Illinois Auto Insurance Requirements: 25/50/20, Mandatory UM, and the 51% Bar
Illinois requires 25/50/20 liability plus mandatory uninsured motorist coverage, and follows modified comparative fault at a 51% bar. Learn what these minimums mean and why most Chicago-metro drivers need more.
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Get a Free QuoteIllinois Minimum Auto Liability: 25/50/20 + Mandatory UM
Illinois law requires every driver to carry minimum liability coverage of 25/50/20 — $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident, and $20,000 for property damage. Unlike many states, Illinois also mandates uninsured motorist (UM) bodily injury coverage at 25/50 minimum statewide.
These are the minimums required to legally register and drive a vehicle in Illinois. In a serious Chicago-metro accident — particularly involving hospitalization, lost wages, or multi-vehicle damage — these limits can be exhausted quickly. VKOVR recommends carrying at least 100/300/100 with matching UM/UIM stacks.
Modified Comparative Fault: The 51% Bar
Illinois follows modified comparative negligence at a 51% bar — if you are found 51% or more at fault for an accident, you cannot recover any damages from other parties. If you are 50% or less at fault, your recovery is reduced by your share of fault.
This rule makes dash-cam evidence, witness statements, and police reports particularly important in Illinois disputed-fault accidents. Strong liability coverage protects you when fault is genuinely shared, and UM/UIM stacks protect you when the other driver lacks coverage.
Why Illinois Mandatory UM Still Isn't Enough
Illinois mandates UM at 25/50 — but that minimum rarely covers serious injury claims. Roughly 13% of Illinois drivers are uninsured, and hit-and-run accidents are particularly common in Chicago metro. UM/UIM stacking to match 100/300 liability is the prudent baseline.
VKOVR compares Illinois-licensed carriers across UM/UIM structure, deductible options, and liability-comparative-fault handling. Chicago, Aurora, Naperville, Joliet, Rockford, and Springfield drivers each face different risk profiles — coverage should match.
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