Learn the Illinois Laws regarding auto insurance.
Drivers purchase auto insurance for cars, trucks, trailers and other moving vehicles. The insurance protects you from any losses that could result from a collision, and covers you for liability in a crash. Having auto insurance is a legal requirement, but specific insurance laws differ state by state. If you live in Illinois, familiarize yourself with the state's auto insurance laws.
Minimums
Under Illinois law, if you own a motor vehicle, you must have a minimum amount of insurance to cover liability. Additionally, if you lease a car, you will often have to purchase additional insurance to cover physical damage that might occur from an accident. In Illinois, the minimum coverage for bodily injuries is $20,000 for each individual injured in the accident, and $40,000 for all injured individuals. The required minimum coverage to protect against property damage is $15,000 for injury or destruction of physical property owned by others.
Uninsured Protection
Under Illinois law, uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage are mandatory. Uninsured coverage pays the expenses of bodily injuries you incur in the event of an accident with a hit and run driver, or someone driving without auto insurance who causes a crash. The minimum limits for this insurance are $20,000 per person, and $40,000 per accident. Underinsured Motorist Coverage pays for any difference between a policyholder's limits and the liability limits of the individual who caused the accident. This only occurs if the limits are lower than the underinsured motorist coverage.
Proof of Insurance
You must produce proof of insurance to register or drive your vehicle. Failure to do so can result in a fine of up to $1,000 depending on the situation. Your insurance card constitutes proof of insurance, which you must produce upon request.
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