Home insurance • Chicago, Illinois • 2026
Home Insurance in Chicago, IL: Coverage for Basement Flooding, Two-Flats, and Older Homes
Chicago's bungalows, two-flats, and greystones mostly have basements, and heavy summer storms regularly overwhelm the city's combined sewers. Sewer backup, older homes, and rental units shape what Chicago homeowners need.
This guide covers what drives home insurance prices in Chicago, the Illinois rules that apply, and how to compare quotes from several insurers on the same terms.
Blake Insurance Group is an independent agency based in Tucson that serves Chicago homeowners by phone and online. We do not have an office in Chicago, and we compare options from the insurers we are appointed with for your exact address.
Get Chicago home insurance quotes
Tell us your Chicago address, your home's age, square footage, and roof, and the coverage you want, and a licensed agent will follow up with options available to us. Submitting the form does not bind coverage.
If the form does not load, call 888-387-3687, Monday through Friday, 9:00 to 5:00 Arizona time, or email info@blakeinsurancegroup.com.
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Owning a home in Chicago: what shapes your rate
Basements and older homes shape Chicago coverage.
Basement flooding and sewer backup
Heavy rain can overwhelm sewers and back water into basements. Sewer and drain backup is excluded unless you add the endorsement, so choose a limit that fits a finished basement.
Older homes
Older homes can cost more to rebuild to current code. Ordinance or law coverage helps pay for required upgrades.
Two-flats and owner-occupied rentals
If you live in one unit and rent the others, you need a policy written for an owner-occupied multi-unit building, including liability for tenants' guests.
Ice dams and frozen pipes
Ice dams, heavy snow, and hard freezes cause winter claims. Sudden damage is usually covered if you kept the home heated.
Coverage priorities for Chicago homeowners
| Your situation | Coverage to review | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Any home with a basement | Sewer and drain backup endorsement | Excluded unless added. |
| Older home | Ordinance or law coverage | Helps pay for code upgrades. |
| Any homeowner | Dwelling at full rebuilding cost | Construction costs have risen. |
| Also insuring your cars | Home and auto bundle | Often the largest discount. |
Examples only, not recommendations. Coverage availability and terms vary by insurer.
Illinois rules and market facts every Chicago homeowner should know
- No state mandate, but your lender requires it. Illinois does not require homeowners insurance by law, but nearly every mortgage lender does.
- Mine subsidence coverage. Insurers must offer mine subsidence coverage statewide. In 34 counties, including Peoria, Sangamon, Madison, St. Clair, LaSalle, and Rock Island, it is included automatically unless you reject it in writing. Elsewhere you can add it on request.
- Basements and sewer backup. Heavy rain overwhelms sewers and floods basements across northern Illinois. Sewer and drain backup is excluded unless you add the endorsement, and surface flooding needs a flood policy.
- New notice rules. Illinois law requires advance written notice and a stated reason before an insurer non-renews your policy. Under laws passed in 2026, insurers must also give a written notice that your policy excludes flood starting January 1, 2027, and longer notice of large renewal increases starting July 1, 2027.
- Hail and tornadoes. Illinois sees frequent hail, derechos, and tornadoes. Compare wind and hail deductibles and how each quote settles roof claims.
- Flood is excluded. River and surface flooding are not covered by home policies. See flood insurance.
How to compare Chicago quotes apples to apples
A cheaper quote is only cheaper if the coverage matches. Line up each quote using the same limits and deductibles.
| Coverage | What to match |
|---|---|
| Dwelling (Coverage A) | Same rebuild amount, based on replacement cost, not market value |
| Other structures and personal property | Same limits, and replacement cost (not actual cash value) for belongings |
| Loss of use | Same limit for living expenses if you cannot stay in the home |
| Personal liability and medical payments | Same limits, such as $300,000 liability |
| Deductibles | Same deductible, the same sewer and drain backup limit, and the same mine subsidence coverage if your county includes it |
| Roof settlement | Replacement cost or actual cash value for the roof, and any roof age schedule |
| Endorsements | Water backup, extended replacement cost, ordinance or law, and scheduled jewelry |
Chicago areas and ZIP codes we quote
We quote throughout Chicago, including the Loop, River North, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Logan Square, Pilsen, Hyde Park, Bronzeville, and the North, South, and West Sides.
- 60601
- 60605
- 60607
- 60608
- 60609
- 60610
- 60611
- 60612
- 60613
- 60614
- 60615
- 60616
- 60617
- 60618
- 60619
- 60620
- 60622
- 60623
- 60625
- 60626
- 60628
- 60629
- 60630
- 60632
- 60634
- 60636
- 60637
- 60638
- 60639
- 60640
- 60641
- 60643
- 60644
- 60647
- 60649
- 60651
- 60653
- 60657
- 60659
- 60660
Insurers price by the exact address, the roof's age and material, the home's age and updates, and the cost to rebuild, so have those details ready for an accurate quote.
Discounts worth asking about in Chicago
- Home and auto bundle, compared on the total of both policies.
- Protective devices, such as monitored alarms, sump pump alarms, and water leak sensors.
- Impact-resistant roof credits where offered.
- The basics. Home and auto bundle, claims-free, new or impact-resistant roof, monitored alarm, smart water shutoff, new home, paid-in-full, and paperless discounts, where the insurer offers them.
Discount names, amounts, and availability vary by insurer.
Non-renewed, an older roof, or prior claims? You still have options. Some insurers and specialty markets write harder-to-place homes. Call 888-387-3687 and we will shop it for you.
Chicago home insurance FAQs
Is a backed-up sewer or floor drain covered?
Not unless you add sewer and drain backup coverage. It is an inexpensive endorsement and one of the most important for Illinois homes with basements.
Why does my older home cost more to insure?
Older homes can cost more to rebuild, especially to current code. Ordinance or law coverage helps, and updated wiring, plumbing, and roofs can lower your price.
I live in one unit of my two-flat. What policy do I need?
Most insurers write owner-occupied two- to four-unit buildings on a homeowners form. Tell us how many units are rented so the policy covers the building and your liability.
Does Illinois require homeowners insurance?
No state law requires it, but nearly every mortgage lender does. Most owners keep coverage even after the mortgage is paid off.
Is basement flooding covered in Chicago?
It depends on the cause. Sewer and drain backup is covered only if you add the endorsement, and surface or river flooding needs a separate flood policy.
Do I need mine subsidence coverage?
In 34 Illinois counties it is included automatically unless you reject it in writing. In other counties you can add it on request if your home is near old mines.
Nearby areas and related guides
Important information
Compensation. Links in the partner quote box near the top of this page are sponsored, and Blake Insurance Group may be paid if you make a purchase. Sponsored placement does not affect the other information on this page.
Independent agency. Blake Insurance Group LLC is an independent insurance agency. Licensed insurance producer NPN 16944666. Licensed states: AZ, AL, TX, CA, NY, OH, FL, NC, VA, GA, OK, NM, IA, KS, MI, NE, SC, SD, WV, IL, NJ, PA, TN, and WA. Which insurance companies we can quote depends on our current appointments, the product, and your state.
Availability. Coverage, prices, discounts, and eligibility vary by insurer, state, and applicant, and are subject to underwriting. The issued policy controls. This page is general information, not legal advice.
Service area. Blake Insurance Group is based in Tucson and serves Chicago clients by phone and online. We do not claim a physical office in Chicago.
Your next step
Request a quote, and a licensed agent will compare options available to us for your Chicago address.
