Cheap Low-Income Car Insurance In Illinois 2024
There is no government-sponsored low-income car insurance program in Illinois. However, you can still find affordable minimum-coverage from State Farm, at around $39 per month.
We’ve saved shoppers an average of $600 per year on their car insurance.
I’ve learned through personal experience that finding auto insurance with the coverage and premiums you need can be easier said than done. If you are an Illinois driver who falls within the bounds of the low income segment of the population in this state, it becomes even more difficult. Low income means those with incomes that are 50% or less than the average household income in a region.
Policyholders in Illinois have seen dramatic increases in their premiums these last couple of years. Car insurance companies blame the increased rates on a variety of causes, including more frequent catastrophic weather events, inflation, increased price of auto parts, and repairs following an accident being more expensive.
Most drivers in Illinois, though, are still able to shop around and cut some of the cost of auto insurance, even the low income drivers.
Cheapest Low-Income Car Insurance, Illinois 2024
Does Illinois Have A Government-Sponsored Car Insurance Program?
No, Illinois doesn’t have a government-sponsored auto insurance program for low income drivers. Illinois drivers are required by state law to have a minimum amount of liability insurance, which at least costs much less than full coverage.
Minimum Car Insurance Requirements In Illinois
By Illinois law, all drivers in the state are required to have minimum amounts of liability vehicle insurance coverage to help meet the costs of a car accident. Here are the minimum liability coverage amounts in Illinois:
- $25,000 for bodily injury
- $50,000 for bodily injury
- $20,000 for property damage
- $50,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
Illinois’s minimum requirements for liability car insurance coverage are about the same as other states.
Illinois law states that all drivers on public roads have a minimum of liability car insurance. But, a lot of drivers feel safer having more than just the bare minimum of coverage. If the costs resulting from an accident are more than your state required minimum, you might be liable for the difference between what your car insurance coverage will pay and the actual costs..
Full Coverage Options
You’re probably familiar with the phrase “full coverage” as it relates to car insurance. Although it isn’t an actual category of auto insurance coverage, it’s a term often used when referencing all three types of car insurance encompassed in one policy. So, full coverage gives drivers insurance protection from pretty much any auto accident conceivable, because they have all 3 types: collision, comprehensive, and property damage.
Liability vehicle insurance helps meet the costs of property damage or injuries incurred as the result of a car accident when an insured driver is considered at fault. Collision coverage is meant to pay expenses if your car is damaged in a collision—this might be either a collision with another vehicle, or even with a stationary object of some sort.
Comprehensive auto insurance coverage is for accidents that are not collisions, like: fire, natural disasters, theft, and vandalism. Full coverage car insurance takes in all of these three types of coverage, which provides peace of mind to drivers, knowing that they’re covered for basically any eventuality.
Compare Low-Income Car Insurance In Illinois
| Overall Rating (Best 5.0) | Best Suited For | A.M. Best Rating | J.D. Power Rating (Best 1000) | Average Monthly Cost | Get A Quote | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm |
|
Best Suited For |
A++ |
838 |
$33 |
Instant Quote |
| Nationwide |
|
Seniors |
A+ |
NR |
$48 |
Instant Quote |
| GEICO |
|
Poor Credit |
A++ |
801 |
$35 |
Instant Quote |
Cheapest Low-Income Car Insurance Companies in Illinois 2024
Cheapest Overall
Key Statistics
Why We Like Them
⇅The vehicle insurance market in Illinois is competitive. But the company that was at the forefront of its competitors was State Farm, for its excellent coverage and affordable price.
After we researched facts and figures for this review, it was plain to see that State Farm has the least costly full coverage auto insurance rates in the state, with premiums for full coverage starting at only $63 monthly.
If you live in Illinois and are within the low-income segment of the state, car insurance from State Farm can offer you a rate that won’t strain your finances, combined with coverage that suits your needs.
Besides offering budget conscious rates, State Farm ranks in the top tier of car insurance providers in the industry, among the very best in the nation. This makes it a good choice for low income auto insurance, with its history of low price, great coverage and money saving discounts that have been tailored to suit various consumer needs.
State Farm has an edge over the competition in the Illinois car insurance market with its flexible coverage options and attractive rates. It’s the top choice for numerous drivers who want the protection of vehicle insurance that doesn’t come with a hefty price tag.
Any driver in Illinois who doesn’t want to worry about the possibility of having ruinous financial liability from an auto accident should check out what State Farm has to offer. Besides saving you money, remember that it’s illegal in Illinois to operate a vehicle on a public road unless you have the state minimum of car liability insurance. So if you want to stay within the law, not having at least liability insurance isn’t an option.
Cheap car insurance doesn’t mean inferior quality coverage. If you check rates of various auto insurance providers in Illinois, you can save money on car insurance while still having an adequate amount of coverage.
Benefits & Drawbacks
⇅- Numerous coverage options and discounts available
- Cheapest rates for most drivers in Illinois
- Superior AM Best financial strength rating ✓
- Must buy from a State Farm Agent ✘
Low-Income Car Insurance Rates In Illinois
| Insurance company | Monthly Rate |
| State Farm | $39.00 |
| GEICO | $42.00 |
| Nationwide | $48.00 |
| Progressive | $49.00 |
| Farm Bureau | $63.00 |
Cheapest For Poor Credit
Key Statistics
Why We Like Them
⇅If you live in Illinois and need auto insurance but don’t have a good credit rating, you should check out GEICO. With inexpensive rates and multiple coverage options, GEICO is a wise choice for drivers with low credit scores. Numerous studies have consistently shown that GEICO is the most affordable insurer for drivers with poor credit.
Don’t think that low premiums mean low quality insurance, because this isn’t the case with GEICO. It’s a highly respected company within the auto insurance industry, and boasts an impressive record of superiority. If you do have a low credit rating, you can still locate vehicle insurance coverage at a low price that won’t cost more than you can afford to pay. Offering low-priced, high quality car insurance is one thing that makes GEICO a good choice for drivers with poor credit.
GEICO understands that a low credit score doesn’t equate to a high risk driver. Many auto insurance providers increase rates on poor credit drivers. GEICO takes a more balanced view and also considers other elements like the vehicle being insured and your driving record, for example.
If you need affordable coverage and have a poor credit rating, you should consider GEICO.
A lot of car insurance providers believe that there is a clear correlation between poor credit scores and low-income drivers. This is not beneficial to poor credit or low-income drivers, because premiums for drivers with low income along with low credit scores can be up to fifty percent more than that of drivers with better credit and a higher income.
Still, if this includes you, know that it’s possible to get an affordable rate on auto insurance. You will need to be willing to put in a bit of time and effort in order to save money. A few steps like researching rates, coverage and discounts of various car insurance carriers can shave money off your premiums. Rates can vary widely from one provider to the next, so it just makes sense to shop around.
Another thing that will help in keeping your auto insurance rates lower is to be cautious and avoid moving traffic violations, as these can send your premiums soaring. There are ways to save on your premiums, but these two alone can help.
Benefits & Drawbacks
⇅- Cheapest rates for most drivers in Illinois with poor credit
- Numerous coverage options and discounts are available
- Superior AM Best financial strength rating ✓
- Not as many GEICO agents in Illinois compared to many large competitors
- Digital tools are available but aren’t as robust as some competitors ✘
Low-Income Insurance Rates In Illinois For Drivers With Poor Credit
| Insurance company | Monthly Rate |
| GEICO | $78.00 |
| State Farm | $94.00 |
| Nationwide | $98.00 |
| USAA | $105.00 |
| Allstate | $108.00 |
Cheapest for Seniors
Key Statistics
Why We Like Them
⇅Based on our findings, Nationwide is the best car insurance company in Illinois for senior drivers. This conclusion isn’t only our opinion, but is the result of the data we collected. Customer and industry reviews of Nationwide, plus research of the car insurance companies in the state, added up to Nationwide being the best choice in car insurance for older drivers.
Nationwide’s rates are the most affordable in Illinois for senior drivers. For example, to provide context, older auto insurance policyholders insured with Home State Insurance have a yearly rate of about $3468.00, while those covered by Illinois Farm Bureau pay around $3,655.00 yearly.
Premiums offered to the senior age group by Nationwide were designed for older drivers. If you live in Illinois and are in the senior age bracket, Nationwide definitely deserves a look if you are interested in reasonable rates and adequate coverage.
Older drivers may be in for a shock when their auto insurance premiums suddenly increase. However, this is unfortunately the norm for the senior driver age group. The auto insurance industry knows that senior drivers are high risk.
Considering older drivers as being higher risk than many other groups isn’t just random bias on the part of car insurance carriers. Many studies and much research have shown a convincing increased incidence of accidents in the older driver demographic. Causes for this include: slower reaction times, age-related health conditions that might affect seniors driving safety, and an increased chance that injuries as a result of auto accidents will be more serious among senior drivers. These results are the reason that older drivers are considered to be at higher risk than drivers who fall into younger age groups.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducted a study and their findings showed that the rate of deaths from auto accidents begins to increase at about 70 years of age. Fatalities from vehicle accidents in drivers who are 85 years or older are the highest of any other age group.
With all of this in mind, it isn’t surprising that older drivers are paying more for vehicle insurance. Car insurance carriers have to offset the more expensive claims of senior drivers with more expensive rates.
Senior drivers can still save money on their car insurance, though, if they take simple steps such as comparing rates, discounts and coverage of car insurance providers operating in Illinois.
Benefits & Drawbacks
⇅- High financial strength ratings
- Auto, homeowners, life, and other insurance products available
- Comprehensive mobile app for digital policy management ✓
- Can only buy from Nationwide agents
- Not rated by J.D. Power for customer service ✘
Rates For Seniors In Illinois
| Insurance company | Monthly Rate |
| Nationwide | $81.00 |
| GEICO | $82.00 |
| State Farm | $85.00 |
| USAA | $98.00 |
| AAA | $127.00 |
Does Income Affect Car Insurance Rates In Illinois?
No, it doesn’t. Your car insurance rates if you live in Illinois are not affected by your income. Auto insurance providers look at factors like the vehicle you drive, your location, adding a teenage or senior driver, your age, and your driving history. They also consider the amount of coverage you need. These and other things are used to calculate your rates.
How To Save On Car Insurance Costs In Illinois
The car insurance landscape in Illinois may seem like a confusing puzzle you have to solve when you’re in the market for it. But if you go about looking for auto insurance in the correct way, it will save you money on your premiums. With the advent of the World Wide Web, you don’t even have to leave home to do this; you can get online.
Compare coverage, rates, discounts and other applicable data of the companies you’re interested in. A little bit of time and effort can mean a lot of money savings for you.
1. Compare Rates from Different Providers
One thing that’s imperative you do in order to slash the costs of your car insurance is to compare rates between car insurance providers. There are often sizable differences in the premiums between vehicle insurance providers, so checking around is prudent.
Auto insurance rates are normally based on a variety of factors, such as: your location, your driving record, and your age, along with other things. Many people narrow the field of possibilities down to three companies, and then go on to choose the one that seems best overall.
2. Leverage Discounts
Discounts are important because they can save money by reducing your premiums. Some things that may influence car insurance discounts are: safe driving history, safety features of your vehicle, a good student discount, bundling more than one type of coverage with an insurer, as well as others. Always ask about discounts. It’s possible that you might qualify for more than one and save more money.
| Discount Option | % Discount |
| Homeowner | 7% |
| Marital Status | 8% |
| Electronic Documents | 3% |
| Telematics | 12% |
| Years Insured | 17% |
3. Adjust Your Coverage and Deductibles
Here are two of the most critical steps you can take to reduce your vehicle insurance premiums: Lower your coverage if possible, and increase your deductible. These easy but powerful changes can mean big savings. For instance, if you’re driving an older model vehicle, paying for pricey full coverage isn’t a budget friendly move. In this scenario, your car insurance premium may cost more than your car is worth. Liability coverage may be all you need, and is markedly less expensive than full coverage.
Next, consider raising your deductible. Your deductible is the amount you have to pay when you file a claim, before your insurance pays anything. The more deductible you pay, the less your premium is going to be. Lowering your deductible will raise your premium. But, if you’re thinking about increasing your deductible to lessen your car insurance premium, be sure it’s an amount that you can comfortably pay.
Compare Rates In Illinois – By City
Rates vary by state, zip code and city. Each city comes with its own set of risks, which insurance carriers use to calculate rates. Find average rates for different cities in Illinois using our table below.
| City | Annual Premium |
| Wicker Park | $1,076 |
| Chicago | $1,009 |
| Springfield | $941 |
| Joliet | $933 |
| Rockford | $1,151 |
Our methodology
When our team set out to research data for this review of car insurance carriers, we collected multiple elements, such as: price, product options, customer service ratings, and user experience, plus the evaluations of online reviews. Our review is an honest, objective one that has been carefully researched for a look at the car insurance provider landscape in Illinois. The data shown here was accumulated from our informed opinions, upheld by facts and sharpened by the 15 years plus that I spent as a licensed agent in the car insurance industry, along with numerous interactions with vehicle insurance agents from diverse companies, and insights from our combined experiences in purchasing auto insurance in Illinois.
Quotes Analyzed
Brands Reviewed
Years Of Experience
Research Hours
FAQs
How can low income families get affordable car insurance in Illinois?
Low income drivers in Illinois should do rate comparisons between car insurance providers, and compare coverage amounts, too. Low-income drivers should also look at the discounts different companies offer, because discounts can lower your auto insurance rates.
What is the minimum amount of car insurance you have to carry in Illinois?
Illinois law requires drivers to have a minimum amount of liability auto insurance, as follows: $25,000 for injury or death of one person, $50,000 for more than one person, $20,000 for property damage per accident.
