The Mandatory Insurance Law has been in effect since January 1, 1990. The law was permanently extended on January 1, 1994.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Minimum liability limits required for all registered cars, vans, trucks, motorcycles, buses, and recreational vehicles for any one accident:
$20,000 - Injury to or death of one person
$40,000 - Injury to or death of more than one person $15,000 - Damage to property of others
NOTE: Some vehicle classes (such as dealer, rental and tow trucks) require higher liability minimums and proof of insurance under other Illinois laws.
ENFORCEMENT
Enforcement of the law involves two methods of detecting uninsured vehicles:
1) Questionnaires sent to randomly selected registered vehicle owners by the Secretary of State.
2) Traffic citations issued by law enforcement officers to drivers operating an uninsured vehicle while being stopped for a routine traffic violation, or during the investigation of an accident.
Drivers license or $200 cash bond may be deposited for bail. Operation of a vehicle already suspended for non-insurance may require the deposit of a driver's license and a $300 cash bond.
PENALTIES
Fines, if arrested and convicted:
- Minimum $500 for driving without insurance
- Minimum $1,000 for driving a vehicle while its registration is suspended for non-insurance
License plate suspension and reinstatement fee, if convicted by a court or if a vehicle is identified as uninsured by a random computer check:
-First offender is suspended until payment of $100 reinstatement fee and proof of insurance is received.
-Repeat offender must serve a four-month suspension, pay a $100 reinstatement fee, and submit proof of insurance.
NOTE: Individuals receiving a citation for failure to have proof of insurance will be able to contact their county state's attorney or circuit clerk to have the citation dismissed by the court if they had valid liability insurance on the violation date.
RENTAL/LEASED VEHICLES
Rental vehicles are exempt from the mandatory
insurance law and a rental agreement continues to be an acceptable evidence
of insurance when stopped by law enforcement. However, leased vehicles
are subject to the mandatory insurance law.
EVIDENCE OF INSURANCE
2. Combination of proof of purchase of the motor vehicle within 60 days and a current insurance card
3. Current declarations page of a liability policy
4. Liability insurance binder
5. Certificate of insurance
6. Receipt for payment of a liability insurance premium
7. Current rental agreement
8. License plates of vehicles registered under other laws requiring liability coverage
9. Government issued document which verifies
vehicle is insured for liability or has qualified for an exemption
To obtain more information concerning Mandatory Insurance, please contact our office at: