TL;DR: Illinois drivers can lower their auto insurance premiums by taking advantage of various discounts such as safe driver, bundling, multi-car, defensive driving, good student, and more. By qualifying for these discounts, drivers in Illinois can often reduce their premiums significantly. For example, bundling auto and home insurance may save you 5%-25%, and maintaining a clean driving record could save 10%-40%.
Insure on the Spot helps Illinois drivers find every discount they qualify for. Call 773-202-5060 for a free quote and start saving today!
What Safe Driver Discounts Can I Get in Illinois?
Safe driving is one of the most effective ways to lower your insurance premiums. If you have a clean driving record with no recent accidents or tickets, many insurance companies will offer significant discounts, often ranging from 10% to 40%. In Illinois, avoiding accidents and violations qualifies you for safe driver discounts.
Defensive Driving Courses for Seniors
Illinois law also offers a specific discount for drivers aged 55 and older. By completing an approved 8-hour defensive driving course, seniors can earn a 5% to 10% discount, which lasts for three years after course completion. If you’re 55 or older, ask about Illinois’ “55+” defensive driving course for immediate savings.
Usage-Based Insurance (Telematics) Discounts
Another option for safe drivers is usage-based insurance (UBI), which tracks your driving habits (like speed, braking, and mileage) through an app or device. Insurance companies often offer a small discount just for signing up (usually around 5–10%), with additional savings if your driving habits are deemed safe. In Illinois, safe drivers can save up to 30–40% through UBI programs.
Bottom line: Being a safe driver in Illinois can lead to substantial savings. Whether you’re accident-free, over 55, or interested in telematics, there are several ways to reduce your premium.
How Do Bundling and Multi-Car Discounts Work in Illinois?
Bundling and multi-car discounts are simple but effective ways to save on car insurance.
Bundling Discounts
By insuring multiple policies (e.g., auto and home insurance) with the same company, you can receive a significant discount, often ranging from 5% to 25%. For example, bundling your auto policy with a home or renters policy can save you hundreds annually. Many insurers allow you to bundle even if you don’t own a home, offering discounts on renters, life, or boat insurance.
Multi-Car Discounts
If you have more than one vehicle in your household, bundling them on a single policy can earn you a multi-car discount, typically between 8% and 25% off. This is an easy way for Illinois families to save on their premiums when insuring two or more cars under one policy.
Tip: Bundling your car insurance with home or renters policies, or adding multiple vehicles to the same policy, is a quick and easy way to reduce your premiums. Insure on the Spot can help you take advantage of these discounts.
Do I Get a Discount for Paying My Car Insurance in Full?
Many insurers offer discounts for paying your premium in full upfront, rather than in monthly installments. This can save you between 6% and 14% on your premium. By paying in full, you also avoid additional installment fees or interest.
Other Payment-Related Discounts
- Auto-Pay Discount: Enrolling in automatic payments can also earn you a discount of about 3–6%.
- Paperless Discount: Opting to receive your bills and policy documents electronically can save you 1–5%.
- Early Signing (Advance Quote) Discount: Getting a quote and purchasing your policy early (7–10 days before renewal) may save you an additional 5–10%.
- Continuous Insurance / Loyalty Discounts: Keeping continuous coverage or remaining loyal to your insurer can earn you loyalty discounts, which increase over time.
In summary, if you have the means, paying your premium in full and setting up automatic payments can help you save. Make sure to ask your insurer about any billing-related discounts.
What Discounts Can Students and Young Drivers Get on Car Insurance?
Young drivers in Illinois, especially students, can benefit from several discounts that make insurance more affordable.
Good Student Discount
Full-time high school and college students who maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher may qualify for a good student discount, typically ranging from 8% to 25%. If you or your child is a responsible student, this discount can save you hundreds of dollars annually.
Student Away at School Discount
If your child is a full-time student living more than 100 miles away from home and does not have a car at school, they may qualify for an “away student” discount. This can significantly lower the premium since the student is not using the car regularly.
Driver Training Discounts
Some insurers also offer discounts for completing a driver’s education course or advanced safe driving programs. Though not universal, this can help lower the insurance rate for young drivers in Illinois.
For Illinois families with student drivers, combining a good student discount and an away-at-school discount can significantly reduce insurance costs.
Are There Car Insurance Discounts for Military or Professional Groups?
Many insurance companies offer discounts for military members, government employees, and those affiliated with certain professional organizations.
Military Discount
Active-duty military, veterans, and sometimes their immediate families can receive discounts on car insurance, often up to 15%. If you or a family member is in the military, ask your insurer about available savings.
Professional and Employer Discounts
Some professions qualify for discounts, including teachers, nurses, police officers, and firefighters. Large employers may also have group rates available, so it’s worth checking if your employer offers a preferred insurance provider discount.
Alumni or Membership Discounts
Belonging to an alumni association, professional group, or even organizations like AARP can also provide discounts. If you’re a member, be sure to mention it to your insurer.
What Car Features Will Lower My Insurance Premium?
Certain car features, especially those related to safety and theft prevention, can help reduce your insurance premiums.
Safety Equipment Discounts
Insurance companies often offer discounts for cars with modern safety features like airbags, anti-lock brakes (ABS), and electronic stability control. These features reduce the risk of injury and make the car safer overall.
Anti-Theft Device Discount
Cars equipped with anti-theft devices such as alarms, ignition cut-off switches, or GPS-based tracking systems can qualify for anti-theft device discounts, often ranging from 5% to 25% off the comprehensive coverage portion of your policy.
New Car Discount
If your car is new (usually less than 3 years old), you may qualify for a new car discount, typically 10% to 15% off your premium.
Green/Hybrid Vehicle Discount
Some insurers offer discounts for hybrid or electric vehicles (EVs), as these vehicles are seen as lower-risk in terms of theft and often have safer driving habits.
In summary, equipping your car with modern safety or anti-theft features can make it more affordable to insure in Illinois.
Can I Get Car Insurance Discounts with an SR-22 or a Bad Driving Record?
While having an SR-22 or a bad driving record can increase your insurance premiums, it’s still possible to qualify for some discounts. High-risk drivers may not be eligible for good driver discounts or accident-free discounts, but they may still qualify for discounts like multi-car, bundling, or safety feature discounts.
As time passes without new violations, you can gradually regain eligibility for larger discounts, like those for safe driving or defensive driving courses. Insure on the Spot specializes in helping high-risk drivers find affordable coverage and navigate SR-22 requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What are the best discounts for car insurance?
A: Bundling policies and being a safe driver are the best ways to save. Safe driver discounts can save you 10% to 40%, and bundling can save 5% to 25%.
Q: How can I get a discount on my car insurance?
A: Ask your insurance agent about available discounts. Provide information on safety features, life changes (like marriage), and memberships to ensure you’re getting all the savings you qualify for.
Q: How long do I have to be with an insurance company to get discounts?
A: Most discounts are available immediately, such as bundling, good driver, and new car discounts. Some discounts require loyalty, but most are based on your actions.
Q: How much is a good student discount for car insurance?
A: A good student discount can save you between 8% and 25%, depending on the insurer and the student’s GPA.
Q: Which insurance company offers the most discounts?
A: Farmers Insurance and GEICO are known for offering a wide range of discounts, but the best option depends on your profile and the discounts you qualify for.
Get a Quote Today!
For affordable car insurance with all the discounts you qualify for, call Insure on the Spot at 773-202-5060. Our team of experts is here to help you save on your auto insurance premiums while getting the coverage you need. Reach out now for a free quote!