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As a responsible car owner, you take pride in maintaining your vehicle. In addition, you want to ensure the car is covered by the ideal insurance policy for your situation.
Well, the good news is that you’ve come to the right place by reading this article. Detailed below is everything you need to know about Illinois car insurance these days.
After all, there are a lot of insurance companies out there. You need to feel comfortable with the fact that you have access to the best coverage.
Consider the following statistic regarding automobile insurance throughout the United States. It indicates in the year 2019 alone, the industry generated $282 billion in revenue. In other words, that’s a vast and growing industry.
Be smart about the insurance coverage you invest in. Keep reading to know what to expect from your policy itself, the insurance company, and the state of Illinois regarding insurance.
Don’t Get Caught without Car Insurance in Illinois
Of course, the first thing you should recognize about Illinois car insurance is the fact that it’s a legal requirement. You need insurance to protect your financial assets in the event of an accident. That’s why most states have a minimum acceptable amount of liability coverage (which will be explained below).
Imagine a police officer pulls you over because you’re driving a little bit faster than the speed limit. You’ve never invested in proper vehicle insurance, though.
Well, not only might you get a ticket for speeding. If you’re caught driving without insurance in the state of Illinois, you can be charged a fine of at least $500 and have your registration suspended. That means you wouldn’t be able to drive until the suspended is lifted.
Plus, if you are in an accident without insurance and it proves to be your fault, you can be in even more trouble. Having to cover the medical bills and property damage yourself can cost a serious amount of money. By having the protection of liability insurance, though, you won’t be putting yourself at suck a financial risk.
Start by Considering the Costs and Your Available Budget
You recognize that owning a vehicle in the first place will require further use of your financial resources down the road. You’ll have to continue investing in the car’s repair and maintenance over time, for instance.
Well, part of the financial responsibility that comes with a car is that you have to pay a monthly insurance payment, too. (You can pay for six months or a year of insurance coverage in advance in one payment, though.)
That’s why you should get a quote from your potential insurance provider so you can prepare for the potential costs. Get quotes from several different insurance providers for comparison, too.
Some personal factors, such as your age, can determine how much your insurance policy is going to cost you. For example, drivers under the age of twenty-five often have a higher monthly insurance payment. That’s because they’ve proven to be the most likely ones on the road to cause an accident.
In fact, learn everything you can about the ins and outs of insurance coverage in Illinois before you sign any contract. Even experts recognize the value of learning some insurance-related terms before shopping around. Knowing about the industry ahead of time will help you make a wiser decision when it comes to finding the ideal policy for your vehicle’s situation.
Know the Law: Illinois Minimum Car Insurance Requirements
Just like every other state in the nation, Illinois has minimum insurance limits. Failure to carry liability insurance coverage in the minimum amounts can result in fines and supervision, usually in the form of mandatory SR22 filing for 3 years.
In Illinois, the minimum car insurance requirements for drivers are:
- $25,000 Bodily Injury Per Person
- $50,000 Bodily Injury Per Accident
- $20,000 Property Damage
Optional insurance coverage in the state of Illinois include:
- $25,000 Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury Per Person
- $50,000 Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury Per Accident
- $15,000 Uninsured Motorist Property Damage
- Comprehensive Coverage
- Collision Coverage
Minimum Liability Coverage Will Be the Most Affordable
As mentioned above, the state of Illinois expects all drivers to have proper liability insurance as a minimum policy. That can ensure both you and other victims in a potential accident are covered. Liability insurance encompasses three main forms of coverage: bodily injury, property damage, uninsured motorist bodily injury.
Remember, though, accidents can be more costly than what could be covered by liability coverage. The bodily injury and property damage, after all, only extends to the other party if the accident was your fault. That means you would be responsible for damage to your car or injury to your body.
The benefit of this option, though, is its affordability. If you’re wanting to prioritize saving money on vehicle insurance, liability coverage is going to be all you need.
Comprehensive Vehicle Insurance Will Give You a More Secure Peace of Mind
Still, you deserve the peace of mind that comes from knowing all potential costs are covered in an accident. Don’t get saddled with hefty medical bills because you were injured, too.
The unfortunate truth is that in 2017, there were over 311,000 motor vehicle crashes in the state of Illinois. The fact is, accidents do happen. If you make a mistake while driving and cause an accident, you already are going to have a significant headache to deal with.
Don’t add a pile of medical bills or car repair costs to that headache. Invest in a comprehensive insurance plan so you can avoid going bankrupt just because of one fender bender.
Be Sure to Do Plenty of Research About Potential Insurance Providers
When you’ve decided whether you want a liability insurance policy or a more comprehensive plan, it’s time to choose your coverage provider. It’s a vast and growing industry, after all.
To start, seek the guidance of your friends and family members. They likely have great recommendations for their favorite insurance provider in town.
Start with a quick Google search for your potential insurance provider. That should show you any potential history of unethical or illegal practices.
Then, check out the rest of your potential insurance provider’s online presence. For instance, is their website regularly updated, quick to load, and easy to navigate? Is it clear that they’re willing to invest in their digital marketing strategies?
Plus, do they have a significant social media following? If so, you can bet that they have a genuine priority for their consumers’ best interests.
In addition, check the Illinois Department of Insurance to see if your potential insurance provider is licensed. That can make it official that they’re up to code and industry standards.
It’s also a smart practice to search for any available online testimonials or reviews of previous clients who’ve hired your potential insurance provider. Doing so could give you great insight as to whether you can expect a positive or negative experience from them, too.
It’s Wise to Seek Professional Guidance When Choosing Car Insurance
If you’re still not sure about what kind of insurance coverage is going to be ideal for your situation, it’s okay to seek professional advice. Your chosen insurance provider can help you navigate the industry a little bit better. That’s why it’s so important to be able to trust them from the very beginning.
This can be of particular importance when it comes to rideshare or business-related insurance policies. Don’t be afraid to ask plenty of questions when you’re talking with your insurance agent. They should have enough industry knowledge to explain in clear terms which kind of coverage could suit your needs.
Know If You Qualify for Business Vehicle Insurance
Sometimes, personal vehicle insurance simply isn’t going to cut it. This is the case when you’re driving a commercial vehicle of any kind. In fact, this is essential when you’re transporting heavy equipment or any other kind of dangerous material. You don’t want to end up financially responsible for serious damage caused by a potential accident.
For that and other reasons, Illinois recognizes business-specific insurance coverage. This can be deducted from many small businesses’ tax obligations at the end of the year, too.
Do some further research with this ultimate guide to Illinois business insurance requirements. If you’re eligible for this kind of coverage, you should take advantage of it.
Understand the Finer Details of Rideshare Insurance, If Applicable
Sometimes, self-employed professionals still use their cars for business-related reasons. This is the case if you’re a rideshare driver such as for Uber or Lift. That way, they can be safe from liability for any damage done to the person or assets of one of their passengers in the event of an accident.
This kind of coverage also sometimes applies to food delivery drivers. It’s going to be your responsibility, though, to do the research and know whether you’re eligible. For more detailed guidance, check out this article on rideshare insurance and how it can work for you.
Feel Comfortable with Your Insurance Agent Every Step of the Way
It’s an unfortunate truth that some insurance agencies out there prey on unsuspecting customers. It’s important that you ensure you’re not getting taken advantage of when you sign up for a new policy.
In other words, your insurance provider should prioritize customer service every step of the way. For instance, how do the phone calls with your insurance provider make you feel?
Is it clear that you are their top priority? Rather, does it seem as though you’re just a waste of their time?
No matter who you choose to provide you with vehicle insurance, make sure you’re comfortable with that decision. You deserve to feel secure knowing you’re getting the best deal for your coverage.
Ensure Your License, Title, and Registration Are in Order (and keep copies of insurance)
It’s understandable to be shopping around for insurance coverage if you’ve recently bought a new or used car for yourself. If you want to ensure you’re driving completely within regulation, though, you’ll need to ensure your title and registration are in order. For more details about getting your title and registration, visit the website of the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State.
Throughout the next few years of driving that car around, you’re going to need to keep all of these documents updated. Your insurance policy will have to be renewed on a regular basis, for one thing.
In addition, your registration will need to be renewed through the state every single year. That’s the only way to get an updated sticker on your car’s license plate. Otherwise, you’re increasing the chance of getting pulled over for an expired tag.
It’s also important to remember to keep several copies of your insurance in your glove box. Keep your updated registration documents in there, too (or a copy, at least). Having these records on hand will be crucial in the unfortunate event that you do
Keep Your Car Well-Maintained Throughout the Future
As mentioned above, you recognize that you’re going to need to invest in regular repair and maintenance for your vehicle no matter what over the years. Well, doing so could keep you safer on the road in the long run. Therefore, it can help you prevent an accident if your car is in excellent working order.
In fact, it can be wise to develop a long-term relationship with your most reliable vehicle mechanic near you. Your mechanic can then start to get more and more familiar with your vehicle and its quirks. That way, you can trust that any problem with your car is handled properly the first time.
How to Find the Cheapest Car Insurance in Illinois
At this point in the article, you have a thorough understanding of what to expect from Illinois car insurance. There’s no need to cut corners when it comes to protecting your vehicle as a financial asset. That’s why you’ll take the above guidelines seriously.
After all, there are a lot of ins and outs to navigate when it comes to the car insurance industry. It’s important to trust your insurance provider in the event you have any questions about your policy.
In fact, that’s where we can come into play. We strive to offer the most thorough car insurance to clients just like you. We want you to feel secure in the safety of your vehicle and your financial situation.
Insurance does not have to be expensive. Working with an independent agency like Insured ASAP guarantees that you’ll find the cheapest car insurance in Illinois. Our ability to quote your policy with multiple carriers ensures you’ll be receiving the lowest priced rate in all of Illinois.
Start your online car insurance quote now or contact an agent today. Either way, you won’t be disappointed.
