Springfield is the largest city in central Illinois and the sixth-largest city in the state. Residents live in a generally suburban environment, and the average commute to work is 17.5 minutes.1 The average cost of car insurance in the city is $122 per month, which is in line with the Illinois state average of $117 and lower than the national average of $144 per month.
Your premium will depend on factors like your age and driving history, but Springfield drivers benefit from relatively low average rates. Here’s what you need to know about comparing rates and finding cheap coverage in Springfield.
3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Springfield
When looking at top car insurance companies in Springfield, you should consider your coverage preferences, driving habits, and budget. The cheapest option you find may not work best for your insurance needs.
Here are three top insurers selling affordable coverage in Springfield. Start your search below.
Best insurer for liability-only coverage: Auto-Owners
Best insurer for college students: Hugo
Best insurer for drivers with at-fault accidents: State Farm
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Springfield
You have some control over how much you pay for car insurance. Insurers consider age and gender, but your driving record, vehicle type, and ZIP code also play a role.
To help you get the best rates possible, consider the following tips:
Increase your deductible. A higher deductible can lead to lower premium payments.
Review coverage options. Consider your coverage needs. You may want to drop unnecessary coverage or adjust policy limits to cut costs.
Keep your credit score up. Springfield insurers consider credit scores when setting your car insurance rates. Better scores can lead to better premiums.
Ask about discounts. Get in touch with your insurance agent to find out if you qualify for any discounts.
Compare quotes. Request quotes from more than one insurance company to find the most affordable coverage for you.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Springfield: Progressive
Liability-only car insurance doesn’t cover your injuries or motor vehicle damage. Instead, it covers any damage or injury you cause to others while driving. It includes bodily injury liability and property damage liability. Bodily injury liability pays for medical expenses and rehabilitation costs, while property damage covers damage to another car or property.4
Liability-only policies in Springfield cost $83 per month, on average. Here’s where you can find the lowest rates for liability-only coverage in Springfield.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Springfield: Auto-Owners
Full-coverage car insurance includes liability coverage and also protects your vehicle with collision and comprehensive coverage. You may want to opt for full coverage if you have a new or high-value car you want to protect against potential damages. If you lease or finance your car, your lender will typically require you to purchase this coverage.
Drivers in Springfield pay an average of $161 per month for full-coverage insurance. For cheap full-coverage insurance, consider these auto insurers.
Car insurance requirements in Illinois
Per Illinois state law, drivers must carry a minimum amount of liability insurance. Illinois is an at-fault state, which means the driver who caused the accident is financially responsible for injuries, property damage, and other losses caused by the accident.5
The Illinois Department of Insurance suggests that the minimum limits may fall short of covering all expenses after an accident. You should consider increasing your coverage limits for better financial protection.
Here are the minimum requirements for car insurance in Illinois:
In addition to the required liability and UM/UIM insurance, several other coverage options are available for Springfield drivers. Common optional insurance add-ons include:
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
Driving incidents include at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, and other traffic violations. These incidents show up on your driving record. Because insurance companies look at your driving history when setting your rates, incidents can increase how much they charge you for car insurance coverage.6
Springfield drivers with an incident on their record pay $145 per month for car insurance. How much your premium will increase after an incident depends on the severity of the offense and whether you have other violations on your record.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: Progressive
Speeding is a leading cause of car accidents in Illinois. The state had nearly 20% more speed-related crashes and 11% more speed-related fatal accidents in 2021 than in 2020.7 If you have a speeding ticket on your record, insurers will likely consider you a higher-risk driver and increase your premiums. Some insurers offer discounts for completing defensive driving courses.
Here are some of the cheapest Springfield car insurance companies for drivers with a speeding ticket. On average, these drivers pay $100 per month for liability coverage and $194 per month for full coverage.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: Auto-Owners
In 2021, 9,996 people were in car accidents in Sangamon County. Because insurance companies consider your driving history and accident record when determining premiums, you’ll face increased rates after an accident. Looking at quotes from several auto insurance companies can help you find low rates if you have an at-fault accident on your record.
Springfield drivers pay an average of $109 per month for liability-only car insurance and $212 per month for full coverage if they have a past accident. Consider the following insurance companies for cheap rates.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: Auto-Owners
Driving under the influence (DUI) can have serious repercussions. In 2021, 91% of Illinois drivers arrested for a DUI charge lost their license.8 Besides facing legal fees and other consequences, you may also struggle to find affordable auto coverage after a DUI.
Drivers in Springfield with a past DUI pay $134 per month for liability-only car insurance and $259 per month for full coverage. Here are the cheapest average monthly premiums for drivers with a DUI.
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: Auto-Owners
Your age has a significant effect on how much you pay for auto coverage. Car insurance expenses tend to decrease with age for drivers between the ages of 35 and 70. However, drivers older than 70 may start to face slightly increased rates as insurers account for aging-related risk factors and a higher fatal car accident rate.
Senior drivers in Springfield pay $135 per month for full coverage and $70 per month for liability only, on average. Take a look at the table below to find the best quotes for Springfield seniors.
Cheapest car insurance for teens: Auto-Owners
Teens pay the most expensive car insurance rates because they have little driving experience and are prone to riskier behavior. Insurers classify teenagers as high-risk drivers, and high-risk drivers pay more for auto insurance coverage.
However, a few strategic choices can lower teen car insurance costs. To start, consider joining your parents’ insurance policy — it’s often cheaper than buying coverage separately. You may also pay less by choosing a car with good safety ratings and keeping your grades up to qualify for a good student discount.
In the table below, you’ll find the average car insurance costs for teens from different insurers in Springfield. On average, teens in the city pay $340 per month for full coverage and $176 per month for liability only.
Springfield car insurance quotes by credit tier
Insurers will likely look at your credit-based insurance score when setting your rates. Credit-based insurance scores aren’t the same as traditional credit scores, but your payment history, outstanding debt, and credit are crucial factors.
Insurers consider your credit history a good indicator of the number of claims you may file in the future. Springfield drivers with excellent or good credit often pay significantly less than drivers with poor credit.
Here are the average rates for full-coverage insurance by credit tier in Springfield.
Is car insurance more expensive in Springfield?
The overall average cost of auto insurance in Springfield is $122 per month, which is less than the national average of $144 per month. Rates can vary by city and ZIP code within Illinois, depending on population density, accident rates, and more.
Drivers in denser urban areas typically pay more for coverage than people in rural and suburban areas. For instance, Chicago drivers pay an average of $210 per month for full coverage, and Springfield residents pay $161.
More cities in Illinois
Average rates for coverage vary by city in Illinois. Peoria, about an hour north of Springfield, has similar car insurance rates to Springfield’s, while Naperville and Rockford drivers pay less on average. Below, you can see how much drivers in other Illinois cities pay for full coverage and liability-only insurance.