After considering a variety of factors, including claims processing, discounts, customer service, and more, Country Financial emerged as the best choice for car insurance in Illinois. With ratings that are among the best in the industry for claims satisfaction, budget-friendly premiums, helpful add-ons, and money-saving discounts, Country Financial is a quality and versatile provider for Illinois drivers.
We came to that conclusion after evaluating the largest auto insurance companies by market share in Illinois using information from J.D. Power and AM Best. Our top four choices combine financial stability, competitive customer service and comprehensive coverage for drivers in Illinois.
The 4 Best Car Insurance Companies in Illinois
| Country Financial | State Farm | Auto-Owners Insurance | GEICO | |
| Our review | Our review | Our review | ||
| AM Best Financial Strength Rating | A+ | A++ | A++ | A++ |
| J.D. Power 2019 Overall Customer Satisfaction Score | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Average Annual Premium | $621 | $672 | $779 | $579 |
Quadrant car insurance rate data as of 07/01/2019.
Country Financial
Pros
- High overall marks from AM Best and J.D. Power
- Savings with insurance bundling
- Variety of discounts and add-ons
Cons
- Doesn’t offer rideshare insurance
Based in Illinois, Country Financial is a great option for drivers looking for a homegrown company. It has comprehensive offerings and extras, including the “personal effects” add-on that covers stolen goods, coverage for a new car that gets totaled, and coverage for glass damage.
It also offers a number of discounts (such as multi-car, defensive driver, anti-theft discounts, and more), as well as the option to bundle auto insurance with other qualifying insurance options (home, life, and property). Country Financial also ranked in J.D. Power’s top four insurance companies for overall customer satisfaction and received consistently high marks from AM Best. One downside is that Country Financial doesn’t offer policies for Uber or Lyft drivers.
State Farm
Pros
- Excellent scores from J.D. Power, S&P, and AM. Best
- 24/7 support and an extensive network of agents
- Helpful car insurance resources
Cons
- Fewer discounts and supplemental options than competitors
Headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois, State Farm is one of the nation’s largest insurers. The company earned high marks for its financial strength, with an A++ from AM Best and an AA rating from S&P Global.
With plenty of local agents throughout Illinois and a 24/7 customer support line to file claims, State Farm earned top scores for customer interaction and overall satisfaction from J.D. Power for the North Central Region. Additionally, State Farm’s resource library offers a variety of car ownership resources, including tips for buying car insurance, selling your car, and car maintenance. However, compared to its competitors, State Farm’s offerings are very middle of the road in that it doesn’t offer as many discounts (like military, senior, or professional discounts) or supplemental coverage options.
Auto-Owners Insurance
Pros
- Decent discounts and supplemental insurance
- Accessibility to local agents
Cons
- No online quotes or policy adjustments
Auto-Owners Insurance received 4 out of 5 stars for both its claims process and customer interaction from J.D. Power’s 2019 Auto Insurance Survey. In addition to offering a common loss deductible and diminished value add-on, Auto-Owners Insurance offers some helpful discounts, such as student discounts, multiple policy discounts, and safety feature discounts.
A unique aspect of Auto-Owners Insurance is that it operates exclusively through a network of independent agents throughout Illinois. However, this also means that customers must conduct all claims filing or policy adjustments through an agent, not online.
GEICO
Pros
- Affordable premiums
Cons
- Low customer support ratings
- Fewer local agents compared to competitors
- Low credit score can affect premiums
GEICO is a popular option among drivers looking for affordable insurance, with annual premiums starting at a budget-friendly $579. GEICO also received a 5 out of 5 score for price and policy offerings from the 2019 J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study. GEICO’s prices do, however, have some contingencies. For example, drivers with lower credit scores may pay higher premiums.
The main downside to GEICO is its customer service and claims processes, which received scores of 3 and 2 out of 5 respectively from J.D. Power. Because GEICO doesn’t have many local agents, it’s up to customers to handle claims and account adjustments online or over the phone, which may not be an issue if you’re used to doing business this way.
The Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Illinois
Average Annual Premium by Company
| Car Insurance Companies | Average Annual Premium |
| GEICO | $579 |
| Country Financial | $621 |
| USAA | $629 |
| State Farm | $672 |
| Encompass | $695 |
| Travelers | $703 |
| Progressive | $760 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance | $779 |
| Mercury Insurance | $793 |
| Erie Insurance | $804 |
| Nationwide | $864 |
| Safe Auto | $908 |
| American Family Insurance | $928 |
| Farmers Insurance | $1,001 |
| Metropolitan Insurance | $1,199 |
| Allstate | $1,583 |
Quadrant car insurance rate data as of 07/01/2019.
Average Annual Premium by Credit Tier
| Credit Rating Tier | Average Annual Premium |
| Poor | $1,638 |
| Below Fair | $1,315 |
| Fair | $1,081 |
| Average | $1,000 |
| Good | $913 |
| Excellent | $742 |
| Average Across Credit Rating Tiers | $1,115 |
Quadrant car insurance rate data as of 07/01/2019.
Top 3 Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Illinois
- GEICO – $579
- Country Financial – $621
- USAA – $629
Top 3 Most Expensive Car Insurance Companies in Illinois
- Allstate – $1,583
- Metropolitan Insurance – $1,199
- Farmers Insurance – $1,001
Allstate, Metropolitan Insurance, and Farmers Insurance are among the Illinois auto insurance companies with the highest average annual premiums. GEICO, Country Financial, and USAA, on the other hand, offer lower-cost options for car insurance in Illinois. Keep in mind, though, that a less expensive premium may mean less extensive coverage, fewer add-ons, and a lower number of perks. The easiest way to find the best value is by requesting personalized quotes from various providers.
Guide to Car Insurance in Illinois
Illinois Minimum Liability Requirements
When shopping for an insurance policy, it’s your job to know your state’s minimum liability requirements, such as how much responsibility each party has in the event of an accident. Minimum liability typically covers two main types of accident liability: property damage and bodily injury. Should you be the at-fault party in an accident, your liability insurance will cover the other party’s vehicle repair bills and medical costs.
Like most other states, Illinois has minimum liability standards that drivers are required to purchase to drive legally. Not having insurance that meets the minimum liability required by the state of Illinois could result in legal consequences like court supervision or mandatory filing of an SR-22.
The minimum liability requirements in Illinois are:
- $25,000 bodily injury coverage per person
- $50,000 bodily injury coverage per accident
- $25,000 property damage coverage per accident
Advantages of Purchasing More Than the Minimum
When shopping for car insurance in Illinois and determining the amount of liability coverage you want, remember that accidents are expensive. For instance, if you’re found to be the at-fault party in an accident with a luxury car or there are multiple injuries, chances are your bills will exceed the $25,000 or $50,000 minimum liability limit, and you’ll have to cover the difference. Fortunately, many plans provide liability coverage beyond the minimum rates required by Illinois while still offering affordable monthly premiums. This is why it’s to your advantage to consider purchasing a policy with the highest amount of liability coverage that your budget allows.
How We Found the Best Illinois Car Insurance Companies
To find the best car insurance companies in Illinois, we gathered research from several industry authorities including J.D. Power, AM Best, and S&P Global. Additionally, we assessed a number of factors buyers commonly consider before purchasing, including quality of offerings, customer service ratings, average annual premiums, discounts, ease of claims process, and policyholder resources.
We worked with Quadrant Information Services to provide data on auto insurance rates by company and credit score. Quadrant makes this information available using rate data that insurers are required to file with the state Department of Insurance. The rates in the article are based on sample profiles created by Reviews.com for comparative purposes.
Illinois Car Insurance Companies FAQ
Are you required to have car insurance in Illinois?
Yes, it’s against the law to drive without car insurance in Illinois. Breaking this law can lead to hefty fines and penalties, including the suspension of your license. According to the Illinois Secretary of State, $500 is the minimum fine for driving without insurance. If you’re caught driving without insurance more than once, the minimum fine increases to $1,000.
How much is auto insurance in Illinois?
Among the companies analyzed through our research, annual Illinois auto insurance premiums range from $579 to $1,115. Depending on the provider you choose, your driving record, the area you live in, your age, and other factors, your premium could be higher or lower. The best way to find out is to call care insurance companies directly for personalized estimates or get online quotes.
About the Authors
Suzanna Colberg specializes in print articles and web content. Her stories have been published in Massage Magazine, Grand Rapids Magazine, AAA Magazine, and SwitchedOn Leadership magazine. As a senior copywriter and content strategist in Chicago, Suzanna has worked with clients that run the gamut from healthcare to agriculture to hearing aids, human resources software, finance and more.
