The Best Home Insurance in Illinois for 2023

Homeowners in the Land of Lincoln can expect to pay a little less than the national average for their insurance.
Sarah Schlichter
By Sarah Schlichter 
Updated
Edited by Caitlin Constantine

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The average cost of homeowners insurance in Illinois is $1,670 per year, according to NerdWallet’s rate analysis. That’s higher than the national average of $1,820. Our sample rates are based on a homeowner with good credit who has $300,000 in dwelling coverage, $300,000 in liability coverage and a $1,000 deductible.

NerdWallet looked at several insurers across the state to determine the best and cheapest homeowners insurance in Illinois. The rates in this analysis are estimates based on many factors, so your rate may differ.

Note: Some insurance companies included in this article may have made changes in their underwriting practices and no longer issue new policies in your state.

Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our writing and data analyses. You can trust the prices we show you because our data analysts take rigorous measures to eliminate inaccuracies in pricing data and may update rates for accuracy as new information becomes available.

We include rates from every locale in the country where coverage is offered and data is available. When comparing rates for different coverage amounts and backgrounds, we change only one variable at a time, so you can easily see how each factor affects pricing.

Our sample homeowner had good credit, $300,000 of dwelling coverage, $300,000 of liability coverage and a $1,000 deductible.

The best homeowners insurance in Illinois

If you’re looking to buy homeowners insurance from a well-rated national brand, consider one of these insurers from NerdWallet’s list of the Best Homeowners Insurance Companies.

Company

NerdWallet star rating

Average annual rate

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

$1,085

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

$1,335

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

$1,665

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

$2,205

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

$1,345

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

$2,220

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

$2,355

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

$1,440

*USAA homeowners policies are available only to active military, veterans and their families.

More about the best home insurance companies in Illinois

See more details about each company to help you decide which one is best for you.

insurance-product-card-logo

State Farm

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Well-established insurer with a lengthy list of coverage options.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected
insurance-product-card-logo

State Farm

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Well-established insurer with a lengthy list of coverage options.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected

America’s largest home insurer celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2022. One useful endorsement you may be able to add to a State Farm policy is an inflation guard rider, which automatically increases your policy limits to make sure your coverage doesn’t fall short.

State Farm offers a free Ting device as a perk for home insurance policyholders. Ting is a smart plug that monitors your home’s electrical network to help prevent fires.


insurance-product-card-logo

Erie

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Best for homeowners who want to work with an agent.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected
insurance-product-card-logo

Erie

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Best for homeowners who want to work with an agent.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected

Based in Pennsylvania, Erie is a regional insurer that offers guaranteed replacement cost for the structure of your home. With this coverage, the company will pay to rebuild your home completely after a disaster, even if the amount exceeds your dwelling limit. Not all insurers offer this option, but it’s worth considering as a hedge against rising construction costs.

Got a car to insure, too? If you bundle your home and auto insurance with Erie, you could get a discount of around 20%. You may also be able to save if your home has certain safety and security features such as smoke alarms or sprinkler systems.

For more details, read our Erie home insurance review.


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Farmers

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Those seeking benefits like diminishing deductibles and claims forgiveness may want to consider Farmers.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected
insurance-product-card-logo

Farmers

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Those seeking benefits like diminishing deductibles and claims forgiveness may want to consider Farmers.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected

Homeowners policies from Farmers may include two valuable types of insurance: extended dwelling and replacement cost coverage. Extended dwelling coverage gives you extra insurance for the structure of your house, while replacement cost coverage offers higher reimbursement for stolen or destroyed belongings.

Some Farmers policies also come with perks that can save you money. For example, with claim forgiveness, Farmers won’t raise your rate for a claim as long as you haven’t filed one within the past five years.


insurance-product-card-logo

Chubb

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Perks and high coverage limits for affluent homeowners.

Coverage options

About average

Discounts

Great set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected
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Chubb

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Perks and high coverage limits for affluent homeowners.

Coverage options

About average

Discounts

Great set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected

Chubb caters to high-value homes and draws far fewer consumer complaints than expected for a company of its size, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Its home insurance policies come with some great perks, including extended replacement cost in case it costs more than your dwelling limit to rebuild your home after a disaster.

Chubb policyholders may also be able to take advantage of the company’s HomeScan service, which uses infrared cameras to look for problems behind the walls of your home.


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Nationwide

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
For shoppers seeking a broad range of coverage options, Nationwide may fit the bill.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Great set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Close to expected
insurance-product-card-logo

Nationwide

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
For shoppers seeking a broad range of coverage options, Nationwide may fit the bill.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Great set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Close to expected

Nationwide stands out for its many coverage options. For example, its standard policy may include ordinance or law coverage, which can help pay to bring your home up to the latest building codes after a claim. You can add other coverage for things like identity theft and damage from backed-up sewers and drains.

Illinois homeowners can get a discount for using Notion smart devices to monitor their home for potential water leaks, fires and break-ins. When you buy the devices through Nationwide, you can get nearly 50% off the purchase price.


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American Family

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Comprehensive coverage for homeowners in 19 states, mostly in the West and Midwest.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected
insurance-product-card-logo

American Family

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Comprehensive coverage for homeowners in 19 states, mostly in the West and Midwest.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected

Founded in Madison, Wisconsin, American Family receives fewer consumer complaints than expected for a company of its size. You may be able to customize your policy with optional add-ons such as identity theft, equipment breakdown or service line coverage, which pays for repairs to water, power or other underground lines that run to your house.

Homeowners may be able to save on their premiums by installing smart-home devices, bundling multiple policies or setting up automatic payments.


insurance-product-card-logo

Country Financial

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Best for those who prefer to have a personal conversation with an agent when choosing coverage.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Great set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected
insurance-product-card-logo

Country Financial

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Best for those who prefer to have a personal conversation with an agent when choosing coverage.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Great set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected

Country Financial has three different levels of homeowners coverage to help you choose the package that’s best for you. You also have the option to add extra coverage for the structure of your home, in case inflation drives up the cost of rebuilding more than you expect.

Country Financial sells homeowners insurance through local representatives. The company has drawn far fewer complaints than expected to state regulators.


insurance-product-card-logo

USAA

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Offers perks and affordable rates for the military community.

Coverage options

Below average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected
insurance-product-card-logo

USAA

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Offers perks and affordable rates for the military community.

Coverage options

Below average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected

USAA offers perks worth considering for active members of the military. (The company sells policies only to active military, veterans and their families.) For example, USAA covers military uniforms without a deductible if you’re on active or reserve duty. And unlike other insurance companies, it will cover your personal belongings if they’re damaged or destroyed by acts of war.

Illinois homeowners can participate in USAA’s Connected Home program, which gives you a discount for installing select smart technology in your home. These devices can send alerts to your home if they detect water leaks, smoke or other problems.

Check out our USAA home insurance review to learn more.


How much does homeowners insurance cost in Illinois?

The average annual cost of home insurance in Illinois is $1,670. That’s 8% less than the national average of $1,820.

In most U.S. states, including Illinois, many insurers use your credit-based insurance score to help set rates. Your insurance score is similar but not identical to your traditional credit score. 

In Illinois, those with poor credit pay an average of $4,180 per year for homeowners insurance, according to NerdWallet’s rate analysis. That’s 150% more than those with good credit.

Average cost of homeowners insurance in Illinois by city

How much you pay for home insurance in Illinois depends on where you live. For example, the average cost of homeowners insurance in Chicago is $2,115 per year, or about $176 per month. In Aurora, homeowners insurance costs about $1,450 per year or $121 per month, on average.

City

Average annual rate

Average monthly rate

Arlington Heights

$1,475

$123

Aurora

$1,450

$121

Belleville

$1,810

$151

Berwyn

$1,535

$128

Bloomington

$1,405

$117

Bolingbrook

$1,485

$124

Champaign

$1,420

$118

Chicago

$2,115

$176

Cicero

$1,595

$133

Decatur

$1,560

$130

Des Plaines

$1,530

$128

Elgin

$1,475

$123

Evanston

$1,500

$125

Joliet

$1,520

$127

Naperville

$1,435

$120

Orland Park

$1,490

$124

Palatine

$1,485

$124

Peoria

$1,515

$126

Plainfield

$1,465

$122

Rockford

$1,500

$125

Schaumburg

$1,510

$126

Skokie

$1,520

$127

Springfield

$1,550

$129

Tinley Park

$1,520

$127

Waukegan

$1,610

$134

The cheapest home insurance in Illinois

Here are the insurers we found with average annual rates below the Illinois average of $1,670.

Company

NerdWallet star rating

Average annual rate

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

$1,085

4.0

NerdWallet rating 

$1,215

4.0

NerdWallet rating 

$1,270

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

$1,335

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

$1,345

Westfield

4.0

NerdWallet rating 

$1,445

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

$1,665

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

$1,440

*USAA homeowners policies are available only to active military, veterans and their families.

What to know about Illinois homeowners insurance

When evaluating your options for home insurance in Illinois, make sure you’re adequately covered for these common natural disasters.

Floods

Despite its inland location, Illinois does see various types of flooding, including flash floods from heavy rain. Homeowners insurance generally doesn’t cover flood damage, so if your home is at risk, you may need to buy a separate flood insurance policy.

Most people get this coverage through the federal government’s National Flood Insurance Program, though private flood insurance may also be available in your area.

To check your home’s flood risk, plug your address into the Federal Emergency Management Agency's flood maps or check RiskFactor.com, an online tool from the nonprofit First Street Foundation.

Tornadoes

Illinois averages more than 50 tornadoes per year, with most occurring between April and June. A standard homeowners insurance policy typically covers damage from a tornado, along with any additional living expenses you might have if the storm leaves your home unlivable.

Winter storms

If a heavy blizzard knocks a tree onto your roof or frigid weather causes a pipe to burst, your homeowners insurance policy will likely cover the damage. Snow and ice are among the “perils,” or causes of damage, that a standard homeowners policy covers.

Illinois Department of Insurance

Got a complaint about your insurance company? Confused about your rights as a policyholder? The Illinois Department of Insurance may be able to assist. On the agency’s website, you can look up insurance companies, file a complaint or chat with a virtual assistant in English or Spanish. For personalized help, you can call the agency’s customer hotline at 866-445-5364.

The agency also provides information on your rights as a homeowner in Illinois. For example, your insurance company must give you at least 30 days’ notice if it’s canceling your homeowners policy for any reason other than nonpayment. If at least three companies refuse to cover your home, you may be eligible for a policy from the Illinois FAIR Plan, the state’s insurer of last resort.

Looking for more insurance in Illinois?

Methodology

NerdWallet averaged rates for 40-year-old homeowners from various insurance companies in every ZIP code across the state. All rates are rounded to the nearest $5.

Sample homeowners were nonsmokers with good credit living in a single-family, two-story home built in 1984. They had a $1,000 deductible and the following coverage limits:

  • $300,000 in dwelling coverage.

  • $30,000 in other structures coverage.

  • $150,000 in personal property coverage.

  • $60,000 in loss of use coverage.

  • $300,000 in liability coverage.

  • $1,000 in medical payments coverage.

We made minor changes to the sample policy in cases where rates for the above coverage limits or deductibles weren’t available.

We changed the credit tier from “good” to “poor,” as reported to the insurer, to see rates for homeowners with poor credit.

These are sample rates generated through Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different.

Star rating methodology

NerdWallet’s homeowners insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, consumer complaints, coverages, discounts and online experience. These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our full homeowners insurance rating methodology.

Complaint methodology

NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2019-2021. To assess how insurers compare to one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, NerdWallet calculated a similar index for each insurer, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary, over the three-year period. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. Ratios are determined separately for auto, home (including renters and condo) and life insurance.

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