Illinois Car Insurance Requirements: Minimums, Fault Rules & Penalties
Minimum liability requirements
Illinois requires all registered vehicles to carry 25/50/20 liability coverage. Unlike most states, Illinois also mandates uninsured motorist (UM) coverage at matching limits of 25/50 under the Uninsured Motorist Act. This makes Illinois one of the few states where uninsured motorist protection is a legal requirement rather than an optional add-on.
| Coverage | Minimum limit |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury per person | $25,000 |
| Bodily injury per accident | $50,000 |
| Property damage per accident | $20,000 |
| Uninsured motorist per person | $25,000 |
| Uninsured motorist per accident | $50,000 |
Proof of insurance must be carried in the vehicle at all times and presented to law enforcement on request. Illinois uses an electronic insurance verification program that cross-references insurer policy data against Secretary of State vehicle records to flag uninsured registrations.
Fault system
Illinois is an at-fault (tort) state that applies modified comparative fault with a 51% bar. Any driver whose share of fault in an accident is 50% or less may recover damages from the other party. A driver found 51% or more at fault is barred from collecting anything.
Damages are reduced proportionally under this rule. If you were 30% responsible for an accident that caused $80,000 in harm to the other party, the most you could recover from them would be $56,000 — 70% of the total. This proportional approach rewards partial fault tolerance rather than eliminating recovery entirely, unless the 51% threshold is crossed.
Because Illinois requires uninsured motorist coverage by statute, you also have a direct claim against your own policy if the at-fault driver has no insurance. See our uninsured motorist coverage guide for details on how UM claims work.
SR-22 requirements
An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility filed by your insurer directly with the Illinois Secretary of State. It is not a separate insurance policy — it is an endorsement confirming your coverage meets the state minimum liability limits.
Illinois requires an SR-22 filing after:
- A DUI or DWI conviction
- A conviction for reckless driving
- Being involved in an accident while driving without insurance
- Certain license revocations or other serious traffic offenses
The standard filing period in Illinois is 3 years from the reinstatement date. If your policy lapses or is cancelled at any point during that window, the insurer must notify the Secretary of State, which typically triggers an automatic re-suspension of driving privileges. Completing the 3-year period without a lapse is the only way to satisfy the requirement.
Penalties for driving without insurance
Driving without insurance in Illinois violates the Safety and Financial Responsibility Law. A first offense is classified as a petty offense; repeat violations carry steeper fines and longer suspensions.
| Offense | Fine | Suspension period |
|---|---|---|
| First offense | $501–$1,000 | 3 months |
| Second offense | $1,000–$2,500 | 1 year |
| Reinstatement fee | — | $100 |
Officers may issue a Notice to Appear at the scene, and some Illinois jurisdictions permit vehicle impoundment for uninsured drivers. After a suspension period ends, you must pay the $100 reinstatement fee and provide proof of an active, compliant policy before driving privileges are restored.
Because Illinois requires uninsured motorist coverage alongside basic liability, your reinstated policy must include both coverages at the minimum limits to satisfy the Secretary of State's requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the minimum car insurance requirements in Illinois?
- Illinois requires 25/50/20 liability coverage: $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $20,000 property damage. Illinois also mandates uninsured motorist coverage at matching 25/50 limits under the Uninsured Motorist Act.
- Is Illinois an at-fault or no-fault state?
- Illinois is an at-fault state that uses modified comparative fault with a 51% bar. You may recover damages from an at-fault driver as long as your share of fault is 50% or less. If you are found 51% or more responsible, you cannot recover anything.
- When is an SR-22 required in Illinois?
- Illinois requires an SR-22 after a DUI or DWI conviction, a reckless driving conviction, being in an accident while driving without insurance, or certain license revocations. The filing period is 3 years with the Illinois Secretary of State.
- What are the penalties for driving without insurance in Illinois?
- A first offense carries a fine of $501–$1,000 and a 3-month license suspension. A second offense raises the fine to $1,000–$2,500 and extends the suspension to 1 year. A $100 reinstatement fee applies before driving privileges are restored.