Liability insurance has been required in the State of Illinois since January 1, 1990.

Illinois law (625 ILCS 5/7-601) requires all motor vehicle owners to have minimum amounts of auto liability insurance. In addition, lending institutions may require physical damage insurance to protect their interest in a financed vehicle.

You can research the details of the mandatory auto insurance law of Illinois by going to section 625 of the IL Compiled Statutes (ILCS).

You are in compliance with the mandatory insurance law if you have vehicle liability insurance in the following amounts of 20/40/15. This stands for $20,000 of bodily injury or death of one person in an accident, $40,000 bodily injury or death of more than one person in an accident and $15,000 of damage to property of another person.

Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UM) coverage is currently required under Illinois law (215 ILCS 5/143a) in the amounts of $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident. For additional premium, you may buy higher limits to pay for claims that exceed those amounts.

Illinois law (215 ILCS 5/143a-2) states that Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury insurance (UIM) is required if you purchase higher limits of UM.

Remember that IL law requires that you always carry your insurance card in your vehicle and show it upon request by any law enforcement officer. Your insurance company will send you an insurance card, usually when your insurance policy is issued or renewed.

For an Illinois auto insurance rate quote follow this link.