Friday 31 January 2020

Illinois Car Insurance

Illinois Car Insurance Minimum Requirement

The minimum requirement for Illinois car insurance consists of liability insurance as well as uninsured and or underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage.  For liability coverage, the amount for bodily injury should not be less than $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident.  Coverage amount for property damages should not be less than $15,000.  For uninsured motorist bodily injury, the lowest allowable coverage amount limit is $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident.  The basic coverage in Illinois is also referred to as the 20/40/15 coverage and 20/40 UM limit.

In Illinois, coverage for underinsured motorist bodily injury would also be required if the policy holder chooses to get a higher uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage amount.  Most insurance providers however, will offer the two as combination coverage.

In Illinois, the Tort system is followed when it comes to rulings on vehicular accidents.  The system basically requires that someone must be held accountable for the road accident.  That person held accountable must then pay for the total costs of the accident either from personal funds or out of his or her insurance coverage.

The state of Illinois is also requiring the carrying of uninsured and or underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage in order to protect the innocent motorists and their passengers who may sustain bodily injuries when their car is hit by a driver that carries little or no auto insurance coverage at all.

Illinois Driving Under Influence of Liquor (DUI) Laws

Just like the rest of the states, Illinois strictly implements its DUI laws.  A motorist is generally considered driving under the influence when his or her blood alcohol content (BAC) level is at .08 percent or higher.  Police authorities can also arrests people even if their BAC level is below .08 percent if in their judgment the motorist’s driving ability has clearly been comprised by alcohol.

The state of Illinois implements the implied consent rule in apprehending drunk drivers.  This means that the authorities have the right to subject the driver to a blood alcohol level test.  If the motorist may refuse to be subjected to such test but there will be consequences for such refusal.  The refusing motorist will be informed that such refusal will result in the imposition of penalties including the suspension of his or her driver’s license.Penalties in Illinois for First Time DUI Offense

The first time DUI offender will not be allowed to drive for a period one year and his or her driver’s license will be suspended during the period.
First time DUI offenders will faced the possibly of serving at the most, one year in prison.
A first time DUI conviction will require the payment of a fine not exceeding $2,500.
The DUI offender will also be required to attend a DUI impact panel.
Penalties in Illinois for Second Time DUI Offenders

A second time DUI offender may lose his or her driver’s license for a period of not less than 5 years if the second offense was committed within a 20 year period.
If the second DUI offense was committed within a five year period, the offender must either spend five days in jail or render 30 days worth of community service.
Second time DUI offenders may face possible imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year.
Payment of a fine not exceeding $2,500 will be required from the second time DUI offender.
For the second DUI conviction, the offender will be ordered to undergo an alcohol evaluation and treatment program.
Recent Development in the state’s DUI Laws

The state of Illinois now requires first time DUI offenders to install an ignition interlock device on the vehicles they are driving.  The gadget will basically require the driver to first exhale in to it before attempting to start the car.  If alcohol is detected on the driver’s breath the device will not permit the engine to start.  Even when the car’s engines are already running, the driver may be required undergo additional breath tests just to make sure that the driver is actually the one taking the breath tests.

DUI Conviction’s Effect on Car Insurance


Aside from the legal consequences and penalties, a motorist must also prepare to pay higher car insurance premiums as a result of the DUI conviction.  A motorist convicted of drunk driving will no longer be allowed to get a regular car insurance policy.  Instead, he or she must secure an SR-22 car insurance policy.  This special insurance will act as a certification of financial responsibility on the part of the driver.  The SR-22 insurance policy carries a higher annual premium and the motorist will have carry this particular policy for a period of at least three years.  The motorist should always make sure that his or her SR-22 car insurance policy is always up to date.  Failure to renew an SR-22 car insurance policy will result in the suspension of the one’s driver license.  Even a first DUI offense can result in a lot of legal and financial penalties.

Illinois Average Car Insurance Premium rate versus the National Average

The state’s average car insurance rate is around $977 compared to the average national car premium rate of $1437.  Car insurance premium rate in the state’s major cities are slightly higher than overall average state car insurance premium rate.

Vehicles most likely to be stolen in Illinois

Every year, a number of vehicles are being stolen in Illinois every year.  Listed below are ten of the most likely vehicles that are targeted by thieves.  If you owned any of these cars, it is advisable to install some security gadgets and exercise reasonable precautions to protect and secure your car.

Honda Civic 1995 Model
Dodge Caravan 1994 Model
Toyota Camry 1991 Model
Honda Accord 1994 Model
Pontiac Grand Prix 2004 Model
Ford Taurus 1997 Model
Chevrolet Impala 2004 Model
Oldsmobile Cutlass/Supreme/Ciera 1995 Model
Chevrolet Malibu 1999 Model
Pontiac Grand AM 1999 Model

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