In Illinois, your credit score is one of the biggest factors in your auto insurance rate — drivers with poor credit pay 40-100% more than those with excellent credit. But some carriers weigh credit less heavily, and there are strategies to minimize its impact on your premiums.
🎖️ U.S. Military Veteran📋 Licensed in 50 States🕐 15+ Years Experience📅 Updated: April 10, 2026
How Credit Affects Car Insurance in Illinois
40-100%
More With Poor Credit
580-669
"Fair" Credit Score Range
Varies
Each Carrier Weights Differently
Not Your FICO
Insurers Use "Insurance Score"
Insurance companies use a "credit-based insurance score" (different from your FICO score) to predict the likelihood you'll file a claim. Studies show a correlation between credit and claims — but many consumer advocates argue the practice unfairly penalizes low-income drivers.
Carriers That Are Best for Bad Credit in Illinois
USAA — if you're military/veteran, USAA weighs credit less than most competitors
Progressive — uses a balanced scoring model; bad credit has less impact than at some carriers
State Farm — some agents can work with credit challenges better than online-only carriers
Local/regional carriers — smaller Illinois carriers sometimes use less credit-focused algorithms
How to Save With Bad Credit
Compare aggressively — bad-credit penalties vary enormously between carriers; the cheapest for good credit is NOT always cheapest for bad credit
Pay your premium on time — insurers notice; consistent payment improves your insurance score over time
Work on your credit score — even a 50-point improvement can meaningfully lower your rate at renewal
Ask about usage-based programs — telematics devices rate you on driving behavior, not credit
Avoid monthly billing fees — pay 6 months upfront if possible to avoid finance charges
Insurance Rates in Illinois
Insurance Company
6-Month Premium
Monthly Cost
GEICO ⭐
$738
$123/mo
Progressive
$834
$139/mo
Country Financial
$858
$143/mo
State Farm
$912
$152/mo
Allstate
$1,110
$185/mo
Rates based on 2026 data for a 35-year-old driver with good credit and clean record. Your rate will vary.
🎖️ Get Bad Credit Car Insurance Quotes in Illinois
Compare 5+ carriers. Free, no-obligation quote from a licensed agent.
GEICO offers the cheapest full coverage at $123/month in Illinois. Rates vary by driver — call (888) 217-6781 for a personalized comparison.
How much is bad credit car insurance in Illinois?
Full coverage in Illinois averages $163/month, liability-only averages $55/month. The cheapest option is GEICO at $123/month. Compare multiple quotes for your best rate.
Can I get a free bad credit car insurance quote in Illinois?
Yes — call (888) 217-6781 for a free, no-obligation quote. We compare 5+ carriers in Illinois to find your lowest rate in under 2 minutes.
Sources & Methodology
Our rate analysis is based on publicly available rate filings and industry data. We regularly update our research to ensure accuracy.
Rate data based on 2026 carrier rate filings analyzed by state insurance departments and third-party data providers including Quadrant Information Services.