Updated: November 21, 2024
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The best car insurance company depends on your needs and driving history. Country Financial is the best overall and for senior drivers. Westfield is the best for cheap coverage. American Family is ideal for young drivers and those with traffic offenses. Erie is the best for customer satisfaction, Auto-Owners is ideal for teenagers and Travelers is perfect for those with new cars.
MoneyGeek also highlighted the most affordable car insurance companies in Chicago.
BestCar InsuranceChicagoTable of Contents (Jump to Your Best Fit)
Why Trust MoneyGeek? We developed a scoring system for Illinois insurance providers based on data categories like customer satisfaction, claims history, essential coverages, affordability and financial stability. We also gathered quote data from the Illinois Department of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services.
In Chicago, Illinois, the best car insurance providers for full coverage are:
Our analysis of 14 insurers showed that Country Financial is the best car insurance for Illinois drivers, with high customer satisfaction ratings and affordable rates. USAA is a great option for those in the military, scoring an impressive 80 out of 100 with MoneyGeek. Country Financial is also the state's top option for auto insurance.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for the overall best car insurance was calculated with the following weights:
Great affordability score
Excellent customer satisfaction score
Offers new car replacement, rental car and/or travel reimbursement and roadside assistance coverage
Limited coverage options
Lacks original equipment manufacturer (OEM) coverage
Country Financial provides an excellent balance between cost and service quality, securing high scores in both categories. Although the coverage options are somewhat limited, they can still help most drivers.
Country Financial's new car replacement pays for a brand-new car of the same make and model if your car is up to four model years old. With Country Financial's rental car and/or travel reimbursement coverage, you can be reimbursed up to $800 for a rental car in the event of a claim.
If you’re involved in an accident more than 100 miles from home, this coverage also covers expenses such as transportation, lodging and meals. Additionally, Country Financial offers roadside assistance coverage which covers mechanical breakdowns, providing access to a readily available dispatch service and covering expenses of up to $100 for fuel delivery, flat tire replacement, towing, locksmith services and more.
Our evaluation of 14 insurance providers in Chicago found Country Financial to be the best insurer. It offers the second-cheapest rates at $890 per year and scored well for customer service.
Although American Family is the most affordable option at $2 less than Country Financial's policies, Country Financial balances affordability and customer service to rank first.
Erie and Westfield earned the highest customer satisfaction ratings, but these options have pricier policies. All rates mentioned in this article refer to full coverage policies. We only assigned MoneyGeek scores to companies that provided enough data for each scoring component.
| Westfield | 81 | $1,011 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Country Financial | 81 | $890 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| American Family | 80 | $888 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | 79 | $955 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Erie | 77 | $1,154 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| State Farm | 70 | $1,060 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Progressive | 70 | $1,023 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Travelers | 69 | $1,167 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Mercury | 68 | $984 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GEICO | 67 | $1,151 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Allstate | 55 | $1,411 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| AAA | 49 | $1,590 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Hanover | 46 | $1,813 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| Grange Insurance | 42 | $1,823 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
Without factoring in cost, the top-rated full coverage car insurance companies for customer service in Chicago are:
Erie scored well in customer satisfaction and claims management ratings, but its car insurance policies are more costly than other providers. This means you’ll pay more for excellent service.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for Customer Service was calculated with the following weights:
Great score for customer satisfaction
Good claims management score
Offers new and better car replacement, glass repair and accident forgiveness coverages
Lacks roadside assistance
Policies tend to be expensive
Limited coverage options
If you're a driver who values quality customer service and claims management over cost, Erie is a great option. It provides a range of coverages, such as Auto Security, which will replace your new car with the newest model year if you've had it for less than two years or a model that's two years newer if you've owned it for more than two years.
With accident forgiveness coverage, you won’t have a surcharge if you have been accident-free for three years. This feature isn't available with the insurer’s rate lock feature. Erie also includes comprehensive coverage with glass repair, which waives the deductible for repairs or full window glass, which waives the deductible regardless of repair or replacement, along with the addition of new wiper blades if your windshield is replaced.
Customer service is of the utmost importance when dealing with a stressful issue such as a car breaking down. We recommend Erie due to its acclaimed customer service and efficient claims management. It earned excellent ratings for its ability to quickly process claims and respond to the needs of policyholders.
While the runner-up has a better coverage score, Erie outranked it in terms of claims management.
Based on an evaluation of cost and service quality for policies that meet the minimum requirements set by the state of Illinois, the top companies in Chicago are:
Minimum coverage policies are usually the most affordable but offer limited protection. For instance, liability-only policies do not include damage to your car. The state of Illinois' mandated minimum car insurance requirements is applicable to all cities in the state.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for the Best Cheap company was calculated with the following weights:
Offers affordable premiums at $372 per year
Good satisfaction score
Provides roadside assistance coverage
Limited coverage options
Doesn’t advertise discounts offered on its website
Westfield is the top insurer for Chicago's minimum coverage car insurance policies. It ranks highly for customer satisfaction and affordability. Even though discounts are not advertised on the company's website, customers are encouraged to contact an agent to learn about their options.
It offers unique coverage add-ons that can benefit Chicago drivers, such as loan/lease coverage, trip protection coverage, replacement cost coverage and more when you package your home and auto coverage together. Additionally, it provides 24/7 roadside assistance coverage when you buy the roadside assistance add-on.
It is important to note that the insurer offers limited coverage options, which might be a deterrent for some potential customers. It also ranked a bit lower for claims management, which means that customers may have a more difficult time if they need to file a claim.
Westfield is our top choice for insurers offering the best minimum coverage policies since it provides low rates without sacrificing customer service. While cheaper premiums may mean a lower quality of service, Westfield has proven to be an exception to this rule, as it has both competitive prices and a high customer satisfaction rating.
Even though Country Financial may have a slightly lower premium, Westfield ranks higher for customer satisfaction and claims processing.
The best insurance companies for Chicago drivers in their 20s who need full coverage are:
MoneyGeek rated American Family highly for its affordability and coverage options, meaning customers can get quality coverage at a low price. We also evaluated the best car insurance for young drivers so you can make the right decision.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for Young Adults was calculated with the following weights:
Offers good and distant student discounts
Ranks high for affordability at $954 annually
Great coverage score
Its claims score could be better
Lower satisfaction score
American Family is the best insurer for young adults in their 20s since it offers cheap premiums, good coverage options and discounts tailored to young drivers. With the company’s distant student discounts, those under 25 who go to college more than 100 miles away could get a discount. The good student discount means that those who maintain good academic standing can save money as well.
Other money-saving offers include autopay discounts when you sign up for automatic funds transfer (AFT) or electronic recurring payments and pay in full discounts when you pay the entire premium upfront.
American Family even provides additional coverages, such as roadside assistance and car rental/travel reimbursement, which are beneficial in the event of an accident or breakdown.
When shopping for car insurance, young adults should look for an insurer offering moderately priced policies that meet their individual needs. Consider companies that cater specifically to drivers under 30 by offering discounts for those with good driving records and academic successes. Although Country Financial ranks higher for customer service, American Family makes up for this with cheap premiums.
For 16-year-old teens on their parent's full coverage policy, the best car insurance in Chicago are:
Auto-Owners stands out from the other insurers we analyzed for teen drivers due to its affordable premiums and coverage options. Car insurance is more expensive for teens, but they can save up to $2,567 per year by being added to their parent's policy. Keep in mind that teens under 18 must have a guardian’s permission to get insurance.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for Teens was calculated with the following weights:
Offers the cheapest policy at $2,910 per year
Offers good student and distant student discounts
Good coverage score
Lower satisfaction score
Low claims management score
Auto-Owners balances affordability and coverage options to earn the highest score for this category. Teen drivers can benefit from the company's various discounts, such as the good student discount of up to 20% for students who maintain a cumulative "B" or better grade-point average. They can also access the distant student discount for college students who travel to school more than 100 miles away from home without a car.
Those who install safety features such as airbags, anti-lock brakes and anti-theft systems can also save money on premium.
Auto-Owners offers roadside assistance coverage with its "No Problem®" service. This covers services like flat tire replacement, minor mechanical malfunction or a dead battery.
It’s important for policyholders to keep in mind that this insurer has a lower customer satisfaction and claims management rating.
In Chicago, the best insurance provider for teens offers affordable rates and teen-specific discounts. Parents and teens can shop for insurers that also offer extra coverages such as roadside help and accident forgiveness.
While Progressive scored better than Auto-Owners for affordability, it didn't measure up in terms of satisfaction and claims management.
The best companies in Chicago for full coverage car insurance for seniors are:
MoneyGeek data shows that Country Financial is the highest-rated auto insurer for senior drivers in Chicago. Not only is it the most affordable, but it also has excellent customer satisfaction ratings. Drivers in their 60s tend to pay the same rates as those in their 30s, 40s and 50s. This may change when a driver reaches their 70s, as insurance companies consider this age-group high risk.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for Seniors was calculated with the following weights:
Ranks highly for affordability, costing roughly $837 annually
Provides quality service
Offers portable electronics and media coverage and glass deductible modification coverage
Average claims score
Limited add-on coverage options
Country Financial offers senior drivers in Chicago, Illinois, top-notch customer service and inexpensive rates. With coverages tailored to older adults, such as roadside assistance, rental car and/or travel reimbursement coverage, drivers can benefit from the 24/7 help available. The roadside assistance will pay up to $100 for towing, tire repairs, locksmith services and more.
The rental car and/or travel reimbursement will help pay for the cost of a rental vehicle if your car needs repairs due to a covered accident. Bundling car, home or disability income insurance policies with Country Financial can save seniors even more money, as well as multiple cars and safe driving discounts. The portable electronic media coverage from Country Financial provides protection if your phone or laptop is stolen from your car, with a maximum limit of $800.
Older individuals in their sixties may find better rates when looking for insurance when compared to other age brackets. An ideal insurance plan for this age group should be cost-effective and provide extensive coverage plans with personal injury protection (PIP) in order to provide extra security in case of an accident resulting in serious injury.
Although Country Financial lacks senior-specific discounts, it makes up for this with affordable rates plus bundling and defensive driving discounts.
The best auto insurance providers for Chicago drivers who want full coverage but have traffic violations on their records are:
American Family ranked top for its combination of coverage options and affordability. For drivers with violations, car insurance premiums increase based on the severity of the violation. In Chicago, drivers with DUIs will pay around $811 more for coverage than a driver with a clean record, while those with a speeding ticket could pay around $314 more. However, you can still minimize your costs by selecting the best auto insurers for drivers with offenses.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for Drivers With Offenses was calculated with the following weights:
Excellent affordability score, costing around $1,095 annually
Great coverage score
Offers roadside assistance, rental car and accident forgiveness coverage
Lacks new or better car replacement coverage
Low claims score
With American Family, policyholders can enjoy the advantage of affordable premiums, top-notch customer service and a variety of coverage options, such as roadside assistance.
This add-on covers unexpected services like locksmith labor, towing, mechanical repairs and fuel/tire delivery in the event of a breakdown. Rental car and/or travel reimbursement is also available in case your car is not driveable due to a covered loss, allowing for the payment of a rental vehicle so you can stay on the road until your car is repaired.
American Family provides discounts such as safe driving discounts, multiple cars and pay in full to further lower already inexpensive premiums. Customers may want to be aware that the insurer’s claims management score is low, indicating potential hurdles if you need to file a claim.
American Family and Country Financial both offer affordable premiums with discounts, making them outstanding insurers for motorists with violations. American Family earned a high affordability score, while Country Financial ranked high for consumer satisfaction. While American Family’s coverage options helped it take the top spot, both insurance companies are ideal for drivers with offenses.
Chicago new car owners needing full coverage fare best with these insurers:
We evaluated insurers for this category based on the cost and quality of service for drivers with a 2022 model car in Chicago. We only ranked insurance companies that offer better or new car replacement coverage. This is an insurance policy that gives drivers a new or better car if they experience a total loss of their car due to an accident. Travelers achieved the highest score due to its excellent service.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for New Cars was calculated based on insurers offering new or better car replacement coverage and the following weights:
Offers new car replacement coverage
Excellent affordability, costing around $1,189 annually
Great customer service score
Lower coverage score
No better car replacement coverage
For new car owners in Chicago, Travelers ranked as the best insurer in the city. This company offers quality service at an affordable rate, plus discounts and beneficial optional coverages for new cars. It has new car discounts for cars that are less than three years old and discounts for good driving records. Plus, it provides extra protection with its new car replacement coverage, which pays for a brand-new car of the same make and model if your new car is totaled within the first five years.
Travelers also offer gap insurance, covering the difference between the insurance settlement and your car loan if your car is stolen or totaled. It also even provides rental car coverage, roadside assistance and accident forgiveness for an additional cost.
The best insurer for new car owners offers new car replacement or better car replacement coverage, discounts and quality service at an affordable rate. Travelers checks these boxes and is our top pick with high ratings from J.D. Power. Allstate is our second pick since it excels in customer service but is not as competitive when it comes to affordability.
Consider the cost, service reputation and financial stability of each car insurance provider in Chicago when shopping for the best one. Although we provided some information to help you choose, you can also take the following steps to research and find the right coverage for your needs.
We collected thousands of quotes from different data sources to determine the best insurer for different categories of drivers. You can also conduct your own individual research about your desired insurer. We recommend J.D. Power satisfaction scores and National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint ratios in Chicago as a starting point. The Illinois Department of Insurance is also a great source of information, as all customer service data is collected on a state level.
The data in our research is for average sample drivers. Your actual rates may vary based on factors unique to you. Collect quotes from at least three different companies to get a better idea of how much insurance will cost for you.
Insurers may advertise certain coverages or discounts that aren't available in every state. Confirm whether an insurance company offers the coverages you need before signing up for a policy with the insurer.
Financial strength ratings measure a company’s ability to pay out claims. Checking an insurer’s financial strength rating is recommended to assess their financial stability. While large insurance companies tend to be financially stronger, regional insurance companies available in Chicago may have lower ratings.
The best car insurance company for you depends on your needs. To help you make the best decision, MoneyGeek answered some frequently asked questions about Chicago car insurance.
Our data shows that, overall, Country Financial is the best auto insurance provider in Chicago, earning an impressive score of 81 out of 100. It stands out with its affordable annual premiums of $890 for full coverage. It is also the best option for seniors.
Westfield is the best cheap car insurance company in Chicago for minimum coverage, with policies costing around $372 per year. The company earns a MoneyGeek score of 78 out of 100.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
