Illinois Car Insurance After a DUI or Suspension

After a DUI, license suspension, or serious violation in Illinois, your current insurer will likely non-renew your policy. The state requires SR-22 filing for 3 years in most cases, and premiums typically increase 80–200%. Here's what to do now.

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Updated April 2026

Minimum Coverage Requirements in Illinois

Most Illinois drivers don't realize their current insurer will non-renew their policy after a DUI or major violation — not cancel immediately, but decline to renew at the end of the term. This gives you 30–60 days to find replacement coverage. During that window, Illinois typically requires you to file SR-22 proof of insurance with the Secretary of State and maintain it for 3 years. You'll need to switch to a non-standard carrier that accepts high-risk drivers and offers SR-22 filing. Missing the filing deadline or letting coverage lapse during the required period restarts the clock and can extend your suspension.

State minimum liability (typically 25/50/20)

SR-22 Filing

SR-22 is not a type of insurance — it's a certificate your insurer files with the Illinois Secretary of State proving you carry the required minimum liability coverage. Not all carriers offer SR-22, so you'll need to shop among non-standard insurers who specialize in high-risk drivers. The filing itself costs $15–$50, but the real cost is the higher premium that comes with it.

Varies by carrier

Non-Standard Auto Insurance

Non-standard auto insurance is coverage sold by carriers that specialize in high-risk drivers — those with DUIs, violations, lapses, or suspensions on their record. These policies cost significantly more than standard coverage because the carrier is accepting higher risk. In Illinois, expect to pay 80–200% more than your previous premium, depending on violation type and driving history.

25/50/20 (typical state minimum)

Liability Insurance

Liability coverage pays for damage you cause to others in an accident. Illinois typically requires minimum limits of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident, and $20,000 for property damage. This is the foundation of any SR-22 filing — you cannot file without maintaining at least these limits continuously for the required period.

Varies by carrier and violation

High-Risk Auto Insurance

High-risk auto insurance is broader than SR-22 — it's the full policy you'll carry after a violation. Some drivers choose to carry only state minimums to reduce cost, but if you finance or lease a vehicle, your lender will require comprehensive and collision coverage as well. High-risk policies often come with higher deductibles and stricter terms.

Optional (required by lender if financing)

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage pays for damage to your own vehicle in an accident, regardless of fault. If you own your car outright, this is optional after a violation — but dropping it to save money means you'll pay out of pocket for repairs if you're in another accident. If you're financing, your lender requires it.

State-Mandated Minimum Coverage · Illinois

Illinois Minimum Coverage

Coverage	Minimum
Bodily Injury (per person)	$25,000,000
Bodily Injury (per accident)	$50,000,000
Property Damage	$20,000,000

License Reinstatement Fee$70

Meeting the state minimum keeps you legal. See whether it's enough — get your Illinois quote.

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How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Illinois?

High-risk insurance costs significantly more in Illinois because carriers view violation drivers as statistically more likely to file claims. A DUI typically increases premiums by 80–140%, while a suspended license violation may add 60–120%. The exact increase depends on your violation type, prior driving history, age, vehicle, and location. Rates begin to decrease after 3–5 years if no additional violations occur.

What Affects Your Rate

Violation type: DUI convictions carry the highest rate increases, followed by reckless driving and suspended license violations
Time since violation: rates begin to decrease after 3 years if no additional incidents occur
Prior driving record: a clean record before the violation results in lower increases than multiple prior violations
Age and experience: younger drivers with violations face steeper increases than drivers over 25
Location: urban areas like Chicago, Aurora, and Rockford typically see higher high-risk rates due to accident frequency and claim costs
Credit-based insurance score: Illinois allows insurers to use credit as a rating factor, which can compound rate increases for violation drivers

Minimum Liability Only

$150–$300/month

State minimum liability (typically 25/50/20) with SR-22 filing. Lowest legal option for drivers who own their vehicle outright and want to minimize cost during the filing period.

Standard Non-Standard Coverage

$200–$450/month

Liability limits above state minimums (often 50/100/50 or 100/300/100) with SR-22. Better protection if you have assets to protect or want higher limits for peace of mind.

Full Coverage High-Risk

$300–$700/month

Liability plus comprehensive and collision coverage with SR-22. Required if you finance or lease your vehicle, and recommended if your car is worth protecting in case of another accident.