Illinois

Rising inflation means Illinois' required car insurance limits may not be enough protection

Published

8 months ago

April 15, 2024

Rising inflation means Illinois' required car insurance limits may not be enough protection

Inflation and supply chain problems continue to impact Americans. Auto insurance rates have risen as a result, along with the prices of new and used cars, medical care and even car maintenance.

State-required car insurance limits haven’t followed suit, however, and even drivers with higher limits may not be protected. If you’re driving around with only the minimum amount of car insurance required, then you’re probably underinsured.

Here are four ways to make sure you have enough coverage before a potential car accident puts you at risk.

Think twice about minimum coverage

Almost every state requires drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance, which pays for injuries and property damage you cause in an accident. In Illinois, the minimum requirement is $25,000 for injury or death of one person in a crash; $50,000 for injury or death of more than one person in a crash; and $20,000 for damage to property of another person, according to the secretary of state’s office.

While minimum coverage is typically the cheapest policy you can get, your state’s minimum-required limits likely aren’t high enough to cover the full cost of injuries or property damage caused by an accident.

For example, the average bodily injury liability claim in 2020 included more than $24,000 in medical bills, according to the Insurance Information Institute’s analysis of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. And medical costs have only increased since that study, with some reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Many states require a minimum of $25,000 in bodily injury liability, but even doubling that amount may not be enough. “If you only have $50,000 … that’s still not a lot of money to go to the hospital,” Kevin Boggs, an agent with Goosehead Insurance in Bloomingdale, said.

Cover your net worth

You’ll be held financially responsible for costs from an accident you cause, whether or not you have sufficient insurance coverage. If your liability limits aren’t high enough, then you’ll have to pay out of pocket.

NerdWallet recommends getting enough liability insurance to cover your net worth. Your net worth can be calculated by adding up all of your assets, including investment and retirement accounts and subtracting any debt you owe.

Get uninsured motorist coverage

You should also protect yourself against the risks of being hit by a driver who doesn’t have enough car insurance to pay for your medical bills and property damage — or doesn’t have any car insurance at all.

About 1 in every 7 drivers is uninsured, according to a 2022 report from the Insurance Research Council. You can protect yourself from these drivers by including uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage on your policy. These coverage types pay for your own medical bills and damage to your car if you’re hit by a driver without car insurance or with very minimal liability limits that don’t cover all of your expenses.

While some states require these coverages, they’re optional in many others. You shouldn’t skip them just to save money. “Declining underinsured motorist or uninsured motorist coverage is the biggest insurance mistake people make,” Golnoush Goharzad, a personal injury lawyer in Irvine, California, said in an email.

“Under Illinois law, liability insurance policies automatically include uninsured motorist coverage at the legal minimum requirements for bodily injury or death,” according to the secretary of state’s office.

Consider full coverage

To pay for damage to your car, consider full coverage, which includes comprehensive and collision insurance in addition to liability insurance.

Collision insurance pays for damage to your vehicle, even if you’re the at-fault driver or the victim of a hit-and-run.

Meanwhile, comprehensive insurance pays for damage caused by things like inclement weather or wild animals. It can even help you replace a stolen vehicle. Both coverage types pay out up to the current market value of your car, minus your deductible, which is the amount of money you’re responsible for.

How to save without cutting or dropping coverage

Ask about discounts. Don’t assume you’re getting every discount you qualify for; speak with your insurer or agent to see if there are additional savings available.
Increase your deductibles. Insurers will lower your premium if you raise your deductibles, but be prepared to pay the higher amount in the event you need to file a claim.
Bundle your policy. Many insurance companies offer a discount if you combine multiple insurance policies with them, such as car and homeowners insurance.
Shop around. Comparing car insurance is the best way to get the cheapest policy. You should shop around once a year, and compare quotes from at least three different companies every time.

Contributing: Subrina Hudson

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Illinois

Kasparas Jakucionis scores a season-best 23 points as Illinois tops No. 19 Arkansas

Published

6 hours ago

November 29, 2024

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Kasparas Jakucionis scores a season-best 23 points as Illinois tops No. 19 Arkansas

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KANSAS CITY (AP) — Freshman Kasparas Jakucionis scored a season-high 23 points, Tomislav Ivisic had 21 points and 10 rebounds and Illinois beat No. 19 Arkansas 90-77 on Thursday in the Thanksgiving Hoops Showcase.

Jakucionis hit two free throws to give Illinois a double-digit lead with 3:49 remaining in the game. Arkansas had a turnover and a missed jumper on its next two possessions and Jakucionis hit an open 3-pointer to make it 85-71 at 2:42.

Kylan Boswell added 18 points for Illinois (6-1). Head coach Brad Underwood broke a tie with J. Craig Ruby (1922-36) for fifth place in program history with 149 wins.

Adou Thiero went 12 of 21 from the line and scored 26 points for Arkansas (5-2). Zvonimir Ivisic had 13 points, six rebounds and two blocks.

Takeaways

Tomislav Ivisic won the battle against his twin brother, Zvonimir. Along with his double-double, Tomislav Ivisic made 6 of 9 3-pointers and blocked three shots. The 7-foot-1 center, playing his first college season, had 13 points and seven rebounds in the first half.

Key moment

Illinois stated the game on a 21-6 run and maintained at least a nine-point lead the rest of the way. Ben Humrichous made the Illini’s fifth 3-pointer with 12:36 left in the first half while Arkansas was 3 of 9 from the field.

Key stat

Illinois made 55% of its shots in the first half, including 9 of 16 from 3-point range, while Arkansas was 0 for 7 from long distance and shot 44% overall. The Illini finished 15 of 31 from distance. Arkansas shot 5 of 17 beyond the arc.

Up next

Arkansas plays at Miami in the second SEC/ACC Challenge on Tuesday. Illinois plays at Northwestern on Dec. 6 to begin Big Ten play.

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Illinois

Park Ridge, Illinois house left uninhabitable after fire

Published

14 hours ago

November 28, 2024

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Park Ridge, Illinois house left uninhabitable after fire – CBS Chicago

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There were reports of victims trapped inside, but firefighters confirmed the home was empty when they arrived.

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Illinois

Previewing the Illinois high school football state championship games

Published

22 hours ago

November 28, 2024

Press Room

Previewing the Illinois high school football state championship games

Top-ranked Loyola’s offense has three primary plays: running with Drew MacPherson, passing to MacPherson and running with quarterback Ryan Fitzgerald.

The key blocker on most of those Fitzgerald runs? MacPherson.

“[MacPherson] has breakaway speed,” Ramblers coach Beau Desherow said. “He’s also a really good receiver. His ability to block isn’t talked about enough. He’s a devastating blocker. He is a totally selfless player that will do whatever it takes to win.”

MacPherson leads Loyola (11-2) in touchdowns (19), rushing yards (1,038) and receiver yards (678). The Iowa recruit will be a major focus of York’s defense in the Class 8A state championship game at ISU’s Hancock Stadium on Saturday at 7 p.m.

On the other side, the key is Bruno Massel. The Dukes’ quarterback may be the fastest in the state. The senior qualified for the Class 3A state track finals last spring in the 100 meters and 4×100 relay, earning a medal in the latter.

Massel vs. Loyola’s stout run defense is the matchup that could decide the game. Mount Carmel and Lincoln-Way East, programs that pride themselves on consistent running attacks, didn’t even attempt to succeed on the ground against the Ramblers this season.

The Griffins called just four rushing plays in the semifinals against Loyola and the Caravan ran nine rushing plays in a Week 9 loss to Loyola.

“We take away the run pretty early,” Desherow said. “Our defensive line has done an amazing job and our linebackers have stepped up. They are players. Max Mendoza had an amazing game [vs. Lincoln-Way East].”

This is the first title game appearance for York (11-2) The Ramblers, Mount Carmel in 7A and Nazareth in 5A are attempting to three-peat and all are favorites.

Batavia’s Nathan Whitwell (28) carries the ball against St. Charles North.

Allen Cunningham/For the Sun-Times

Class 7A: Batavia (12-1) vs. Mount Carmel (10-3), 4 p.m. Sat.

This is a rivalry, but one-sided. Mount Carmel has ended Batavia’s last four seasons.

“The first time was a war,” Bulldogs coach Dennis Piron said. “The last three we had things happen in the first quarter and it got out of hand.”

The Caravan is young overall but has solid veteran leaders on both sides, including quarterback Jack Elliott and linebacker Matt Mucha.

“I’m the head coach but it is Jack Elliott’s team,” Mount Carmel coach Jordan Lynch said “It is not what I’m comfortable with it is what the kids see and what the kids trust. He comes with his own game plan on what we should run.”

Mucha has led the Caravan in tackles the last two seasons.

“Our defense is peaking at the right time,” Lynch said. “Mucha is the best linebacker in the state and will be one of the best players on the field Saturday.”

Batavia’s top weapon is senior running back Nathan Whitewell, who has rushed for 1,669 yards and 27 touchdowns. The Caravan is allowing 22 points a game this season and the Bulldogs’ best chance at an upset may be to get in a high-scoring shootout.

Geneva's Taylin Taylor (1) catches a pass and turns up field as the Vikings play Batavia. — Geneva’s Taylin Taylor (1) catches a pass and turns up field as the Vikings play Batavia.

Class 6A: Geneva (12-1) vs. East St. Louis (12-1), 1 p.m. Sat.

The Flyers dominated Loyola in Week 1 and their only loss was 14-13 to IMG Academy, a prep school powerhouse from Florida. East St. Louis is the best team in the state.

Flyers’ quarterback Kendrick Lyons has thrown for 2,402 yards and 31 touchdowns. Keandre McClendon leads the team with 12 sacks.

Geneva counters with perhaps the most talented player in the state, Georgia recruit Talyn Taylor. The senior wide receiver has scored 27 touchdowns.

Joliet Catholic’s Larry Stringham (24) carries the ball against Mount Carmel.

Class 5A: Nazareth (11-2) vs. Joliet Catholic (10-3), 10 a.m. Sat.

This could be the best game of the weekend. Nazareth is loaded with stars including quarterback Logan Malachuk and linebacker Gabe Kaminski. The Roadrunners have a special group of receivers in Garrett Reese, Jake Cestone, Trenton Walker and James Penley.

“Kaminski is a four-year starter and an awfully fun kid to watch,” Nazareth coach Tim Racki said. “He plays football the way it is meant to be played.”

The Hilltoppers don’t have a major star, just a lot of experience. It’s a testament to the strength of the program, which is tied with Mount Carmel for the most state titles, that it has advanced to another title game.

“This is probably the toughest schedule that I’ve been around as a coach or when I played here,” Joliet Catholic coach Jake Jaworski said. “We have definitely learned from those three losses.”

Running backs Larry Stringham (14 TDs) and Nate Magrini (13 TDs) lead the Hilltoppers’ attack.

DePaul's Juju Rodriguez (2) looks to pass during the Rams' 21-14 semifinal win against Coal City. — DePaul’s Juju Rodriguez (2) looks to pass during the Rams’ 21-14 semifinal win against Coal City.

Class 4A: DePaul Prep (10-3) vs. Mt. Zion (10-3), 7 p.m. Fri.

The Rams’ Cinderella run to state is the best story of the playoffs. DePaul Prep has a daring offense, led by daring quarterback Juju Rodriguez, running back Nick Martinez and receiver Braden Peevy.

Mt. Zion is a regular playoff contender but this is its first title game as well.

Montini’s Louis Corpora (38) carries the ball against North Lawndale’s Trevion Anderson (21).

Class 3A: Montini (11-2) vs. Monticello (11-2), 4 p.m. Fri.

Montini’s losses this season are to larger Catholic League powers Marist and Fenwick. The Broncos, led by quarterback Israel Abrams (1,778 passing yards, 24 TDs) are heavy favorites.

Class 2A: Chicago Christian (12-1) vs. Maroa-Forsyth (12-1), 1 p.m. Fri.

The school from Palos Heights led by first-year coach CJ Cesario could have its hands full with the Maroa-Forsyth, one of the state’s traditional small school powers. The Knights’ offense is well-balanced with Christian Flutman throwing for 23 TDs and Kenny Jager rushing for 27.

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