Performance Vehicle Auto Insurance in Illinois

Reader’s Question:

Hi, I recently purchased a high-performance vehicle here in Illinois. Is it true that my car insurance rates will be off the roof?

Tyler

Chicago, IL

Having a high-performance, top of the line vehicle will certainly mean substantially higher auto insurance rates for you. Unlike regular types of vehicles there are a few reasons why a performance vehicle (sports cars, racing cars etc.) are seen by car insurance providers as costlier to insure, namely:

Car Theft
Expensive, top of the line vehicles like sports, performance and luxury vehicles costs higher to insure due to its popularity among car thieves. Since you’re getting car insurance to protect the monetary value of your asset there in Illinois, it will cost the car insurance provider more to replace or reimburse you should the vehicle get stolen or lost. Naturally, they will pass along this increased risk to you in the form of bigger insurance premiums to compensate for the risk.

Expensive Repairs
Since its a top of the line vehicle, repair and replacement of parts will be expensive as well. Unlike regular vehicles, car parts would need to be specifically ordered and extensive repairs would need to be done by specialist in order to maintain the quality and worth of the vehicle.

It may prove beneficial for you to get car insurance from a provider specializing in niche market insurance. Most of the time the coverage and rates you get are tailor fit to your particular type of vehicles need as compared to what a general insurance provider can offer.

Cheaper Student Car Insurance in Illinois

Reader’s Question:

I plan to buy a used car for my son who is bound for college soon. What are the steps that we would have to take to get cheaper premiums for his car insurance here in Illinois?

Noel

Waukegan, IL

There are certain things that your son would have to do to lessen his car insurance rates in Waukegan, Illinois. The first step to take is to buy an older car model because insurance premiums are less expensive for older vehicles. He would also have to avoid modifying his vehicle because doing such may cause him to pay higher premiums. Also, since the car that you’ll purchase is a used one, it may be a less valuable car so he may opt not to get collision coverage. In addition, if he gets higher deductibles, that could help lessen his car insurance rate by as much as 30%.

You may also advise him to attend defensive-driving classes because auto insurance providers usually offer motorists a discount for completing a defensive-driving course. Another way of getting a discount is to drive less than the given average number of miles every year. So if he would be close to his school, he may be entitled for this kind of discount. Best of all, he would have to look around and do some research to get the best car insurance for his needs as premiums really differ from every insurance provider.

Auto Insurance Prices in Illinois

Reader’s Question:

Where do insurance companies base their rate quotes? I reside here in Peoria, Illinois and has been doing some research on car insurance to help my wife get good car insurance prices.

Mathew

Peoria, IL

Your car insurance rates are based on a number of factors and not all car insurance providers use the same system or process to determine your auto insurance premiums. Some of these factors are controllable and some you will just have to live with if you want to get car insurance coverage. Generally, car insurance rates are based on the following factors: Age, Gender, Driving record, where you live and the kind of car you own.

The younger the driver (teenagers to early 20s) the more inexperienced he/she is considered by the insurance company thereby presenting a higher risk as a driver than a more established drivers. Those above 55 years, however, may also be seen as a high risk driver due to the physical limitations (slower reflexes, poorer eyesight etc.,) imposed by advancing age.

Males are, statistically, more prone to get into car accidents than women. Your location, where you live, work and drive each day, as well as the popularity of your type of vehicle among thieves, also affects your rates since insurance providers will be taking into account the crime and theft rates of vehicles in that area. The factor that you have most control of would be your driving history there in Peoria, Illinois. Prior involvement in car accidents, accumulating traffic violations and getting caught driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) has a very big impact on how much you pay for insurance.

Tags: auto insurance

Do You Need Drunk Driver Insurance in Illinois?

Reader’s Question:

My driver’s license was suspended because of my drunk driving charge. Is it true that this can be a reason for my car insurance rates to go up?

Barry

Des Plaines, IL

The states don’t allow insurance providers not to give coverage to people because of their color, faith, residence, profession or age but they can drop your policy for some other reasons. This includes having a suspended driver’s license, too many tickets or having a felony, criminal negligence or DUI conviction. Car insurance providers typically treat those who have drunk driving charge differently than those who have a clean driving record. They usually charge higher car insurance premium rates or they can even drop the policy.

Since you have a drunk driving charge in Illinois, you will be tagged as a high risk driver. If your car insurance provider finds out about it and decides to keep you, they would likely increase your premiums. In that case, you will be expected to file a proof of insurance, or what is called SR22, so that your driver’s license will be reinstated. Also, because of the SR22, your car insurance provider would notify the Department of Motor Vehicles if your car insurance policy is canceled for whatever reason.

Auto Insurance After DUI in Illinois

Reader’s Question:

I got charged with DUI here in Aurora, Illinois and if I get cleared, will my car insurance rates still increase? If so, how can I avoid an increased rate on my car insurance?

Heriberto

Aurora, IL

Even if you get cleared for your DUI charge in Aurora, Illinois, your car insurance company could still increase your rates, just because you were arrested for DUI. It is actually their right to increase your car insurance rates for the DUI arrest, but it is also your right not to notify them unless you are actually convicted for DUI. To avoid increased car insurance rates, you have to retain a good DUI lawyer after your DUI arrest if you are able to afford one.

You should ask your DUI lawyer as soon as possible on how to avoid increased car insurance rates after a DUI conviction. The DUI lawyer could advise you on what to say to your insurance company and when you have to say it. You also have to understand that you would experience some level of increased car insurance rates unless your DUI case is dismissed. You also have to ask your DUI lawyer about DUI support groups in your area. You could not only gain some comfort by talking with others, but you could also get peer advice for finding good car insurance and coping with financial pressures caused by your DUI charge.

DUI Car Insurance in Illinois After Drunk Driving Conviction

Reader’s Question:

My cousin told me that he has a big problem about his car insurance rates because of his DUI conviction in Skokie, Illinois. Is it true that it will be largely affected because of his drunk driving conviction?

Malcolm

Skokie, IL

Your cousin’s drunk driving conviction in Skokie, Illinois could bring many negative consequences into his life. Aside from the legal consequences such as possible jail time, fines and a criminal record, he would also have higher insurance premiums. If he is currently insured, his car insurance provider would, of course, respond to this circumstance. What his car insurance company can exactly legally do would vary but his car insurance company may cancel or decline to renew his policy, restrict coverage provisions or, at a minimum, increase his premiums.

Although the amount of increase could greatly vary, his premiums could go up as much as 100 percent or more. How his car insurance provider reacts to his DUI could be worse if he has other strikes against him, such as traffic tickets, previous drunk driving convictions, late or unpaid insurance premiums, at-fault accidents or other negative history with the insurance company. He can obviously get free online rate quotes from various car insurance companies such as the ones available from this website.