Cheapest Auto Insurance in Waukegan, Illinois (2025)

Situated in the northeast corner of Illinois, the city of Waukegan falls between Chicago and Milwaukee along the shores of Lake Michigan. Waukegan’s overall average car insurance costs hover around $115 per month, much lower than the Illinois average of $116 and national average of $143 per month.

Drivers in Waukegan may pay less than the national average because of the city’s relatively smaller population compared to Illinois cities like Chicago and Aurora. If you need to replace your current policy or buy coverage for the first time, comparing car insurance can help you find the cheapest car insurance for your needs.

Here’s what you need to know about buying coverage in Waukegan.

3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Waukegan

Residents of Waukegan must consider several factors before settling on a car insurance company. Comparing cost, customer service, coverage options, and industry reputation is essential. You must also assess your financial situation and coverage needs to find the best policy when shopping for auto insurance coverage. This is the best way to find the cheapest car insurance for you.

Some of the best insurers in the city include Auto-Owners, Travelers, and USAA. Learn more about their offerings below.

Best insurer for cheap rates: Auto-Owners

Best insurer for young drivers: Travelers

Best insurer for veterans: USAA

How to get the cheapest car insurance in Waukegan

In Illinois, insurers factor in your ZIP code, age, driving habits, and vehicle’s make, model, and age to determine your rates. You can use these strategies to find cheap car insurance:

• Maintain a good driving record. Insurance companies typically offer drivers with a clean history lower rates. And most insurers provide safe driver discounts.

• Opt for a higher deductible. Setting a higher deductible can lower your premium. Just remember to set it at an amount you can afford to pay out of pocket if you need to file a claim.

• Bundle your policies. Many insurance companies offer discounts for combining your auto insurance with other policies, such as homeowners insurance or renters insurance.

• Take advantage of available discounts. Ask your insurance agent about any available discounts, such as safe driver, good student, or multi-car discounts.

• Shop around and compare rates. Different companies may offer varying rates and discounts for the same coverage. Shopping around for free quotes is the best way to find a policy that fits your needs without overpaying.

Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Waukegan: Progressive

Liability-only car insurance is the most basic form of coverage you can buy. Illinois, like most states, requires you to purchase a minimum amount of insurance. It only covers the damages and injuries you cause another driver, their vehicle, and their passengers. Liability coverage doesn’t pay for your vehicle damage or medical expenses.3 Liability-only policies in Waukegan cost $81 per month, on average.

This coverage is an affordable option if you need to save money or you have an older or low-value car, but most drivers should consider purchasing additional coverage. Here are some of the cheapest liability-only options in Waukegan.

Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Waukegan: Auto-Owners

For more protection, you should consider full-coverage auto insurance. In addition to liability coverage, it includes collision and comprehensive insurance to cover damages to your vehicle. You may want this coverage if you drive a new or more valuable car. And if you lease or finance your car, your lender or dealer may require you to purchase it.

Drivers in Waukegan pay an average of $149 per month for full-coverage insurance. Here are some of the cheapest quotes for full-coverage insurance in Waukegan.

Car insurance requirements in Illinois

The state of Illinois follows a fault system for auto insurance. If you cause a car accident, you’re responsible for covering the other driver’s injuries, property damage, and other losses.

To operate a car legally, Illinois drivers must carry a minimum amount of liability insurance, but the Illinois Department of Insurance warns that state minimums may not cover all expenses following an accident. It suggests that drivers consider increasing their coverage limits for better financial protection.4

Here are the minimum car insurance requirements in Illinois:

To ensure you have enough coverage to protect your vehicle and financials, you should consider purchasing more insurance, including the following optional add-ons:

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident

In the context of car insurance, an incident on your record is usually an at-fault accident, speeding ticket, DUI, or other traffic violation. If you have an incident on your driving record, insurers can label you a higher-risk driver with a greater likelihood of having an accident or other incident in the future.

Having incidents on your record can significantly affect how much you pay for car insurance. The amount of risk you pose correlates to how much your insurance company will charge for coverage. Drivers with clean records typically earn the cheapest average rates.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: Progressive

Insurers see speeding as a red flag for risky behavior and can increase your premiums accordingly. You earn points on your driving record in Illinois for traffic offenses. For example, a speeding ticket for driving up to 10 mph over the limit can add five points to your record. If you receive too many violations, the state could suspend or revoke your driver’s license.5

Waukegan drivers with a speeding ticket pay a monthly average of $180 for full coverage and $98 for liability-only insurance. Find the cheapest options for Waukegan drivers with a speeding ticket below.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: Auto-Owners

If you cause a car accident, you’ll likely see your premiums increase unless you’re eligible for accident forgiveness with your car insurance company. You may also receive more points on your record, depending on the circumstance of the at-fault accident. Besides driving history and points, car insurance companies will consider the severity of your accident to set your rates.

A liability-only policy costs $106 per month, on average, for drivers with an at-fault accident, and full coverage costs $195 per month. Here are some of the cheapest options for Waukegan drivers with an at-fault accident on their record.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: Auto-Owners

Due to the offense’s severity, a conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) can significantly increase your car insurance rates. You may struggle to find an affordable price for an auto insurance policy — and your current insurer can decide not to renew your coverage. Consider looking for coverage from an insurance company that specializes in high-risk drivers.

If you live in Waukegan and have been convicted of a DUI, you might pay as much as $240 per month for full coverage and $130 per month for a minimum-coverage policy. Here are some of the cheapest options for Waukegan drivers with a DUI.

Cheapest car insurance for seniors: Auto-Owners

Your age affects your car insurance premium. Car insurance premiums typically decrease over time for drivers between 35 and 70 due to increased driving experience. However, senior drivers often notice a slight increase in premiums around the age of 70 because insurers may start to account for aging-related risk factors.

Senior drivers in Waukegan pay a monthly average of $125 for full coverage and $68 for liability-only coverage. Try to keep a clean driving record to qualify for lower rates, and ask about discounts to save on coverage. 

Here are some of the cheapest options for senior drivers in Waukegan.

Cheapest car insurance for teens: Auto-Owners

Premiums for teen drivers are often much higher than for adults due to less experience driving and a higher accident risk. Car accidents are the leading cause of death for young adults ages 15 to 18, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.6

Teens and young drivers in Waukegan pay as much as $315 per month for full coverage and $171 per month for liability-only insurance, on average. To get the cheapest car insurance possible as a teen driver, you should join your parents’ insurance policy, drive a safe and reliable car, and maintain good grades to qualify for good student discounts.

Here are the cheapest car insurance options for teenagers in Waukegan.

Waukegan car insurance quotes by credit tier

Along with several other factors, your credit can influence how much you pay for car insurance in Illinois. About 95% of insurers consider credit history when setting premiums, according to FICO.7 Credit-based insurance scores can correlate to the number of claims a customer files.8

Generally, drivers with poor credit pay higher rates than people with excellent or good credit. Here are the average quotes for full-coverage insurance in Waukegan by credit tier.

Is car insurance more expensive in Waukegan?

Drivers in Waukegan pay relatively low rates for car insurance, with a monthly average of $115. Nationwide, drivers pay $143 per month for car insurance. Illinois uses an at-fault system, which can decrease average rates for drivers in the state.

Several factors can influence rate changes throughout the state, including the number of accidents and claims in the area, crime rates, and population density. Residents in Waukegan, for example, typically pay less for coverage than drivers in larger cities like Chicago and Springfield.

More cities in Illinois

In addition to fluctuations by state, car insurance premiums can vary by city and ZIP code. Waukegan sits about 50 miles north of downtown Chicago, but Chicago drivers pay more for auto coverage. And drivers about 65 miles southwest, in Aurora, find average premiums that are cheaper than rates in Waukegan.

On average, Waukegan drivers pay $149 per month for full-coverage insurance. See how this compares to other Illinois cities.

Waukegan car insurance FAQs