Every state has different requirements for car insurance. Illinois drivers need coverage that meets the state minimum requirements but also pays for any unforeseen accidents or damages. 

An Illinois independent insurance agent is not only an expert in car insurance, but also knows which carriers to purchase from. To start, here's what to expect from your Illinois car insurance.

What Does Car Insurance Cover in Illinois?

Illinois drivers are required by the state to have bodily injury liability, property damage liability, and uninsured motorist coverage. These policies will protect you from the following events:

• Bodily injury liability: Pays for injuries and other associated costs for passengers, pedestrians, or other drivers in an at-fault accident. 
• Property damage liability: Pays for any damaged property as a result of an at-fault accident. 
• Uninsured motorist coverage: Pays for any damage to your vehicle that's caused by an accident with an underinsured or uninsured motorist.  

In addition, Illinois drivers should discuss the following coverage options with their independent insurance agent.

• Medical payments/Personal injury protection: Pays for any personal injuries for yourself or your passengers in an accident.
• Collision insurance: Pays for any damage to your vehicle in an at-fault accident with another vehicle, pole, or tree.
• Comprehensive (other than collision) insurance: Pays for any damage from falling objects, weather, theft, vandalism or other events considered out of your control.

What Isn't Covered by Illinois Car Insurance?

While the above policies protect you from most of the accidents and damage your vehicle may experience, you are still exposed in some areas. 

Insurance will not cover damage from the following events

• General wear and tear
• Flooding from maintenance issues
• If you're using your car for business purposes and don't have commercial auto insurance
• Personal belongings inside your car
• Damage to your vehicle in an accident without collision or comprehensive coverage

"Your personal belongings are typically covered under your Illinois homeowners insurance," explained insurance expert Paul Martin. "The only thing covered under your auto insurance is equipment that's inside your car, like a tire jack or spare tire."

How Much Is Car Insurance In Illinois?

Drivers in Illinois will benefit from annual car insurance premiums that are several hundred dollars below the national average. Standard rates are $1,079 a year for car insurance in Illinois.

Of course, rates will vary greatly depending on several factors such as age, vehicle make and model, accident history, driver gender, and credit score, to name a few. 

Your Illinois independent insurance agent can help you shop multiple carriers for insurance. Shopping quotes can help lower your premiums as well. 

Leading writers of car insurance in the US

State Farm is the leading writer of car insurance in the US, with more than $40 billion in premiums written annually.

How Much Coverage Do I Have If I'm in the Wrong?

When you purchase car insurance, you'll have the option to decide the amount of coverage you want. The minimum requirements in Illinois are 25/50/20, which breaks down as follows:

• $25,000 for injury or death of one person in an accident
• $50,000 for injury or death of more than one person in an accident
• $20,000 for damage to property of another person

Martin recommended purchasing as much liability insurance as you can afford. "If you're only buying the minimum limits of liability insurance, you're not buying enough," explained Martin. 

Under your collision and other-than-collision policies, you'll always be responsible for your deductible before your insurance steps in and pays up to your policy limits.

Does Illinois Car Insurance Cover Damage from a DUI?

Driving under the influence is one of the leading causes of accidents in the US. In Illinois, it accounts for 27% of total crash fatalities. 

While it's never recommended to get behind the wheel after some drinks, your car insurance will cover any third-party bodily injury and property damage up to your policy limits in the event of a DUI.

Illinois DUI Facts

Am I Covered If I Am the Victim of a Hit and Run in Illinois?

Your Illinois car insurance will cover a hit and run, as long as you carry collision insurance or uninsured motorist coverage that includes property damage.

Since these coverages are not legally required for drivers, you'll want to work with your Illinois independent insurance agent to make sure you have this protection.

How Can an Illinois Independent Insurance Agent Help?

Car insurance comes in many shapes and sizes. An Illinois independent insurance agent will sit down with you, free of charge, to learn about the vehicles and drivers that you need to be covered.

They'll pull car insurance quotes from several Illinois carriers and help you determine the best option. They'll consider not only the rates but the company's reputation for handling claims and customer service. Work with a TrustedChoice independent insurance agent in Illinois today.