c' is the property damage liability. For example, 25/50/10 coverage means that the policy covers $25,000 per injured person up to a total of $50,000 for the accident with additional coverage of $10,000 for property damage.