Illinois Car Insurance Requirements & Average Rates (2026)

Illinois requires drivers to carry at least 25/50/20 liability coverage — plus mandatory uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage, which many other at-fault states leave optional. For how Illinois compares to other states, see our car insurance rates by state guide.

Illinois's 2026 minimum coverage requirements

Illinois is an at-fault state, but its mandatory uninsured motorist requirement is stricter than many at-fault states — see our uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage guide for what that coverage actually pays for.

What minimum coverage actually costs in 2026

Erie Insurance has been reported as offering the lowest minimum-coverage rates in Illinois, at an average of $462 a year. Illinois's mandatory uninsured motorist requirement means the "state minimum" policy already includes protection many other states' bare-minimum policies lack — worth keeping in mind when comparing Illinois's average cost against states with lower nominal minimums but no mandatory UM coverage.

Why the mandatory UM requirement matters

Most at-fault states make uninsured motorist coverage optional, requiring insurers to offer it but letting drivers decline in writing. Illinois instead bakes it into the legal minimum, which means every legally compliant Illinois driver already has some protection against uninsured drivers — a meaningful difference from states where drivers can unknowingly waive this coverage entirely.

Is Illinois's minimum coverage actually enough?

As in every state, Illinois's legal minimum is a compliance floor, not a financial safety net — $25,000 in per-person bodily injury liability can be exhausted quickly in a serious accident, leaving you personally exposed to a lawsuit for the difference. See our how much coverage do you need guide and liability coverage calculator to size limits against your actual assets rather than the legal minimum.

Frequently asked questions

What is Illinois's minimum car insurance requirement in 2026?+

25/50/20 liability coverage plus mandatory uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident — Illinois requires UM coverage as part of its legal minimum, unlike many at-fault states where it's optional.

What is the cheapest car insurance in Illinois?+

Erie Insurance has been reported as offering the lowest average minimum-coverage rates in Illinois, at roughly $462 a year, though Erie's availability is limited to certain regions.

Does Illinois require uninsured motorist coverage?+

Yes — unlike most at-fault states where UM coverage is optional, Illinois includes uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage as part of its mandatory minimum, at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.

Is Illinois an at-fault or no-fault state?+

Illinois is an at-fault state. The driver who causes an accident is responsible for the other party's damages through their liability coverage, though Illinois's mandatory UM requirement adds a layer of protection against at-fault drivers who don't carry insurance.