Drivers in Illinois are required to have liability insurance coverage in place. The state follows a tort system to deal with damages following a car accident, which means that a driver will be found legally responsible in an accident. That individual (through his or her insurance company) will have to pay medical bills and expenses incurred by accident victims. The at-fault driver is also responsible for paying for the cost of repairs to property damaged in the accident.
The minimum level of bodily injury liability protection required by law is $20,000 to compensate a single accident victim and $40,000 to pay for injuries and damages sustained by all people injured in the same incident. This part of the insurance policy also pays a funeral benefit if the accident caused a loss of life.
Property damage liability coverage of $15,000 or more must also be purchased. It pays for repairs to the other driver’s vehicle, as well as items like mail boxes, light stands and sign posts.
Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage is also required in Illinois. The minimum level of coverage ($20,000/$40,000) is the same as for third party liability insurance. Having this protection in place means that an injured person is covered for medical expenses even if the at-fault driver does not have insurance coverage in place.
Illinois car insurance customers can choose to buy a policy with a higher level of protection if they wish. In the case of a serious accident, the minimum amount of protection required by law may not be high enough to pay for the damages caused.
