The state law of Illinois requires every individual to have an insurance ID card in their car at all times when they drive. But what happens if you don’t have one and you get caught?
All 50 states — including Washington, D.C. — require all drivers and car owners to have proof of insurance or proof of financial responsibility. The minimum liability coverage is enough for some drivers in Chicago while others still go for other car insurance like SR-22, which is necessary for high-risk drivers.
The minimum coverage required by the state of Illinois for all registered vehicles are as follows:
The bottom line is that driving without insurance is illegal. And it comes with consequences. For instance, you may face:
The hardest part is when you wind up in a fender-bender without carrying insurance. The other party has the legal right to sue you for the damage to their car and other medical bills caused by the accident.
Driving in Illinois without insurance can get you into trouble. When the cops pull you over for over-speeding or drunk driving, the first thing they will ask for is your driver’s license, followed by your insurance ID card.
Without the verification of proof of insurance, you may have to pay fines. The first and second offense will cost you from $501 to $1,000. You will have to pay an additional $1,000 if you’re driving with suspended plates because of an insurance violation.
Expect that the state will take your driving privileges. You will have to surrender your driver’s license and registration, which may be suspended for about three months. To get them back, you have to pay the $100 reinstatement fee.
Every subsequent offense will cost you more, specifically $1,000 more. And you will be required to pay an additional $2,500 fine if you faced conviction twice and you wound up in an accident.
After repeat offenses, you won’t just have to pay the $100 reinstatement fee. You will also need to provide proof of financial responsibility, such as the SR-22 certificate, that’s valid for three years.
All this explains why driving with an SR-22 certificate in Illinois is smart — and necessary.
At Oxford Auto Insurance, we can help you find affordable SR-22 insurance coverage. We can help you get the proof of financial responsibility that the state requires.
You need it for many reasons, especially when you get caught:
Contact us today for more information.
Motorcyclists are more vulnerable on the road, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). They also have higher chances of winding up in an accident than other drivers. In spite of this, Illinois remains one of the three states in America, alongside Iowa and New Hampshire, that doesn’t enforce the use of helmet among motorcyclists.
In Chicago, motorcycle insurance can provide the coverage you need should you get involved in a fender-bender. A helmet, on the other hand, may reduce your risk for severe head and brain injury because it may minimize the impact of a collision or force to the head.
In 2017, there was a 5.6 percent decrease in the motorcycle fatalities across the U.S., with an estimated 4,990 deaths. The nationwide numbers may be dropping, but the figures in Illinois are on the rise.
Motorcycle fatalities in the state went up by 5.2 percent. From 154 fatalities in 2016, there were about 162 deaths in Illinois in 2017. Not wearing protective gear, such as a helmet, contributes to the rising figures in the state.
Some motorcyclists in Chicago are still responsible enough to use a helmet when driving, even without state law. The 2017 Motorcycle Helmet Usage in Illinois Study proves this, revealing that the city had the highest helmet usage rate at 51.1 percent.
How is the state encouraging helmet use despite the absense of a law?
Illinois carried out a “Start Seeing Motorcycles” campaign in a bid to reduce motorcycle accidents. The state also declared May as “Motorcycle Awareness Month” to further educate motorcyclists about gearing up and riding smart on the roadways.
The Illinois Department of Transportation implemented all these as key reminders for motorcycle riders. As a motorcyclist, it’s your responsibility to:
The need for helmets isn’t just to keep you alive; it may help you recover damages for injuries to the head. Wearing your helmet may not be the deciding factor to your injury claim, but it shows you’re a responsible motorcyclist. It could also indicate the negligence of the other driver. Insurance companies may also take helmet use into consideration. For example, if you were not wearing a helmet and sustained injuries during an accident, you may have to prove to the insurer that you would still have been injured even with a helmet.
Keep in mind that you’re not just protecting yourself when you’re on the road; you’re also protecting the lives of other drivers and pedestrians. But to further protect yourself when you’re out riding your motorcycle, you need motorcycle insurance.
Motorcycle insurance gives you the confidence and the protection you need when on the road, especially if you get involved in an accident. At Oxford Auto Insurance, you can choose from our competitive rates on different kinds of motorcycles. We offer:
Talk to us today for your motorcycle insurance needs.
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