If price shopping Chicago auto insurance quotes online is new to you, there’s a good chance you are bewildered by the sheer number of local and online companies who all claim to have the lowest rates for Mini Cooper insurance in Chicago.
It’s hard to fathom, but over 70% of drivers have been with the same company for over three years, and approximately 38% of consumers have never shopped around. Consumers in Chicago could cut their rates by $600 a year just by comparing rates, but most tend to underestimate the actual amount they would save if they swap their current policy for a cheaper one.
It’s a good habit to get comparison quotes as often as possible due to the fact that insurance prices change quite often. Just because you had the best deal on Mini Cooper insurance in Chicago a year ago you will most likely find a better premium rate today. There is a lot of wrong information about Cooper insurance online, but we’re going to give you some guaranteed methods to lower your auto insurance rates in Chicago.
Low-cost car insurance in Chicago, IL
The companies shown below offer quotes in Chicago, IL. If multiple companies are listed, we suggest you visit as many as you can to find the most competitive car insurance rates.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper 2-Dr Hatchback | $256 | $406 | $290 | $18 | $88 | $1,058 | $88 |
| Cooper 2-Dr Convertible | $256 | $406 | $226 | $14 | $68 | $970 | $81 |
| Cooper S 2-Dr Hatchback | $174 | $392 | $250 | $14 | $76 | $906 | $76 |
| Cooper S 2-Dr Convertible | $178 | $340 | $166 | $10 | $50 | $744 | $62 |
| Cooper John Cooper Works 2-Dr Hatchback | $196 | $396 | $208 | $12 | $62 | $874 | $73 |
| Cooper John Cooper Works 2-Dr Convertible | $198 | $392 | $166 | $10 | $50 | $816 | $68 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Data variables include married male driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, and Illinois minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, multi-policy, claim-free, multi-vehicle, and homeowner. Premium amounts do not factor in zip code location which can alter premiums substantially.
Difference between full coverage and liability only rates
The information below shows the difference between Mini Cooper insurance costs with full coverage compared to only the Illinois minimum liability coverage. The rates are based on a clean driving record, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, married male driver, and no discounts are taken into consideration.
When to drop comprehensive and collision
There isn’t a steadfast formula of when to exclude physical damage coverage on your policy, but there is a general convention. If the annual cost of comprehensive and collision coverage is more than about 10% of the vehicle’s replacement cost less your deductible, the it may be a good time to stop paying for full coverage.
For example, let’s pretend your Mini Cooper replacement cost is $9,000 and you have $1,000 physical damage deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled, the most you would get paid by your company is $8,000 after paying your policy deductible. If you are paying in excess of $800 annually for full coverage, the it may be a good time to stop paying for full coverage.
There are some scenarios where dropping physical damage coverage is not in your best interest. If you still owe money on your vehicle, you must maintain physical damage coverage as part of the loan conditions. Also, if your emergency fund is not enough to purchase a different vehicle in case of an accident, you should keep full coverage on your policy.
Mini Cooper insurance costs by age and gender
The information below illustrates the comparison of Mini Cooper car insurance rates for male and female drivers. The costs are based on no driving violations, no at-fault accidents, full coverage, $1,000 deductibles, single marital status, and no additional discounts are factored in.
Raise deductibles and save
When comparing auto insurance rates, the most common question is where to set your physical damage deductibles. The comparison tables below highlight the premium difference when you choose different coverage deductibles. The first rate estimation uses a $250 deductible and the second price chart uses a $1,000 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper 2-Dr Hatchback | $202 | $340 | $222 | $14 | $66 | $869 | $72 |
| Cooper 2-Dr Convertible | $202 | $340 | $172 | $10 | $52 | $801 | $67 |
| Cooper S 2-Dr Hatchback | $202 | $400 | $222 | $14 | $66 | $929 | $77 |
| Cooper S 2-Dr Convertible | $228 | $400 | $172 | $10 | $52 | $887 | $74 |
| Cooper John Cooper Works 2-Dr Hatchback | $228 | $400 | $222 | $14 | $66 | $955 | $80 |
| Cooper John Cooper Works 2-Dr Convertible | $254 | $462 | $172 | $10 | $52 | $975 | $81 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper 2-Dr Hatchback | $124 | $214 | $222 | $14 | $66 | $640 | $53 |
| Cooper 2-Dr Convertible | $124 | $214 | $172 | $10 | $52 | $572 | $48 |
| Cooper S 2-Dr Hatchback | $124 | $252 | $222 | $14 | $66 | $678 | $57 |
| Cooper S 2-Dr Convertible | $140 | $252 | $172 | $10 | $52 | $626 | $52 |
| Cooper John Cooper Works 2-Dr Hatchback | $140 | $252 | $222 | $14 | $66 | $694 | $58 |
| Cooper John Cooper Works 2-Dr Convertible | $156 | $290 | $172 | $10 | $52 | $680 | $57 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Prices above based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Illinois minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, claim-free, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, and homeowner. Estimates do not factor in specific Chicago garaging location which can raise or lower auto insurance rates significantly.
Using the data above, we can ascertain that using a $250 deductible costs approximately $21 more each month or $252 a year than buying the higher $1,000 deductible. Since you would pay $750 more if you turn in a claim with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you usually have at least 36 months between claims, you would probably come out ahead if you elect the higher deductible.
Calculation for determining deductible levels
| Average monthly premium for $250 deductibles: | $75 |
| Average monthly premium for $1,000 deductibles (subtract): | – $54 |
| Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $21 |
| Difference between deductibles ($1,000 – $250): | $750 |
| Divide difference by monthly savings: | $750 / $21 |
| Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 36 months |
Car insurance discounts help lower rates for Mini Cooper insurance in Chicago
Insuring your vehicles can cost a lot, but you may qualify for discounts to help bring down the price. Some of these discounts will be visible at the time of purchase, but some must be specially asked for before you will receive the discount.
- Seat Belt Discounts – Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to buckle up can save 10% or more on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
- Multiple Cars – Purchasing coverage when you have multiple vehicles on a single policy can get a discount on all vehicles.
- Theft Deterrent Discount – Cars equipped with tracking devices and advanced anti-theft systems can help prevent theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
- No Claims – Drivers who don’t have accidents can save substantially as opposed to drivers with a long claim history.
- Low Mileage – Maintaining low annual mileage may enable drivers to earn substantially lower rates.
- Good Students Pay Less – Performing well in school can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. Most companies allow this discount well after school through age 25.
- Employee of Federal Government – Active or retired federal employment may qualify for a discount when you quote Chicago auto insurance with select insurance companies.
- Switch and Save Discount – A few companies allow discounts for buying a new policy prior to the expiration date on your current Cooper insurance policy. You can save around 10% with this discount.
Just know that some of the credits will not apply to the entire policy premium. Most only cut specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. Even though the math looks like you can get free auto insurance, insurance companies wouldn’t stay in business.
A partial list of companies who may offer these benefits possibly include:
If you are trying to find the cheapest Mini Cooper rate quotes, ask every prospective company what discounts are available to you. Some credits may not apply to policyholders everywhere. To choose insurers that provide some of the discounts listed above in Chicago, click here.
When to get advice from an insurance agency
Many drivers still prefer to talk to a local agent and that is not a bad decision A good thing about getting online price quotes is you may find the lowest rates and still choose a local agent.
To find an agent, once you fill out this short form, the quote information is submitted to participating agents in Chicago who will give you quotes for your business. You don’t have to search for an agent as quotes are delivered instantly to you. You can find better rates and an insurance agent to talk to. If for some reason you want to compare rates from a specific car insurance provider, feel free to navigate to their website and fill out their quote form.
Finding a good company requires you to look at more than just the price. The following questions are important to ask.
- Where are claims handled?
- Do you have coverage for a rental car if your vehicle is in the repair shop?
- Do you need full coverage on every vehicle?
- Do they specialize in personal lines coverage in Chicago?
- Does the quote include credit and driving reports?
- If independent agents, which companies do they recommend?
- How will an accident affect your rates?
Types of car insurance agents in Chicago
If you are wanting to find a good insurance agency, you need to know there are two types of insurance agents and how they are distinctly different. Car insurance policy providers can be classified as either independent agents or exclusive agents.
Exclusive Car Insurance Agents
Exclusive insurance agents can usually just insure with one company and examples are Allstate and State Farm. They usually cannot give you multiple price quotes so you might not find the best rates. These agents are very knowledgeable in insurance sales which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums. Many people purchase coverage from exclusives mainly due to the prominent brand name rather than having the cheapest rates.
The following is a list of exclusive insurance agencies in Chicago who may provide you with comparison quotes.
- Mark Mackey – State Farm Insurance Agent
3338 W Foster Ave – Chicago, IL 60625 – (773) 604-4334 – View Map - Greg King – State Farm Insurance Agent
5508 S Lake Park Ave – Chicago, IL 60637 – (773) 643-6200 – View Map - Glenda Tolentino-Moser – State Farm Insurance Agent
2015 W Montrose Ave – Chicago, IL 60618 – (773) 549-3300 – View Map
Independent Agents (or Brokers)
These agents do not write with just one company so they can insure your vehicles with many different companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. If your premiums go up, your policy is moved internally which makes it simple for you.
When comparing rates, it’s a good idea to include rate quotes from multiple independent agents so that you can do a thorough price comparison. Most also write with smaller mutual companies that may provide cheaper car insurance rates.
Below is a short list of independent insurance agencies in Chicago who can help you get rate quotes.
- Northwest Insurance Network Inc
4450 N Western Ave – Chicago, IL 60625 – (773) 433-3300 – View Map - Illinois Vehicle Auto Insurance
100 W. Randolph, Suite C14 – Chicago, IL 60601 – (312) 201-9111 – View Map - Great Northern Insurance Agency
5632 S Pulaski Rd – Chicago, IL 60629 – (773) 838-3900 – View Map
Do I just need basic coverages?
When buying your policy for your vehicles, there really is no perfect coverage plan. Your financial needs are unique and your policy should reflect that.
For example, these questions may help you determine if your insurance needs could use an agent’s help.
- Do I need roadside assistance coverage?
- Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?
- Is my state a no-fault state?
- Do I have coverage for damage caused while driving under the influence?
- Am I covered while delivering pizza?
- Do I need PIP coverage since I have good health insurance?
- How do I file an SR-22 for a DUI in Illinois?
- Is business equipment covered while in my vehicle?
- What is the ISO rating for a Mini Cooper?
- How can I get my company to pay me more for my totalled car?
If you’re not sure about those questions but a few of them apply, you might consider talking to an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form or go to this page to view a list of companies.
Auto insurance coverage information
Understanding the coverages of a car insurance policy aids in choosing the right coverages and proper limits and deductibles. Car insurance terms can be ambiguous and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. Shown next are the normal coverages found on most car insurance policies.
Coverage for collisions
This will pay to fix damage to your Cooper resulting from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. You first must pay a deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.
Collision insurance covers things like crashing into a building, rolling your car, colliding with another moving vehicle and sideswiping another vehicle. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider removing coverage from lower value vehicles. It’s also possible to choose a higher deductible on your Cooper to get cheaper collision coverage.
Comprehensive protection
This pays to fix your vehicle from damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. A deductible will apply and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.
Comprehensive coverage pays for claims such as a tree branch falling on your vehicle, rock chips in glass, falling objects and hail damage. The highest amount a car insurance company will pay at claim time is the cash value of the vehicle, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Medical expense coverage
Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance kick in for expenses for nursing services, EMT expenses, prosthetic devices, dental work and surgery. The coverages can be utilized in addition to your health insurance program or if you are not covered by health insurance. Medical payments and PIP cover you and your occupants and also covers if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP is only offered in select states but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
Uninsured or underinsured coverage
This coverage protects you and your vehicle when the “other guys” are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. This coverage pays for hospital bills for your injuries as well as damage to your Mini Cooper.
Because many people only carry the minimum required liability limits (20/40/15), it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is a good idea.
Coverage for liability
This will cover damage that occurs to a person or their property that is your fault. This coverage protects you from legal claims by others. It does not cover damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.
Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. You might see policy limits of 20/40/15 that means you have $20,000 bodily injury coverage, a total of $40,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $15,000 of coverage for damaged property.
Liability insurance covers claims such as medical services, emergency aid, repair bills for other people’s vehicles, funeral expenses and court costs. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a personal decision, but you should buy higher limits if possible. Illinois requires minimum liability limits of 20/40/15 but you should think about purchasing better liability coverage.
Persistence is the key to cheap rates
As you quote Chicago auto insurance, you should never buy poor coverage just to save money. In many instances, someone dropped comprehensive coverage or liability limits only to find out that it was a big error on their part. Your goal is to buy the best coverage you can find at the best possible price, but do not sacrifice coverage to save money.
Lower-priced insurance in Chicago can be bought on the web and with local Chicago insurance agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. There are still a few companies who may not offer internet price quotes and usually these smaller providers sell through independent agents.
For more information, feel free to browse the following helpful articles:
- Property Damage Coverage (Liberty Mutual)
- How Much are Chicago Auto Insurance Quotes for Used Cars? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes for Welfare Recipients in Chicago? (FAQ)
- How Much is Chicago Car Insurance for a Honda Accord? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Car Insurance Quotes for a Ford Fusion in Chicago? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance Rates for Low Credit Scores in Chicago? (FAQ)
- What Auto Insurance is Cheapest After a Speeding Ticket in Chicago? (FAQ)
- How Much are Chicago Auto Insurance Rates for Nurses? (FAQ)
- Help Your Teen Be a Better Driver (State Farm)
- Drunk Driving Statistics (Insurance Information Institute)