It is fascinating to see how something as everyday as a road can become a cultural icon, but Route 66 out of Chicago has achieved it. Even though it was formally removed from the Highway System in 1985, it lives on in the memories of all able to remember the song, the movies and the TV programs. In fact, parts of the old route are still sign-posted. Other than this, watch out for the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, famous for its roads and its political connections.

Through this site, it is easy to find good value auto insurance policies. The main types of insurance policy to look for are:

1. Liability
2. Collision/Comprehensive
3. Uninsured/underinsured driver
4. No fault/Personal Injury Protection

Almost all US States require drivers to carry a minimum level of liability insurance as a condition of driving on the public roads. This gives some protection to anyone who is injured or who suffers damage to their property in a traffic accident. If you do not have a valid insurance policy, prosecution and a fine are the usual consequences. Convicted drivers may also lose their license to drive.

You will find detailed help on the website operated by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Insurance at http://www.idfpr.com/DOI/Default2.asp. As a consumer with a question about auto insurance, you can call directly: 312-814-2420 or toll free from inside Illinois: 866-445-5364. This site is useful not only as a guide to finding liability and other auto insurance cover, but also because it contains information about the complaints system, publishing an annual report identifying all the insurance companies and listing the number of complaints.

In Illinois, the minimum liability insurance requirements for each vehicle on the road are:
(a) for bodily injury: up to $2o,000 per person and no more than $40,000 per accident distributed equally among all those injured; and
(b) for property damage: $15,000 per accident including damage to both the other vehicles involved and public property.

You should note the additional requirement that all motorists carry uninsured or underinsured motorist cover. This protects you against the risk that the other driver(s) involved in the accident either drive off without identifying themselves or do not carry insurance, whether at all or sufficient to pay for your medical expenses and vehicle repair.

No other insurance is required to drive in Illinois. Comparatively, these figures are low when you consider the likely medical costs of anyone injured. Similarly, the cost of repairing vehicles will quickly exceed the minimum provision. Remember that, if you are at fault and a claim is made, you are personally responsible for paying whatever amount is awarded by the court less the sum insured. It is therefore worth topping up the insurance cover if you have property and other assets that might be sold to satisfy a judgment against you. If you have an auto loan or use a rental vehicle, you may also be required to carry additional cover. Also remember that the mandatory requirement only covers liability to third parties and does not include damage to your own vehicle. The main options are as follows.

Collision covers the damage to your own vehicle if it is involved in an accident — almost always subject to a deductible. This will either be the cost of repair or, if repair is uneconomic, the fair value of the vehicle.

Comprehensive covers all the other situations in which your vehicle may be lost or damaged, e.g. through theft, vandalism, storm damage, etc.

Some drivers prefer to acquire No-Fault and Personal Injury Protection insurance where this is available. Currently, twelve states require or allow no-fault policies. This reduces the stress of making a claim because the insurance company pays out for your own injuries and property damage no matter which driver is at fault.

Think about GAP insurance to cover the difference between the amount owing on an auto loan or long lease, and the amount you recover as fair value when your vehicle is totaled.

You should look for specific terms to compensate you against your own loss of use, rental of an alternative vehicle and the cost of towing your vehicle to a repair shop. A final issue to consider is whether your household policy covers any personal property damaged in the accident. If not, separate cover should be put in place if you regularly wear expensive clothing, jewelery, watches, etc. and/or carry expensive property like a laptop.

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