Best for customer satisfaction: USAA
While Farmers rocks most categories, USAA blows competitors out of the water when it comes to customer satisfaction. The J.D. Power 2023 Auto Insurance Customer Satisfaction survey shows USAA receiving 878 out of a possible 1,000 points.
USAA serves only military members and their families. Country Preferred, Farmers, Geico, Standard Fire, and Progressive are strong options for non-military members.
Best for minimum coverage: Farmers
By law, Illinois drivers must be able to provide proof of insurance, but paying for full coverage is not always possible for drivers working hard to meet other financial obligations. Another area in which Farmers shines is writing minimum coverage policies. While Farmers wins this budget-minded category with an average rate of $352, here are two other companies worth shopping:
- Geico, offering an average rate of $399
- Country Preferred, with an average annual rate of $402
Best for military veterans: Farmers
It's natural to assume that USAA would easily be best for military veterans. However, many Illinois insurers compete to serve those who've served our country. Farmers takes this category due to its low rates and A rating with AM Best for financial strength. Military veterans may also want to check with Geico, a company that offers veterans 15% off its already low prices.
But don't stop there. Veterans who already have insurance through USAA (or are willing to take out another policy with USAA) may find that the military insurer is best for them. It's possible that bundling policies and taking advantage of other discounts could make USAA the best financial choice. In addition, with an AM Best financial rating of A++, policyholders know their insurance company will be there when they need it.
Best for teen drivers: Country Preferred
Teen drivers don't have the same experience behind the wheel as older drivers, which is one of the reasons rates for young drivers can be exceedingly high. One company that tries to keep a lid on teen policies is Country Preferred. While the average annual premium statewide runs $5,421, the average Country Preferred policy for young drivers is $2,548.
If your household includes a teen driver, here are a few tips to help land a policy that works for you:
- Add them to your household policy, rather than buying them their own.
- If your teen is a good student, away in college, or has taken a driver's education course, let your insurer know. While you're speaking with an agent, ask about any other potential discounts that could help you keep costs down.
- Add an app or car telematics device to your teen's car. Some auto insurance companies offer a discount to drivers they can track for a few months. They're looking for assurance that your teen is a safe driver. Insurers do so by tracking factors like speed, mileage, and braking time.
Best for drivers with one speeding ticket: Farmers
In addition to paying a fine, drivers who receive a speeding ticket are typically hit with higher (sometimes much higher) auto insurance rates until the ticket falls off their driving record. In Illinois, that's four to five years. Among the most forgiving insurers in Illinois is Farmers.