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In Chicago, motorcycle insurance is a must-have for riders. Illinois law requires all motorcyclists to have at least liability insurance to cover damages or injuries they cause to others.
The cost of motorcycle insurance in Chicago can vary depending on several factors, including your riding history, the type of bike you own, and the coverage levels you choose.
In Illinois, the minimum liability insurance coverage is $25,000 for bodily injury or death per person, $50,000 per accident, and $20,000 for property damage.
Chicago's high crime rate and congested streets can increase your insurance premiums.
Insurance Requirements
In Illinois, motorcycle insurance is a must-have. You'll need liability coverage to protect yourself and others on the road.
Liability insurance is a combination of bodily injury and property damage coverage. It's required by law in Illinois, and you'll be fined if caught riding without it.
The state minimum requirements are 25/50/20, which means you need at least $25,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $20,000 of property damage liability coverage.
For more insights, see: How Much Is Motorcycle Insurance in Illinois
To put this into perspective, let's break down the minimum requirements:
It's worth noting that liability insurance alone won't cover the costs of fixing your motorcycle if you're at fault in an accident.
Make sure to carry your insurance card with you at all times, as you'll need to show it to law enforcement if asked.
Types of Insurance
In Chicago, motorcycle insurance is more than just liability coverage. Additional coverage options are worth considering to protect yourself and your bike.
To cover expenses if you're involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist coverage is a must-have.
Comprehensive Coverage can help replace or repair your motorcycle if it's stolen or damaged in a non-collision accident, such as a storm or vandalism.
Collision Coverage covers repair or replacement costs, regardless of who's at fault. This can be a lifesaver if you're involved in a crash.
Medical expenses for injuries that occur during an accident are covered, no matter who's at fault. This coverage is essential for ensuring you receive the medical attention you need.
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Here are the key types of additional coverage to consider:
- Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist: covers expenses if injured in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver
- Comprehensive Coverage: covers replacing or repairing your motorcycle if it's stolen or damaged in a non-collision accident
- Collision Coverage: covers repair or replacement costs, regardless of who's at fault
- Medical: covers medical expenses for injuries that occur during an accident
Additional Beyond Liability
You may have liability insurance, but that's just the minimum required to ride legally. Liability insurance only covers damage or injuries you cause to others, not your own bike.
In Illinois, you're required to have uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage as part of your minimum liability insurance policy.
Comprehensive coverage protects your bike against incidents out of your control, including theft, vandalism, fire, and weather-related issues. It can pay to replace your bike, minus your deductible, if it's stolen while in storage.
Collision coverage covers damage to your bike if you collide with an object or vehicle. It can cover the repair cost, minus your deductible, if your bike is damaged in a minor collision.
Medical expenses for injuries that occur during an accident are covered, no matter who is at fault.
Here are some additional coverage options to consider:
- Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist: Helps you get compensated for your injuries if injured in an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Covers the expense of replacing or repairing your motorcycle if it is stolen or damaged in a non-collision accident.
- Collision Coverage: Covers the repair or replacement costs of your motorcycle, no matter who is at fault for damaging it.
- Medical: Covers medical expenses for injuries that occur during an accident, no matter who is at fault.
New Vehicle Loss
If you total your new motorcycle, Progressive can pay the full manufacturer's suggested retail price for a brand-new bike, minus the deductible on your policy.
Your motorcycle must be no more than one model year old on a new policy or two model years old during the renewal of a policy with total loss coverage.
You'll get the actual cash value of your bike if your motorcycle isn't eligible for total loss coverage at renewal.
For example, if you recently paid $25,000 for a new bike, but now it's worth $18,000, Progressive will give you the latest model's price if it's totaled in a covered loss.
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Additional Coverage
In Illinois, you're required to have liability insurance, but considering additional coverage can be a smart move. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage will help you get compensated for injuries caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver.
Comprehensive Coverage is a must-have to cover the expense of replacing or repairing your motorcycle if it's stolen or damaged in a non-collision accident. This type of coverage can be a lifesaver if you're involved in a hit-and-run or a theft.
Collision Coverage will cover the repair or replacement costs of your motorcycle, no matter who's at fault. This coverage can be especially useful if you're involved in a multi-vehicle accident.
Medical expenses for injuries that occur during an accident are covered, regardless of who's at fault. This can include hospital bills, surgeries, and other medical costs.
Here are some key types of additional coverage to consider:
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist
- Comprehensive Coverage
- Collision Coverage
- Medical
MoneyGeek recommends full coverage of 50/100/25 for most riders in Illinois, while a 100/300/100 coverage limit is even better due to the relatively minimal increase in cost.
Cost and Quotes
The cost of motorcycle insurance in Chicago can vary significantly depending on your location. Chicago is the most expensive place to insure a motorcycle in Illinois, where coverage costs $46 per month, which is 58% more than the state average.
If you're looking for a more affordable option, consider moving to Mundelein, where the typical price of coverage is just $25 per month. Local road conditions, traffic patterns, and accident statistics may all factor into the rates that insurers determine for coverage in a particular area.
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The cheapest option for motorcycle insurance in Illinois is Progressive, which charges just $15 per month. This is about half as much as a typical insurer and $11 cheaper than the next-cheapest option, Geico.
Here's a rough breakdown of the costs of motorcycle insurance in Illinois:
Keep in mind that these costs can vary depending on your individual circumstances and the specific insurance company you choose. Comparing quotes between several companies is the best way to find lower rates.
Insurance Companies
If you're looking for affordable motorcycle insurance in Chicago, you're in luck - the average cost is just $29 per month in Illinois.
Progressive is the cheapest option, charging a whopping $15 per month - that's about half as much as the average insurer.
The most expensive option is Allstate, where coverage costs a steep $36 per month.
Here are the top motorcycle insurance providers in Illinois, according to the MoneyGeek study:
- Progressive: 94.38/100, with an average cost of $144 per year for liability-only and $305 for full coverage.
- Harley-Davidson: 89.56/100, with an average cost of $229 per year for liability-only and $330 for full coverage.
- GEICO: 83.74/100, with an average cost of $156 per year for liability-only and $369 for full coverage.
Progressive stands out for its wide range of extra coverages and discounts, including accident forgiveness coverage and a disappearing deductible that lowers your deductible by 25% every year.
Sources
- https://www.progressive.com/motorcycle/
- https://www.valuepenguin.com/best-cheap-motorcycle-insurance-illinois
- https://www.altonwilliams.com/insurance-services/personal-insurance/motorcycle-insurance/
- https://www.accurateautoins.com/motorcycle-insurance-illinois/
- https://www.moneygeek.com/insurance/motorcycle/best-cheap-motorcycle-insurance-in-illinois/
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