Cheapest Illinois Car Insurance for Low Income Drivers In 2024

Speaking as someone who lives in Illinois, I’ve learned through personal experience that finding auto insurance with the coverage and premiums you need can be easier said than done. If you are an Illinois driver who falls within the bounds of the low income segment of the population in this state, it becomes even more difficult. Low income means those with incomes that are 50% or less than the average household income in a region.

Illinois hasn’t been plagued with insurers pulling up stakes and leaving, as in several other states recently. However, policyholders in Illinois have seen dramatic increases in their premiums these last couple of years. Car insurance companies blame the increased rates on a variety of causes, including more frequent catastrophic weather events, inflation, increased price of auto parts, and repairs following an accident being more expensive. Most drivers in Illinois, though, are still able to shop around and cut some of the cost of auto insurance, even the low income drivers.

Any driver in Illinois who doesn’t want to worry about the possibility of having ruinous financial liability from an auto accident should check out what State Farm has to offer. Besides saving you money, remember that it’s illegal in Illinois to operate a vehicle on a public road unless you have the state minimum of car liability insurance. So if you want to stay within the law, not having at least liability insurance isn’t an option.

Cheap car insurance doesn’t mean inferior quality coverage. If you check rates of various auto insurance providers in Illinois, you can save money on car insurance while still having an adequate amount of coverage.

Rates for the cheapest car insurance in Illinois

A lot of car insurance providers believe that there is a clear correlation between poor credit scores and low-income drivers. This is not beneficial to poor credit or low-income drivers, because premiums for drivers with low income along with low credit scores can be up to fifty percent more than that of drivers with better credit and a higher income.

Still, if this includes you, know that it’s possible to get an affordable rate on auto insurance. You will need to be willing to  put in a bit of time and effort in order to save money. A few steps like researching rates, coverage and discounts  of various car insurance carriers can shave money off your premiums. Rates can vary widely from one provider to the next, so it just makes sense to shop around. Another thing that will help in keeping your auto insurance rates lower is to be cautious and avoid moving traffic violations, as these can send your premiums soaring. There are  ways to save on your premiums, but these two alone can help.

Rates for the cheapest car insurance for bad credit in Illinois

Older drivers may be in for a shock when their auto insurance premiums suddenly increase. However, this is unfortunately the norm for the senior driver age group. The auto insurance industry knows that senior drivers are high risk.

Considering older drivers as being higher risk than many other groups isn’t just random bias on the part of car insurance carriers. Many studies and much research have shown a convincing increased incidence of accidents in the older driver demographic. Causes for this include: slower reaction times, age-related health conditions that might affect seniors driving safety, and an increased chance that injuries as a result of auto accidents will be more serious among senior drivers. These results are the reason that older drivers are considered to be at higher risk than drivers who fall into younger age groups.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducted a study and their findings showed that the rate of deaths from auto accidents begins to increase at about 70 years of age. Fatalities from vehicle accidents in drivers who are 85 years or older are the highest of any other age group.

With all of this in mind, it isn’t surprising that older drivers are paying more for vehicle insurance. Car insurance carriers have to offset the more expensive claims of senior drivers with more expensive rates.

Senior drivers can still save money on their car insurance, though, if they take simple steps such as comparing rates, discounts and coverage of car insurance providers operating in Illinois.

Rates for the cheapest car insurance in Illinois for seniors

Recommended car insurance coverage for low-income drivers in Illinois

By Illinois law, all drivers in the state are required to have minimum amounts of liability vehicle insurance coverage to help meet  the costs of a car accident. Here are the minimum liability coverage amounts in Illinois:

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $20,000 for property damage per accident

Illinois’s minimum requirements for liability car insurance coverage are about the same as other states.

Illinois law states that all drivers on public roads have a minimum of liability car insurance. But, a lot of drivers feel safer having more than just the bare minimum of coverage. If the costs resulting from an accident are more than your state required minimum, you might be liable for the difference between what your car insurance coverage will pay and the actual costs..

Full Coverage Options

You’re probably familiar with the phrase “full coverage” as it relates to car insurance. Although it isn’t an actual category of auto insurance coverage, it’s a term often used when referencing all three types of car insurance encompassed in one policy. So, full coverage gives drivers insurance protection from pretty much any auto accident conceivable, because they have all 3 types: collision, comprehensive, and property damage.

Liability vehicle insurance helps meet the costs of property damage or injuries incurred as the result of a car accident when an insured driver is considered at fault. Collision coverage is meant to pay expenses if your car is damaged in a collision—this might be either a collision with another vehicle, or even with a stationary object of some sort. Comprehensive auto insurance coverage is for accidents that are not collisions, like: fire, natural disasters, theft, and vandalism. Full coverage car insurance takes in all of these three types of coverage, which provides peace of mind to drivers, knowing that they’re covered for basically any eventuality.

Does Illinois have a government-sponsored car insurance program for low income families?

No, Illinois doesn’t have a government-sponsored auto insurance program for low income drivers. Illinois drivers are required by state law to have a minimum amount of liability insurance, which at least costs much less than full coverage.

Does income affect car insurance rates in Illinois?

No, it doesn’t. Your car insurance rates if you live in Illinois are not affected by your income. Auto insurance providers look at factors like the vehicle you drive, your location, adding a teenage or senior driver, your age, and your driving history. They also consider the amount of  coverage you need. These and other things are used to calculate your rates.

How to save on car insurance costs in Illinois

The car insurance landscape in Illinois may seem like a confusing puzzle you have to solve when you’re in the market for it. But if you go about looking for auto insurance in the correct way, it will save you money on your premiums. With the advent of the World Wide Web, you don’t even have to leave home to do this; you can get online.

Compare coverage, rates, discounts and other applicable data of the companies you’re interested in. A little bit of time and effort can mean a lot of money savings for you.

1. Compare Rates from Different Providers

One  thing that’s imperative you do in order to slash the costs of your car insurance is to compare rates between car insurance providers. There are often sizable differences in the premiums between vehicle insurance providers, so checking around is prudent.

Auto insurance rates are normally based on a variety of factors, such as: your location, your driving record,  and your age, along with other things. Many people narrow the field of possibilities down to three companies, and then go on to choose the one that seems best overall.

2. Leverage Discounts

Discounts are important because they can save money by reducing your premiums. Some things that may influence car insurance discounts are: safe driving history, safety features of your vehicle, a good student discount, bundling more than one type of coverage with an insurer, as well as others. Always ask about discounts.  It’s possible that you might qualify for more than one and save more money.

3. Adjust Your Coverage and Deductibles

Here are two of the most critical steps you can take to reduce your vehicle insurance premiums: Lower your coverage if possible, and increase your deductible. These easy but powerful changes can mean big savings. For instance, if you’re driving an older model vehicle, paying for pricey full coverage isn’t a budget friendly move. In this scenario, your car insurance premium may cost more than your car is worth. Liability coverage may be all you need, and is markedly less expensive than full coverage.

Next, consider raising your deductible. Your deductible is the amount you have to pay when you file a claim, before your insurance pays anything. The more deductible you pay, the less your premium is going to be. Lowering your deductible will raise your premium. But, if you’re thinking about increasing your deductible to lessen your car insurance premium, be sure it’s an amount that you can comfortably pay.