Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance Rates in Naperville?
When looking at insurance rates in any city, it’s good to understand what factors insurance companies consider when determining rates. Some of those factors have nothing to do with the individual driver and reflect trends in the city.
The U.S. Census estimates Naperville, IL, is home to about 148,000 people. Of those 16 years and older, the mean travel time to work is about 34 minutes. This is much higher than the national average of just under 27 minutes. Commutes are known for increasing accident rates, which can impact insurance rates. The longer the commute people in an area have, the more chances for accidents, which will increase the insurance rates.
Another common factor to keep an eye on is the number of vehicle thefts. The National Insurance Crime Bureau tracks thefts for a metropolitan area which includes Chicago, Elgin, and Naperville, ranking this area #133 in the nation when it comes to vehicle thefts. The estimated number of auto thefts in the area in 2018 was 22,688. In areas with high theft rates, insurers will charge more due to the risk. Having a lower ranking for theft can help bring rates down.
Looking at these factors, Naperville isn’t too bad in either one. However, the commute is a bit above average and the thefts are a bit high, though not excessively. Insurance rates may be slightly elevated over smaller areas not as close to a large city, such as Chicago, but they should still be competitive.
What Insurance Coverage is Needed for Drivers in Naperville
In Illinois, every driver must carry liability insurance, which will pay the damages and medical costs of other parties in an accident that is the driver’s fault. The Office of the Illinois Secretary of State explains the minimum insurance coverage is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $20,000 for property damage.
Medical expense payments fall under bodily injury, while property damage covers any damage to vehicles or structures. However, this does not cover the driver who carries the insurance, so many people find that obtaining more than the minimum coverage is generally a good idea. Comprehensive and collision coverage will allow a driver to have insurance for their vehicle and personal medical expenses.
In addition, minimum coverage amounts are often too low to cover all of the damages from an accident though it may be enough in the event of a minor incident. Still, for serious accidents, costs can be triple the minimum coverage, which means the at-fault driver will have to pay out of their pocket for expenses that go above the insurance policy limits.
Most Expensive and Least Expensive Insurance Rates by Zip Code
Cheap Car Insurance in Naperville by Insurer
When shopping for insurance, it’s tempting to choose the company offering the lowest rates, but that’s not always a good idea. Cheap insurance may mean a policy that may not provide the right coverage to meet your needs. It also may indicate a company that isn’t responsive when you make a claim.
You should always look at the policy coverage and the company’s reputation before making a final insurance decision. Price is essential, and you shouldn’t overpay, but make sure you get the best value.
Low Cost Auto Insurance for Bad Credit in Naperville
Car insurance companies use a range of factors when deciding what rate to offer a driver. The law bans the use of certain discriminatory factors, such as race, in making these decisions. However, companies can still use other pieces of information, such as location and age. In Illinois, companies can also use credit information. People with bad credit may find they have much higher insurance rates only due to their credit score and regardless of other factors, such as their driving records.
Do you have bad credit and need car insurance? Check out this guide to help you in your search.
Full Coverage Vs. Liability, Which is Best For You?
Liability Only Insurance Coverage
Liability-only coverage is the cheapest option for automobile insurance. This coverage level only covers vehicles that are not at fault in an accident. Thus, if you carry liability-only coverage and cause an accident, the other driver will be covered by your policy. Any damage done to your car must be covered out of pocket, if at all.
Another way to think of liability insurance is that it protects you from claims made by another driver. Without the protection of insurance, you might be sued if you were to collide with another vehicle.
What Full Coverage Covers
Full Coverage is a commonly used term which covers more than just the damage you might cause in an accident, or the coverage you are liable for. If your policy covers your liability to another vehicle, the damage done to your vehicle (collision insurance), and any incidental damage done to your car by any non-auto elements (comprehensive coverage), then you have a policy that is indeed full coverage. If you have a new car, you may wish to cover it with such a policy, as you might want the peace of mind that any damage will be covered by insurance.
Difference Between the Two Types of Coverage
The main difference between liability and full coverage insurance is that full coverage will cost more than liability insurance and this is because it protects you against many more possible risks that liability doesn’t cover.
In addition, liability insurance only covers other people’s injury claims and damages to other vehicles where full coverage will cover other’s injuries and vehicle damages as well as your injuries and damage to your own vehicle.
Average Annual Car Insurance Rates in Illinois by City
Take Advantage of These Car Insurance Discounts
Find additional ways to save on your Naperville car insurance premiums with these insurance discounts:
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Avoid Accidents:
When your record is clear of at-fault accidents, insurers see you as a better financial risk. Thus, your premiums will be lower.
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Don’t Speed:
If you have one or more speeding tickets, your insurance rates will be higher. This is because high speeds are associated with accidents, and if you speed you are more likely to be deemed at-fault in an accident.
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Shop Around:
There are at least twenty auto insurance companies currently active in Naperville. Their premium rates are spread over a wide range, so be sure to compare prices and make sure you get the best, and most affordable, policy for you.
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Comprehensive Insurance Packages:
Insurance companies like when you use them for more than simple auto insurance. Thus, they frequently offer packages that include homeowner’s insurance, or other policies, on the same account. When you opt for one of these comprehensive policies, the company is often able to lower your automobile premium as part of the deal.
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Multiple Vehicles:
Similar to purchasing a comprehensive insurance package, combining multiple vehicles on the same policy results in lower premiums. Consider this a bulk purchase for your auto insurance.
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Military and Student Discounts:
Sometimes insurance companies have special discounts for certain demographics, like active military or students.
Not sure which discounts you may qualify for, consult this guide to learn more.
Here are Some of the Typical Factors that Affect Your Naperville Car Insurance Premiums
Insurance companies factor in many variables when determining your automobile insurance rate. They look at your age, type of car, marital status, gender, and driving record, among other factors. Age is a factor because actuaries have found that older drivers tend to be safer drivers, whether due to experience or caution.
Your type of car is also important. For instance, cherry red convertible sports cars in particular might have the highest insurance rates. On this note, be aware that you might pay a lower premium for driving the sedan version of a sporty, high-horsepower vehicle. Still, what matters most is how you drive your hot-hatch or family wagon.
That’s because your driving record is perhaps the biggest single factor in your insurance rate. It is certainly the one that you have the most control over. That is, the longer you can maintain an incident-free driving record, the lower your rates are sure to be. Incidents can be anything from a minor speeding ticket to a reckless driving charge to being at-fault in a major automobile accident.
Compare insurance company rates for drivers with a bad record here.
Check Out Car Insurance Companies in Naperville and Reviews
Helpful Naperville, Illinois Vehicle Resources:
Live Traffic and Accidents
https://www.viamichelin.com/web/Traffic/Traffic_info-Naperville-_-Illinois-United_States
DMV (Find Locations, Vehicle Registration, Titles and Insurance Info)
https://www.ilsos.gov/facilityfinder/facilityfinder?command=getFacilityDetails&facilityId=254