High-Risk Auto Insurance — Illinois
High-risk auto insurance is the legally required coverage you carry after license suspension, a DUI, or multiple violations in Illinois — issued by carriers who accept non-standard drivers when standard insurers refuse you.
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What Is High-Risk Auto Insurance Insurance?
High-risk auto insurance is liability coverage sold to drivers who standard carriers classify as uninsurable due to suspension, DUI conviction, at-fault accidents, multiple violations, or lapsed coverage. The coverage itself is identical to standard auto liability — it pays for injuries and property damage you cause to others — but it's issued by non-standard carriers or state-assigned risk pools who accept suspended and revoked drivers. In Illinois, if the Secretary of State requires SR-22 filing as a reinstatement condition, you must purchase this insurance first and maintain it continuously for three years, even during your suspension period. The policy triggers the SR-22 certificate, which your insurer files electronically with the state.
Who Needs High-Risk Auto Insurance Insurance?
You need high-risk insurance if the Illinois Secretary of State sent you a reinstatement requirements letter listing SR-22 proof of financial responsibility, or if standard carriers have refused to insure you due to violations, claims, or lapsed coverage. You need it immediately if your suspension is active and you're applying for reinstatement — the SR-22 filing must be on record before the state processes your reinstatement application. You also need it if you don't own a vehicle but need to satisfy SR-22 requirements — non-owner policies exist specifically for this situation and cost substantially less than owner policies.
Check your Illinois Secretary of State reinstatement letter or online driver record for the phrase 'proof of financial responsibility' or 'SR-22 filing required.' If listed, you must purchase high-risk insurance before reinstatement. If not listed, contact the Secretary of State at 217-782-2720 to confirm whether insurance is required for your suspension type. If you own a vehicle, purchase an owner policy with SR-22.
How Much Does High-Risk Auto Insurance Insurance Cost?
- Coverage limits — Illinois minimum 25/50/20 is cheapest, but reinstatement paperwork may require higher limits depending on your suspension cause.
- Age and gender — drivers under 25 with violations pay the highest rates; senior drivers with clean records before a single DUI may qualify for reduced high-risk pricing.
- Filing period remaining — some non-standard carriers reduce rates after the first SR-22 filing year if no new violations occur during that time.
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