Decatur, IL Car Insurance

Decatur, Illinois is an important Midwestern industrial center and one of the busiest logistics and distribution hubs in the US. This makes traffic busy and dangerous at any time of the day. Car accidents on the busy Decatur roadways almost always lead to stress and financial burdens, especially for at-fault drivers. But you can have peace of mind if you purchase a quality, reliable car insurance policy. 

What’s more, you’re required by Illinois law to have at least a minimum amount of liability coverage in case you cause an accident. Take the confusion out of shopping for car insurance. A local independent insurance agent can explain your options, obtain multiple quotes for comparison, and help you choose the best policy for your needs and budget. 

What Are the Car Insurance Requirements in Illinois?

Illinois car owners are required to purchase auto insurance. But this isn’t the only reason to have car insurance. Without it, you are entirely unprotected from the financial consequences of causing a crash. The following are the minimum coverage requirements for Illinois drivers:

• Liability insurance, which covers bodily injury and property damage to third parties for accidents that you cause and are determined to be at fault for
  • Bodily injury (BI) liability coverage of at least $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
  • Property damage (PD) liability coverage of at least $20,000 per accident
• Uninsured motorist coverage (UM), which pays for your own medical expenses that the other driver would have been liable for if they had car insurance 
  • At least $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
• Underinsured motorist coverage (UIM), which pays for your expenses when the at-fault driver has car insurance but it is insufficient to cover your expenses. This coverage is optional in Illinois. But it becomes mandatory when you choose to purchase UM coverage limits that are higher than the state minimum (25/50).

After a car accident, the bills can pile up. Liability coverage can help you pay for any medical bills or car repairs if you are at fault for a crash. But the costs of a serious accident can easily surpass the minimum limits required by the state of Illinois. If you cause a major collision, the expenses can include medical bills for other drivers and passengers, vehicle repair costs, and even attorney fees and settlements or judgments levied against you if you are sued for negligence. If these exceeded your coverage limits, how would you pay? To be sure you’re covered, talk through your options with a local independent insurance agent.

What Else Can a Car Insurance Policy Cover?

Insurance companies also offer several types of optional coverage in addition to what is required by the state. You can choose the options that are most necessary for your needs.

• Collision coverage: Covers damage to your vehicle sustained in a collision, regardless of who was at fault. Lenders typically require this coverage if you are still paying for your car, and dealerships are likely to require it if you are leasing your car.
• Comprehensive coverage: Covers the cost to repair vehicle damage caused by non-collision events such as floods, fires, falling objects (e.g., trees), and property crimes (theft, vandalism). Lenders typically require this coverage if you are still paying for your car, and dealerships will probably require it if you are leasing your car.
• Medical payments, or personal injury protection (PIP): Pays for your own medical expenses following an accident, even if you are at fault. 
• Roadside assistance and towing: Covers the cost of a service call if your vehicle becomes disabled while it is out on the road. 
• Rental car reimbursement coverage: Pays for the cost of renting a vehicle while repairs are being made to your car following a covered event.

A local independent insurance agent can help you learn more about these coverage options.

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How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Decatur, IL?

Illinois is the 39th most expensive state for car insurance, and rates in Decatur tend to be lower than both the state and national averages. Shopping around for the best rate and taking advantage of discounts can help you save even more.

• National average annual car insurance cost: $1,311
• Illinois average annual car insurance cost: $1,079
• Decatur average annual car insurance cost: $960

You may think that car insurance costs a lot, but it doesn’t have to. Your rates should be completely personalized, taking into account your vehicle's age, model, and average annual mileage. If your rates seem high, it may be because of some of your individual risk factors. And it’s also possible that you simply need to shop around. 

Keep in mind that the type of car you drive is one of the biggest factors in the cost of your Decatur car insurance policy. Drivers of expensive sports cars will pay more for car insurance than those who drive used minivans. A sports car is likely to be a frequent target for thieves, and it is probably more expensive to repair, too. If you really want to lower your car insurance rates, stick to a modest vehicle that is not likely to be stolen and is cheaper to repair. An independent insurance agent will get to know you and can offer multiple quotes for coverage so you can make the best choice for your needs and budget. 

Why Get Coverage Against Uninsured Motorists?

Driving without insurance is against the law in Illinois, yet many drivers continue to drive without coverage. 

• How many US drivers are uninsured? 12.6%
• How many Illinois drivers are uninsured? 13.7%

Unfortunately, there are a lot of uninsured drivers on the road in Illinois. And these drivers don’t have a back-up plan for accidents that they cause, leaving other drivers on the hook for their mistakes. That's where uninsured motorist coverage comes in. If an uninsured driver causes an accident, it pays for your vehicle damage and medical bills in the absence of the at-fault driver’s insurance. Uninsured motorist coverage is required in Illinois.

Can Car Insurance Cover Vehicle Thefts in Decatur?

The auto theft rate in Decatur is very low, which is great news for local drivers. Not only are vehicles fairly safe from auto thefts, but also the low auto theft rate can help keep car insurance rates lower than in some other cities. 

• National auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 2.94
• Illinois auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 1.56
• Decatur auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 0.83

Even if you live in a safe city, auto theft can happen anywhere. Thefts and break-ins can be big financial burdens when you have to fix broken windows and replace stolen personal property. Your car insurance policy can help minimize the worry. With the right coverage, you'll receive timely assistance and compensation so you can get back on the road quickly. 

It’s important to add comprehensive coverage to your auto insurance policy if you want to be reimbursed for a stolen or vandalized car. Comprehensive coverage reimburses you for your lost or damaged car, and it also offers coverage for all kinds of “other than collision” vehicle damage, such as damage from falling objects, floods, structure fires, and more. Talk to a local independent insurance agent about comprehensive coverage, and how it can help you pay to repair your car in a variety of unforeseen circumstances. 

Why Contact an Independent Insurance Agent in Decatur?

Independent insurance agents are insurance professionals who can explain your coverage options, answer your questions, and provide you with customized car insurance quotes from multiple insurance companies. With the help of an independent agent, you can make an informed choice.