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Auto · Step 1 of 9
Your vehicle
Auto · Step 2 of 9
Title status
⚠️ Salvage / Rebuilt Title
Many standard carriers refuse these vehicles entirely. Specialty carriers like State Auto and certain Progressive programs handle them. Always disclose — non-disclosure voids your policy.
Auto · Step 3 of 9
How do you own it?
Auto · Step 4 of 9
Mileage & use
🚕 Rideshare / Delivery — Coverage Gap
Personal policies exclude coverage while the app is active. You need a rideshare endorsement. Progressive and Allstate offer the best options in Illinois.
Auto · Step 5 of 9
Anti-theft & modifications
These directly affect your comprehensive premium and insurability.
Anti-theft features
Modifications (select all that apply)
Auto · Step 6 of 9
About the driver
🎓 Driver Under 25 — Rate Strategy
Under-25 drivers pay the highest rates. Enroll in telematics (Progressive Snapshot, State Farm Drive Safe), ask about good student discounts (B average = 5–10% off), and assign to the oldest vehicle if possible.
Right strategy saves $400–$1,200/year
💍 Recently Married? Re-shop Immediately
Marriage typically drops auto rates 5–15%. If married in the last 12 months and haven't re-shopped, you're likely overpaying $200–$500/year.
Auto · Step 7 of 9
Credit & driving record
Credit score range
📊 Credit Score — Big Impact in Illinois
IL allows credit-based insurance scoring. Moving from Fair to Good can cut your premium 15–30%. One of the highest ROI insurance moves you can make.
A Connected subscription alerts you when to re-shop as your credit improves
Driving record — last 5 years
Auto · Step 8 of 9
Insurance history
Prior insurance
⚠️ No Prior Insurance — Adds 20–40% to Your Rate
Progressive is most forgiving for no-prior applicants in Illinois. After 6–12 months of continuous coverage, re-shop immediately for a significant rate drop.
Set a 12-month reminder — Connected subscription does this automatically
Current policy
⏰ Long-Term Customer — Loyalty Penalty
Insurers charge loyal customers more. 5+ year customers often pay 20–40% above new-customer rates for the same profile. Time to re-shop.
Typical savings from re-shopping after 5+ years: $300–$800/year
Auto · Step 9 of 9
Final details
Helps us optimize your deductible and spot bundling opportunities.
Emergency savings
💡 Deductible tip: If savings exceed $5,000, raising your deductible to $1,000 saves $150–$300/year. If savings are under $1,000, keep a lower deductible — a claim shouldn't wipe you out.
Home ownership
Review your profile
Tap any answer to edit it before we run your analysis.
Auto Insurance Profile
Illinois · Free Analysis
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⚠️ Disclaimer: CoverSmart is operated by a licensed Illinois insurance producer (Lic. #20857815). This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a formal insurance quote, binder, or offer of coverage. Actual premiums depend on verified underwriting data. Recommendations are independent and unbiased — we may recommend carriers from which we earn no commission. We may earn commissions on some policies; this does not influence recommendations.
Home · Step 1 of 10
What type of property?
⚠️ Landlord Property — Wrong Policy Could Void Claims
A standard homeowners policy does NOT cover a property you rent to others. You need a Dwelling Fire (DP-3) / Landlord policy. If you have HO-3 on a rental, your claims can be denied entirely. Your tenants also need their own renters insurance — your policy doesn't cover their belongings.
Home · Step 2 of 10
About the property
🏚️ Older Home — Underwriting Concerns
Homes built before 1980 may have knob-and-tube wiring, galvanized plumbing, or original electrical panels — all red flags for carriers. Some will refuse to insure or require updates. Erie Insurance and Auto-Owners are generally most accepting of older homes with original systems.
💡 Rebuild cost ≠ market value. Insure for what it costs to rebuild, not what you paid or what it's worth. Underinsuring by 20% can trigger a co-insurance penalty that reduces your claim payout proportionally.
Home · Step 3 of 10
Roof details
Roof is the single biggest pricing factor after location. Be specific.
🌟 Metal Roof — Premium Discount
Metal roofs qualify for 5–15% discounts at most carriers. Make sure to specifically request the metal roof discount when quoting — it's often not applied automatically.
Typical savings: $100–$300/year
⚠️ Roof Over 20 Years — Major Coverage & Cost Issue
Many carriers will only offer Actual Cash Value (ACV) instead of Replacement Cost Value (RCV) on roofs over 20 years — meaning they pay the depreciated value, not replacement cost, after a claim. Some carriers refuse to write the policy entirely. Replacing a 20+ year roof before shopping dramatically improves your options and could lower your premium 20–40%.
Home · Step 4 of 10
Property systems
Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC conditions are major underwriting factors.
Knob-and-tube, aluminum wiring, Federal Pacific, and Zinsco panels are fire risks. Many carriers will refuse to insure or will non-renew upon inspection. You may need surplus lines carriers until the electrical is updated. Get an electrical inspection and estimate — it helps with negotiations. Erie and Auto-Owners tend to be most accepting.
🚿 Problematic Plumbing — Rate Impact
Galvanized steel corrodes internally and causes water damage claims. Polybutylene was subject to a class-action recall. Both raise rates and some carriers refuse coverage. Document any inspections — they help even if you haven't replaced systems yet.
Home · Step 5 of 10
Water & flood risk
Chicago has significant basement flooding risk. These questions are critical.
💧 Flood History — Critical Coverage Gap
Standard homeowners policies DO NOT cover flooding — not from rain, sewer backup, or groundwater. Given Chicago's flooding history, you need: (1) a water backup / sewer backup endorsement ($30–$80/year — covers $5,000–$25,000 in damage), and (2) a separate flood policy through NFIP or private market. This is one of the most commonly uncovered losses in Chicago homes.
🔋 Sump Pump Battery Backup — Chicago Essential
When Chicago floods, so does the power grid. A sump pump without a battery backup is almost useless during the heaviest rain events — exactly when you need it most. Battery backup units run $200–$400 installed and many carriers give a discount for having one. This is one of the best $300 investments a Chicago homeowner can make.
Some carriers discount 3–8% for battery-backup sump systems
⚠️ No Sump Pump in Chicago — Meaningful Risk
Without a sump pump in a Chicago home with a basement, you have limited defense against the groundwater intrusion that follows heavy rain events. Consider installation — and more importantly, make sure you have a water backup endorsement on your policy. It costs $30–$80/year and covers the damage.
🚰 Service Line Coverage — Almost Nobody Has This
The pipe running from the city water main to your house is YOUR responsibility — not the city's. If it breaks (tree roots, age, freezing), repair costs run $3,000–$15,000. Most homeowners have no idea this is their problem until they get a $10,000 bill. A service line endorsement costs roughly $30–$60/year and covers this entirely. Ask your insurer to add it today.
$30–$60/year for up to $10,000–$15,000 in coverage — one of the best value endorsements available
Home · Step 6 of 10
Security & liability risks
Security features (select all)
Liability risk factors (select all)
Home · Step 7 of 10
Rental & occupancy
📱 Short-Term Rental — Standard Policy Won't Cover It
Most standard homeowners policies exclude coverage during Airbnb activity. While Airbnb provides host protection, it has significant gaps. You need either a short-term rental endorsement or a dedicated STR policy. Proper Insurance and Steadily specialize in STR coverage. Allstate and Farmers offer endorsements. One uninsured Airbnb claim could cost $10,000–$100,000+.
🏚️ Vacant / Unoccupied Property
Standard homeowners policies typically exclude or severely limit coverage for vacant properties (usually after 30–60 days unoccupied). You need a vacant home policy — these are specialty products that cost more but actually cover the property. Squatters, vandalism, and pipe breaks are common issues in vacant homes.
Home · Step 8 of 10
Claims & coverage history
📋 Multiple Claims — Non-Renewal Risk
3+ claims in 5 years puts you at high non-renewal risk. Your CLUE report follows you for 7 years. For smaller claims under $3,000, consider paying out of pocket — the rate increase from filing often costs more than the claim itself. Specialty and surplus lines carriers may be your only standard market option.
🚨 Prior Cancellation / Non-Renewal — Underwriting Red Flag
A prior cancellation or non-renewal is disclosed on your insurance record and can result in higher rates or refusals from standard carriers. You'll need to be upfront with every carrier you quote. Surplus lines carriers and smaller regional companies are often more accepting. Working with an independent agent (not a captive) gives you the most options.
Home · Step 9 of 10
Personal property & coverage needs
💡 High-value items tip: Standard HO-3 policies cap jewelry at $1,500 and firearms at $2,500. If you have valuable items above these limits, you need a scheduled personal property endorsement or a separate floater policy.
💡 Detached structure tip: Standard policies cover detached structures at 10% of your dwelling coverage. If you have a $300,000 policy, your detached garage is only covered up to $30,000. If your garage has expensive equipment, vehicles, or finishes, you may need to increase this limit.
☂️ No Umbrella Policy — Significant Gap for Homeowners
Your homeowners liability limit is typically $100,000–$300,000. A serious accident on your property (slip and fall, dog bite, pool accident) can easily exceed this. An umbrella policy adds $1M–$5M of coverage for $150–$300/year — one of the best value insurance products available. You must have home + auto with the same carrier to get umbrella pricing.
$1M umbrella costs roughly $150–$300/year — covers everything your home and auto don't
Home · Step 10 of 10
About you
Review your home profile
Tap any answer to edit before we run your analysis.
Home Insurance Profile
Illinois · Ghost Analysis
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Life Insurance Analysis
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