Temporary Car Insurance in Illinois (2024)
Hugo, Metromile, and Nationwide are a few of the best temporary car insurance companies in Illinois.
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Written byJamie Johnson
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6 years experience in personal finance writing
Featured on Credit Karma and Insider
Jamie is a meticulous researcher who has published 2,000+ personal finance articles. Her expertise is trusted by major brands like Bankrate and Rocket Mortgage.
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Edited byKatie Powers
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Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
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Updated October 30, 2024
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Table of contents
Table of contents
Temporary car insurance is a short-term policy that lasts for a few days, weeks, or months — much less than standard policy lengths of six months or a year. You may need temporary auto insurance when you rent a vehicle or drive a car your standard insurance policy doesn’t cover.[1]
The average monthly cost of a standard auto insurance policy in Illinois is $183 for full coverage and $79 for liability, which is below the national average of $211 for full coverage and $104 for liability coverage. Most insurers don’t offer temporary car insurance, but Illinois drivers can consider other options.
Quick Facts
Hugo, Metromile, and Nationwide are the best options for temporary car insurance in Illinois.
Infrequent Illinois drivers can save money on auto insurance with pay-as-you-go and pay-per-mile policies.
A non-owner policy or rental car insurance provides coverage when you’re operating a vehicle you don’t own.
Best temporary car insurance in Illinois
If you’re shopping around for temporary coverage, you won’t have as many options to pick from, so it’s important to do your homework to find the lowest rates. Here are three of the best short-term car insurance companies in Illinois.
Hugo: Best for flexible payments
HugoCompare personalized, real-time quotes
| User Reviews | 4.0 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 7.0/10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $141/mo |
Hugo is one of the only companies offering short-term insurance coverage in 13 U.S. states, including Illinois. The company operates on a “micro-payment model,” so you can buy insurance for a few weeks or even a few days.[2] Hugo has one coverage option: an Unlimited Basic plan.
This plan meets the state of Illinois’s basic liability requirements, and you can secure coverage without any up-front fees. You can buy coverage for three-day, seven-day, 14-day, 30-day, and six-month periods.
Pros
No required down payment
Provides instant proof of insurance
Cons
Not a great option for high-mileage drivers
Requires usage-based tracking
Read more driver reviews of Hugo
Dawn - October 21, 2024
Verified
Paying Too Much
It's pretty expensive and they don't really provide much coverage.
Kimberly - September 21, 2024
Verified
Hugo Whoa!
It's steep, but convenient.
Sheila - September 10, 2024
Verified
Great in a Pinch
It's good when you need it on the spot and don't have a lot of money because you pay daily. However, it's very expensive in the long run.
…
Metromile: Best for pay-per-mile insurance
MetromileCompare personalized, real-time quotes
| User Reviews | 3.6 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 7.0/10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $65/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $115/mo |
Metromile offers pay-per-mile insurance, making it a good option for infrequent drivers. When you sign up, you’ll pay a low monthly rate plus a set fee for every mile you drive. Metromile claims customers save 47% on average compared to what they were paying for standard auto insurance.
Unlike Hugo, Metromile offers a variety of coverage options. You can choose from comprehensive coverage, bodily injury, property damage, medical bills coverage, uninsured motorist coverage, and personal injury protection (PIP) insurance.[3]
Pros
Wide variety of available coverage options
Good option for infrequent drivers
Cons
Premium will change each month based on your driving habits
Not a good choice for Illinois drivers who regularly drive long distances
Read more driver reviews of Metromile
Patrick - October 17, 2024
Verified
Stay Away
I used their services for 6 months, and then they raised my policy by 300% for no apparent reason. I believe they operate on a bait and switch type of scam, offering a great price in the beginning and then, bam!
Stephen - October 6, 2024
Verified
Great Insurance
Great, just difficult to communicate with someone.
Bradley - October 2, 2024
Verified
Overpriced Auto Insurance
Keep an eye on their rates, as they have a tendency to creep up, just like most other auto insurers.
…
Nationwide: Best for safe drivers
NationwideCompare personalized, real-time quotes
| User Reviews | 3.3 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 8.7/10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $65/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $116/mo |
Nationwide also offers pay-per-mile insurance through its Milewise program. You’ll receive the same coverage options as a traditional Nationwide policy, but your monthly rate depends on how many miles you drive.[4]
You’ll track your miles by installing a small device in your vehicle or through an eligible connected car. Only the first 250 miles you drive in a single day count toward your daily rate, so the occasional road trip won’t hike up the price too much.
Pros
Additional 10% discount for demonstrating good driving habits
Only the first 250 miles driven in a day count toward your rate
Cons
Not all vehicle types are eligible
May be more expensive than Hugo or Metromile
Read more driver reviews of Nationwide
Ashley - October 29, 2024
Verified
Great company
Nationwide is a great company. I regret messing up with them!
Keirh - October 28, 2024
Verified
Unsatisfactory Service
I cancelled my insurance. Their rates are too high, they don't treat you properly, and they haven't refunded my money yet.
Earl - October 28, 2024
Verified
I was upset that I received a non-renewal letter over two issues that were resolved a year prior. My local representative resolved the issue quickly.
I was upset that I received a non-renewal letter over two issues that were resolved a year prior. My local representative resolved the issue quickly.
…
We selected the best temporary car insurance companies based on pricing, flexibility, the number of favorable reviews, and how easy each policy was to sign up for. Each of the companies listed is a good option for infrequent drivers who don’t want to commit to a long-term policy.
Cheapest short-term car insurance in Illinois
In Illinois, the average monthly insurance rate is $79 for liability insurance and $183 for full coverage. But your exact amount will vary depending on your age, vehicle type, location, and history of traffic violations.
Fortunately, infrequent drivers can cut costs on their insurance premiums by taking advantage of a temporary solution. The table below shows the average cost of car insurance for different insurers offering temporary insurance in Illinois.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, September 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
|---|---|
| Mile Auto | $46 |
| Nationwide | $65 |
| Allstate | $78 |
| Hugo | $141 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Find Cheap Car Insurance in Illinois
Liability rates for Illinois drivers start at $29 per month
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Options for temporary car insurance
You have multiple options to choose from when it comes to temporary car insurance. Here’s what you should know about the different types of temporary insurance and what type of driver each coverage option works best for.
Pay-as-you-go car insurance: Best for infrequent drivers
Pay-as-you-go insurance — sometimes referred to as usage-based insurance — has grown in popularity in recent years as people spend less time driving due to remote work.
When you sign up, the company assigns you a low base rate and an additional charge for every mile you drive. Low-mileage drivers can save money with pay-as-you-go insurance, but poor driving habits could drive up your monthly rate.
Non-owner car insurance: Best for borrowing a vehicle
Non-owner car insurance provides coverage if you regularly operate a vehicle you don’t own. For example, you might benefit from this insurance if you’re a college student who plans to borrow a friend or family member’s car for an extended period of time.
Progressive, State Farm, and GEICO all offer non-owner car insurance policies. Since these policies only provide coverage in specific scenarios, they tend to be more affordable than standard auto insurance.
Pay-per-mile car insurance: Best for low-mileage drivers
The cost of pay-per-mile insurance depends on how many miles you drive, rather than your daily driving habits. It can be a great way to save money on auto insurance if you work from home or rely on public transportation and spend little time driving. Metromile, Nationwide, and Allstate all offer pay-per-mile car insurance.
This type of car insurance can lower your premiums significantly and provide more personalized coverage. But you’ll likely have to use a telematics app to track your mileage, and your rate will vary from month to month.
Rental car insurance: Best for frequent travelers
Rental car coverage is helpful for anyone who regularly travels for work. If you don’t already have car insurance, rental insurance will cover you when you need to use a rental car. It’s also a good idea if you plan to travel internationally since your auto insurance won’t cover you while you’re outside the U.S.
You can purchase this insurance through a rental company or your insurance company. Call your insurance agent with any questions.
Shop for Auto Insurance
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Pros and cons of temporary car insurance
Pros
Flexibility of purchasing coverage for a few days, weeks, or months
No long-term commitments make it easy to cancel your policy
Works well for people in unique situations, like students who only borrow a car from family members on occasion or someone who’s visiting internationally
Cons
Limited available options, as most insurance companies don’t offer it
Will likely cost more in the long run, especially if you drive frequently
You’re at risk for lapsed coverage if you forget to renew your insurance, which could lead to fines or penalties
Temporary car insurance in Illinois FAQs
The following general information can help answer your questions about how temporary car insurance works and how to find the best policy for your needs.
Can you get temporary insurance in Illinois?
A standard auto insurance policy in Illinois lasts from six months to one year. If you need a policy that lasts less than six months, you can consider temporary insurance from a reputable company like Hugo.
Can you drive a car without insurance in Illinois if you just bought it?
No. Per Illinois law, all drivers must meet the minimum liability requirements before driving a car, even if they’ve just purchased it. If law enforcement catches you driving without insurance, you’ll receive a minimum $500 fine.[5]
What is the shortest term for car insurance?
The shortest term offered by most major car insurance companies is six months. But Hugo offers plans lasting as little as three days.
What is the cheapest car insurance company in Illinois?
Auto-Owners is the cheapest car insurance company in Illinois, with an average monthly rate of $29 for liability coverage and $52 for full coverage.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Related articles
More cities in Illinois
Sources
- Allstate. "Temporary car insurance."
- Hugo. "Why Hugo?."
- Metromile. "Choose the right coverage for you!."
- Nationwide. "SmartMiles."
- The Office of the Illinois Secretary of State. "Mandatory Insurance."
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Jamie Johnson
Jamie Johnson is a Kansas City-based personal finance writer whose work has been featured on several of the top finance and business sites in the country, including Insider, Credit Karma, Bankrate, Rocket Mortgage, Fox Business, Quicken Loans, and The Balance. For the past six years, she's dedicated more than 10,000 hours of research and writing to more than 2,000 articles about personal finance topics.
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Featured in
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