Understanding the Issues in Illinois

Illinois Weather and the Cost of Insurance

Illinois is experiencing an exceptionally active severe weather year. Through July, State Farm® customers in Illinois filed more home and auto catastrophe claims than customers in any other state, putting Illinois on pace for its highest catastrophe claim volume in a decade.

Illinois by the Numbers

• 96,000+ catastrophe weather-related home and auto claims in 2026
  
• Home catastrophe claims are 50% above the 10-year average
  
• Auto catastrophe claims are 100% above the 10-year average
  
• Illinois has recorded three consecutive years with more than 120 confirmed tornadoes
  
• As of August 19, 2026, Illinois surpassed 200 confirmed tornadoes this year.

As of July, State Farm has paid more than $799 million for storm-related losses in Illinois this year. For added context, in 2025 alone, State Farm paid $457 million in Illinois hail claims, third highest in the nation.

What Shapes the Cost of Homeowners Insurance

Illinois premiums are priced for the risk in this state – not for losses in other states. With decades of experience serving Illinois customers, State Farm draws on extensive data and expertise to understand how risks and costs are changing. We continuously review the latest information, so rates reflect the most current view of expected losses.

That means considering both the likelihood of covered losses and what those losses are expected to cost. We know affordability is a real concern for Illinois families, making it increasingly important to address the underlying factors driving those costs. Rising construction costs, severe weather, inflation and excessive litigation can all put pressure on the cost of insurance.

Our priority is being there for customers when the unexpected happens and helping them recover. That means staying financially prepared to pay claims as risks and costs change. Rates need to reflect the likelihood and expected cost of covered losses, but long-term affordability also depends on reducing the underlying risks and costs putting pressure on insurance. Illinois consumers deserve a strong insurance marketplace and meaningful progress on affordability. That means addressing the risks and cost drivers.

Work to be Done to Address Cost Drivers

State Farm will continue to engage with Illinois elected officials and advocate for a focused set of actions aimed at supporting a healthy insurance market and helping consumers navigate increasing severe-weather risks.

Priorities include advancing resiliency and home-hardening initiatives modeled on successful programs in other states; strengthening protections against post-storm predatory contractor solicitation and potential conflicts of interest involving public adjusters; and addressing legal system abuse that drives unnecessary litigation and increases costs for consumers through higher premiums.

With severe storms becoming a more prominent concern in Illinois, State Farm sees an opportunity to serve as a thought partner with lawmakers and regulators on solutions that strengthen resilience, support consumers and the broader insurance market, and help pull unnecessary costs out of insurance premiums.

Responding Today

When severe weather strikes, State Farm is there. Following late-July storms that brought nearly 100 mph winds, heavy rain and tornadoes to northern Illinois, State Farm deployed Catastrophe Claims Teams and opened a Customer Care Site in Calumet City. We welcomed elected leaders to the site to see State Farm doing what it does best – helping our customers recover.

Severe weather continued in August, generating another 2,000+ catastrophe claims in northern Illinois, followed by torrential rain and 70 mph straight-line winds in our Bloomington headquarters community. Throughout these events, State Farm Claims associates and agents have been helping customers navigate the recovery process.

Preparing for Tomorrow

Helping after a storm is only part of the equation. Long-term affordability also requires looking for ways to reduce damage before the next storm happens. That's why State Farm is investing in prevention as well as recovery.

At our Technology Research and Innovation Lab (TRAIL) in Bloomington, State Farm researchers study hail, wind and other threats and explore how stronger materials, construction practices and mitigation can better protect homes and communities.

Impact-resistant roofing is one practical way homeowners can make their homes more resilient and help reduce hail damage. When building, remodeling, or replacing a roof, homeowners can consider qualifying impact-resistant roofing materials. State Farm also offers premium discounts to eligible homeowners in many states with qualifying products.

State Farm works with the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) to advance research-backed approaches to stronger construction. Programs like FORTIFIED also demonstrate how homes can be built or retrofitted beyond standard construction practices to better withstand severe weather.

The research demonstrates how more durable construction and improved building standards can reduce damage, strengthen communities and potentially save lives.

Illinois families are already feeling the squeeze of high prices at the grocery store, gas pump, and yes, insurance costs. That’s why we’re concerned that the Illinois General Assembly’s two insurance bills—one for auto and one for homeowners—will add to that burden.

We’re focused on protecting customers and making sure any reforms strengthen affordability—so Illinois consumers aren’t the ones paying the price for rushed, one-size-fits-all policy changes.

Illinois’ current insurance market relies on data, risk modeling, and statistical analysis to keep rates fair, accurate, and sufficient to pay claims. We understand there’s a desire to address affordability for Illinoisans—but the legislation proposed will not deliver cost savings and may very well reduce competition for consumers.

Illinois Insurance Association Executive Director Kevin Martin reminded the General Assembly that the state has long benefited from one of the most competitive auto insurance markets in the country. He added, “A recent U.S. News & World Report study found that Illinois has the sixth-lowest auto insurance premiums in the nation – a ranking driven by strong competition, consumer choice and a regulatory framework that allows insurers to respond quickly to changing market conditions.”

The auto insurance legislation being debated in Springfield would upend this system by imposing a form of prior approval rate regulation that has failed consumers elsewhere.

We urge lawmakers to slow down, consider evidence-based approaches, and prioritize reforms that could actually improve affordability and strengthen consumer choice—not reduce it.

This Spring, the Illinois House passed an amended version of Senate Bill 1486. The bill must still get approval from the Senate and the Governor’s signature to become law. The current language in this bill would apply to both homeowners and auto policies. It would allow the Department of Insurance to order retroactive refunds. It would create an undefined filing standard, resulting in delayed rate implementation, reduced competition, and increased market instability.

State Farm has publicly shared, “We were disappointed by the outcome of the Illinois House vote on the amended SB 1486. This state has had the most competitive and stable insurance market in the country for more than 50 years. We believe this action will undermine auto and homeowners insurance rate predictability, market stability, and reduce competition while ultimately leading to higher insurance prices for Illinois residents.”

It is also important to note that State Farm has lowered auto insurance rates in 40 states over the past year, including Illinois. We are committed to continuing to work with lawmakers and the Department of Insurance on reasonable rate regulation legislation, and to support real solutions that tackle the root causes of rising homeowners insurance rates. State Farm is supportive of SB 3029 – the so-called storm chaser bill that has passed out of the Senate and is currently being considered in the House. The consumer-protection measure is aimed at contractors who show up after storms and pressure homeowners into signing repair contracts quickly.

Legislation that only targets pricing without addressing underlying factors like escalating storm losses, rising rebuilding costs, legal system abuse, and claim fraud will risk reducing competition and shrinking consumer options.

Auto insurance rates are falling in Illinois and many states across the country. In fact, State Farm has lowered rates twice in Illinois over the past year by a combined 15 percent on average (down 5.7% in July 2025 and down another 9.6% in December).

The homeowners market is less forgiving as severe weather, and inflationary pressures continue to increase costs for customers and insurers. So, some state lawmakers suggest changing home insurance rate regulation rules in Illinois could help. But it’s not that simple. State Farm believes HB3799 would undermine rate predictability, market stability, and reduce competition while ultimately leading to higher insurance prices for Illinois residents.

We know from our experience working in a variety of regulatory structures that more competition leads to more choice for consumers. And with more choice comes better products and better prices. That’s why the average homeowner insurance premium in Illinois is below the national average. And we hope to keep it that way.

State Farm is collaborating with lawmakers on a new bill that would give the department greater regulatory oversight in a more stable and predictable way than the current proposal. HB3799 lacks safeguards to prevent indefinite regulatory approvals and unpredictable retroactive refund demands. There are other, better options. Lawmakers can strengthen oversight without destabilizing the market.

Our focus remains on our customers and providing the best products at the lowest possible price. Unlike companies with shareholders, our goal is not to maximize profits but to earn enough to maintain financial strength that allows us to keep the promises we make.

State Farm complies with all applicable laws and remains committed to working with Illinois regulators. This Illinois taxpayer funded lawsuit is without merit and unrelated to State Farm’s Illinois rates or our Illinois customers.

State Farm has provided the Illinois Department of Insurance all data necessary to support its Illinois insurance rates.

State Farm will continue to proudly serve millions of people in Illinois and work with the Illinois Department of Insurance to benefit Illinois customers on behalf of the more than 21,000 agents, agent team members, and State Farm employees who call Illinois home.