Auto Insurance Companies in Chicago
Reader’s Question:
Does the coverage that auto insurance companies in Chicago provide extend to other states?
Bret
Chicago, IL
In most cases, the coverage that auto insurance companies in Chicago provide extends to other states. But since some states have higher auto insurance requirements, your Chicago coverage may not be enough especially if you get into a serious accident outside your home state. Bear in mind that the minimum liability coverage that you carry will not cover your medical care and property damage costs at all. So it would be smart to speak with your agent first before driving out of state. Your liability auto insurance covers the bodily injuries and property damage of the other driver if you happen to be the one found responsible for causing an accident. The state of Illinois’ minimum requirements for liability are twenty thousand dollars for a single driver, forty thousand dollars for the combined medical expenses of all occupants in the vehicle, and fifteen thousand dollars for property damage which could include the other driver’s vehicle. If you only have liability coverage in your Chicago auto insurance policy you might run into a problem if the accident happens in a no-fault state. Generally in no-fault states, drivers rely on their own auto insurance policies, particularly their Personal Injury Protection to cover their medical expenses without reference to who was actually responsible for the accident. In such a case you would have to seek coverage for injuries from your health insurance (assuming you have one) and coverage for damages to your vehicle from your Collision and Comprehensive auto insurance (also assuming you have that too).