When looking to drive in Illinois, there are several things you need to consider for your car, and one of the most important among them is your insurance.
As you may well know, certain aspects of insurance can vary from state to state, so it’s highly beneficial to know what car insurance you need before you drive in Illinois.
Therefore, this article will guide you through car insurance in Illinois, including the minimum Illinois vehicle coverage, other types of coverage you can get, and what insurance extras you could benefit from.
Read on to learn more.
Understanding Liability Insurance in Illinois
Liability insurance is a mandatory type of coverage that all drivers in Illinois must have in order to legally operate a motor vehicle. This type of insurance is designed to protect you financially in case you cause an accident that results in property damage or injury to another person.
Liability insurance has two types of coverage: bodily injury liability and property damage liability.
Minimum coverage requirement for Illinois
Every state will have their own specific laws when it comes to the minimum insurance required to be a legal road user.
In Illinois, the legal requirement for car insurance is to have liability coverage for your vehicle. This type of insurance acts as a third-party cover, and comes in two parts – bodily injury liability and property damage liability.
Bodily injury liability is a type of coverage that helps towards any damages to another person who’s not in your car whilst driving. For example, this could be an incident where you collide with another car and injure the person inside. The insurance would help towards the cost of that person’s medical bills, for instance.
Property damage liability is a form of coverage that applies to any damage you cause to another person’s property. For example, this will help cover the cost to replace or repair a person’s wall if you collide with it whilst driving.
This is the minimum legal requirement, so ensure you have this type of coverage first and foremost before you start driving in Illinois.
Different types of beneficial coverage
The above coverage is only the minimum, but that’s not to say there aren’t many other types of coverage which you should definitely consider for your car. This can include:
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury cover
This type of coverage is there to help cover the cost of any injury made to yourself if you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist.
For instance, you could have a collision with another driver, only to find out this person is illegally driving without insurance, or that their current cover is sufficient for your situation.
Your coverage will then help cover the cost of medical bills and any lost wages that result from this accident.
Unfortunately, not everyone abides by the rules, so this is a great insurance option to protect you against the large costs of these accidents.
- Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive coverage is also known as an “act of god” cover, which is fitting since it covers you for any damage that occurs to your car that isn’t from an accident.
This can include various things, such as a collision with an animal on the road, vandalism, or a tree foaling on your car, for example.
In these cases, your insurance will help repair or replace any damaged parts for your vehicle, and get you back on the road as fast as possible.
Great insurance extras to have
If you choose the right insurance provider, you can gain access to a variety of great insurance extras, which will be highly beneficial for driving around Illinois.
For instance, you could receive emergency roadside assistance, which will get help sent out to you if you end up stranded somewhere due to a certain incident. This could be a flat tire that needs inflating or an emergency tow.
You can also receive temporary transportation coverage. It can be difficult if your car is in the shop and you still need to get about the city. Therefore, this cover will help towards the cost of alternative transport, like Uber or bus and train fares.
With these simple yet effective extras from an expert provider, you’ll have everything you need to make your travel around Illinois as enjoyable as it deserves to be!
The Importance of Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage in Illinois
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is an important type of insurance that helps protect you in case you’re in an accident with someone who doesn’t have enough insurance to cover the damages. In Illinois, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is required at the same limits as your liability coverage, unless you specifically decline it in writing.
If you’re in an accident with someone who doesn’t have insurance, or doesn’t have enough to cover the damages, you could be left with significant out-of-pocket expenses. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can help protect you from these expenses by paying for medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses related to the accident.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Insurance in Illinois: What You Need to Know
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is a type of coverage that pays for medical expenses for you and your passengers, regardless of who was at fault in the accident. While PIP coverage is not required in Illinois, it can be a good idea to have it, especially if you don’t have health insurance or if you want to have additional protection in case of an accident.
It’s important to note that PIP is a type of no-fault insurance, which means that it pays out regardless of who caused the accident. This can help streamline the claims process and get you the money you need to cover your expenses more quickly.
If you’re interested in purchasing PIP, it’s important to understand the terms and conditions of the policy. Make sure you know what types of expenses are covered and what the limits are. You may also want to consider purchasing additional coverage to protect yourself in case of a serious accident.
Understanding the Different Types of Car Insurance Coverage Required in Illinois
When it comes to driving in Illinois, it’s important to have the right type of car insurance coverage to protect yourself and others in case of an accident
It’s important to shop around and compare rates and coverage options from multiple providers to find the best coverage for your needs. Make sure you understand the terms and conditions of the policy and don’t hesitate to ask questions if you need clarification. With the right type of car insurance coverage, you can have peace of mind while driving on the roads in Illinois.
Remember, the minimum coverage required in Illinois may not be enough to cover all the expenses in case of a serious accident. Consider purchasing additional coverage to protect yourself and your assets. By being an informed consumer and having the right type of coverage, you can protect yourself and others on the road.