Illinois

Requirements for Acquiring Auto Insurance

SafeAuto wants to help you get the lowest possible auto insurance rates. Being familiar with your state's financial responsibility requirements is an easy way to start. Here is the most recent information for Illinois:

The minimum amount of liability insurance coverage required to satisfy the Illinois Financial Responsibility law is 25,000/50,000/20,000. This means that your insurance policy must insure you against loss in an accident where you have been determined to be at-fault for a minimum of:

Twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) because of bodily injury to or death of one (1) person in any one (1) accident
Fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) because of bodily injury to or death of two (2) or more persons in any one (1) accident, subject to the twenty-five thousand dollar ($25,000) per person limit
Twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) because of injury to or destruction of property of others in an accident

Under Illinois law, you are required to provide documentary proof of Financial Responsibility at the request of a law enforcement officer at the time of an accident or traffic stop.

To ensure drivers continue to meet the Financial Responsibility requirements, Illinois also conducts a random questionnaire sampling. If your vehicle is randomly selected, you will receive a questionnaire asking for the name of your insurance company and policy number. Your answers will be verified with the company you identify. If you do not have insurance or fail to return the questionnaire with the requested information, your license plates will be suspended.

In addition to the random sampling, Illinois is authorized to target for verification persons:

Whose registrations were suspended for no insurance during the preceding four (4) years
Whose registrations were suspended for operation of an uninsured motor vehicle or displaying a false insurance card during the preceding four (4) years
Whose driving privileges have been suspended during the preceding four (4) years

Penalty for failure to comply with Illinois Financial Responsibility requirements:

Failure to maintain proper insurance could lead to the suspension of your license plate registration and the following fines:

If you are stopped for a traffic violation or involved in an accident, and convicted of failing to show insurance:

Minimum $500 fine for driving uninsured
Minimum $1,000 fine for driving a vehicle while the license plates are suspended for a previous insurance violation

If you are randomly selected to provide proof of insurance and you fail to do so:

First Offense: $100 reinstatement fee when current evidence of insurance is provided
Repeat Offenders: Required to serve a four (4) month suspension period, pay the $100 reinstatement fee and provide current evidence of insurance before being eligible for reinstatement

Certificate of Financial Responsibility (SR-22):

An SR-22 is a certification of future proof of Financial Responsibility issued by your insurance company to the Illinois Secretary of State providing proof that you have purchased liability insurance. The following circumstances may require a person to have an SR-22: