Chicago's infrastructure in need of repair

Students Protest University of Chicago Budget Cuts, elderly citizens protest Governor Rauner's proposed budget cuts, the city's finances are a mess; so no one should be surprised that much of Chicago's infrastructure is at the breaking point. This is not just a "Chicago problem," but the State of Illinois and for that matter, most of the country is filled with roads and bridges, water lines and sewers in desperate need of repair. 


These projects could put large numbers of people back to work, but have large price tags and a variety of needs are chasing the same few funds. I understand this, yet was still struck by the decay of a bridge just a few blocks from my home. An edifice so far beyond patch and paint that it clearly posed a danger. A structure that had crossed the line and now only be completely rebuilt.

Allowing the city to crumble ends up costing more in the long-run as well as puts great strain of vehicles, lengthens our commutes, and  can make businesses less competitive.

Larry Lubell

City of Chicago, Awards Urban Insurance Agency,LLC

There are many insurance agencies in the Chicagoland area, the overwhelming portion of them serve their customers in a fair and competent fashion. Urban Insurance Agency,LLC is happy to be recognized by Cityof.com/Chicago  as a company that meets their highest standards of excellence and Integrity for the selling of Auto Insurance in Chicago.

Urban Insurance has been serving Chicago for more than 54 years, despite our growth, we have never lost sight of our promise to provide personal service. It is a source of great pride that, after more than five decades in business, we now are providing  Auto Insurance to the children, and even grand children, of some of our first auto insurance customers. 

Urban Insurance Agency has a BBB Rating of A+

Using our Comparative Rater, you can Quote, Buy, and then Print your Policy,
 or you are welcome to contact us by phone at 800-680-0707.

Uber Insurance

Allstate, State Farm, Progressive, and Geico agree, their policies do not cover Uber drivers or ridesharing activities of any kind. As Urban Insurance has written in prior posts, “Private passenger policies” do not provide coverage for vehicles used commercially, and make no mistake- Driving passengers for money is clearly commercial use. Yes this includes the times a driver is logged in to an Uber app but has yet to be matched with a fare. Uber insurance requirements are not always clear, and can very by state law. Not only have Progressive Geico and others refused to pay for claims, they have begun canceling policies of customers caught driving for any rideshare services.

Uber’s insurance coverage for ridesharing in the U.S. includes as of July 14, 2014:

$1 million of liability coverage per incident. Uber holds a commercial insurance policy with $1 million of coverage per incident. Drivers’ liability to third parties is covered from the moment a driver accepts a trip to its conclusion. This policy is expressly primary to any personal auto coverage (However it will not take precedence over any commercial auto insurance for the vehicle). We have provided a $1 million liability policy since commencing ridesharing in early 2013.

$1 million of uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage per incident. In December 2013, we also added uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. In the event that another motorist causes an accident with an uberX vehicle and doesn’t carry adequate insurance, this policy covers bodily injury to all occupants of the rideshare vehicle. This is important to ensure protection in a hit and run.

Contingent comprehensive and collision insurance. If a ridesharing driver holds personal comprehensive and collision insurance this policy covers physical damage to that vehicle that occurs during a trip up to the actual cash value of the vehicle, for any reason, with a $1,000 deductible.

No fault coverage (e.g., Personal Injury Protection) is provided in certain states at similar levels as limos or taxis in those cities.

$50,000/$100,000/$25,000 of contingent coverage between trips.** During the time that a ridesharing partner is available but between trips, most personal auto insurance will provide coverage. However the driver is also backed by an additional policy that covers driver liability for bodily injury up to $50,000/individual/accident with a total of $100,000/accident and up to $25,000 for property damage. This policy is contingent to a driver’s personal insurance policy, meaning it will only pay if the personal auto insurance completely declines or pays zero. This policy meets or exceeds the requirements for 3rd party liability insurance in every state in the U.S.

Remember, the rules are different for each program Uber operates.

As always, all UberBLACK, UberSUV, or UberTAXI rides are provided by commercially licensed and insured partners and drivers. Those transportation providers are covered by commercial insurance policies, in accordance with local and state requirements.

Larry Lubell    

Urban Insurance Agency, LLC  800 North Wells Chicago, Il. 60610  / 312-664-8088 

When looking for commercial insurance in Chicago and throughout Illinois, Urban will work with you to assess the risks facing your business, and we work hard to make the process simple for you. You can trust Urban Insurance to help you with all of your commercial truck insurance needs. We have a A+ rating at the Better Business Bureau and we will search on one, but a variety of companies to find you the lowest rates for the coverage you need.

Chicago Car Insurance Rates

Get your FREE Auto Insurance Quotes from Urban Insurance Agency.
We will compare rates for more than 20 different companies
to find you the lowest price on your auto insurance coverage.

SR22 Filings at the Lowest Rates in Chicago!
Poor Credit or No Credit is Never a Problem!

Auto insurance is there to protect your and your family from financial losses that can come as a result of an Auto accident.
Without Liability insurance you can loose your license and possibly be responsible for tens of thousands in damages
resulting from injuries and or damages stemming from of a car accident and for which you are legally responsible.
If you own a newer car, it will often makes sense to also obtain Physical Damage (Full Coverage) Insurance to cover
the expense of repairing or even replacing your vehicle if it is damaged, stolen Vandalized or catches fire.

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Have Questions or Prefer to Talk to an Insurance Agent?
Just give us a call at

800-680-0707

Accident Reporting



 In the 50 years that Urban Insurance has been in business, we have never spoken to a single customer that was “Happy” to have just been involved in an accident. The truth is accidents happen to even the best of drivers. When an accident does occur you need to remain calm, collect the needed information and make a timely report.




The first thing to do upon being involved in a car accident is to gain your composure. This might seem easy or even unimportant, but it is a critical step in resolving the situation and getting your car repaired quickly. I will say what should be understood, “Things can be replaced- people can not”. Job one is to assess if any one in your vehicle is hurt. Having the presence to ask, as well as to look for your self can save lives. Remember, today few of us walk out our door without a phone, if someone in your car need medical help call 911. If you believe injuries are “Borderline;” error on the side of caution and call for help. Clearly the next step is to see if anyone in the other car or truck needs help. Don’t forget they call them “Accidents” for a reason. Keep your anger in check. There will be plenty of time to point fingers, first make sure no one is in need of medical help. Please take all reasonable steps to avoid further damage to person and or property by moving cars off to the side of the road and out of harms way.



The second step is to obtain all of the information you will need to report the loss to both Urban Insurance Agency, as well as to the police. Urban sent you an accident report card to be completed. We do not require that actual card be used, but it is a great tool to use. If you do not have the card, try to picture the likely questions we will ask when you contact us. Begin with the most obvious, Name, Address, Phone number and Work Number all fall into the category of being able to reach this person. Next move to their insurance information. Remember to ask for the name of the company as well as the name of the office or agency, and get the corresponding phone numbers for each. Clearly it is wise to mark down information on the vehicle(s) in the crash. I already reminded you that you will likely have a phone, and odd are that phone will have a camera. Not only can a “Picture be worth a thousand words,” but the photo will give a more objective account.



Report any accident promptly to both Urban Insurance, as well as to the police. Today, most police departments will not send out an officer to the scene unless there are injuries. However a report must be filed; that puts the job on you, the driver. If you fail to file a “Crash report,” this can result in your license being suspended or revoked. Also remember, if you fail to file a report but the driver of the other auto does- only that person’s account of the event will be recorded. Please do not forget to report the accident in to Urban. The sooner the loss is reported the sooner we can help you get your car fixed or replaced. If you wait too long you can put your coverage in jeopardy.



Over the past 50 years that Urban Insurance has helped tens of thousands of our customers solve the problems caused by accidents. None of our customers enjoy being involved in an accident, but we do find that they “Are Happy” that they were insured by Urban Insurance.

BBB Chicago, Car Insurance Illinois, SR22 Chicago

Lowest car insurance rates

Does it seem like every other commercial is for Car Insurance? At first, I thought maybe the fact that I sell Car Insurance left me “Hyper-aware” of Auto Insurance commercials, but it is not my imagination; auto insurance advertising has skyrocketed from $600 million in 2003 to more than $1.7 billion in 2007. Insurance companies spending has continued to increase throughout 2008 and again in 2009. In fact last year Geico alone spent more advertising car Insurance, than the total industry spent in 2003. State Farm and Allstate have dramatically increased Spending over the past year unwilling to give up market share to Progressive and Geico.

The result of all of this spending is a public that is watching and endless string of commercials from a dozen car insurance companies, each claiming to be some $500 cheaper than any other company. As a log-time agent selling car insurance, two things are quite clear:

1. Consumers are paying for all that advertising through higher Car Insurance rates.

2. Every company can't be the cheapest insurance company.

It should come as no surprise, that if an insurance company spends hundreds of millions of dollars per year on advertising, millions more vanity sponsorships, plus millions of dollars in executive bonuses- those costs will get passed down to consumers.

At Urban Auto Insurance, there are no marble floors and certainly no seven figure salaries. Our lower overhead is passed on to policy holders through lower rates.

I am always amazed by insurance companies claims that their policies will save people an average of over $400; because, At Urban insurance the average cost of a policy is only $426.

Clearly “Average savings” are based on only those customers who switched to company “X” and then reported that they saved money. Customers who got a quote from company ”X” and found the rate higher, and did not change carriers or switched but didn't save money are not counted when compiling their average.

Urban Auto Insurance has been helping customers save money on their Illinois car insurance and Indiana car insurance for more than 45 years. We represent 20 different car insurance companies in order to find you the lowest price on your auto insurance. Unlike many car insurance companies today Urban will provide you Auto Insurance without “Running your Credit”, this can save you hundreds of dollars on your insurance.

Get a quote from Urban Insurance today, then feel free to turn down the sound next time you see a insurance commercial.