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Cheapest car insurance in Carmi, Illinois (Nov 2024)

Compare 55+ insurance companies including Progressive, Travelers, AAA, Nationwide (and more!) to find the best and cheapest car insurance in Carmi, Illinois.
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Bonnie Stinson
Expert Insurance Writer
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Reviewed by Josh Damico, Vice President Insurance Operations
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Edited by Maria Cruz, Expert Insurance Writer & Editor

Best car insurance companies in Carmi

State Farm
in Carmi, Illinois is the biggest insurer in this area. However,
Allstate
, Country Insurance, Assurant, and
Travelers
also take up large parts of the insurance market in
Illinois
. But popularity doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the best companies.
There are hundreds of insurance providers—and you don’t have time to review them all. But we do! 
Here’s what Carmi drivers said about top companies in a recent survey. These ratings are on a scale of 0 to 5, and they reflect locals’ opinions on criteria like claims handling and overall satisfaction. 
Insurance company
Monthly minimum coverage cost
Monthly full coverage cost
Cost rating
Overall Jerry rating
$33
$103
4.2
4.4
$35
$102
3.8
4.2
Clearcover
$47
$68
N/A
4.6
$56
$204
4.2
4.0
Perhaps you’ll opt for State Farm in Carmi, IL, like many of your neighbors. But you might find that your best company is not on this list—
shop around
to find the best fit fast.
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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.

Cheapest car insurance quotes in Carmi

The average Carmi driver spends about $79 per month for minimum coverage, or $953 per year. For full coverage, Carmi drivers spend about $129 per month or $1,550 per year.
Coverage type
Carmi, IL
Illinois
United States
State minimum
$79
$63
$77
Full coverage
$129
$138
$165
Rates in this town are about 4% more expensive than the Illinois state average and 16% more expensive than the national average.
Cheap coverage is an individual pursuit—you have to find a company that offers the best rate for your specific coverage needs and driver history. It may not be the same as your neighbor’s company!

Best cheap car insurance quotes in Carmi

In Illinois, every driver must carry minimum coverage that satisfies the
state insurance laws
. That includes
liability insurance
and
UM/UIM (uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist coverage)
for Carmi drivers.
Minimum insurance is also the cheapest of the car insurance coverage options in Carmi. 
With a basic auto insurance policy, the company will pay out to treat people you injure or repair property you damage in an accident. It will also cover medical expenses for you and your passengers (up to your limit) if the other driver’s policy doesn’t cover those bills.  

Cheap minimum liability insurance quotes in Carmi

Here’s the absolute minimum legal requirement1 for car insurance in Illinois. It starts with 25/50/20 liability coverage:
Also required is 25/50 of UM/UIM:
  • $25,000 per person in UM/UIM bodily injury 
  • $50,000 per accident in UM/UIM bodily injury
These Carmi drivers enjoy low rates for minimum coverage.
Insurance company
Monthly minimum coverage cost
$33
$35
Clearcover
$47

Do you need more than minimum coverage in Carmi?

Jerry’s experts recommend increasing your limits for one simple reason: 25/50/20 coverage may not cover all your costs in a serious accident. Best of all, upping your liability limits should only increase your monthly premium slightly.
Consider the costs of a major accident. Say you total someone’s new car, so you’re obligated to replace it at a cost of $48,000 (the average cost of a new car). But you only have $20,000 of property damage coverage so you’ll have to pay $28,000 out of pocket. If the injured party needed surgery and rehabilitation, their hospital bills could easily exceed your $50,000 bodily injury limit.
Illinois car accident laws
state that your liability extends two years beyond the initial accident—that’s a lot of vulnerability for you and your bank account!
Consider 50/100/50 or 100/300/100 liability limits for better protection in Carmi.

Cheap full coverage car insurance quotes in Carmi

Whereas liability only protects other people’s property, a full coverage policy protects your own vehicle.
Full coverage
includes:
  • Comprehensive coverage
    : Pays to repair or replace your vehicle after non-collision damage, like theft or vandalism.
  • Collision coverage
    : Pays to repair or replace your vehicle due to collisions, either with vehicles or stationary objects.
Note that the state of Illinois does not require full coverage by law, but some lenders can require you to carry full coverage if you’re driving their financed or leased vehicle.
Save money on full coverage car insurance in Carmi by pulling free quotes with help from agents at Jerry.
Insurance company
Monthly full coverage cost
$43
$52
Gainsco
$66
Lower my car insurance too!

Average cost of car insurance in Carmi

In Carmi, the average monthly cost of minimum coverage is $79. That works out to $948 per year for basic Illinois liability and UM/UIM coverage. Carmi drivers who opt for full coverage can expect to pay an average of $129 per month, or $1,548 per year. 
Insurers in Illinois must set rates that protect Carmi drivers from a variety of challenging factors. 
Auto theft rates in Illinois are increasing at the highest rate out of any state in the entire country, according to some sources.2 There was a 25% increase in auto thefts from 2022 to 2023 in Illinois. 
The NHTSA3 also says that traffic fatality rates are on the rise in Illinois, with a 2.7% increase last reported by the state. Furthermore, Illinois has never44 experienced a single year without a major storm in the last 49 years.
In this kind of dangerous driving environment, Carmi drivers must shoulder some of the costs of getting behind the wheel in Illinois. Cheap rates are available to the safest and lowest risk drivers, but all Carmi drivers are subject to the tricky insurance environment in this at-fault state.
Average rates are a good starting point, but remember that your rates depend on your unique driver profile. You’ve got a unique driving history, and your vehicle type and demographic data will impact your rate as much as your ZIP code.

Car insurance quotes in Carmi by rating factors 

Rate calculations
are based on secret formulas that determine a driver’s risk. Every company has its own formula, but safer drivers are always rewarded with lower rates. 
Here are some of the rating factors that affect your rate:
  • The car you drive: Models that cost more to repair (or are more vulnerable to theft) will cost more to insure, like luxury and sports models.
  • Where your car is: Some zip codes have more auto thefts or more storms—and these areas trigger higher insurance premiums because of the increased risk.
  • Your age: Drivers under 25 pay the highest rates of all age groups because they have the least experience behind the wheel.
  • Driver record: Prior claims, tickets, and accidents will raise your future rates.
  • Your credit score: All other factors aside, drivers with low credit scores pay more for the same coverage.

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

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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): Carmi currently does not disallow any common insurance rating factors when calculating insurance premiums.
Learn more about the car insurance rating factors in Carmi:

Cheap car insurance quotes in Carmi after driving violations

Companies check your
Illinois driving record
before setting your insurance premium. For every incident on your record—or point on your license—your rate will get bumped up. 
If you have a lot of prior violations, you might be tagged a “high-risk” driver. This means you can expect very high rates. Some auto insurance companies might even refuse to insure you, especially if a DUI was one of your previous convictions.
Ultimately, know that your rates will generally be higher the more violations you have, but you can use Jerry to find a company that will work with you to save costs on coverage.

Cheapest car insurance in Carmi after speeding ticket

Speeding tickets
carry fines in Illinois—and they can also raise your insurance rates when your policy is up for renewal. 
Violation
Monthly coverage cost
Rate increase (%)
Speeding
$154
48%

Cheapest car insurance in Carmi after DUI

DUIs in Illinois
are incredibly serious offenses. After a conviction, you will immediately lose5 your license and registration for one year and you’ll face fines of at least $500 with possible jail time or community service.
Besides the legal consequences, your car insurance rates will skyrocket after a DUI.
Violation
Monthly coverage cost
Rate increase (%)
DUI
$170
63%

Cheapest car insurance in Carmi after an at-fault accident

Causing an accident is a red flag for providers in Illinois. This is true even for small at-fault accidents, especially if you have more than one on your Illinois driving record. 
Driving record
Monthly coverage cost
Rate increase (%)
At-fault accident
$192
85%

Cheapest car insurance in Carmi after other driving violations

If you can get a ticket for it, it can raise your insurance rates. In Illinois, lots of violations—from driving without a license to
reckless driving
—can earn you a rate hike. 
Violation
Monthly coverage cost
Rate increase (%)
Cell phone use
$152
46%
Leaving accident scene
$174
67%
Unsafe operation of a vehicle
$192
85%

Cheap car insurance quotes in Carmi by age

Age is something you can’t control, but it has a major influence on your rates. Very old and very young drivers face the highest rates in Carmi versus people who fall in the golden bracket for affordable coverage (between 25 and 75 years old). 

Cheapest car insurance in Carmi for young drivers

Teens are more likely to get into accidents and file claims. They pay the highest rates for car insurance out of any age group, in Carmi and elsewhere. 
Teen drivers
should stay on a parent or guardian’s policy for as long as possible to keep costs low. Good student discounts can also help unlock savings.
Here’s what you can expect in terms of premiums for young drivers in Carmi.
Age
Monthly minimum coverage cost
Monthly full coverage cost
18-21
$157
$376

Cheapest car insurance in Carmi for middle-aged drivers

As drivers gain more experience behind the wheel, their rates lower. Drivers 25-64 see some of the cheapest rates for all age demographics, with rates rising again after motorists turn 65+. 
Have a look at what middle-aged motorists in IL pay for coverage.
Age
Monthly minimum coverage cost
Monthly full coverage cost
22-25
$108
$266
26-34
$80
$190
35-44
$67
$162
45-54
$66
$148
While driver premiums are often lower than average for this age group, drivers can still achieve even cheaper costs by looking into car insurance discounts and bundling policies.

Cheapest car insurance in Carmi for senior drivers

On the one hand, older drivers have more experience behind the wheel. But they’re also at higher risk in many ways, so insurance companies raise rates to compensate.
Senior drivers face diminishing vision, hearing, and reflexes as they age. Older people are also more susceptible to serious injury (and costly hospital stays) than younger people.
Cheap rates for seniors
in Carmi are easiest to find when you shop around to compare rates. Look for a company with good customer service, and see if you can find one that offers a safe driver discount or low-mileage discount. 
Here are some real rates from senior drivers in Carmi.
Age
Monthly minimum coverage cost
Monthly full coverage cost
55-64
$66
$137
65+
$73
$141

Cheap car insurance quotes in Carmi based on insurance history

If you don’t have insurance now, or you didn’t have insurance at one point in the past, you’re considered a “high-risk” driver. That’s because companies assume you were driving as an uninsured motorist. 
Risk equals rate hikes, so
any lapse in your insurance
coverage will trigger bigger premiums. 
Insurance history
Monthly coverage cost
Rate increase (%)
With coverage lapses
$134
29%

Cheap car insurance quotes in Carmi for drivers with poor credit

Data shows that drivers with lower credit scores tend to file more claims. Driving behavior aside, companies care a lot about on-time payments, too. 
Carmi drivers with credit scores below 550 can expect higher-than-average insurance costs. On the flip side, drivers with excellent credit pay about 20% less. 
Credit score
Monthly coverage cost
< 600
$167
601-699
$153
700+
$117

How to lower car insurance costs in Carmi

1. Shop around and compare quotes

The only way to ensure you have the best rates is to shop for insurance every six months when your policy is up for renewal.
Jerry can help you
pull quotes
for free, in just a few minutes. If you find a better rate for the same coverage, just switch and save.

 2. Hunt for car insurance discounts

Most companies offer the same suite of
car insurance discounts
:
  • Telematics discounts. Allow the company to track your driving behavior and get rewarded for safe driving, like slow braking. Usually there’s a discount just for signing up!
  • Bundling discounts.
    Bundle
    your vehicle insurance and homeowners insurance and you could pay less for each of them. It works for home insurance, renters insurance, and life insurance as well.
  • Good driver discounts. Go accident-free and claims-free for several years, and most companies will reward you with a hefty discount.
  • Good student discounts. Full-time college and high school students with at least a B average can get a discount.

3. Increase your deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage

Full coverage only kicks in after you pay an out-of-pocket deductible. If you’re comfortable with a higher out-of-pocket payment, then you can cut costs on your monthly premium without losing any coverage.

Why is car insurance in Carmi so expensive?

  • Rural lifestyle: You’re not subject to congestion like big-city drivers are, but Carmi drivers face other risks due to the rural setting of this town like poor road conditions and wildlife encounters.
  • Cost of living: Insurance companies have to raise rates to compensate for increases in the cost of healthcare and the cost of car repairs, all of which are rising in Illinois. When it’s more expensive to settle a claim, policyholders foot the bill.
  • More claims: Illinois’s claims rate is spiking6, which raises rates for all drivers in this state.

FAQs

How much is car insurance in Carmi?

The average driver in Carmi spends $79 per month for minimum coverage. Carmi drivers with full coverage pay more, about $129 per month.
Average rates can only give you a ballpark estimate. Personalized quotes are your best bet for finding the cheapest rate for your driver profile.

What is the cheapest car insurance in Carmi?

Rates vary from one driver to the next, and one company to the next. There’s no cheapest company for every Carmi driver—although many local GEICO policyholders and State Farm insurance customers are happy with their policy costs.
The average monthly rate is between $79 and $129, depending on whether you get minimum or full coverage insurance in Carmi, IL. Remember to ask your provider about discounts to cut costs even further!  

What is the best car insurance in Carmi?

Local policyholders gave Founders, State Auto, and Travelers great ratings in a recent survey. But the best company for you might not be on this list. Get quotes from a variety of providers in Carmi to uncover the lowest rate for you.

What is the minimum car insurance in Carmi, Illinois?

Carmi drivers must purchase a policy with at least 25/50/20 in liability auto insurance coverage. Those are the state minimum policy limits in Illinois: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury plus $20,000 per accident in property damage liability. Drivers must also carry at least 25/50 in UM/UIM coverage.

Who has the cheapest car insurance in Illinois?

GEICO, First Chicago, and Travelers are good options for affordable coverage in Carmi, IL. But it truly depends on your driving record. Drivers with past tickets or low credit scores should definitely shop around with multiple companies to find cheap coverage.

Why is Illinois auto insurance so expensive?

Traffic fatality rates are rising in Illinois, which raises rates for all drivers. Plus, the rising cost of car repairs and healthcare means that the cost to settle a claim is sky-high. Illinois policyholders shoulder the burden of these costs.

Is car insurance more expensive in IL?

Compared to the national average, IL car insurance rates are a bit cheaper—although Carmi’s rates are higher than the state and national averages. Rates in Illinois are slightly more expensive7 than in neighboring states like Wisconsin, Iowa, and Indiana and cheaper than in Kentucky and Missouri.

Methodology

The Insurance Research Team analyzes insurance products and services to drive insights and help consumers make informed purchase decisions. We analyzed over 25 million car insurance quotes and conducted the largest insurance shopping survey (over 15,000 customers surveyed and 85 carriers reviewed in the past 18 months). All average quote data is based on rates for single drivers with a clean record and a single car between the ages of 35 and 65.  
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. 
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.

Sources

Meet our experts

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Bonnie Stinson
Bonnie Stinson is an insurance writer with 8+ years of experience as a content writer. They specialize in making complex topics like insurance and technology easy to understand. Bonnie has written over 1,300 articles to help people become confident car owners, from how to choose the right car and build a car insurance policy to dealing with stressful situations like car accidents and unexpected repairs.
Before joining Jerry’s editorial team, Bonnie worked as a digital media strategist and user experience researcher, producing content for Furnishr, STACKEDD Magazine, InfinityCore Health, and the global non-profit Giraffe Heroes.
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Maria Cruz
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Expert Insurance Writer & Editor
Maria is an insurance writer with over 10 years of experience as a professional writer. Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2023, she worked at various online publications like Nimble Media, Factinate.com, and served as editor-in-chief at The Medium. She holds a double major in English and Professional Writing and Communications.
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Josh Damico
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Head Of Insurance Operations
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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.