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Cheapest car insurance in Sterling, Illinois (Nov 2024)

Compare 55+ insurance companies including Progressive, Travelers, AAA, Nationwide (and more!) to find the best and cheapest car insurance in Sterling, Illinois.
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R.E. Fulton
Licensed Insurance Agent —Senior Content Writer
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Reviewed by Josh Damico, Vice President Insurance Operations
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Edited by Lina Zhang, Licensed Insurance Agent, VP of Operations

Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes in Sterling

On average, auto insurance in Sterling costs about $90 per month for minimum coverage liability insurance and about $190 per month for full coverage insurance. Sterling drivers pay 16% less than the average.  
Finding
cheap car insurance in Illinois
can be Ill-annoying!—sorry, I’ll show myself out. Lame jokes aside, if there was a single best car insurance company in Sterling, everyone would have heard of it by now. 
The truth is that the best auto insurance policy varies from driver to driver, and you need to compare tons of quotes to find the coverage and the price you want.
The bonus truth is that
Jerry
makes it easy to find and compare
cheap car insurance
quotes for free. All it takes is 45 seconds to sign up and less than a minute to receive the five to seven most competitive offers in your area. So skip the stress of shopping and go straight to the savings!
Insurance companyPremium (monthly)CustomerCarInsurance coverage
Progressive
$76
Carlos, 40
Zip: 61081
Jeep Liberty Limited
• State Minimum Liability
National General
$105
Della, 53
Zip: 61081
Subaru Crosstrek Premium
• 100,000/300,000 Liability
• Comp / Collision
Dairyland
$200
Daisy, 22
Zip: 61081
Ford Ecosport SE
• State Minimum Liability
• Comp / Collision
coverageLast Updated Nov 18, 2024

Cheapest Sterling car insurance for good drivers

Insurance rates are calculated based on your driving record, age, zip code, past claims, and vehicle type. While the majority of these factors aren’t in your control—you can be a good driver and keep your driving record clean.
Good drivers in Sterling can save up to 40% on their insurance, and with Jerry's DriveShield™, you can track your driving and unlock discounts for safe driving habits. Discover how other drivers are using DriveShield™ to save on their insurance below.
Customer
Driving Score
Insurance Savings
Has Violations
Insurance Coverage
Nathaniel, 21
66
20%
No
  • State Minimum Liability
  • Minimum Coverage
Roberto, 34
94
37%
No
  • 100/300
  • Comp/Collision
Angel, 44
70
19%
No
  • 100/300
  • Comp/Collision
Danny, 54
90
29%
No
  • State Minimum Liability
  • Comp/Collision
Michael, 64
85
24%
No
  • 100/300
  • Comp/Collision

Best Car Insurance Companies in Sterling

If you wanted to find the best rates in Sterling, you'd have to compare hundreds of insurance providers and thousands of coverage options...but we've done all the research for you! 
To discover the best of the best, Jerry conducted one of the nation's largest shopping surveys.
We found that
State Farm
,
Allstate
, Country Insurance,
Travelers
, and Assurant held the biggest market shares in Illinois. 
However, they didn’t necessarily earn the highest ratings. Because every car insurance provider calculates premiums differently, the best insurance policy varies from driver to driver.
You’ll have to compare quotes from at least three companies while shopping for auto insurance to find what works for you.
 The table below shows how drivers in Sterling rate different companies on a scale of 0 to 5.
Insurance companyOverall ratingPriceClaims experienceCustomer service
Progressive
4.4
3.9
4.1
4.4
Allstate
4.4
3.6
4.2
4.7
Liberty Mutual
4.2
4
N/A
4.2
State Farm
3.9
3.7
2.8
4.1
Geico
3.7
2.9
4.2
3.7
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How'd we get these scores?

Jerry's experts conducted one of the largest car insurance surveys in the United States. We surveyed 15,000 policyholders, in all 50 states, over the span of 18 months. These policyholders hold insurance policies with 87 different insurance companies. We surveyed policyholders to gauge their satisfaction with their insurance carriers in: policy cost, customer service, buying and renewal experience, as well as claim experience. These scores were all reported by real customers of the insurance companies.

Best cheap car insurance quotes in Sterling

Liability insurance covers the costs of treating anyone you injure in an at-fault accident and repairing (or replacing) any property you damage. However, UM/UIM bodily injury coverage covers the medical expenses of you and your passengers if they exceed the at-fault driver’s coverage limits.

Cheap minimum liability insurance quotes in Sterling

The minimum liability coverage requirements in Sterling, Illinois, follow a 25/50/20 (plus 25/50) rule. 
To put it simply, you'll need a policy that covers at least:
  • $25,000 of
    bodily injury liability
    coverage per person
  • $50,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident
  • $20,000 of
    property damage liability
    coverage per accident
  • $25,000 of UM/UIM bodily injury coverage per person
  • $50,000 of UM/UIM bodily injury coverage per accident
By sticking with the minimum required liability coverage, you’ll probably pay the lowest rates. Jerry helps Sterling drivers find low rates for no-frills coverage.
card cover
Carlos (40 years old)
coverageCoverage
State Minimum
locationSterling, IL
(Zip Code: 61081)
carJeep Liberty Limited
$76
per month
card cover
Johnny (36 years old)
coverageCoverage
State Minimum
locationSterling, IL
(Zip Code: 61081)
carChevrolet Impala LT
$74
per month
card cover
Mae (31 years old)
coverageCoverage
State Minimum
locationSterling, IL
(Zip Code: 61081)
carKIA Forte LX
$128
per month

Do you need more than minimum coverage in Sterling?

In Sterling, drivers should consider topping up their liability coverage beyond the state's minimum requirement of 25/50/20.
The state minimum coverage requirements provide a lot of protection, but medical and repair bills tend to add up. 
If you cause a car accident and the injured party’s expenses exceed your coverage limits, you’ll have to pay the rest out of pocket. They also have the right to sue you in a personal injury lawsuit for up to two years after the accident, according to
Illinois’s car accident laws
.
The bottom line: Doubling your liability and UM/UIM coverage limits won’t double your rates, but it’ll provide better financial protection in the event of a serious car accident.

Cheap full coverage car insurance quotes in Sterling

Full-coverage car insurance
isn't required by law, but it provides coverage for repairs to (or a replacement of) your vehicles.
A full coverage policy includes
collision coverage
and
comprehensive coverage
  • Collision insurance covers the costs of repairing or replacing your car following an accident with another vehicle or stationary object. 
  • Comprehensive coverage also covers the costs of repairing or replacing your car but it only applies to damages caused by theft, vandalism, or natural disasters.
If you have a car loan, your lender will require you to maintain collision and comprehensive coverage until you’ve paid off your car. You can cut costs by using Jerry to find the lowest full coverage car insurance rates in Sterling.
Insurance coverageInsurance companyPremium (monthly)CustomerCar
• State Minimum Liability
• Comp / Collision
Progressive
$93
Virginia, 33
Zip: 61081
Chevrolet Equinox Premier
• State Minimum Liability
• Comp / Collision
Safeco
$120
Joshua, 30
Zip: 61081
Jeep Cherokee Latitude
• 100,000/300,000 Liability
• Comp / Collision
National General
$105
Della, 53
Zip: 61081
Subaru Crosstrek Premium
• State Minimum Liability
• Comp / Collision
Gainsco
$129
Jayden, 34
Zip: 61081
Chevrolet Impala LT
• State Minimum Liability
• Comp / Collision
Bristol West
$177
Amelia, 25
Zip: 61081
Toyota Camry LE
coverageLast Updated Nov 17, 2024
The easiest and fastest way to find the cheapest car insurance for your preferred coverage option is to compare car insurance rates online.
Jerry offers a free app that compares car insurance quotes and provides end-to-end service to customers with the help of 100+ licensed insurance agents.
Lower my car insurance too!

Average cost of car insurance in Sterling

In helping hundreds of Sterling drivers find cheaper rates, we found the average cost for minimum liability coverage to be $90 per month or $1,080 per year. 
The average cost for full coverage insurance in Sterling is $190 per month or $2,280 per year.
While the national average can give you an idea of potential insurance costs, individual insurance premiums are influenced by many factors. Car insurance rates are determined by your driver profile, driving record, and claims history, among other things. 
Your actual costs could be hundreds of dollars higher than the average—or, if you use a quote-comparison app, hundreds of dollars less.

Car insurance quotes in Sterling by rating factors 

Insurance companies in Sterling use many rating factors when
calculating your auto insurance premium
:  
  • Your driving record and claims history: Accidents and tickets will increase your insurance rates.
  • Your age: Insurers consider young drivers to be a higher risk due to their inexperience behind the wheel.
  • Your vehicle: Luxury, high-performance, and sports cars are more expensive to insure.
  • Your parking spot: If you park your car in a neighborhood with a high incidence of auto insurance claims, your rates will likely be higher.
  • Your credit score: Drivers with bad credit scores often pay higher premiums than drivers with good credit scores for the same amount of coverage.

How do different factors impact your car insurance costs in Sterling?

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Allowed (with applicable limitations): Gender, age, driving experience, credit history, education, occupation, employment status, marital status, zip code, insurance history
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Prohibited (or effectively prohibited): Sterling currently does not disallow any common insurance rating factors when calculating insurance premiums.
Learn more about the car insurance rating factors in Sterling:

Cheap car insurance quotes in Sterling after driving violations

Your
Illinois driving record
plays a large role in deciding your car insurance rates. For one, the number of driver violation points on your driver’s license can add quite a few dollars to your monthly premiums.
Some car insurance companies will work with a high-risk driver profile, while others won't, particularly if you received a serious conviction for a DUI or reckless driving in Illinois. 

Cheapest car insurance in Sterling after speeding ticket

Even a single
Illinois speeding ticket
can raise your insurance rates by an average of about 13%. If you have multiple speeding tickets or you were ticketed for going well above the speed limit, your rates could go up even more.
Some providers are more forgiving of violations like speeding tickets. By working with a broker like Jerry, you’re more likely to come across an insurer that will offer you more affordable car insurance after a ticket.
Check out real rates drivers in Illinois achieved using Jerry.
Speeding TypeInsurance CompanyPremium (monthly)CustomerCarInsurance Coverage
Speeding 1-5
Allstate
$71
Zachary, 41
Zip: 61081
Volkswagen Jetta
• 50,000/100,000 Liability
• Comp / Collision
Speeding 6-10
Travelers
$54
Philip, 38
Zip: 61081
Dodge Dakota
• 100,000/300,000 Liability
• Comp / Collision
coverageLast Updated Nov 18, 2024

Cheapest car insurance in Sterling after DUI

If you’re charged with a
DUI in Illinois
, you could face consequences including:
  • Fine of up to $2,500
  • Jail sentence of up to one year
  • Driver’s license suspension of at least one year
  • Community service sentence of up to 100 hours
The penalties become more severe for subsequent DUI offenses. 
On top of the legal consequences, you’ll also see significantly higher car insurance costs—but Jerry can help you find lower rates. Just look at some of the cheaper coverage these drivers found using the Jerry app.
card cover
Don (43 years old)
coverageCoverage
100,000 per person
300,000 per accident bodily injury
Comp / Collision
locationSterling, IL
(Zip Code: 61081)
$68
per month
card cover
Mabel (41 years old)
coverageCoverage
100,000 per person
300,000 per accident bodily injury
Comp / Collision
locationSterling, IL
(Zip Code: 61081)
$71
per month

Cheapest car insurance in Sterling after an at-fault accident

If you need another reason to keep a
clean driving record
, keep in mind that high-risk drivers pay higher car insurance rates. Even multiple small, at-fault car accidents can add up to a significant price premium.
So if you’re wondering why your rates are so high, first check your
Illinois driving record
—and then download Jerry to compare quotes and find a better plan.
Accident typeInsurance companyPremium (monthly)CustomerCarInsurance coverage
At Fault With No Injury
Progressive
$89
Blake, 29
Zip: 61081
Jeep Cherokee Latitude
• 50,000/100,000 Liability
• Comp / Collision
Not At Fault
Progressive
$93
Thomas, 32
Zip: 61081
Chevrolet Equinox Premier
• State Minimum Liability
• Comp / Collision
At Fault With No Injury
Safeco
$120
Eddie, 29
Zip: 61081
Jeep Cherokee Latitude
• State Minimum Liability
• Comp / Collision
coverageLast Updated Nov 20, 2024

Cheapest car insurance in Sterling after other driving violations

Most traffic violations increase your insurance rates, such as driving without a license, stunt driving, or reckless driving in Illinois. If you’re stuck with a ticket and unaffordable coverage, here’s where to look in Sterling:
ViolationInsurance companyPremium (monthly)CustomerCarInsurance coverage
Illegal Turn
Nationwide
$69
Walter, 38
Zip: 61081
Ford Taurus
• 50,000/100,000 Liability
Defective Equipment
Progressive
$67
Troy, 43
Zip: 61081
Chevrolet Impala
• 50,000/100,000 Liability
• Comp / Collision
coverageLast Updated Nov 20, 2024

Cheap car insurance quotes in Sterling by age

Car insurance rates start high, drop, and then rise again. Teen drivers pay more, middle-aged drivers pay less, and senior drivers pay more again—although not as much as when they were new to the road.
If you fall outside the ideal bracket for car insurance savings (25 to 75), here’s what you can do:

Cheapest car insurance in Sterling for young drivers

Teen drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 are statistically more likely to get into an accident, so they pay the highest rates of any age group. 
The best way to keep costs low for
young drivers
is to keep them on their parents’ policy for as long as possible—and shop with Jerry to find the most affordable coverage for teen drivers in Calumet Park.
Here are some recent rates given to young drivers in Illinois on Jerry.
card cover
Daisy (22 years old)
coverageCoverage
State Minimum
locationSterling, IL
(Zip Code: 61081)
carFord Ecosport SE
$200
per month

Cheapest car insurance in Sterling for senior drivers

Senior drivers may be more likely to get into car accidents due to slowed reaction times and vision and hearing changes. They’re also more likely to be seriously injured if they do get into a collision. Because of that, insurance companies often charge higher rates for senior drivers.
To find the
best senior car insurance
, look for a company that rewards drivers for safe driving or keeping low mileage on their vehicles. Also, prioritize a company with good customer service.
With Jerry, not only can you safe on car insurance for seniors, but our expert customer service agents can help answer any questions you might have during the shopping process. The cards below show how much senior drivers pay each month for coverage with the Jerry app.
card cover
Ray (67 years old)
coverageCoverage
State Minimum
locationSterling, IL
(Zip Code: 61081)
$68
per month
card cover
Isaac (72 years old)
coverageCoverage
50,000 per person
100,000 per accident bodily injury
locationSterling, IL
(Zip Code: 61081)
$65
per month

Cheap car insurance quotes in Sterling based on insurance history

Insurance providers consider you a high-risk driver if you drove without car insurance in the past, ie. you were an uninsured motorist. As you can guess, a
car insurance lapse can raise your insurance rates
.
With Jerry's automatic reminders, you can find a fresh start at a new company and remember your payments. You'll receive a detailed price comparison when it's time to renew so you can see if your current rates are still the most competitive in Sterling.
card cover
Chase (32 years old)
Currently Insured
coverageCoverage
State Minimum
locationSterling, IL
(Zip Code: 61081)
carChevrolet Equinox Premier
$93
per month
card cover
Lela (29 years old)
Currently Insured
coverageCoverage
State Minimum
locationSterling, IL
(Zip Code: 61081)
carJeep Cherokee Latitude
$120
per month
card cover
Jonathan (25 years old)
Currently Insured
coverageCoverage
State Minimum
locationSterling, IL
(Zip Code: 61081)
carToyota Camry LE
$177
per month
card cover
Gainsco
Linnie (33 years old)
Currently Insured
coverageCoverage
State Minimum
locationSterling, IL
(Zip Code: 61081)
carChevrolet Impala LT
$129
per month
card cover
Alma (29 years old)
Currently Insured
coverageCoverage
State Minimum
locationSterling, IL
(Zip Code: 61081)
carJeep Cherokee Latitude
$120
per month

Cheap car insurance quotes in Sterling for drivers with poor credit

Making your payments on time is as important to auto insurance companies as driving safely. Even good drivers in Sterling will see their insurance rates increase if their credit score is 550 or less. 
Compared to their poor credit counterparts, Sterling drivers with a high credit score pay almost 20% less for car insurance! However, you can make up the difference by shopping around with Jerry’s quick quote-comparing app.
Check out some real rates drivers in Illinois received after signing up with Jerry.
Credit RangeInsurance CompanyPremium (monthly)CustomerCarInsurance Coverage
660 - 750
Bristol West
$177
Rodney, 25
Zip: 61081
Toyota Camry LE
• State Minimum Liability
• Comp / Collision
660 - 750
Bristol West
$177
Jonathan, 25
Zip: 61081
Toyota Camry LE
• State Minimum Liability
• Comp / Collision
550 - 659
Progressive
$93
Thomas, 32
Zip: 61081
Chevrolet Equinox Premier
• State Minimum Liability
• Comp / Collision
coverageLast Updated Nov 17, 2024

How to lower car insurance costs in Sterling

1. Shop around and compare quotes

You can't get the best deal on auto insurance without comparing quotes from at least three different companies. Experts recommend comparison
shopping for car insurance quotes
every six months.
Take a look at the most competitive plans in five minutes or less with Jerry. Download the app, sign up, and get five to seven quotes delivered straight to your phone. It’s the best money you’ll never spend—because our five-star-rated app is free!

 2. Hunt for car insurance discounts

Getting the right
car insurance discount
can transform a good rate into a great one. You could save by joining a program for:
  • Good drivers. If you’ve held a
    clean driving record
    for at least three years, you’re due for some sweet discounts.
  • Telematics device users. Telematics devices track how far you drive, when you drive, and how you drive. If you brake often and hard, this isn’t the program for you. But if you’re a calm and mellow driver, you could reap a low rate as a reward!
  • Good students. Full-time high school and college students with a B average or better can translate their scholastic successes into savings.
  • Insurance bundlers. Bundle your car and home insurance and you could pay less for each of them.

3. Increase your deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage

If you’ve got full coverage car insurance, increasing your deductible is an easy way to keep your monthly expenses low without sacrificing coverage.

Why is car insurance in Sterling so expensive?

  • Congestion: Because driving in Sterling incurs a higher risk of dents, dings, and cracked windows than driving in the countryside, insurance rates are higher, too.
  • Motor vehicle theft: Similar to congestion, high motor vehicle theft rates in Sterling lead insurance providers to increase your premiums.
  • Fatality rates: Around one quarter of the fatal
    car crashes in Illinois in 2021
    happened on urban roads. Because of the high costs associated with motor vehicle fatalities, Sterling drivers pay higher rates.

FAQ

People living in Sterling pay on average $72 per month – or $869 per year – on state-minimum liability coverage. Full coverage in Sterling costs on average $152 per month of $1,820 per year. 
With car insurance though, there’s no such thing as average. It is important to know that car insurance varies greatly based on a driver’s individual situation. Shopping around for car insurance quotes is the best way to get an accurate idea of how much you can expect to pay on insurance. Luckily, Jerry is here to take the hassle out of insurance shopping! At the click of a button, Jerry will help you compare personalized quotes from top insurance providers. Best of all, it’s 100% free. 
Based on thousands of Sterling drivers Jerry has worked with, car insurance in Sterling costs an average of $72 per month for state-minimum coverage and $152 per month for full coverage.
No single insurance company has the cheapest insurance for everyone, but by shopping for insurance quotes, you can find the cheapest insurance company for you. Jerry takes the hard work and the waiting out of insurance shopping – generating you quotes with the best coverage and best prices in seconds, 100% free. Try Jerry Today!  
Shopping for the best coverage at the best price is important, but customer service may play a role in what insurance company you pick, too. Founders,
State Auto
, and
Travelers
receive good ratings from Sterling drivers, based on the largest car insurance survey in the nation conducted by Jerry.
Learn more about how fellow car owners rate various insurance companies and get free quotes in seconds with Jerry.
The state-minimum car insurance in Sterling, Illinois is as follows:
  • $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
  • $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
  • $20,000 property damage liability per accident
These coverages are commonly referred to as 25/50/20 coverage.
Additionally, Illinois drivers must also carry at least $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM).

Methodology

The Insurance Research Team analyzes insurance products and services to drive insights and help consumers make informed purchase decisions. 
Insurance research: We analyzed over 25 million car insurance quotes; conducted the largest insurance shopping survey (over 15,000 customers surveyed and 85 carriers reviewed in the past 18 months). 
We surveyed insurance policyholders for their experience with their insurers in the following areas: (1) insurance cost (2) customer service (3) insurance buying experience (4) insurance renewal experience (5) claim experience. In addition, we asked people what they like about their insurers and what areas in which their insurers could improve. The driver characteristics used in calculating average rates for auto insurance include: single driver, single car, currently insured, clean driving record.  
For the quotes and sold policies included in this article, please note that personal information has been hidden. Not all customers find savings. 
Team: The team consists of licensed insurance agents, insurance industry veterans, and data scientists.

Meet our Experts

avatar
R.E. Fulton
badge icon
Licensed Insurance Agent —Senior Content Writer
R.E. Fulton is an expert insurance writer specializing in car ownership topics from car shopping and loan advice to insurance and repair guides. R.E.’s mission is to create unique and accessible content that helps readers to become more successful and independent car owners. R.E. has written and edited over 900 high-performing articles for Jerry, with an average of 1 million+ views.
As a senior writer on Jerry’s editorial team, R.E. draws on over 10 years of experience as a professional writer and digital publishing specialist. Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2021, R.E. worked as a writing coach at Columbia University, the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), and the University of Rochester. They serve as a managing editor for peer-reviewed history publication Nursing Clio, where their work has appeared regularly since 2015.
avatar
Lina Zhang
badge icon
Licensed Insurance Agent
badge icon
Licensed in 50 states and Washington DC
Lina Zhang is Vice President of Operations at Jerry. She helped to found Jerry in order to take the confusion and mystery expenses out of car ownership and help drivers achieve financial success. Leading a global team responsible for operations, talent acquisition, legal, and content, Lina has been a key contributor to the AllCar™ app’s 10x growth in its first year of operation. Prior to Jerry, Lina and her Jerry co-founders, Art Agrawal and Musawir Shah, created YourMechanic, the largest on-demand car repair services provider. In one year, Lina built and scaled YourMechanic operations from just five markets to more than 50. The trio left YourMechanic to incubate Jerry at Y Combinator in 2017. Lina’s previous roles include intellectual property attorney at Morrison & Foerster LLP and a biomedical researcher at Stanford University.
avatar
Josh Damico
badge icon
Head Of Insurance Operations
badge icon
18+ Years Experience in Insurance
Josh Damico is Jerry’s vice president of insurance operations and a licensed insurance professional with nearly two decades of experience in the industry. Previously, Josh held executive roles at Geico, where he had vast regional oversight and leadership opportunities.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Medaille College, and has appeared on news channels including FOX and CBS to offer insurance expertise and tips to drivers across the country. His work has appeared in Business Insider, Kelley Blue Book, and Digital Insurance and been quoted in The Balance, GOBankingRates, and Inspiring Workplaces.
*Illustration only. For all the pricing information presented in this article (including various tables), please note that not all customers find savings and the information is for illustrative purposes only. Savings depend on type of car, location, policy features, driving history and other factors. Drivers who switch through Jerry save over $70/month on average.