What does auto insurance cover?
Auto insurance pays other people when you cause a crash, and it can pay to fix your own car, up to the limits you pick. Most policies have five parts.
- Liability: helps pay for injuries and damage you cause to others. Illinois and Arizona both require it.
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist: helps pay for your injuries when the driver at fault has no insurance or not enough. People skim past this one. We don't.
- Collision: helps pay to fix your car after it hits another car or an object. A car sideswiped overnight on a side street with no note left is typically a collision claim, minus your deductible.
- Comprehensive: helps with damage that isn't a crash: theft, a catalytic converter cut out in the alley, hail, a limb down in a storm.
- Medical payments: helps with medical bills for you and your passengers, no matter who caused the crash.
What a policy pays depends on its terms, limits, and deductibles. Your declarations page lists what you have. If it doesn't make sense, read it to us.
What does auto insurance usually not cover?
Most policies typically don't pay for wear and tear, breakdowns, or damage you cause on purpose. Three gaps come up over and over:
- Damage to your own car if you carry only liability. Liability pays the other driver, not you.
- Personal items stolen from your car, which a home, condo, or renters policy may cover instead
- Driving for a rideshare or delivery app, which many personal policies limit unless you add coverage. Tell us if you drive for one.
What auto insurance does Illinois require?
Illinois requires liability limits of at least 25/50/20, plus uninsured motorist coverage.
| State | Injury, per person | Injury, per accident | Property damage | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $25,000 | $50,000 | $20,000 | 625 ILCS 5/7-203 (opens in a new tab) |
| Arizona | $25,000 | $50,000 | $15,000 | A.R.S. 28-4009 (opens in a new tab) |
Scroll sideways to see the whole table.
Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage must be at least 25/50 (215 ILCS 5/143a (opens in a new tab)) and must match your liability limits unless you choose lower limits in writing (215 ILCS 5/143a-2 (opens in a new tab)). Insurers must also offer uninsured motorist property damage coverage (215 ILCS 5/143a (opens in a new tab)). If your uninsured motorist limits are above 25/50, underinsured motorist coverage is required at the same limits (215 ILCS 5/143a-2 (opens in a new tab)).
State minimums are a floor, not a recommendation. If you cause a serious crash, you may be personally responsible for costs above your limits.
Proof of insurance and penalties in Illinois
You can show proof of insurance on your phone (625 ILCS 5/7-602 (opens in a new tab)). The Secretary of State checks insurance on registered vehicles at least twice a year. If coverage can't be confirmed, you have 30 days to show proof, or your registration is suspended (625 ILCS 5/7-603.5 (opens in a new tab)).
Driving uninsured can bring a fine of $500 to $1,000, and a conviction brings a 3-month license suspension (625 ILCS 5/3-707 (opens in a new tab)). Your registration can stay suspended until you pay a $100 reinstatement fee and show proof of insurance (625 ILCS 5/7-606 (opens in a new tab)). See the Illinois Department of Insurance auto insurance guide (opens in a new tab) for more.
What does Arizona require?
Arizona requires liability limits of at least 25/50/15 (A.R.S. 28-4009 (opens in a new tab)). Insurers must offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage in writing, but buying it is your choice (A.R.S. 20-259.01 (opens in a new tab)).
You can show proof of insurance on your phone. A first offense for driving uninsured brings a civil penalty of at least $500, and the state suspends or restricts your driving privileges for three months (A.R.S. 28-4135 (opens in a new tab)). Questions about Arizona rules can go to the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (opens in a new tab).
How we work on auto insurance
We start with the car and the drivers, not the price. Where does it sleep at night? Who else has a key? Do you ever drive for a rideshare or delivery app? A form never asks those. Someone picks up delivery shifts on weekends, never mentions it, and a personal policy may not cover those hours. It happens more than you'd think, and you find out after the claim.
Then we go through the limits in plain terms, in English or Spanish. When something changes, a new car, a new driver, a move, call and we'll adjust it. If you have a claim, we're the second call, after the claims line. See our claims page.
What to have ready when you call
You don't need all of it. When you're ready, call us for a quote.
- Driver's license numbers and dates of birth for everyone who will drive, including a teen with a permit
- The VIN, year, make, and model of each vehicle
- Your current declarations page, if you have insurance now. The page that lists limits and deductibles, not the ID card.
- The address where each vehicle is parked overnight
- Recent accidents, tickets, or claims for each driver
- Your lender or leasing company's name, if you finance or lease
Common questions
Is the state minimum enough?
It's legal. Whether it's enough depends on what you'd stand to lose in a serious crash, since damages above your limits may come out of your pocket. We can show you how higher limits and an umbrella policy work together.
Do I need collision and comprehensive coverage?
If a lender or leasing company is involved, they typically require both. If you own the car outright, it's a judgment call: what the car is worth, against what the coverage costs and the deductible you'd pay. We'll run it both ways.
What should I do after an accident?
Make sure everyone is safe and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Exchange information, take photos, and report the claim as soon as you can. Our claims page has the steps.