Car Insurance for Chicago in 2023

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Drivers in Chicago pay an average of $2,575 per year for car insurance, but you might find cheaper coverage if you shop around.

By Andrew Marder 

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While Chicago has some of the best public transit in the U.S., there are still over a million registered vehicles in the Windy City — and many more if you add in the surrounding suburbs. Drivers will need car insurance to legally drive and to stay financially protected in the event of an accident on Chicago’s busy roads.

Use NerdWallet’s car insurance averages for Chicago as a benchmark as you shop around for the most affordable rate. Car insurance is highly personalized, so the best way to get the cheapest policy possible is to compare quotes from multiple insurers.

Read on to find out how auto insurance companies in Chicago stack up. You can also check out our list of the cheapest car insurance companies nationwide.

Table of contents

To find the cheapest companies in Chicago, NerdWallet looked at average full coverage rates calculated from public filings obtained by pricing analytics company Quadrant Information Services. We analyzed rates for male and female drivers for all ZIP codes in Chicago driving a 2019 Toyota Camry L.

Cheapest car insurance companies in Chicago

The biggest variable in your insurance cost will be the company you choose, so you’ll want to shop around to be confident you’re getting the best rate. In Chicago, these are the cheapest car insurance companies based on average rates for a 35-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving record, according to NerdWallet’s most recent analysis. It's important to remember that rates are determined individually, so these may not be the cheapest companies for you.

CompanyRateNerdWallet Rating
State Farm$1,536
NerdWallet rating 

5.0

/5
QBE$1,586Not yet rated
Erie$1,591
NerdWallet rating 

4.0

/5
Secura$1,603Not yet rated
Travelers$1,665
NerdWallet rating 

4.5

/5
Auto-Owners Insurance$1,686
NerdWallet rating 

5.0

/5
Westfield$1,762Not yet rated
Mercury$1,783
NerdWallet rating 

4.0

/5
First Chicago$1,914Not yet rated
Encompass$2,005
NerdWallet rating 

4.0

/5

If you’re looking for cheap car insurance in Chicago, Illinois, you’ll want to shop around and compare quotes from multiple companies. Insurers use a variety of factors to determine the cost of auto insurance, including your age, address, the type of car you drive and your driving history, which means every driver will ultimately get a different rate. That’s why shopping around is your best bet to getting the cheapest car insurance in Chicago — or anywhere.

Average car insurance cost in Chicago and Illinois

Rates across Illinois differ from those in Chicago for lots of reasons. The number of accidents, the type of roads and even the weather can affect the rates drivers are charged. According to NerdWallet’s most recent analysis, the average rate in Illinois is $1,747, while in Chicago, it's $2,575.

Average city rateAverage state rate
$2,575$1,747

No matter what company you're currently getting auto insurance from, remember that it's important to shop around and compare quotes from multiple companies. Prices and offers change over time, and you may be able to save by switching to another insurer.

Average cost of car insurance in Chicago’s largest ZIP codes

The cost of auto insurance varies based on where you live, even from one neighborhood to the next. Some parts of a city may have higher rates of accidents or thefts, which can lead to an increase in the price you pay. According to NerdWallet’s analysis, here are the most populated ZIP codes in Chicago and the average annual cost of car insurance for a 35-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving record.

ZIP CodeAverage Rate
60629$2,681
60632$2,692
60618$2,385
60639$2,665
60623$3,014
60647$2,472
60617$2,828
60625$2,452
60608$2,771
60634$2,465

Be sure to take advantage of potential discounts. Many insurers offer car insurance discounts for things like bundling other types of insurance with your auto policy or going years without filing a claim.

Cheap car insurance in Chicago by age

Along with where you live, your age is another major factor in the price you pay for car insurance. For example, younger drivers usually pay more than older drivers with similar driving histories and credit scores due to having less experience on the road.

You could easily find that the cheapest company for you changes as you age. Here's a breakdown of prices in Chicago for similar drivers at various ages, according to NerdWallet’s most recent analysis.

Cheapest for 20-year-olds

While teen drivers are the most likely to be in an accident, 20-year-old drivers are still relatively new to the road. A higher rate of accidents among younger drivers means they also pay more for car insurance. According to NerdWallet’s most recent analysis, here's what 20-year-olds in Chicago pay, on average.

CompanyRateNerdWallet Rating
QBE$3,027Not yet rated
Travelers$3,118
NerdWallet rating 

4.5

/5
Westfield$3,211Not yet rated
Erie$3,342
NerdWallet rating 

4.0

/5
Secura$3,416Not yet rated
Auto-Owners Insurance$3,444
NerdWallet rating 

5.0

/5
Country Financial$3,946
NerdWallet rating 

5.0

/5
State Farm$3,981
NerdWallet rating 

5.0

/5
Mercury$4,025
NerdWallet rating 

4.0

/5
Encompass$4,299
NerdWallet rating 

4.0

/5

Cheapest for 35-year-olds

By 35, your car insurance rates should plateau. This is a great age to compare rates, as the cheapest insurer you found in your 20s may no longer be the best deal.

Here’s what 35-year-old drivers might pay, on average, in Chicago, according to NerdWallet’s analysis.

CompanyRateNerdWallet Rating
State Farm$1,536
NerdWallet rating 

5.0

/5
QBE$1,586Not yet rated
Erie$1,591
NerdWallet rating 

4.0

/5
Secura$1,603Not yet rated
Travelers$1,665
NerdWallet rating 

4.5

/5
Auto-Owners Insurance$1,686
NerdWallet rating 

5.0

/5
Westfield$1,762Not yet rated
Mercury$1,783
NerdWallet rating 

4.0

/5
First Chicago$1,914Not yet rated
Encompass$2,005
NerdWallet rating 

4.0

/5

Cheapest for 60-year-olds

At age 60, your car insurance rates are about as low as they're going to get if your history is clean. Most drivers in this age group have lots of experience on the road and established driving records, so insurers know what they're getting into and charge less accordingly. That doesn't mean you won't be able to save money by bundling or tapping into other discounts, so keep shopping around. Below are the cheapest companies, on average, in Chicago, according to NerdWallet’s most recent analysis.

CompanyRateNerdWallet Rating
Mercury$1,340
NerdWallet rating 

4.0

/5
Travelers$1,350
NerdWallet rating 

4.5

/5
State Farm$1,377
NerdWallet rating 

5.0

/5
Erie$1,379
NerdWallet rating 

4.0

/5
QBE$1,422Not yet rated
Secura$1,511Not yet rated
Westfield$1,522Not yet rated
Auto-Owners Insurance$1,548
NerdWallet rating 

5.0

/5
Auto Club Group$1,658Not yet rated
First Chicago$1,713Not yet rated

Chicago’s cheapest companies and rates by driving record

Your driving history also plays a large role in your auto insurance rate. Drivers who have clean records will usually pay less than those with accidents, speeding tickets or other violations. Again, comparing insurance companies is your best bet to getting the lowest rate.

According to NerdWallet’s analysis, these are the average rates in Chicago by company for good drivers and those with violations on their record.

Good drivers

Drivers without any marks on their records are almost always going to pay the lowest prices for auto insurance when compared to drivers with an accident or driving violation. Insurers set rates based on the potential risk of you filing a claim, and good drivers are considered among the least risky. Here are the average rates for good drivers in Chicago according to NerdWallet’s most recent analysis.

CompanyRateNerdWallet Rating
State Farm$1,536
NerdWallet rating 

5.0

/5
QBE$1,586Not yet rated
Erie$1,591
NerdWallet rating 

4.0

/5
Secura$1,603Not yet rated
Travelers$1,665
NerdWallet rating 

4.5

/5
Auto-Owners Insurance$1,686
NerdWallet rating 

5.0

/5
Westfield$1,762Not yet rated
Mercury$1,783
NerdWallet rating 

4.0

/5
First Chicago$1,914Not yet rated
Encompass$2,005
NerdWallet rating 

4.0

/5

Drivers with a DUI

Drivers with a DUI can struggle to find affordable insurance and may need to turn to a high-risk car insurance company. A DUI on your record means you should expect to pay substantially more than a driver without one.

Here are the average rates for drivers with a DUI in Chicago according to NerdWallet’s most recent analysis.

CompanyRateNerdWallet Rating
State Farm$2,296
NerdWallet rating 

5.0

/5
Progressive$2,373
NerdWallet rating 

5.0

/5
Mercury$2,425
NerdWallet rating 

4.0

/5
Travelers$2,503
NerdWallet rating 

4.5

/5
Erie$2,724
NerdWallet rating 

4.0

/5
Country Financial$3,408
NerdWallet rating 

5.0

/5
First Chicago$3,532Not yet rated
American Family$3,551
NerdWallet rating 

5.0

/5
QBE$3,571Not yet rated
Secura$3,605Not yet rated

Drivers with an at-fault accident

If you've got an at-fault accident on your record, you'll pay more than a driver with a clean record, but likely less than someone with a DUI. Your insurance company may ask for details about the accident to determine your rate — a fender bender will likely be treated differently from an accident caused by running a red light. Here are the cheapest average rates for drivers with an at-fault accident on their record in Chicago, according to NerdWallet’s most recent analysis.

CompanyRateNerdWallet Rating
State Farm$1,965
NerdWallet rating 

5.0

/5
Auto-Owners Insurance$2,147
NerdWallet rating 

5.0

/5
Hastings Mutual$2,202Not yet rated
Erie$2,239
NerdWallet rating 

4.0

/5
Travelers$2,253
NerdWallet rating 

4.5

/5
Secura$2,326Not yet rated
Westfield$2,417Not yet rated
First Chicago$2,426Not yet rated
QBE$2,481Not yet rated
Auto Club Group$2,674Not yet rated

Minimum car insurance required in Illinois

Illinois requires all drivers to carry at least $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 in bodily injury liability per accident, plus a minimum of $20,000 in property damage liability per accident. On top of that, Illinois requires $25,000 in uninsured motorist coverage per person and $50,000 in uninsured motorist coverage per accident.

But you may want more than the minimum amount of coverage required in Illinois, especially if you spend a considerable amount of time on the road and have a higher risk of getting into an accident.