If you live in Illinois, consider yourself lucky, because average car insurance rates Illinois drivers pay is lower when compared to the national average. In 2009, the average rate in Illinois was $1,173, while the national average was $1,790 (nearly a $600 difference). No matter what state you live in, there are going to be certain insurance requirements. In Illinois, you need to have the following for coverage:

• Liability for Bodily Injury – A minimum of $20,000, with a limit of $40,000
• Liability for Property Damage – A limit of $15,000
• Uninsured Motorists for Bodily Injury – There is a $20,000 to $40,000 limit
• Underinsured Motorists for Bodily Injury – If you have uninsured motorist coverage, you will probably also need to have this coverage

In Illinois there is a tort system that requires anyone who is at fault in an accident to be responsible for all of the damages received by both parties. Illinois state law requires all drivers to carry uninsured/underinsured coverage, which is protection if you are in an accident caused by someone who does not have any or enough coverage of their own.

Other Things that Affect Insurance Rates

Average car insurance rates Illinois drivers must pay can vary depending on a number of factors. Some of the things that can have an effect on your insurance rates include:

• Age – Teenagers and young adults have the highest insurance rates, as they are considered to be high risk drivers. Those who are in the 27-54 have lower rates, and these rates get even lower for people ages 55-64 have the lowest rates. After age 65, rates start to climb again, and some insurers will even refuse to provide coverage.
• Credit Score – This may seem strange, but if you have a less than perfect credit score, you may be faced with higher insurance rates. This is because you are seen as a bad financial risk.
• Gender – This doesn’t matter much once you are older, but for young adults, men will receive much higher rates than women because they are seen as being more reckless when driving.
• Previous Claims – If you have made insurance claims in the past, it is going to affect your rates.
• Driving Record – Having a clean driving record with no DUI or DWI convictions can help to lower your rates.

• Driver’s Training – You don’t have to be a teenager to benefit from a driver training course. In many states, taking these courses can help to lower insurance premiums because insurers know that you have been taught the skills needed to be a safe driver.

Getting quotes is the best way to make sure that you are getting the best rates. You can go online and fill out a form telling us what type of coverage you want to have. Then, we use your zip code to get quotes from a variety of insurers in your area. This way, you can try to do better than the average car insurance rates Illinois drivers pay.