What You Need to Know About Illinois Car Insurance Laws
by
Matthew Willens on Jun. 11, 2015
Accident & Injury Accident & Injury Car Accident Accident & Injury Personal Injury
Summary: Illinois is a “fault" insurance state and follows a “fault” system to determine liability in case of a car accident.
The person who is legally responsible for causing the accident shall pay compensation to the person who sustained injuries or suffered property damage in the accident. The insurance company of the at-fault driver will typically cover these costs.
Three Options to Consider
A person who suffers damage in a car accident in Illinois has three options.
- File a claim with his or her own insurer and the insurance company will in turn make a claim against the insurer of the at-fault driver.
- Pursue a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
- File a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
A lawsuit is usually the last resort of any car accident victim. Unless the damages are too large to be covered by the other driver’s insurance company or the claim is denied, most victim's will try to resolve the claim through a car accident settlement.
Car Insurance Minimums in Illinois
In Illinois, it is mandatory for all registered motor vehicles to carry liability insurance. Every driver is required to carry minimum coverage for the following:
- $15,000 for property damage.
- $20,000 for the death or injury of one person (including the driver, a passenger, or pedestrian).
- $40,000 for the death or injury of more than one person in a single car accident.
These are the minimum limits set by Illinois law, but it is may be a good idea to purchase policies with higher coverage limits. This is important because in case of an accident, if you are found at fault and the damages are in excess of your policy limits, then you will have to pay the excess damages out of your pocket.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
In Illinois, uninsured motorist coverage is compulsory. The state requires every car insurance policy to include UM coverage with limits equal to the injury liability coverage. This coverage helps in case a person is injured in a car accident caused by a hit and run driver or a driver who carries no insurance coverage.
Even though Illinois law is quite clear about who will pay the damages in case of a car accident, there are cases when the insurance company denies the claim. Contact the best Chicago area accident attorney you can find. Willens Law Offices is here for you to ensure that your legal rights are protected.