The best car insurance in Illinois in 2026

Like everywhere else, the cost of car insurance in Illinois has gone up: Annual full coverage premiums in the state averaged about $2,376 in 2025, or just under $200 a month.

CNBC Select reviewed dozens of auto insurance companies that issue policies in Illinois to pick the best providers in a variety of categories, including affordability, coverage and customer service.

See our methodology for more information on how we made our list.

Average rates determined by Bankrate analysis of Quadrant Information Services data in November 2025.

Who's this for? Travelers Insurance is a standout for the lowest premiums of all the providers we reviewed. Rates for drivers with poor credit, who typically pay more, were also lower than average.

Standout benefits: In addition to gap insurance, Travelers offers new car replacement coverage. If you total your car within the first five years, it will pay to replace it with a brand-new vehicle of the same make and model.

Who's this for? Geico has more than 15 discounts for drivers, including up to 15% off for new vehicles and up to 22% off for remaining accident-free for the past five years. If you're in the military, you could also be eligible for a 15% discount.

Standout benefits: Geico offers accident forgiveness for free if you remain accident-free for five years or you can buy it as an upgrade when you purchase or renew your policy.

Who's this for? Erie Insurance ranked No. 1 for customer satisfaction in J.D. Power's 2024 customer satisfaction survey. The company also receives far fewer complaints than competitors, according to the NAIC, and earned an A+ from the Better Business Bureau.

Standout benefits: Erie's Rate Lock® feature prevents your rates from increasing, even after you file a claim. A full coverage policy comes with accident forgiveness, windshield repair, locksmith service and coverage for pets injured in an accident. 

Who's this for? Auto-Owners offers specialized policies for vintage vehicles with agreed value coverage and specialized towing. Since classic autos are used infrequently, plans come with significant discounts. You can also qualify for a multi-vehicle discount if you also insure your daily driver.

Standout benefits:  Auto-Owners also insures converted cars and vehicles modified for accessibility.

The average cost of full coverage car insurance in Illinois was about $2,436 in May 2025. A minimum coverage policy, meanwhile, averaged about $681 a year.

Individual rates will vary, though, based on location, age, gender, driving history, credit and other factors. And providers weigh criteria differently, so you'll get different quotes for the same policy depending on where you look.

In Illinois, drivers are required to have liability insurance, which pays for repairs to another vehicle and medical bills for the other driver and passengers if you are found responsible for an accident.

The minimum amount of coverage is:

• $25,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person
• $50,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident
• $20,000 of property damage liability coverage per accident

Additionally, you must have uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage, with a minimum of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. 

Uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage coverage is optional.

To find the best car insurance in Illinois, follow a few best practices:

Step 1: Gather the necessary information

To get a quote and buy a policy, you'll have to have some things on hand:

• Your driver's license
• Your car's make, model, year and VIN
• A rough estimate of the number of miles you drive in a year
• The expiration date of your current auto insurance policy

Step 2: Decide how much coverage you need

You're required to have liability insurance to legally drive in the Prairie State, as well as uninsured/underinsured bodily injury coverage.

You should consider adding comprehensive and collision coverage, which pay for repairing or replacing your vehicle after a non-collision event, including theft, vandalism, damage from a falling object or fire.

If you have an auto loan or a lease, both of these types of coverage are likely required.

Step 3: Gather quotes

Get quotes from at least three providers, making sure you request the same coverage limits and deductibles. You can go directly to an insurance company's website for rates, plug in your information on an online comparison site or work with an independent insurance agent who can present multiple options. 

Don't forget to find out if you qualify for any discounts or if there are additional fees for paying monthly or by credit card.

Step 4: Buy your new car insurance policy

Once you've decided on the policy you want, you'll share your payment information and get your proof of insurance.

Most car insurance companies issue coverage in six-month or one-year terms and many give a discount for paying in full upfront.

If you're changing insurance companies, wait to cancel your old policy until after your new one takes effect to avoid a lapse in coverage. You should be able to get a prorated refund for the remainder of the policy term, though there may be a cancellation fee.

To get the best price on car insurance in Illinois, there are a few moves you can make:

1. Raise your deductible

The higher your deductible, the lower your premium. Increasing your deductible from $200 to $1,000 can reduce the cost of collision and comprehensive coverage by as much as 40%, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

Just be sure you can afford the additional out-of-pocket cost if you’re involved in an accident.

2. Look for discounts

Discounts can help you save — consider whether a company offers one that fits your situation. For example, parents of teens might want to consider a company that offers a strong good student discount, and drivers of a newer vehicle might want to look for a new car discount.

3. Consider pay-per-mile insurance

Some insurers offer pay-per-mile car insurance, which charges you based on how much you drive. Typically, you pay a small flat monthly rate with a surcharge of between four and eight cents per mile. If you work from home, are retired or otherwise don't drive much, it can save you as much as 40% over traditional car insurance.

Nationwide, Allstate, Metromile and USAA all offer pay-per-mile car insurance in Illinois.

4. Improve your credit

Illinois insurance companies can consider your credit score when calculating your auto insurance premiums. Paying bills on time, keeping your debt-to-income ratio low and checking your credit report for errors can all help raise your credit score.

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed financial decisions. 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.  

CNBC Select analyzed 15 car insurance companies offering policies in Illinois, focusing on cost, coverage, discounts and standout benefits.

We incorporated customer satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' complaint index, as well as financial strength ratings from A.M. Best.

We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.

Average rates were based on a sample full coverage policy in May 2025 for a 40-year-old single male and a 40-year-old single female with good credit and a clean driving record, driving a 2023 Toyota Camry on weekdays for work.

• $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

Based on these critera, our picks for the best cat insurance in Illinois are:

For affordability: Travelers Insurance
For discounts: Geico
For customer service: Erie
For specialty cars: Auto-Owners

Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of credit cards, banking and money, and follow us on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.