Illinois is a very busy state, Interstate 80 is the route needed to get to Chicago, and this route is well traveled. Illinois has a huge population making it the fifth largest state in the USA. Illinois temperature can rise as high as over 100 degree Fahrenheit and drop into the –30’s. This means that motorists must travel in various conditions. The climate, the population, and the tourists make Illinois auto insurance a must have.
Illinois Auto Insurance Requirements
Illinois auto insurance rates are among the lowest in the nation. Illinois residents enjoyed a drop of .05% in auto insurance rates between 2006 and 2007 when the 2006 average rate of $1556 was already more than 300 dollars less than the national average. In 2007, the premiums went down to $1548, while the national average remained at $1896. Of course, individual Illinois auto insurance can cost more or less that the state average depending upon the driving history and particulars of each driver.
Illinois auto insurance minimum mandatory bodily injury and property damage liability coverage is fixed at 20/40/15.
- Bodily Injury Liability – Bodily Injury Liability is set at basic amount of $20,000 for medical expenses sustained by one injured person.
- Bodily Injury Liability for more than one injured individual is set at a maximum payout of $40,000.
- Property Damage Liability – Property Damage Liability set at the basic amount of $15,000 will pay for damages to the other car, and public property such as fences, roads signs, and buildings.
This coverage represents the minimum required by law, though Illinois auto insurance basic amounts cannot possibly cover the huge amounts these accidents can cost. It is recommended that Illinois drivers also carry Comprehensive and Collision coverage to protect their own vehicles in case of collision if they were at fault. Comprehensive and Collision protects against their car being damaged by snowstorms, hail, and other natural events. It will also protect against collision and damage inflicted by the state’s wildlife.
The State of Illinois requires that its drivers carry Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Protection in order to pick up the cost of damage to their car if the costs cannot be met by the at fault driver. It also protects all drivers from paying out of pocket for damages sustained by a hit and run driver.
