Illinois Mandatory Insurance Law

In Illinois, golf carts driven on public streets are subject to mandatory insurance laws.

Mandatory insurance laws are the province of each state rather than the federal government. Individual states, including Illinois, determine the types and policy limits that all drivers must have to comply with their laws. Illinois requires drivers to purchase, at minimum, an automobile liability insurance policy to satisfy the mandatory coverage laws.

Bodily Harm Liability

Bodily harm liability pays for the injuries or deaths of those in a vehicle other than your own if you cause the accident. It does not pay for your injuries, however. Depending on the circumstances, the coverage may pay for the other party's medical bills, lost wages or funeral expenses. Illinois requires a minimum policy limit of $20,000 for one person and $40,000 for all people injured in each accident.

Property Damage Liability

Property damage liability pays for the property of others to be repaired or replaced if you are responsible. It does not pay to repair damages to your own vehicle. Illinois law requires a minimum policy limit of $15,000 per accident in property damage liability.

Types of Vehicles

All motor vehicles that are required by law to display a license plate and can be driven must carry liability insurance. Therefore, trailers are exempt, but motorcycles, cars, trucks, buses and recreational vehicles must have liability insurance. Motorized vehicles that are not specifically intended for use on public roads, such as golf carts, off-road motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, must also carry liability insurance if driven on a highway, street or road.

Penalties

If you are convicted of driving without mandatory insurance in Illinois, you can be fined a minimum of $500, and the state will suspend your license plates until you provide proof of insurance and pay an additional $100 fee for reinstatement. If you continue to drive the vehicle after the tags are suspended, you can face a minimum $1,000 fine. Your tags will be suspended for four months, and you will need to furnish proof of insurance and pay a $100 fee for reinstatement. No one may drive a car with suspended plates. However, you may drive other cars or trucks if they have the mandatory insurance.

References

• Illinois Secretary of State: Mandatory Insurance
• Franks & Rechenberg, P.C.: New Illinois 2010 Traffic Laws -- HB2455