How Does Car Insurance Work in Illinois?

On behalf of Gordon Law Offices, Ltd.   |  Apr 08, 2021   |  Car Accidents
Car insurance policy with red car toy and blur image of man hand

In Illinois, vehicle owners are required to have liability insurance for vehicles registered in the state. The at-fault driver’s liability coverage pays for the medical bills, vehicle repairs, and other costs of the not-at-fault driver, passengers, and pedestrians involved in a car accident, up to the coverage limits. People can carry more coverage than the state minimums to protect themselves in case of a serious crash that results in significant vehicle damage and injuries.

Minimum Insurance Requirements

Illinois requires drivers to carry at least bodily injury liability coverage of $25,000 per person and a total maximum of $50,000 per accident, and $20,000 for property damage.

A driver’s liability coverage also kicks in if he or she allows a family member or someone else to drive his or her car. It is also likely to cover the driver if he or she crashes a rental car.

The liability car insurance policies sold in the state include uninsured motorist coverage automatically. This covers drivers who are involved in accidents with uninsured motorists. Its limits are equal to the injury liability coverage of a driver’s policy.

The state minimums do not always fully cover accident costs. Car insurance does not cover damage that exceeds the liability policy limits.

If the at-fault driver’s insurance is not enough to cover the accident expenses, a victim may sue the driver with a car accident lawyer’s help. That will put the at-fault driver on the hook to cover the rest of the costs. As a result, some drivers choose car insurance policies with greater limits than the state’s mandatory minimum limits to protect their assets if they cause a serious crash.

Optional Insurance Coverages

A driver’s liability insurance pays for the damages caused to another person or car. It does not apply to the driver’s own vehicle damage or injuries. A driver may add other coverage options to his or her policy to get additional protection. The options include:

  • MedPay coverage: It helps pay for a driver’s accident medical bills.
  • Collision coverage: It helps repair a person’s car after physical damage from an accident with another vehicle.
  • Comprehensive coverage: It covers damage from non-collision-related incidents, such as fallen tree branches and vandalism.

By understanding the Illinois minimum requirements and the different coverage options available, Illinois drivers become better placed to choose car insurance options that best fit their needs.