Best Car Insurance Companies in Illinois

We’re ranking Gainsco as the overall best car insurance provider in Illinois, but Clear Cover, Dairyland, Progressive, and Safeco also rank well.
Written by Andrea Barrett
Edited by Amy Bobinger
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Illinois drivers pay an average of $1819 annually for minimum insurance coverage that meets the state’s bodily injury liability and property damage liability insurance requirements. For full coverage car insurance that includes comprehensive and collision coverage, Illinois drivers pay an average of $2624 annually. 
Comparing quotes from multiple auto insurance providers is a great place to start when you’re shopping for car insurance, but the cost of your policy shouldn’t be the only deciding factor when choosing an auto insurance company. 
If you’re looking for the best insurance providers in
Illinois
, we’ve rated them based on several factors, including customer service, claims satisfaction, financial reliability, policy cost, and more. 
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Clearcover: Easy online experience
Real 5-star customer review:
I took a shot with
Jerry
and I’ve never been happier! I was paying $350, and Jerry found me a Clearcover plan at $105. If saving $245 each month isn’t great news, I don’t know what is.—Wyatt K. 
Overall Jerry rating in Illinois: 4.5
JD Power customer satisfaction: Not rated for North Central market
AM Best financial strength: N/A
NAIC complaint index (June 2023): N/A
If you’re a tech-savvy driver who’s more into navigating apps than speaking on the phone,  Clearcover’s app might be a great option. Its innovative online platform is ideal for users looking for a quick and efficient purchase experience. But if you want to speak with an agent, you can reach one by calling their customer service line. 
Although Clear Cover is a new provider, our survey participants rated Clearcover highly, especially for customer service and claims processing.
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Dairyland: Best for drivers with violations
Real 5-star customer review:
I had been with my old insurance company for years…suddenly, my rates went up for no reason! Jerry found me a great policy with Dairyland with better coverage at a lower rate! I am thrilled!! - Beck
Overall Jerry rating in Illinois: 4.5
JD Power customer satisfaction: Not rated for North Central Market
AM Best financial strength: A+
NAIC complaint index (June 2023): N/A
Dairyland isn’t a mainstream insurance provider, but they offer straightforward car insurance policies and some of the best motorcycle insurance in the country. The company focuses on offering the cheapest rates, even if you have a DUI or a history of speeding tickets or at-fault accidents on your driving record. 
Our Illinois customers rated Dairyland a 4.5/5.0 for policy prices, and they earned an A+ on the AM Best financial strength scale. However, customers find customer service can sometimes be lacking.
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Gainsco: Good for high-risk drivers
Real 5-star customer review:
They handled everything! All I had to do was review and sign my documents. My agent explained everything and was clear on everything. I felt very comfortable buying. - Janean
Overall Jerry rating in Illinois: 5.0
JD Power customer satisfaction: Not rated for North Central Market
AM Best financial strength: N/A
NAIC complaint index (June 2023): N/A
Gainsco is a non-standard insurance provider specializing in insurance for drivers who might struggle to find coverage with other insurers. If you’re high-risk, a young driver, or have poor credit, Gainsco can provide insurance. They also specialize in SR-22 certification and non-owner car insurance. 
While our customers give Gainsco a high overall rating, their claim processing could be improved. However, State Farm has recently acquired them, so things could improve.
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Progressive: Plenty of discounts
Real 5-star customer review:
Due to my driving record, finding coverage was really expensive. Progressive gave me coverage with an affordable rate. - Sabrina
Overall Jerry rating in Illinois: 4.3
JD Power customer satisfaction: 816
AM Best financial strength: A+
NAIC complaint index (June 2023): More than expected
Progressive is one of the nation's largest insurance providers and is well-equipped to handle claims and customer issues. They offer 24/7/365 customer support online and over the phone, and with an impressive list of competitive discounts, drivers have plenty of opportunities to save.
However, some Illinois drivers rate Progressive below other providers, with ratings of 4.4/5.0 and 4.0/5.0 for customer service and claim handling, respectively. They also have a higher-than-average complaint index. 
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Safeco: Personalized policies
Real 5-star customer review:
Jerry is so helpful! It turns out that Safeco offers me the best plan for my price range. I’m thankful for the extra income I’m saving with a better auto insurance policy.” - Lou C.
Overall Jerry rating in Illinois: 4.7
JD Power customer satisfaction: 795
AM Best financial strength: A
NAIC complaint index (June 2023): More than expected
Safeco offers car insurance policies that are highly customizable. For policyholders looking to skip the wait, Safeco’s mobile app allows you to file a claim, contact an agent directly, view your policy documents, and pay your bill. However, you won’t be able to get an online quote—you’ll have to speak to a Safeco agent for that.
That said, despite having many policy options, Safeco’s costs tend to be higher than other providers. They also have a higher-than-average number of complaints.
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How to save on your Illinois auto insurance

Remember that no single insurance company will offer every driver the best auto insurance rates. Car insurance premiums are determined by several factors, including the type of car you drive, age, location, driving record, and coverage options. 
We recommend comparing
car insurance quotes
from at least three providers before committing to a policy to ensure you're not overpaying on car insurance. Luckily,
Jerry
makes it quick and easy with our
online comparison app
—in seconds, we search for the lowest rates from over 50 of the country’s top insurance providers. 
Annual premiums will also vary based on what
car insurance discounts
you’re eligible for. Whether you qualify for a good driver discount or a telematics program, discounts are an easy way to reduce your monthly Illinois car insurance payments. You can also ask about bundling your home and auto insurance to lower the cost of car insurance. 

Cutting corners on your Illinois car insurance can leave you vulnerable

While sticking to
Illinois' state minimum coverage limits
can help to keep your car insurance rates low, it also leaves you unprotected if you’re involved in a serious car accident. That’s why it’s recommended to increase your liability coverage limits—and for teen drivers or those with a new car, adding comprehensive coverage and collision coverage to your policy can further increase your level of protection.
For even more security on the road, consider adding the following coverage types:
Methodology:
Jerry’s content editors analyzed 23 of the top insurers in Illinois and chose the best based on a combination of scores from JD Power, AM Best, NAIC, and Jerry’s own nationwide carrier survey.
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FAQs

Illinois drivers won’t find one insurance provider that offers the best rate for every. Because insurance premiums are calculated based on factors such as age, location, credit score, vehicle make and model, driving history, eligible discounts, and more, so rates will vary between drivers and providers.
The average cost of minimum liability coverage that meets Illinois’ insurance requirements is $1819, and the average cost of a full coverage policy in Illinois is $2624.
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