After a car accident in Illinois, one of the most pressing questions is how to find out the other driver’s policy limits — and whether that coverage is enough to compensate you for your injuries. The answer is not always obvious, but Illinois law gives injured claimants a concrete legal mechanism to obtain this information when it matters most.
This article provides general legal information; consult with a licensed Illinois attorney for advice specific to your situation.
How to Find Out the Other Driver’s Policy Limits in Illinois: The Statutory Right
Illinois has a specific statute addressing this exact question. Under 215 ILCS 5/143.24b, an insurer must disclose the limits of any liability policy to a person who has made a claim for bodily injury, provided that the request is made in writing by certified mail. The insurer then has 21 days from receipt of the certified letter to disclose the coverage amount. This applies to the at-fault driver’s own insurer — the company that issued the policy covering the vehicle that struck you.
This is a legally enforceable right. If the insurer fails to respond within 21 days, or provides false information, it may face consequences under the Illinois Insurance Code. Knowing how to find out the other driver’s policy limits in Illinois through this process is an important early step in evaluating your claim.
How to Send the Certified Letter Request
The process under 215 ILCS 5/143.24b is straightforward, but the letter must meet certain basic requirements:
- Address the letter to the insurer (not the at-fault driver personally) using the insurer’s official claims address
- Identify the date, location, and parties involved in the crash
- State that you are a claimant asserting a bodily injury claim
- Specifically request disclosure of all applicable liability policy limits under 215 ILCS 5/143.24b
- Send the letter via certified mail, return receipt requested, and keep the green card when it comes back
Once you have the insurer’s identity — which you can typically get from the police crash report or from the at-fault driver directly at the scene — you can direct your certified letter to the correct company. If the at-fault driver refuses to share their insurance information, Illinois law requires them to exchange it under 625 ILCS 5/11-409.
Illinois Minimum Liability Limits: What to Expect
As of January 1, 2025, Illinois raised its mandatory minimum auto liability limits under Public Act 103-0514, which amended 625 ILCS 5/7-203. The new minimums are:
- $30,000 per person for bodily injury
- $60,000 per occurrence for bodily injury (when more than one person is injured)
- $25,000 for property damage
These are the floor — not the ceiling. Many drivers carry higher limits, and some carry additional coverage through umbrella policies. However, the mandatory disclosure mechanism under 143.24b applies to the primary liability policy, not to an umbrella. Understanding the distinction is important when evaluating total available coverage. For a broader look at insurance issues in accident claims, visit our insurance claims guidance hub.
The Umbrella Policy Exception
A critical limitation of 215 ILCS 5/143.24b is that it applies only to the primary liability policy — not to umbrella or excess policies the at-fault driver may hold. Illinois courts have interpreted the statute narrowly in this regard. Even if you know or suspect the at-fault driver has an umbrella policy, the insurer is not required to disclose those limits in response to a certified letter under 143.24b.
This does not mean umbrella coverage is entirely inaccessible. In litigation, discovery rules allow parties to obtain insurance information under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 213 and the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure. An attorney can also sometimes identify umbrella coverage through other means during pre-litigation negotiations. The point is that the 143.24b mechanism has limits, and claimants should not assume they have seen the full picture based solely on the primary policy disclosure.
What Happens If the At-Fault Driver’s Policy Limits Are Not Enough
If the other driver’s liability limits are insufficient to cover your losses, Illinois law provides an additional layer of protection through your own uninsured and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, governed in part by 215 ILCS 5/143a-2. UIM coverage can bridge the gap between the at-fault driver’s policy limits and the actual value of your damages — though the mechanics of how that calculation works are more complex than many claimants expect. An attorney can help you evaluate all available sources of recovery.
Talk to a Chicago Attorney — Free Consultation
If you or a family member has been harmed, the attorneys at Phillips Law Offices are ready to help. Call (312) 346-4262 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation. We handle cases throughout the Chicago metropolitan area.
