Car Insurance For New Driver In Illinois

Reader’s Question:

As a new driver here in Illinois, how would I determine the amount of car insurance that I need?

Savion

Cicero, IL

When you are shopping for car insurance for new driver in Illinois, there are a lot of coverage plans that are available for you. Most of them are required by the state and some are just additional types of coverage. Some would also tell you that you have to increase your deductible so that you can save some money. Some may advise you to lessen your liability coverage, but this could be risky. To determine the amount of car insurance for new driver, you have to know what options are available for you.

In Illinois, it is required that you get liability coverage that includes bodily injury liability and property damage liability. Bodily injury liability would pay for the medical expenses of the other driver and his/her passengers if you cause an accident. Property damage liability would cover the expenses to repair the other driver’s car if you cause an accident. This would also cover expenses for any damages that may incur to other properties such as mailbox, fence, etc.

You also have to take note that in Illinois, you are required to have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage that will cover in case you get hit by a driver that is not insured or does not have enough insurance. Also, as a new driver, if you have a new car as well, it is highly recommended that you get collision and comprehensive coverage. Collision would pay for the damages to your car if you get hit by another car and comprehensive would pay for the damages caused by natural things such as storm and fire.

Auto Liability Insurance in Illinois Can Reduce Your Annual Premiums

Reader’s Question:

I’ve been doing my best to save on just about anything and now, I’ll focus on my auto insurance here in Illinois. Do you think it will be better for me to reduce my auto liability insurance just to save some money?

LaTrell

Evanston, IL

It may not be a good idea to reduce the liability limits on your auto insurance in Illinois. Most of the auto insurance premiums that you pay normally go toward the legally-mandated liability part of your auto insurance policy. If you’d like to save some money and lessen your auto liability limits, you would be accountable for any costs of damages over the limits of your auto insurance policy.

But even though other types of coverage are normally helpful, you may opt to eliminate them for you to have lower premiums on your auto insurance. If what you drive is a lower value, older model vehicle, you will not have any trouble paying for a new vehicle so you can just drop the comprehensive and collision coverage of your auto insurance policy. This way, you may be able to slash some dollar amount on your auto insurance premiums. And there is also one other way for you to be able to save money on your auto insurance. You may opt to agree in paying for a bigger portion of the damages in an accident by increasing your deductibles. The auto insurance provider will be assured that they won’t have to pay that much once you file a claim.

Compare Auto Insurance Rates in Illinois With Second Car

Reader’s Question:

My husband wishes to add another car to the coverage of our current auto insurance. How will that affect our premium payment here in Wheaton, Illinois? Can you help us compare auto insurance rates in the state of Illinois?

Carmine

Wheaton, IL

Whenever you change the data of your current auto insurance policy, it will have an effect to your auto insurance rate. But you have to acquaint yourself and your husband about the guidelines of your insurance provider there in Wheaton, Illinois. Taking your case, adding up a car to your auto insurance policy affects your insurance premium payment depending on the, like what I said, guidelines of your insurer. Some insurers tend to decrease insurance premium payment for multiple cars in the auto insurance policy; while others tend to do otherwise.

Moreover, the model and the features of your new car to be added to your auto insurance are factors for the changes in the amount of your policy premium payment. Insured Sports Utility Vehicles or SUV have higher rates compared to other car models because SUV can be used for car race, thus, are more prone to damages and roadway accidents. The ability of the features of your car, on the other hand, may also give you a higher or lower rate. Car features such as air bag, anti-lock brakes and anti-theft devices, which decrease chances for serious damages, bodily injuries and theft, will give you lower insurance rates.

Teenager Auto Insurance Coverage in Chicago Illinois

Reader’s Question:

Would it be better to get my teenager his on car insurance here in Chicago, Illinois?

Mathilda

Chicago, IL

It will be a very good idea to add your teenager as soon as he or she gets their learner’s permit or driver’s license there in Chicago. In fact, get them added as soon as they start driving the said vehicle, supervised or otherwise. Admittedly this will cause your auto insurance premiums to become higher, due to teenagers being seen by car insurance providers as having a bigger potential to become involved in car accidents, compared to parents or someone who has more experience on the road.

If you’re thinking of getting your teenagers their own insurance policy it might not be a wise decision since it will cost you or your teenagers much more to get insurance under their own than to have them added as an occasional or named driver under your existing policy. Don’t even consider having no coverage for them at all! (you might be surprised at how many people do) since your taking an awfully big risk losing your assets to pay for damages if they cause an accident. Not to mention that its illegal in the state of Illinois to drive without proper car insurance or any equal form of financial capability.

If it proves to expensive to add them, ask about good student discounts if your teenager is getting good grades and enrolling them in defensive driving lessons can also lead to extra discounts on your insurance bills.

Non-Owners SR22 Insurance in Illinois

Reader’s Question:

I no longer have a vehicle but my insurance agent friend here in Illinois says I might still need to carry an SR22 since I will still be driving a different vehicle. What is it and what should I do?

Gary

Palatine, IL

Hello Gary, under the financial responsibility laws of Illinois, anyone who have been caught driving under the influence (DUI), proven at-fault in a car accident or has accumulated any number of moving violations severe enough to have his or her license suspended and lose car insurance coverage, would be required to file an SR-22 form. An SR-22 is proof of financial capability of a driver to compensate for any damages or injury he or she may cause to another person or property (the required coverage should not fall below the state required minimum limits).

Even if you would not be driving your own vehicle for a while, you will still be required to maintain an SR-22 for at least a couple of years to make sure you’re still carrying adequate liability insurance under a Non-owners SR-22. Please take note that this doesn’t necessarily mean that the vehicle your driving is covered for any damages or loss it may incur. This type of insurance only covers liability from injury or damages.

You may want to purchase a Non-owners insurance policy if you would like to protect the vehicle you will be driving there in Palatine, IL. This is different since an SR-22 covers other people from damages or injuries you caused while a Non-owners Insurance policy works the other way around.