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Illinois sets its minimum liability limits at 25/50/20 and builds uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage into every liability policy at the minimum bodily injury limits. It is an at-fault state, so the driver who causes a crash is responsible for the other party's injuries and damage. A modified comparative fault rule also means you cannot recover anything if you are found more than 50% responsible.
What makes Illinois distinctive is how coverage is policed. The Secretary of State runs the Illinois Insurance Verification System (ILIVS), which checks liability coverage on registered vehicles and sends notices to owners it cannot match. A missed or ignored notice can lead to a registration suspension and a $100 reinstatement fee. With a $20,000 property damage minimum and winters that bring icy multi-car crashes, many drivers consider limits above the state floor, which is worth discussing with a licensed agent.
| Minimum liability | 25/50/20 (BI per person / BI per accident / PD, in $1,000s) |
|---|---|
| Other required coverage | Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage: included on liability policies at the minimum bodily injury limits ($25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident) |
| Fault system | At-fault (tort) |
| Credit-based insurance scores | Allowed |
Illinois minimum liability limits
To register and drive a car in Illinois you need at least this much liability coverage:
- $25,000 for injuries to one person in an accident you cause.
- $50,000 in total for injuries to everyone in that accident.
- $20,000 for damage to other people's property, such as their car.
Illinois requires $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $20,000 for property damage.
Tip: The minimum is a legal floor, not a recommendation. If a serious crash costs more than your limits, you could be personally responsible for the rest. See how much liability coverage you may need.
Other required and offered coverage
Besides liability, Illinois requires:
- Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage: included on liability policies at the minimum bodily injury limits ($25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident)
Collision, comprehensive, medical payments and uninsured motorist property damage coverage are not required by state law. Insurers must tell applicants that uninsured motorist property damage coverage is available, and no written rejection is needed; not paying the premium counts as declining it.
Learn more about uninsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection.
Is Illinois a no-fault state?
Illinois is an at-fault (tort) state. The driver who causes a crash is responsible for the other people's injuries and property damage, which is normally paid by that driver's liability insurance. Injured people can claim against the at-fault driver's insurer or, in some cases, sue.
Illinois uses modified comparative fault: you are barred from recovering damages if you are found more than 50% at fault, and any recovery is reduced by your share of fault.
Read more: at-fault vs. no-fault states explained.
Can insurers use your credit in Illinois?
Status: Allowed.
See how credit affects car insurance for the bigger picture.
Penalties for driving uninsured in Illinois
Illinois Secretary of State materials describe a minimum $500 fine for operating an uninsured vehicle, with higher fines for repeat violations. The vehicle's registration can be suspended, and a repeat violation within four years may mean a four-month suspension; a $100 fee clears the suspension once you have insurance. The minimum fine for driving a vehicle whose plates are suspended is $1,000.
The Secretary of State uses the Illinois Insurance Verification System (ILIVS) to check liability coverage on registered vehicles. If a vehicle cannot be verified, the owner receives a notice, and the owner's insurer or agent must transmit the coverage information to ILIVS before the suspension date.
If you are ordered to file proof of insurance, see what SR-22 insurance is.
Tips for Illinois drivers
- If you receive an ILIVS notice from the Secretary of State, give the letter to your insurer or agent right away. They must transmit your coverage to ILIVS using the reference number on the notice before the suspension date.
- If a registered vehicle is stored or inoperable, the ILIVS notice lets you file an electronic affidavit instead of buying coverage; you must notify your insurer or the Secretary of State before driving it on Illinois roads again.
- Never drive a vehicle whose registration has been suspended for no insurance. The Secretary of State's notice lists a minimum $1,000 fine for driving a suspended vehicle.
- Check your declarations page for uninsured motorist property damage coverage. It is optional, insurers only have to advise you that it is available, and skipping the premium counts as declining it.
- Because Illinois bars recovery above 50% fault, avoid guessing about blame at the scene. Take photos, get witness details and let the police report and insurers sort out fault percentages.
When you shop, compare quotes from several insurers using the same limits and deductibles, so the prices are like-for-like.
Official resources
- Insurance regulator: Illinois Department of Insurance
- Motor vehicle agency: Illinois Secretary of State - Vehicle Services
Your state insurance department can answer questions about your rights and handle complaints about insurers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum car insurance in Illinois?
Illinois requires liability limits of at least $25,000 for injury or death to one person, $50,000 for injury or death to more than one person in a crash, and $20,000 for property damage. The state also builds uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage into liability policies at the minimum bodily injury limits. These are minimums only, not a recommendation for how much to carry.
What is ILIVS and what should I do if I get a notice?
ILIVS is the Illinois Insurance Verification System used by the Secretary of State to confirm liability coverage on registered vehicles. If it cannot verify your vehicle, you get a notice with a suspension date. If you were insured, give the letter to your insurer or agent so they can report coverage electronically. If you were not, you must buy insurance and pay a $100 reinstatement fee.
What happens if I drive without insurance in Illinois?
Illinois Secretary of State materials describe a minimum $500 fine for operating an uninsured vehicle, and fines go up for repeat violations. Your registration can be suspended, and a repeat violation within four years can mean a four-month suspension plus a $100 fee. Driving with suspended plates carries a minimum $1,000 fine.
Is Illinois a no-fault state?
No. Illinois is an at-fault state, so the driver who causes a crash is responsible for the resulting injuries and damage. Illinois also uses modified comparative fault: you can still recover damages if you are 50% or less at fault, but your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, and you are barred if you are more than 50% at fault.
Does Illinois require collision or comprehensive coverage?
No. According to the Secretary of State, state law does not require collision, comprehensive, medical payments or uninsured motorist property damage coverage. A lender or leasing company may still require collision and comprehensive on a financed or leased car, so check your loan or lease contract.
Sources
- Illinois Secretary of State - Request for Insurance Verification notice (VSD 954.2)
- Illinois Secretary of State - Mandatory Vehicle Insurance brochure (VSD 361)
- FindLaw - Illinois Compiled Statutes 735 ILCS 5/2-1116 (comparative fault)
- FindLaw - Illinois Compiled Statutes 215 ILCS 5/143a (uninsured motor vehicle coverage)
General information only. State rules change. Confirm current requirements with the Illinois Department of Insurance or your insurer before you buy. This page is not insurance or legal advice.