Auto Insurance
Auto Insurance Information
Every Illinois driver needs car insurance. That’s particularly true here in the Chicago suburbs, which are not only among the most populated communities in the state, but also home to huge commuter populations. Whenever you get behind the wheel, you should be able to know that your policy will protect you from the countless driving risks that you might face every day.
You always must carry adequate car insurance, and to do that, you must be able to afford your coverage. Here at Alteza Insurance, we’re committed to helping you achieve both these goals. As your local independent agency, we’ll help you not only design the appropriate policy, but also ensure that it stays within your budget.
To get a policy quickly and conveniently, call us today at (630) 830 – 4500. You can request a policy online by filling out a free quote form now. Our agents are ready to help.
Common Auto Insurance Questions
How does auto insurance work?
Cars are expensive machines, and they’re dangerous no matter how carefully you try to drive. When accidents occur, they could wind up costing you a lot of money that you might not have. Car insurance can cover these costs on your behalf and greatly reduce your personal burden for these losses.
Why is auto insurance important?
You need to buy car insurance because you never know when you might have a wreck, experience vehicle theft or a car fire, or face a lawsuit because you caused a wreck. Car insurance can help you cover these costs so that you don’t have to worry about how you’ll afford to pick up the pieces.
Not only that, but car insurance is required by law in Illinois. Drivers who operate without at least the minimum required coverage will face penalties if they get caught. Don’t put yourself in the way of that risk by failing to get a policy.
How much auto insurance do I need?
The amount of car insurance you need depends entirely on your situation. Start by purchasing enough coverage to satisfy Illinois law's minimum auto insurance rules. Your agent may recommend that you increase your liability limits for adequate protection. If you are responsible for damages that exceed your liability limits, you may be held legally liable to pay the excess damages out of pocket.
If you have a loan or lease on your car, your lender may require you to carry full coverage insurance on your vehicle. To fulfill their requirements, you may have to add comprehensive and collision coverage to your liability policy. Your lender may also require GAP insurance to help protect their financial stake in the vehicle.
Your agent can help you determine how much auto insurance coverage you need to satisfy Illinois laws and your lienholder’s requirements.
What does auto insurance cover?
To start your auto insurance policy off right, you must carry at least the following coverage:
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Bodily Injury Liability Insurance: $25,000 per person/$50,000 total per accident
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Property Damage Liability Insurance: $20,000 total per accident
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Uninsured Motorist (UM) Bodily Injury Insurance: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
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Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Bodily Injury Coverage: Required if you buy higher limits than the minimum UM coverage.
Liability coverage is sometimes called at-fault coverage because Illinois requires drivers who cause accidents to pay for the losses they cause others. With your required liability insurance, you might be able to repay other drivers, their passengers, pedestrians or property owners who suffered injuries, vehicle damage or other property damage because of your mistakes.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist benefits are designed to protect you if another driver is at fault for your injuries but doesn’t have adequate liability insurance to compensate you. Uninsured motorist coverage pays if that party has no coverage or if you are the victim of a hit-and-run. Underinsured benefits pay if the at-fault driver has liability insurance, but it won’t cover your full injury costs.
However, a minimum policy only offers minimum benefits, and there are many ways that you can increase your benefits to achieve much higher levels of protection. Consider buying:
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Higher liability and uninsured/underinsured motorist benefits.
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Collision insurance to cover your car’s damage in case of a wreck.
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Comprehensive insurance to pay for car damage that comes from accidents other than wrecks, such as fires or vandalism.
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Medical payments benefits to pay your medical bills and those of passengers riding with you.
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Roadside assistance coverage to help you in case of a breakdown.
There are many other benefits that you might be able to receive too, including accident forgiveness, vanishing deductibles and replacement cost coverage for physical damage.
How much does auto insurance cost?
The more auto insurance you buy, the more your policy is likely to cost. Other factors like your insurance history, driving record, the value of your vehicle or even your location might affect premium rates, too.
Still, you shouldn’t have to sacrifice coverage just to get an affordable policy. Alteza Insurance works with numerous carriers who offer the best policy options for both coverage and price. We can compare all your policy options to determine which ones are best for you, and we’ll never forget to apply all necessary discounts to your chosen coverage.
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