Do You Need Insurance to Register a Car in Illinois in 2025
Under Illinois state law, all motor vehicle owners are required to maintain liability insurance coverage before registering or operating their vehicles on public roadways. Illinois's mandatory insurance framework, established under the Illinois Vehicle Code and administered by the Illinois Secretary of State, creates enforceable financial responsibility standards that apply to vehicle registration, renewal transactions, and continuous operation throughout each registration period.
Legal Requirement for Insurance Coverage
Illinois's mandatory insurance framework prohibits any person from operating or permitting the operation of an uninsured motor vehicle on public roadways. The Illinois Vehicle Code Section 625 ILCS 5/3-707 establishes that no person shall operate or permit the operation of an uninsured motor vehicle upon any highway in Illinois. Every owner of a motor vehicle that is registered and operated in Illinois must continuously provide insurance coverage against liability for bodily injury, death, and property damage resulting from vehicle operation.
The Illinois Secretary of State administers the state's mandatory insurance program through Driver Services facilities located throughout Illinois's 102 counties. The Secretary of State maintains the authority to verify insurance coverage and suspend registration or driving privileges for non-compliance.
Vehicle owners must maintain uninterrupted insurance coverage throughout the entire registration period. Beginning in 2020, the Secretary of State implemented an Electronic Liability Insurance Verification program for vehicles registered in Illinois. Each vehicle's liability policy is verified at least twice each year through a third-party vendor linked electronically with all insurance companies that write vehicle liability insurance policies in Illinois.
When vehicle owners fail to maintain required insurance coverage, follows a specific enforcement process.
If the initial verification attempt does not confirm a liability insurance policy, the vehicle will be checked a second time after 30 days.
If the second verification attempt fails to confirm coverage, the registered owner will receive a letter suspending their registration. The vehicle owner and insurance company have 30 days from the date of the letter to prove a liability insurance policy on the date of the initial verification attempt that covered the vehicle. If proof cannot be provided, the vehicle's registration will be suspended.
Failure to maintain required insurance coverage in Illinois may result in suspension of vehicle registration, suspension of driving privileges, and reinstatement fees. First-time offenders must obtain liability insurance and pay a $100 reinstatement fee to remove the registration suspension.
Repeat offenders are required to serve a four-month suspension period, obtain liability insurance, and pay a $100 reinstatement fee before being eligible for reinstatement. If stopped for a traffic violation or involved in an accident without insurance, drivers face a minimum fine of $500 for driving uninsured and a minimum fine of $1,000 for driving while license plates are suspended for a previous insurance violation.
Illinois Secretary of State
501 South Second Street, Springfield, IL 62756
Phone: (217) 782-2201
Official Website: Illinois Secretary of State
Minimum Insurance Coverage Requirements
Illinois establishes specific minimum insurance coverage amounts that all policies must meet or exceed. All vehicles registered and operated in Illinois are required to have minimum liability insurance coverage for bodily injury and property damage.
| Coverage Type | Statutory Minimum Amount |
|---|---|
| Bodily Injury Liability per person | $25,000 |
| Bodily Injury Liability per accident | $50,000 |
| Property Damage Liability per accident | $20,000 |
Bodily Injury Liability coverage pays for costs due to injury or death to pedestrians or persons in another car. It may also cover passengers' injury costs as long as they are not members of the policyholder's household. This coverage may also pay for legal defense if the policyholder is sued because of an accident. Property Damage Liability coverage pays for damage to another person's car or property such as fences, buildings, utility poles, signs, and trees.
Illinois law also requires Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage as part of all liability insurance policies. This coverage automatically includes uninsured motorist coverage at the legal minimum requirements of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage protects policyholders for bodily injury caused by a hit-and-run driver or an at-fault driver who has no auto liability insurance.
Vehicle owners should reach out to a licensed insurance agent to obtain the required liability coverage for their vehicles. Certain insurance carriers may decline to provide policies to individuals with a history of operating vehicles without insurance. Vehicle owners experiencing difficulty securing coverage through standard insurance markets should inquire with their insurance agent regarding eligibility for the Illinois Automobile Insurance Plan.
The Illinois Department of Insurance operates a Consumer Service Division available to address questions and concerns related to automobile insurance coverage. Written inquiries may be submitted to:
Illinois Department of Insurance, Consumer Service Division
320 West Washington Street, 4th Floor, Springfield, IL 62767
Phone: (217) 782-4515
Official Website: Illinois Department of Insurance
Proof of Insurance Documents
Illinois law requires every motor vehicle operator to carry evidence of insurance within the vehicle during operation. Under the Illinois Vehicle Code, proof of financial responsibility must be in the possession of the operator or present in the vehicle at all times when operated on Illinois roadways. The state accepts multiple formats of insurance documentation:
- Insurance Identification Card: Standard card issued by the insurance carrier containing the policy number, vehicle identification number, coverage type, effective dates, and named insured information
- Electronic Format: Insurance proof may be displayed on a cellular phone or portable electronic device showing a digital image of the insurance identification card
- Insurance Policy Declaration Page: Declaration page from an insurance policy issued by a carrier authorized to do business in Illinois
- Certificate of Self-Insurance: Certificate issued by the Illinois Secretary of State for qualified self-insurers
- Commercial Vehicle Insurance Certificate: Documentation for vehicles insured under commercial policies
The proof of insurance must be provided for inspection to any law enforcement officer upon request during traffic stops, accident investigations, or registration transactions. Law enforcement officers may issue a traffic citation if drivers are unable to provide evidence of insurance.
Exceptions to Insurance Requirements
Illinois law provides specific statutory exemptions from mandatory insurance requirements for certain vehicle categories:
- Vehicles owned by government entities: Motor vehicles owned and operated by federal, state, or local government agencies
- Vehicles in storage: Vehicles that are not operated on public roadways and are stored on private property may have registration suspended and insurance discontinued
- Vehicles with suspended registration: Vehicles with voluntarily suspended registration that are not operated on public highways
- Self-insured entities: Qualified individuals or organizations holding valid certificates of self-insurance from the Illinois Secretary of State
- Antique vehicles: Certain antique or collector vehicles with limited operation restrictions may qualify for specific exemptions
- Military personnel: Active-duty military members stationed outside Illinois may qualify for exemptions under specific circumstances
- Farm vehicles: Certain farm equipment and implements of husbandry used exclusively for agricultural purposes on private property
Vehicle owners claiming exemptions must notify the Illinois Secretary of State and provide documentation supporting the exemption claim. Exemptions apply only under the specific circumstances described in the Illinois Vehicle Code, and vehicles must not be operated on public roadways unless proper insurance coverage is maintained.
Insurance Requirements for Vehicle Registration
The Illinois Secretary of State verifies insurance coverage as a mandatory element of vehicle registration transactions. The Secretary of State maintains electronic systems to verify insurance coverage with authorized insurance carriers conducting business in Illinois through the Electronic Insurance Verification process.
- Registration applicants must provide Illinois insurance policy information during all new registration transactions. The verification system allows the Secretary of State to confirm current insurance coverage with insurance carriers before processing registration applications.
- New residents relocating to Illinois must obtain Illinois-issued insurance coverage and complete vehicle registration within 30 days of establishing residency. New Illinois residents must title and register their vehicles and provide proof of Illinois liability insurance coverage. Insurance policies from other states are not accepted for Illinois vehicle registration purposes.
- Registration renewals require active insurance coverage maintained throughout the registration period. The Illinois Secretary of State conducts insurance verification checks at least twice annually and may request proof of current insurance at any time during the registration period. Vehicle owners who allow insurance coverage to lapse face registration suspension and driving privilege suspension until proof of insurance is provided and applicable reinstatement fees are paid.
