By Dan Noll on February 2nd, 2025 in Articles, Car Accident
Understanding Auto Insurance in Illinois: Car Accident Lawyers in Springfield Explain What is Comprehensive Insurance
There are many different types of auto insurance that motorists in Illinois can obtain. This includes both mandatory and optional coverage. Of the mandatory types of insurance, Illinois law requires that motorists maintain liability insurance of $25,000 per person or $50,000 total per accident for all individuals (known as bodily injury or BI coverage), and $20,000 for property damage (also known as PD coverage). However, motorists may also maintain other types of auto insurance, such as underinsured motorist bodily injury insurance (also known as UIM) which covers the difference between your damages and the lower liability limits of the at-faut driver. There is also uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage, which is included in the minimum BI limits, but can be increased in conjunction with UIM coverage. But in addition to all of these types of coverage, the car accident lawyers in Springfield at the Noll Law Office know that many people also ask what is comprehensive insurance and whether they should also obtain that coverage as well.
The answer is usually yes, in addition to other coverage that you can comfortably afford. At the Noll Law Office, their experienced legal team knows that even the safest of drivers may be seriously injured in a motor vehicle caused by a negligent driver. That’s because, as many of us have all heard before, that it is not you that have to worry about causing a motor vehicle accident – but others on the roadway. Although Illinois requires certain auto insurance minimums that are higher than other states, the increasing costs of healthcare and motor vehicles in general often means that victims will still need to pay out-of-pocket for their damages. Therefore, the car accident lawyers in Springfield at the Noll Law Office often recommend increasing auto insurance coverage as much as possible to ensure that you and your family are well-protected in the event of an accident. Comprehensive auto insurance is one of those vital components in auto insurance coverage that you should consider.
What is Comprehensive Insurance?
Comprehensive auto insurance is both important but also a little bit of a misnomer. Generally, it coverages many different types of damage caused to a vehicle and is often referred to as the “other” type of auto insurance coverage. That’s because it covers a wide range of different types of accidents that could occur through no fault of the driver who has the policy which are not covered by other, more common types of policies.
To this point, comprehensive insurance only covers those “other” types of damaging events to vehicles, but not the most common types like auto accidents by a negligent driver. This is why it is a little bit of a misnomer, because comprehensive coverage does not typically cover damage caused by an uninsured motorist, underinsurance issues, or for personal injuries.
What is Covered by Comprehensive Insurance?
Comprehensive coverage typically protects against several specific types of damage or loss which are usually not included in other parts of auto policies. These include theft, vandalism, fire, natural disasters, falling objects, and animal-related incidents. The best way to view comprehensive insurance is that it covers events that are outside your control, but are not related to a motor vehicle accident where someone may be liable for the happening of that accident.
For example, if a tree falls on a parked car during a storm, or if a deer runs into the vehicle while driving, comprehensive insurance would usually be the type policy that covers the repairs. This may be minus a deductible, if any, or subject to certain limits set forth by the policy.
What is Not Covered by Comprehensive Insurance?
Contrary to the name, comprehensive coverage does not cover every type of damage to a vehicle. In fact, it could even be said that comprehensive insurance does not cover the most common or the most important types of damage to vehicles and personal injuries to occupants. Indeed, comprehensive insurance does not coverage damage caused by car accidents, medical expenses, lost wages, underinsurance, uninsured motorist, normal wear and tear, or collisions with stationary objects (i.e., single vehicle accidents).
Recommendations for Illinois Vehicle Owners
Vehicle owners in Illinois should review their auto insurance coverage annually to ensure it meets their current needs. This may or may not include having comprehensive auto insurance as part of their coverages. That’s because, although comprehensive insurance may be important and give you peace of mind, it may also not be the best for you and your family. This is largely due to the fact that it does not cover personal injuries caused by a motor vehicle accident. Since all insurance is expensive, individuals and their families need to consider their insurance needs before they start to buy policies like comprehensive insurance.
In further considering that Illinois law places mandatory amounts of auto insurance which are often inadequate to cover broken bones or other significant injuries, lost wages, medical bills, and other damages, the car accident lawyers in Springfield at the Noll Law Office recommend the following:
Tip 1: Increase your UM/UIM Coverage
This is additional coverage that will cover you and your family in the event that a negligent driver caused you or your family injuries, and that driver’s policy is insufficient to cover your damages. These policies can become expensive, but are generally a good idea because the premiums you pay go back to you and your family in the event of an accident.
The two common scenario where higher UM/UIM coverage can help you include the following:
- Scenario 1: Defendant has minimum $25k/$50k policy and causes an accident. Two members of your family have $35k in damages and a third-party also has $35k in damages. This means there is a total of $105k in damages. Defendant’s policy will pay a maximum of $50k, but no more than $25k per person. Since there is a third-party, if the $50 is split by three (which is does not necessarily work this way), that means each party may only get between $16k-$17k. This is about half of $35k, meaning the victims may be on the hook for the remainder.
- Scenario 2: The family now has UM/UIM coverage up to $100k. The defendant’s policy pays out the $50k to the two family members and third-party. The remaining amount that your family has in damages (about $37k) is paid by the UM/UIM policy, therefore covering your family’s total losses in the accident. However, the third-party cannot get any money from your UM/UIM and is still at a loss.
As these scenarios demonstrate, it is important to increase your UM/UIM policy to protect your family. They can cover the gaps in your insurance left by a negligent driver.
Tip 2: Increase Your Liability Coverage (BI)
Although the minimum is $25k/$50k, motorists are free to increase their liability coverage as well. Despite the fact that this money is used to cover damages caused by your negligence, it is worth it to protect your assets. That’s because, although uncommon, an injured party may still be entitled to seek compensation outside of your insurance policy. This may include going after your bank accounts, garnishing wages, second homes, or other assets.
Moreover, having extra liability coverage also protects your friends and extended family that may also be in your vehicle and injured in a car accident. Therefore, this is a good way to protect other people that you know in the event of a crash.
Tip 3: Weigh Increasing Property Damage or Comprehensive
Property damage is the part of the policy that is required to cover vehicle damage due to negligence. Whereas comprehensive insurance coverages those “other” acts that could cause damage. Depending on your vehicle and your needs, you may need to weigh which one to increase. Increase property damage coverage may make more sense if you drive a lot in urban areas where there is more of chance of property damage-only accidents, especially hitting parked cars or in parking lots. Whereas comprehensive coverage may make more sense if you drive in more rural areas with more overhanging trees or a higher risk of car-deer collisions.
Still Unsure What is Comprehensive Insurance or What Auto Insurance to Increase? Or Were You Already in a Crash and Not Sure What Policy Applies? Call the Car Accident Lawyers in Springfield at the Noll Law Office
There are entire classes in law school coverage insurance, particularly liability insurance such as auto insurance. It is a complicated area of law, even when the insurance agents try to tell you that it is not. If you or a loved one were injured in a motor vehicle accident in Illinois and are unsure of your rights or what insurance policies may apply to your claim, contact the car accident lawyers in Springfield at the Noll Law Office for help with your claim. They offer free consultations by dialing (217) 414-8889 or by sending a message here.