While there are many highly rated, good quality auto insurance companies out there, there are equally as many, if not more, sub or non-standard ones out there as well. These non-standard companies exist for several different reasons. As a consumer, be aware, because as the old adage goes, you get what you pay for! These companies will insure just about anyone who is willing to give them money. Their policies are usually the bare minimum amount of coverage, which in Illinois is $20,000/$40,000. They usually charge the same amount of money, if not more, for lesser coverage than quality companies charge for the same policies. If and when you are insured with these companies, and you get into an accident, they are almost impossible to deal with. They rarely return phone calls, they often do not respond to letters, and if and when they do, they have almost no interest in helping their customers at all. They fight with their own customers and try to deny coverage in many different ways. Their goal is to hold on to their money as long as they possibly can, even if that means that lawsuits being filed against them. They hire defense law firms to represent them in Court and try to delay the process of having to pay out on claims for as long as they possibly can. Many attorneys refuse to even take cases against these companies because of how difficult it is to work with them. As an attorney, I do not like to turn away a new client simply because their case is against a non-standard company. However, if it is a case with minor property damage and minor injuries, it is often wise to reject the case simply because no matter how good of a job I can do for this client, I know that they will never be happy with the final outcome of the case. If a potential client understands the situation and the fact that this particular company is not going to pay the same amount of money that a quality company will pay, and they are willing to be patient and wait a while for the case to settle, I will sometimes take these cases. I understand that people are attracted to these companies because perhaps they have a bad driving record and other companies will not insure them. Or maybe, these non-standard companies are charging these people less money simply to get their business. Whatever the case may be, if you have the option of obtaining insurance with a quality company, I suggest that you do so. You might pay a little more money, but at least if and when you ever need to use your insurance policy you can be sure that your company will take care of you.