Minimum Coverage Requirements in Illinois
Illinois operates under a fault-based liability system, meaning the at-fault driver's insurance pays for damages. After a DUI conviction, the Illinois Secretary of State requires continuous SR-22 filing to verify you maintain minimum liability coverage. The SR-22 filing period begins on the date your license is reinstated, not the conviction date, which means any delay in reinstatement extends your total time without driving privileges.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Illinois?
DUI convictions move drivers into the non-standard insurance market in Illinois, where carriers specialize in high-risk profiles and price for elevated claim probability. First-offense standard DUI premiums typically run $145–$185/mo for state minimum coverage, while aggravated DUI convictions with BAC above 0.16 or injury involvement push rates to $185–$250/mo because filing periods extend to 5 years and claim history shows higher repeat-violation rates.
What Affects Your Rate
- Conviction class: First-offense standard DUI convictions carry 3-year SR-22 filing periods, while aggravated DUI with high BAC, child endangerment, or injury extends filing to 5 years and increases premiums by 30–50%.
- BAC level at arrest: Blood alcohol readings above 0.16 trigger aggravated DUI charges in Illinois and signal higher repeat-offense probability to insurers, adding $40–$80/mo to base premiums.
- Violation history: Repeat DUI offenders or drivers with multiple moving violations in the 3 years before conviction face surcharges of 50–100% because claim data shows elevated accident frequency.
- Location within Illinois: Cook County and Chicago-area drivers pay 20–35% more than downstate drivers due to higher claim frequency, uninsured driver rates, and theft exposure.
- Age and driving tenure: Drivers under 25 with DUI convictions face compounded risk pricing — youthful driver surcharges stack on top of DUI surcharges, often resulting in monthly premiums exceeding $300 for minimum coverage.
- Vehicle type and usage: Financed vehicles requiring collision and comprehensive coverage double premiums compared to liability-only policies, and high annual mileage or rideshare usage adds 15–30% because exposure hours correlate with claim probability.
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Get Your Free QuoteCoverage Types
SR-22 Insurance
Electronic certificate filed by your insurer with the Illinois Secretary of State proving you maintain continuous liability coverage. Required for license reinstatement after DUI.
Non-Owner SR-22
Liability-only policy for drivers who do not own a vehicle but need SR-22 filing to reinstate their license. Covers you when driving borrowed or rental vehicles.
Liability Insurance
Covers injury and property damage you cause to others. Illinois requires 25/50/25 minimums, but most DUI carriers recommend 50/100/50 because civil lawsuit exposure increases after conviction.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Pays your medical bills and repairs when hit by a driver with no insurance. Illinois law requires carriers to offer it at liability limits, and you must reject it in writing.
