Maybe you’ve decided that car insurance is too expensive, so you’ll simply go without. That’s a big mistake. Forgoing auto insurance is like driving without a seatbelt: You may be fine most of the time, but when the worst happens, you’re going to regret the decision.
Is there a penalty for driving without insurance in Illinois? Yes; in fact, there are several. Below, you’ll learn about insurance requirements and penalties for not having insurance in Illinois.
Illinois Insurance Requirements
Illinois requires all drivers to carry at least the minimum coverage, which includes bodily injury and property damage, as well as uninsured motorist coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage will pay for your damages in the event of a hit-and-run crash, or if a driver without insurance hits you.
Per Illinois mandatory auto insurance requirements, the minimum amounts are as follows:
- Bodily injury coverage: $25,000 bodily injury per person and $50,000 bodily injury per accident
- Property damage coverage: $20,000
- Uninsured motorist coverage: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
In addition to minimum required insurance, you can also purchase additional types of coverage for more protection. This coverage includes:
- Underinsured motorist coverage: Pays for your damages if a driver without adequate insurance hits your car.
- Uninsured motorist coverage: Pays claims in an accident when the other driver has no insurance or in the event of a hit-and-run.
- Personal injury protection (PIP): Pays for your medical expenses, up to the policy limit, regardless of whose fault the accident was.
Not sure what type of insurance coverage you need? Give our team at Insurance Navy a call. We’ll help you decide on the best coverage level for you.
What Is the Penalty for Driving Without Insurance in Illinois?
Maybe you’ve decided to skip buying auto insurance. What’s the worst that could happen? Plenty, from expensive fines to losing your license.
Here are the penalties you could face for driving without car insurance in Illinois.
1. Hefty Fines
If a law enforcement officer catches you without insurance for the first time, it’s a petty offense, but don’t let that term fool you. You could be fined anywhere from $500 to $1,000 for this traffic violation. Fines increase significantly for subsequent offenses.
If you cause an accident and have no insurance, it’s a class A misdemeanor with fines of up to $2,500, as well as possible jail time. In short, not buying insurance just to save some money simply isn’t worth the risk.
2. Increased Insurance Premiums
Suppose you’ve had an accident or received a ticket for not having insurance. You’ve seen the error of your ways and decided that buying insurance is a good idea after all.
Expect your insurance premiums to be higher than they would if you’d had insurance all along. You could pay anywhere from an additional $50 to $100 per month to insure your car.
On top of this, some insurance providers may refuse to cover you at all if you have a coverage lapse.
3. Driver’s License Suspension
Think you’ll get off with nothing more than a fine if this is your first offense? You may be surprised to know that the state can temporarily suspend your license for up to three months, even for first-time offenders. If you drive with a suspended license or are a repeat offender, the suspension period can increase to six months.
To get your license reinstated, the reinstatement fee is usually $100, but it may be higher in some cases.
4. Vehicle Impoundment
The police usually won’t impound your car if this is the first time they’ve caught you without insurance. But why risk it? Impoundment fees can cost a fortune and rack up daily until you sort out your lack of insurance.
What’s more, if you fail to pay those fees, there’s a chance you could have your uninsured vehicle repossessed.
5. SR-22 Insurance Requirement
If you repeatedly drive without insurance enough times to need court supervision, you may be required to buy Illinois SR-22 insurance, which is a type of insurance for high-risk drivers. You’ll need to carry this policy for three years and sometimes longer.
SR-22 insurance automatically reports your insurance status to the state every month. If you drop your SR-22 certificate, the state can and probably will revoke your driving privileges
Can You Get Away With Not Having Insurance?
Even knowing the penalty for driving without insurance in Illinois, some drivers decide to risk it regardless. They think they’ll be fine unless a police officer pulls them over or they get into an accident. That may have once been the case, but no longer.
In 2021, Illinois introduced ILIVS, an electronic reporting system that automatically checks every driver’s insurance status twice a year. If the system detects that you don’t carry insurance, it will check again after 30 days.
If you still do not have proof of insurance, your registration will be suspended. You’ll have to pay a $100 reinstatement fee to get your registration back.
What Happens if You Get Into an Accident Without Auto Insurance? Explore Legal and Financial Setbacks
Getting a ticket for not having insurance isn’t the only problem you may face. Illinois is an at-fault state, which means the driver who caused the accident is responsible for the other driver’s medical bills and property damage. If you’re the at-fault driver and have no insurance with which the other driver can make a claim, they may sue you and come after your personal assets.
On top of this, you’ll be responsible for paying for your medical bills and repairs to your car out of your own pocket. These bills can be astronomically high, especially if the accident puts you in the hospital.
Compared to the cost of hospital bills, which can reach tens of thousands of dollars, paying a monthly insurance premium seems like small potatoes.
What if an Uninsured or Underinsured Driver Hits Your Car?
Thanks to the Illinois ILVIS system, it’s pretty rare to find underinsured and uninsured drivers on the roads. However, some drivers do skirt the system by failing to register their motor vehicles and driving without a license.
If one of these drivers hits you, you might wonder what recourse you have. An uninsured motorist’s policy may pay for some of your damages, but not all. And if the driver has no insurance, you won’t be able to make a claim against them.
Your only option, then, would be to sue the at-fault driver for your damages. This is a complicated and lengthy process that requires you to shop around for personal injury lawyers who’ll help you build a case against the driver.
Additionally, if the driver has no insurance, they might not have much in the way of assets either. Even if you manage to win the case, the driver may not be able to pay regardless, meaning you’ll still be stuck with that mountain of bills.
This is why it’s smart to ramp up your own insurance coverage before an accident happens. You can pay a little more each month for additional uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, which can give you peace of mind.
You could also opt for medical payments coverage (Med-Pay) or personal injury protection (PIP). Both cover medical costs regardless of whose fault an accident was. PIP pays up to 80% of your lost wages as well.
Why Purchasing Your Illinois Auto Insurance From Insurance Navy Is a Smart Move
Now that you know the penalty for driving without auto insurance in Illinois, maybe you’re ready to buy an Illinois car insurance policy. Insurance Navy is here to help! We offer many types of insurance coverage, including car, motorcycle, and SR-22 insurance. Our experienced agents will help you pick the perfect policy and coverage for you.
Here’s why you’ll be glad you chose Insurance Navy:
- We offer fast and free auto insurance quotes online. Discover how much you’ll pay for a policy in minutes.
- We have over 25 locations throughout Illinois and are always here to help when you need it.
- Our mobile app makes it easy to show proof of insurance with a digital insurance card.
- We offer insurance discounts for top-notch drivers with a clean driving record.
At Insurance Navy, our brokers understand that picking the best policy can be stressful. You can trust our insurance company to walk you through the process and explain everything in plain English. Reach out to us and experience the Insurance Navy difference that has earned us so many excellent reviews.
Don’t Get Caught Without Insurance – Call Us for a Custom Quote Today
Don’t get stuck with the penalty for driving without insurance in Illinois. The long-term repercussions aren’t worth it, especially considering how simple we make it to enroll in a policy.
Contact Insurance Navy at (888) 949-6289 and request a free quote today. We can’t wait to welcome you to our family of happy customers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn the ins and outs of Illinois car insurance so you can find a policy and understand how it protects you. Get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions on the topic below, courtesy of the experts at Insurance Navy.
What Is the Difference Between Bodily Injury and Property Damage Coverage?
Bodily injury coverage pays for medical costs and lost wages if a person becomes injured in a car accident. Property damage coverage reimburses destroyed property following an accident, such as a vehicle, mailbox, or home.
What Is Full Coverage Auto Insurance in Illinois?
Full coverage auto insurance is an all-inclusive policy that provides collision, liability, and comprehensive insurance in one package. Carrying this coverage protects you if you damage your car or other property in a collision and also recovers vehicle damage due to vandalism or theft.
How Can I Lower My Insurance Premiums?
You can lower your insurance premiums in a few different ways, including:
- Completing a defensive driving course
- Purchasing a car that’s less expensive to insure
- Maintaining a clean driving record
How Long Can a Car Go Without Insurance?
A car doesn’t need insurance if it sits dead on your property. However, you must insure any motor vehicle you operate to avoid a drivers license suspension, which is a common penalty for driving without insurance in Illinois.
