Once you become a licensed driver in Illinois or move to the state, you must comply with the local requirements. Part of this is carrying insurance policies that cover any liability should you ever get into an accident.
There are many companies offering vehicle insurance in Chicago, many of which provide enough coverage that the law requires. However, this is not enough, and you should opt for better coverage that suits your needs and protects you even more than basic coverage provides.
Before you can drive, Illinois driving laws require that you have insurance coverage that meets certain specifications. These include liability coverage, uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage, and underinsured motorist bodily injury insurance. Liability coverage consists of two parts: bodily injury and property damage. These pay for the costs of the death of pedestrians or other drivers, medical expenses, and, if necessary, legal defense.
Laws require at least $25,000 per person per accident and $50,000 total per accident each for bodily injuries, uninsured, and underinsured bodily injury insurance, and $20,000 for property damage.
All these listed are necessary, which makes it the bare minimum coverage. Failure to drive without insurance incurs penalties, suspension, and fines. Repeated offenses may increase the severity of these three, and you could become a high-risk driver, making your insurance premiums more expensive.
According to Illinois’ Department of Transportation, there were 324,473 vehicle crashes in the state last 2016. You could argue that you are a good driver and can avoid getting into accidents, but it can happen to any person on the road, so isn’t it better to be prepared?
It is much better to be prepared because basic packages can only shoulder so much; if there is an excess, the driver will have to pay the rest. Even the Illinois Department of Insurance recommends buying higher premiums because the state’s minimum may not provide enough coverage. According to them, vehicles today are worth over $20,000 while medical bills could go over $25,000. The total may exceed your coverage, leaving you to shoulder the other costs.
Also, if you took out a bank loan to pay for your vehicle, some banks may require you to have better coverage to protect their financial interests if the vehicle itself is your collateral. It could include comprehensive insurance, which protects your car from non-driving accidents such as fire, theft, vandalism, and other external debris.
While Illinois driving laws state a minimum insurance coverage, drivers should refrain from buying an insurance deal that only covers the bare minimum. Keep in mind that insurance protects you from the high costs of vehicle accidents, and by getting the best possible coverage, you protect yourself from other incidents that may not be covered with minimum coverage.
Oxford Auto Insurance has served Chicagoland for over 65 years and is a trusted name for car insurance in Illinois. We provide more than just the bare minimum and help you find the best and most affordable packages for your situation.
Click here to learn more about our automotive insurance packages.
Imagine a free highway with not many vehicles around. You’re on your way to check out Chicago’s finest destinations. You may be in a hurry to visit the Garfield Park Conservatory. While stepping on the gas pedal, you hear the sound of a police car behind you. You pull over, and you realize you went over the speed limit — again.
If this situation results in a suspension of your license, you have hope in the form of an SR-22 car insurance in Chicago, which can restore your driving privileges.
Sometimes though, you can mitigate the impact of a traffic offense by approaching the situation calmly and with your wits about you.
As soon as the police officer walks up to your car, your defense against speeding charges starts. As the Miranda rights state, anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law.
All your statements will take part in the court proceedings. This is why it’s crucial that you remain calm and respectful.
Remember not to provide information more than what the police needs or asks. Keep in mind that you are not required to agree with the officer’s assessment.
Be polite still and compliant with reasonable requests. You will know when the officer’s requests are reasonable if you’re familiar with the speed limits in Illinois.
The Illinois State Police reminds drivers that it’s their responsibility to be aware of the posted speed limit. The state’s speeding law restricts driving at a speed “greater than is reasonable and proper with regard to traffic conditions and the use of the highway, or endangers the safety of any person or property.”
Here’s a list of the maximum speed limits in Illinois:
Here are the consequences:
Handle speeding charges better with a deep knowledge of, or familiarity with, Illinois’ speeding laws.
All “high-risk” drivers in Chicago need an SR-22 insurance certificate (or the Certificate of Financial Responsibility), as required by the Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The SR-22 isn’t a kind of insurance. It’s a confirmation that you’re maintaining your car insurance liability coverage. If you find yourself obliged to have this certificate, Oxford Auto Insurance can help you.
Some car insurance providers set the policy rates depending on the applicant’s record. We can provide guidance in such instances. We compare policies from more than 15 insurers. This will allow you to find the insurance that fits your needs, your budget, and that comes with an SR-22 certificate.
For a free quote, give us a call today.
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