The new Illinois Electronic Auto Insurance Verification Program came into effect July 1st, 2021. The program announced by Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, is a new twist on an old tale. Making sure everyone in Illinois has auto insurance.
The difference that this new program makes, is that your insurance is verified automatically twice a year. If you do not have at least liability insurance on your vehicle. After a few warnings you could end up with a suspended license.
Although your first instinct would be to go straight to the DMV check on the status of your car insurance policy so that you could get your license reinstated.
The DMV will direct you to contact your insurance carrier to reinstate your insurance.
Once you reinstate your insurance your license will be reinstated.
How can Oxford Auto Insurance help?
As one of the premier insurance agencies in Illinois, at Oxford Auto Insurance we take pride in finding cheaper rates than our competitors. on being better than the rest. We boast a 90% customer satisfaction rating; you can surely rely on us for superior customer service.
For more than 65 years, we have been offering clients in Chicagoland a range of automotive insurance at competitive rates. Whether you need car insurance, motorcycle insurance, or SR-22 insurance, we can provide it for you! We shop around and compare the rates of more than 15 insurance companies to find the one that will best suit your needs.
While we have more than 47 locations – and counting!
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Secretary of State Jesse White Launching Electronic Automobile Insurance Verification
Program aims to crack down on uninsured motorists.
Those who receive letters must contact their insurance company or agent; do not visit a Driver Services facility.
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced that automobile insurance verification will be conducted electronically.
This upgrade to the state’s mandatory insurance verification program will begin enforcement on July 1, 2021.
The program requires insurance companies to work in conjunction with the Secretary of State’s office to confirm electronically that motorists have automobile insurance. This program follows national standards established by the Insurance Industry Committee on Motor Vehicle Administration and is expected to reduce the number of Illinois motorists driving while uninsured.
“My office has led the effort to establish and implement an automobile insurance verification system online which will serve to reduce the number of Illinois motorists driving while uninsured,” said White. “The message is simple: if you don’t have auto insurance, get covered now. It is the law.
”Under the new Illinois Insurance Verification System (ILIVS), vehicle owners’ automobile insurance will be verified electronically at least twice a year at random intervals to ensure that vehicle owners are complying with the state’s mandatory automobile liability insurance laws.
The vast majority of vehicle owners will not have to do anything, as electronic verification of automobile insurance will be confirmed automatically.
If electronic verifications are unsuccessful, the Secretary of State’s office will send a written request to the vehicle owner giving them the opportunity to prove they have insurance before suspending their vehicle registration.
Vehicle owners must contact their insurance company or notify their insurance agent that they received a letter with a specific reference number from the Secretary of State.
The insurance agent’s responsibility is to confirm electronically with the Secretary of State – through www.ILIVS.com – that the vehicle owner does in fact have automobile insurance on the verification date stated in the letter.
Beginning July 1, 2021, vehicle owners who are unable to prove insurance will face a license plate suspension and $100 reinstatement fee.
It is important to note that vehicle owners who receive the letter should NOT VISIT a Driver Services facility; instead, they should CONTACT THEIR INSURANCE COMPANY OR AGENT who can provide the necessary electronic proof of insurance needed to cancel the license plate suspension.
Vehicles owners who do not currently have automobile insurance must obtain insurance to avoid license plate suspension.
White chaired the Uninsured Motorist Verification Advisory Committee that worked with insurance companies, traffic safety advocates and members of the General Assembly. The advisory committee reviewed best practices and helped provide the guidelines used to establish legislation and program requirements.
In 2020, the Secretary of State began an Electronic Liability Insurance Verification program for vehicles registered in llinois.
What does that mean for you? Well each vehicle’s liability policy will be verified at least twice each year through a 3rd party vendor.
The vendor is linked electronically with all insurance companies that write vehicle liability insurance policies in the state of Illinois. Vehicles with valid registration must comply with the Mandatory Insurance Law
(625 ILCS 5/7-601).
Enforcement of the mandatory insurance law is accomplished through an Electronic Insurance Verification process and the issuance of traffic citations.
If the initial verification attempt does not verify that a vehicle is covered by a statutorily required minimum liability insurance policy, that vehicle will be checked a 2nd time after 30 days. This process allows our office to determine whether the vehicle was sold, placed into storage or otherwise not being driven on the roadways.
If the 2nd verification attempt does not confirm a liability insurance policy for the vehicle, the registered owner of the vehicle will be sent a registration suspension letter. The vehicle owner and insurance company will be required to prove that the vehicle was covered by a liability insurance policy on the date of the initial verification attempt within 30 days of the date of the letter through their insurance agent.
If the registered owner and insurance agent cannot provide proof that the vehicle was covered by a liability insurance policy on the date of the initial verification attempt, the vehicle’s registration will be suspended.
In order to have the registration suspension removed, the vehicle owner is required to obtain liability insurance and pay a fee of $100 to reinstate the vehicle’s registration.
If you are stopped for a traffic violation or involved in an accident, a law enforcement officer may issue a traffic citation if you are unable to provide evidence of insurance.
If convicted, your license plates will be suspended and you may face the following fines:
Contact an insurance agent to purchase liability insurance for your vehicle. Some insurance companies do not sell insurance to vehicle owners who have been driving uninsured. If you encounter problems purchasing insurance, ask the insurance agent about the Illinois Automobile Insurance Plan.
The Illinois Department of Insurance maintains a Consumer Service Division that can answer any questions you may have about automobile insurance. You may write to:
Illinois Department of Insurance, Consumer Service Division
320 W. Washington St., 4th Floor
Springfield, IL 62767
The license plates of a 1st time offender are suspended until liability insurance has been purchased and a reinstatement fee of $100 is paid online through the website ILIVS.COM. Repeat offenders are required to serve a four month suspension, obtain liability insurance and pay a fee of $100 online through the ILIVS.COM website prior to reinstatement of their license plates.
While the license plates are suspended, no one may operate your vehicle; however you may operate other vehicles that are insured. To process the reinstatement, you must contact an insurance agent, obtain liability insurance and log onto the website ILIVS.COM. You will need the reference number printed on the registration suspension letter to log onto the ILIVS.COM website. If you no longer have the registration suspension letter, you may use the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) lookup function.
Liability insurance is required for all motor vehicles that must display license plates and are being driven, including cars, vans, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, trucks and buses. Trailers are not required to have liability insurance.
It is hot outside and you feel like the asphalt is melting under right under your feet.
You almost wish it could snow a bit just to feel and breathe some cool air.
Sitting in a car that has no air conditioning can feel suffocating.
Having an AC that is fully functional can make that trip to work all the more comfortable.
Here are some tips to make sure that your AC is working the way it should this summer!
You can lessen the AC’s work load by parking in a shaded spot. You won’t find a spot every time, especially when you are in a huge parking lot, but always try to keep in mind to try and park your car in the shade.
You can also take it a step further and get an idea where the shade will fall at a certain hour near a building or tree when you go to work.
If the only parking spot left is in the sun during the first part of the day, then there are pretty good chances once the starts to set the car will be shaded in the afternoon.
Spot those opportunities and park your car there.
Even though your car will heat up during the day, the shade will lower its temperature in the afternoon it won’t feel as hot in the car when you leave the office.
If you park in a wide open area, you can also always use windshield shades to cover your car’s windows.
If you park in the shade, put windshield covers on your car’s windows and the interior of your car still is unbearable you can try to ventilate the cabin before you turn on your AC.
So we suggest you open all the windows and drive a bit for a few minutes.
Once you feel that your car has cooled down, the next step is to start the AC on low.
The first instinct everyone has is to start the AC on high. But your best bet is to let the AC “warm up” by starting it on low before kicking it into high gear.
Recirculation mode usually is the best bet at getting your car cooled down.
Once the AC “warms up” and starts blowing cool air in your face turn ON the Recirculation Mode.
This means that the AC system won’t suck hot air in from the outside and it will use the cooler air in the cabin.
Since the cabin air is starting to get cooler, the system will work less to cool the cooler air than down continuously cooling the air sucked from outside.
When you reached your destination, don’t just turn OFF the engine, because you’ll create a bit of a shock in the AC unit.
First, turn OFF the AC while the engine is running.
You can start doing this even before reaching your destination. The car interior should be pretty cool now so you won’t break a sweat.
After turning OFF the AC, keep the fan working at medium to high speed.
Why?
Do you know that puddle of water forming underneath you car after using the AC?
Well, that’s coming from the evaporator. The unit is almost ice cold when hot air passes near it so condensation occurs on its fins, forming water droplets.
The fan working while the AC is stopped will dry out the evaporator and its surroundings. This means moss and other damp-dark-places-loving bacteria won’t thrive there and you’ll be spared from foul smells and possible respiratory system diseases.
Don’t forget to follow your car’s periodic maintenance schedule, when the cabin air filter should be replaced. At least once a year, your service should spray some anti-bacterial substances into your AC’s ducts and vents.
Also, at some point the refrigerant in the system will need to be replaced. Do it on a certified dealership that only uses original replacements for your vehicle.
Stay cool!
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Oxford Auto Insurance has you covered with 5 tips that will keep you safe in an emergency.
The first thing you should do. Especially if you are on the highway is move to the side of the road if you are able to. If possible, pull over to an emergency lane, if there is a rest stop available or a parking lot that will work also. The idea is not to cause another accident by staying on the road. Even if you have a flat tire do everything you can to move to safety.
Never ever leave your vehicle when you are on the road. Make sure to pull over to a safe area before exiting your vehicle. Getting out of your vehicle could put you in danger.
Make yourself visible. Turn on your blinkers. If you have flares or road triangles you can place those 30-60 feet behind your vehicle. The idea is to be seen by drivers that do not know that you are there. This is critically important at night where if your lights are off, and no one can see you, can lead to an accident.
Now is the time to reach out to emergency personal if needed. It is also the time to call your Roadside Assistance provider. Metro Motor Club provides plans for as little as $30 per year.
Emergency supplies are important to have in case of an emergency. Things such as jumper cables, road flares, road triangles and a flash light can come in handy on the side of the road.
Helping you stay safe on the road is important to us. Stay tuned to our blog for more safety tips!
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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.
When the weather turns cold, it’s time to bundle up and take care of yourself. Limiting your exposure to the elements is the best way to ensure that you’ll be healthy and comfortable during the cold winter months, and the same applies to your car. Like you, it needs protection, because cold weather can have an adverse effect on your vehicle’s vital systems.
Some driving laws seem to be like the law of gravity — they’ll always be there. Red probably will always mean “stop,” and green likely will always mean “go,” for example. But even though you may have aced your driving test all those years ago, that doesn’t mean that what you learned in driver’s ed always will be the law. Although it’s unlikely that Illinois suddenly would declare that blue means “stop,” it’s important for anyone using Illinois roads and highways to keep up with the latest changes in driving laws.
If there’s one thing Chicagoans know a lot about, it’s getting through winter. After all, we’re not known as “The City That Works … As Long As The Weather’s Not Too Bad.” Life in the city doesn’t stop just because of a few inches of snow, or because the streets are covered with black ice, or because it’s cold enough to flash-freeze a moose. We Chicagoans are supposed to be a hearty bunch, and that means we hit the roads even when they’re buried under an inch of slush and sleet. Driving under these adverse conditions is a rite of passage for Chicagoans. Though anyone who has been stuck on the Dan Ryan in January can tell you that not everyone is successful at it.
Is it possible to drive a car in Illinois without auto insurance? It is possible, but also against the law, so just because something is possible doesn’t make it a good idea. Maybe you’re confident you’ll never be in an accident. Maybe you’d rather spend your money on something else. No matter what you think, however, driving without auto insurance in Illinois is a bad idea. Driving without insurance not only leaves you on the hook in the event of an accident or theft, but it puts you at risk of many other consequences, none of them good. The good news? Just carrying cheap insurance can protect you from many of these consequences, so even if you have the reflexes of a NASCAR driver or a spotless driving record, there’s no reason not to drive insured.
Auto insurance is a requirement to operate a motor vehicle. However, insurance companies base auto insurance rates partially on your risk as a driver. Because high-risk drivers are more likely to file an insurance claim, they usually pay more for Illinois auto insurance or could be dropped from coverage altogether. Determine if you’re a high-risk driver and understand your auto insurance options when you know the factors that insurance companies use to assign risk.
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