Are you looking for cheap auto insurance in Chicago? Auto Insurance Center is here to provide you with the best cheap auto insurance rates and help you learn more about your city.

As the most populous city in the Midwest, Chicago is known for its architecture, unique neighborhoods and pizza.

The Chicagoland area was first settled by Haitian trader Jean Baptiste Point du Sable. After the American Revolution, the government built Fort Dearborn to incorporate trade into the area.

The Illinois and Michigan Canal helped create a connection between the Great Lakes and Mississippi RIver. However, once the railroads were established, Chicago became a major hub and destination. Today, 50 percent of U.S rail freight continues to go through Chicago.

In 1871, Chicago suffered a massive fire, and because most of the buildings at the time were made of wood, only the Chicago Water Tower, Pumping Station and few other buildings survived. However, the city was able to recover and host the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893.

Chicago continued to grow in the early 1900s as immigrants came to the city. The economy flourished and Chicago became a global city.

Top Chicago attractions include: The Art Institute of Chicago, Millennium Park, Magnificent Mile, Wrigley Field, Lincoln Park Zoo Field Museum, Willis Tower, Navy Pier and Buckingham Fountain.

Chicago is one of 13 U.S. cities to have a professional sports team from all four major sports organizations. These include the Bears (NFL), Cubs (MLB), White Sox (MLB), Bulls (NBA) and Blackhawks (NHL). The Cubs are the most recent champions, winning the 2016 World Series and breaking the longest drought in professional sports (108 years). Chicago also hosts an annual marathon, dating back to 1977.

Chicago Driving Conditions

The Chicago climate is defined as humid continental. The annual high temperature is 56.8 degrees and the annual low temperature 42.5 degrees. The summers are humid and hot for this type of climate. Winters are very cold, reaching temperatures in the single digits along with snowfall thanks to the lake-effect. Though not prone to tornados, Chicago experiences severe thunderstorms during the spring and summer months.

As the third largest city in the nation, Chicago has major traffic and congestion issues. More than five hours per day are considered peak hours for travel on highways around the Chicagoland area.

Crime Statistics

According to the 2015 Crime in the United States report, Illinois had 255,729 accounts of property crime and 17,652 accounts of vehicle theft. Within cities and metropolitan areas in Illinois, vehicle theft was reported 16,564 times.

Illinois Driver’s Licence

As a legal resident of Illinois, you’ll need to obtain an Illinois driver’s licence. You will have to surrender your valid out-of-state license, pay the appropriate fee and pass the appropriate exam, which could include vision screening, written and/or driving exam.

Seat Belt Laws

Illinois law requires all drivers and passengers in the vehicle to wear a seat belt. Passengers under 8 must be secured in a child seat or booster seat. If violated, fines and court costs may apply.

Illinois drivers are also expected to obey the Child Passenger Protection Act.

Cell Phone & Texting Laws

In 2014, Illinois passed a state law that banned hand-held devices while driving. However, drivers can use hands-free technology while driving, such as a headset. Fines start at $75 for violators.

Drivers are also prohibited from texting and driving in Illinois.

Odd Law

In Illinois it is illegal to hang fuzzy dice or air fresheners from your automobile’s rear-view mirror.

You would be surprised how much insurance rates can vary zip code to zip code even if the zip codes are within the same metropolitan area. This can be for various reasons including higher or lower crime rates in a specific zip code area, accident statistics in that zip code, traffic density in different parts of the city, and even different weather conditions depending on what part of the metro area you are in. This can become even more interesting if you live on the border of a different zip code yet your are paying more for insurance than you would if you lived right across the street. While some people will use this to their advantage and give their insurance company a different address than their actual address to save some money it is not advisable as this may be seen as a form of fraud. 

To find out what your auto insurance rates will be for you zip code either fill out the quick quote form above or call one or more of the local agents below. It is best to call more than one to get them to compete for your business so that you can get the cheapest rates possible. Many people would rather avoid this effort because its more work but its one of the best ways to get cheap auto insurance quotes.