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Cheap Car Insurance in Iowa (2022)
Drivers in Iowa pay rates starting at $20/mo. for car insurance.
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Written by
Olivia Oksenhorn
Insurance Writer
Olivia Oksenhorn is an insurance writer at Insurify. With a special focus in auto insurance and personal finance, Olivia works to help policyholders make informed decisions about their insurance. She received a bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado. Before starting at Insurify, she worked as a writer and in newsrooms and nonprofits across Colorado, including Aspen Public Radio and the Aspen Sojourner. You can connect with Olivia on LinkedIn.
Edited by
Tanveen Vohra
Editorial Manager
Tanveen Vohra is an editorial manager at Insurify specializing in writing about property and casualty insurance. Through her work, Tanveen helps consumers better understand the components of their insurance policies so they can make smarter purchase decisions.Tanveen's work has been cited by CNBC , Fox Business, Business Insider, Fortune, and Market Watch, among others.
Updated November 23, 2022
Car Insurance in Iowa
Iowans enjoy some of the cheapest car insurance rates in the country. The average monthly premium in Iowa is just $133 per month, making it the sixth-cheapest state in terms of buying car insurance.
Finding cheap car Insurance in Iowa doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. To compare quotes online and discover the cheapest auto insurance rates in Iowa, you’ll need to enter your ZIP code and other driver information.
Quick Facts
The average cost of car insurance in Iowa is $133/mo.
State Farm is the cheapest provider in Iowa, with average rates of $28/mo.
The easiest way to cut car insurance costs is to compare quotes online.
Best cheap car insurance in Iowa: State Farm
1
State Farm
The cheapest option for car insurance in Iowa is State Farm. With average premiums of $28 per month and an ICS of 88, Travelers is an affordable option with good customer satisfaction and stable financial standing. Other top cheap providers in Iowa include Nationwide, Progressive, and Liberty Mutual, with average rates of $108, $115, and $203 per month, respectively.
| Car Insurance Company | Insurify Composite Score | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | 88 | $28 |
| USAA | 96 | $51 |
| GEICO | 88 | $55 |
| American Family | 89 | $61 |
| Allstate | 85 | $63 |
| Farmers | 85 | $73 |
| Erie | 85 | $76 |
| Travelers | 80 | $94 |
| Nationwide | 89 | $108 |
| Progressive | 80 | $115 |
| Foremost Signature | N/A | $127 |
| Safeco | N/A | $127 |
| Midvale Home & Auto | N/A | $130 |
| Dairyland | N/A | $196 |
| Liberty Mutual | 86 | $203 |
| Bristol West | 82 | $224 |
| State Auto | 76 | $228 |
| The General | N/A | $243 |
| Amica | N/A | $317 |
Disclaimer: actual quotes may vary based on the policyholder's unique driver profile.
Learn More: Best Car Insurance Companies
Insurify Composite Score (ICS)
To calculate the Insurify Composite Score, a proprietary rating, Insurify data scientists weigh multiple factors that reflect the quality, reliability, and health of an insurance company.
Inputs to the score include J.D. Power ratings, Consumer Reports customer satisfaction surveys and customer complaints, mobile app reviews, user-generated company reviews, and financial strength ratings from A.M. Best, Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, and Fitch.
What to know about minimum car insurance requirements in Iowa
Iowa may be known for having abundant farmland, but that doesn’t mean you can skip insurance on your vehicle. Like most states, Iowa requires insurance for all motor vehicles operated or parked on its roadways.
You’ll also need to carry proof of insurance in your vehicle at all times and be able to show it if a member of law enforcement asks for it. You’ll also need proof of insurance in order to register or renew your vehicle registration, and if your car is involved in an accident.
The minimum liability insurance requirements for private passenger vehicles in Iowa are:
$20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident for bodily injury: As a major part of your liability insurance, bodily injury coverage covers medical bills for people other than the policyholder who are injured during an accident. Iowa is an at-fault state, meaning the driver who is responsible for the collision is also responsible for paying for any resulting expenses, either through their car insurance provider or out of pocket.
$15,000 per accident for property damage: If it’s determined that an insured driver is at fault for an accident, this coverage pays for repairs to the property of the other involved parties. Additionally, property damage coverage can cover legal costs if the insured driver is involved in a lawsuit following the accident.
Iowa DMV information
Iowa DMVs provide several services for Iowans’ convenience, including license renewals and replacements, address changes, CDL applications, vehicle registration, specialty plates, viewing and purchasing copies of your driving record, and applying for oversize or overweight permits. Many services are available online and in person at locations throughout the state.
Public transportation in Iowa
Most of Iowa’s urban areas operate public transit systems consisting primarily of local bus services. Additionally, commercial bus service is also available between cities and is the most common public transit used in the state. However, most residents of Iowa drive, and having a car will allow you to travel around the state with ease.
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Tips for getting cheap car insurance in Iowa
Many drivers looking for cheap auto insurance compare quotes to find the best rate, as every insurer weighs risk factors differently. Iowans have the benefit of lower-than-average car insurance rates, but generally speaking, maintaining good credit and a clean driving record will ensure that you see low car insurance rates.
You can also explore car insurance discounts. Common discounts include:
Good driver discount
Good student discount
Bundling discount (for having auto and home coverage with the same insurer)
Liability-only vs. full-coverage insurance in Iowa
Liability-only auto insurance, which pays for expenses related to injuries and damage to the other party’s car if you cause an accident, is an option in Iowa. Like most other states, Iowa sets its own minimums for how much liability insurance it requires drivers to carry. Liability-only insurance can make sense if:
You have a low-value vehicle.
You can afford to repair or replace your car out of your own pocket.
Getting the cheapest insurance possible is your top priority.
Choosing full-coverage insurance, which includes basic liability plus collision and comprehensive coverage, can give you a higher level of protection. Collision coverage pays for damages to your car, even if you’re at fault for an accident. Comprehensive pays for damages caused by events out of your control, like vandalism, weather, and animals. Auto lenders and leasing companies typically require drivers to carry full coverage on a car they’ve financed.
You may also opt for full coverage if:
You have a high-value vehicle.
You wouldn’t be able to afford to repair or replace your car out of pocket.
Your car’s actual cash value (the payout you’d likely get if your car is totaled) exceeds your annual premium to carry full coverage.
Here’s a look at the cheapest auto insurance in Iowa by policy type.
| Car Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote: Liability | Average Monthly Quote: Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $44 | $63 |
| American Family | $42 | $61 |
| GEICO | $38 | $55 |
| State Farm | $20 | $28 |
| USAA | $35 | $51 |
| Amica | $218 | $316 |
| Bristol West | $96 | $224 |
| Dairyland | $85 | $196 |
| Erie | $52 | $76 |
| Farmers | $50 | $72 |
| Foremost Signature | $59 | $127 |
| Liberty Mutual | $98 | $203 |
| Midvale Home & Auto | $66 | $130 |
| Nationwide | $103 | $108 |
| Progressive | $79 | $115 |
| Safeco | $59 | $127 |
| State Auto | $49 | $228 |
| The General | $123 | $243 |
| Travelers | $66 | $94 |
Disclaimer: actual quotes may vary based on the policyholder's unique driver profile.
How your driving history affects Iowa car insurance rates
Your driving history is the factor that most influences your car insurance costs. Good drivers — whose records are free of serious traffic violations like speeding tickets or reckless driving — tend to get the best car insurance rates in Iowa. But infractions like driving under the influence or at-fault accidents can significantly increase insurance costs.
Here’s a look at average monthly quotes for the cheapest car insurance in Iowa based on driving and accident history.
See More: High-Risk Car Insurance Iowa
| Car Insurance Company | Clean Record | At-Fault Accident | With a DUI | Speeding Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $51 | $113 | $95 | $58 |
| American Family | $49 | $109 | $91 | $56 |
| GEICO | $59 | $130 | $109 | $66 |
| State Farm | $45 | $99 | $83 | $51 |
| USAA | $23 | $51 | $43 | $26 |
| Amica | $256 | $567 | N/A | $289 |
| Bristol West | $195 | $308 | $240 | $296 |
| Dairyland | $183 | $241 | $228 | $224 |
| Erie | $204 | $452 | $380 | $231 |
| Farmers | $62 | $137 | $115 | $70 |
| Foremost Signature | $116 | $139 | N/A | $141 |
| Liberty Mutual | $189 | $256 | $96 | $231 |
| Midvale Home & Auto | $116 | $185 | $222 | $159 |
| Nationwide | $101 | $146 | N/A | $100 |
| Progressive | $93 | $206 | $173 | $105 |
| Safeco | $111 | $176 | $206 | $153 |
| State Auto | $185 | $325 | N/A | $318 |
| The General | $219 | $347 | $252 | $296 |
| Travelers | $91 | $102 | $129 | $102 |
Disclaimer: actual quotes may vary based on the policyholder's unique driver profile.
See More: Bad Credit Car Insurance Iowa
SR-22 insurance in Iowa
An SR-22 is a certificate to prove a driver has auto insurance that meets the state minimum coverage requirements. After you buy a car insurance policy following a high-risk event like an at-fault accident, speeding ticket, or DUI, you can request the insurer provide an SR-22 certifying financial responsibility. Many car insurance companies in Iowa offer an SR-22.
How credit scores affect Iowa car insurance quotes
Your credit score will impact what you pay in Iowa because insurers in this state can consider your credit score when setting your premiums. Generally, people with excellent or good credit scores can qualify for lower car insurance premiums than people with average or poor credit scores.
| Credit Tier | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Excellent | $107 |
| Good | $126 |
| Average | $139 |
| Bad | $215 |
Disclaimer: actual quotes may vary based on the policyholder's unique driver profile.
How your city affects Iowa insurance quotes
Even within the same state, car insurance rates will differ between ZIP codes. Residents of cities with more traffic accidents and higher crime rates will generally see higher insurance costs. Find the average rates for cities in Iowa in the chart below.
| City | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Ames | $184 |
| Cedar Rapids | $163 |
| Council Bluffs | $247 |
| Davenport | $153 |
| Des Moines | $175 |
| Dubuque | $184 |
| Iowa City | $174 |
| Sioux City | $169 |
| Waterloo | $176 |
| West Des Moines | $154 |
Disclaimer: actual quotes may vary based on the policyholder's unique driver profile.
How your age affects your Iowa car insurance rates
Because insurers generally equate age with experience level, your age will significantly affect how much you pay for car insurance. New drivers, who tend to be teens or people in their early 20s, typically pay more for insurance than drivers 25 and older.
The following table gives a high-level view of how age can affect insurance rates.
| Age Group | Average Monthly Rate |
|---|---|
| Teenagers | $352 |
| Under 25 | $171 |
| 20s | $120 |
| 30s | $128 |
| 40s | $146 |
| 50s | $84 |
| 60s | $84 |
| 70s | $103 |
| 80+ | $125 |
Disclaimer: actual quotes may vary based on the policyholder's unique driver profile.
Quotes for younger drivers
Even though Iowa has some of the lowest car insurance rates in the country, drivers younger than 25 may struggle to find insurers willing to offer them a truly bargain rate. Safeco offers a liability-only policy as low as $95 per month. But infractions like an at-fault accident or DUI can substantially increase insurance premiums for young Iowans.
| Car Insurance Company | Liability Only | Full Coverage | With an Accident | With a DUI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol West | $129 | $280 | $309 | $252 |
| Dairyland | $115 | $241 | $246 | $236 |
| Liberty Mutual | $144 | $276 | $287 | $270 |
| Foremost Signature | N/A | $169 | N/A | N/A |
| Midvale Home & Auto | N/A | $160 | $208 | $142 |
| Nationwide | N/A | $117 | N/A | $111 |
| Progressive | N/A | $136 | N/A | N/A |
| Safeco | $95 | $159 | $168 | $145 |
| State Auto | N/A | $266 | $383 | $204 |
| The General | $155 | $305 | $348 | $275 |
| Travelers | N/A | $110 | $107 | $110 |
Disclaimer: actual quotes may vary based on the policyholder's unique driver profile.
Quotes for middle-aged drivers
Generally, drivers see their insurance rates decline as they grow older and gain driving experience. Middle-aged Iowans can find some very competitive rates for both liability-only and full-coverage policies. However, a DUI will likely significantly increase a middle-aged driver’s rates in Iowa.
| Car Insurance Company | Liability Only | Full Coverage | With an Accident | With a DUI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol West | $75 | $191 | $226 | $332 |
| Liberty Mutual | $69 | $161 | $198 | $298 |
| Travelers | $74 | $90 | N/A | $171 |
| Dairyland | $64 | $166 | $192 | $302 |
| Foremost GroupSelect℠ | N/A | $122 | N/A | N/A |
| Midvale Home & Auto | $58 | $109 | $131 | $193 |
| Nationwide | $80 | $118 | N/A | $222 |
| Progressive | N/A | $104 | N/A | N/A |
| Safeco | $48 | $117 | $150 | $200 |
| State Auto | $42 | $208 | N/A | $350 |
| The General | $99 | $198 | $227 | $366 |
Disclaimer: actual quotes may vary based on the policyholder's unique driver profile.
Quotes for seniors
With a clean driving record, Iowa seniors can find very good car insurance quotes. Liability-only will be the cheapest insurance available, but full coverage rates are also competitive for senior drivers.
| Car Insurance Company | Liability Only | Full Coverage | With an Accident | With a DUI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol West | $60 | $132 | $88 | $118 |
| Liberty Mutual | $62 | $110 | $91 | $105 |
| Travelers | $51 | $69 | $74 | $68 |
| Dairyland | $61 | $139 | $89 | $131 |
| Midvale Home & Auto | $43 | $88 | $63 | $84 |
| Nationwide | $88 | $73 | $128 | $73 |
| Safeco | $51 | $81 | $74 | $80 |
| State Auto | N/A | $158 | N/A | N/A |
| The General | $102 | $173 | $149 | $167 |
Disclaimer: actual quotes may vary based on the policyholder's unique driver profile.
Iowa car insurance FAQs
State Farm has the overall average cheapest car insurance rates in Iowa, with average monthly premiums of $28. However, what you pay for car insurance depends on your unique driver profile. For this reason, many drivers comparison-shop to find their best personal rate.
It’s also important to note that each insurer will weigh rating factors differently. For example, while State Farm is the cheapest car insurance provider overall in Iowa, drivers with a DUI in their driving history see the lowest rates with USAA.
Iowa is one of the most affordable states in terms of car insurance costs. In fact, Iowa ranks as the sixth-cheapest state for car insurance in the nation. Even with low average rates, however, traffic violations on your driving record, such as a DUI, an at-fault accident, a speeding ticket, or a failure to stop, will usually increase your car insurance rates.
In Iowa, having a bad credit score will also increase your insurance rates. Drivers in Iowa with bad credit pay 53% more in car insurance premiums than drivers with excellent credit.
The average cost of car insurance in Iowa is $133 per month, or $1,596 annually. Iowa ranks as the sixth-cheapest state for car insurance, and its rates are far lower than the national average rate of $233. Drivers in Iowa will also see lower rates for auto insurance than those in surrounding states, such as Minnesota, South Dakota, Missouri, and Nebraska.
The best top provider available to Iowans is State Farm, with average rates of just $28 per month. It’s important to remember that your car insurance costs will vary based on your driving record, credit score, and age. On an industry level, rates are increasing across multiple auto insurers due to increased costs in claims repairs and replacements.
State Farm, USAA, and American Family are the best auto insurance providers in Iowa according to their Insurify Composite Scores (ICS). The ICS takes financial strength ratings; J.D. Power ratings; Consumer Reports customer satisfaction surveys and customer complaints; mobile app reviews; and user-generated company reviews into account.
State Farm has an ICS of 88 and average monthly premiums of $28. USAA has a higher ICS of 96, but also has higher average monthly premiums of $51. American Family has the highest average monthly rates of the three at $61, and has an ICS of 89.
No, PIP coverage isn’t required in Iowa. In fact, PIP is actually not available in Iowa. Instead, drivers can purchase optional medical payments coverage, or MedPay. MedPay is similar to PIP and will pay for medical expenses in the case of an accident.
Like PIP, MedPay will cover the cost of medical expenses for the policyholder, other named drivers on the insurance policy, and passengers in the car at the time of an accident. Although it isn’t required, purchasing MedPay can help protect drivers and their passengers from medical costs, as it can be used to cover the deductible of medical insurance.
Yes, car insurance is required in Iowa. The state minimum car insurance requirements are $20,000 per person for bodily injury, $40,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 per accident for property damage. A liability-only auto insurance policy will meet the state’s minimum insurance requirements.
While full-coverage car insurance isn’t required in Iowa, purchasing a full-coverage policy that includes comprehensive and collision car insurance is a great way to ensure you’re fully protected in case of a car accident or any other calamities, such as theft or natural disasters. And with the low cost of car insurance in Iowa, full-coverage car insurance is relatively affordable.
Car insurance follows the car and not the driver in Iowa. Bodily injury liability, property damage liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage will all follow anyone who drives your car in the state. It’s still important to make sure anyone who drives your car is insured — if damages or injuries exceed your policy limits, their policy will act as secondary coverage.
It’s important to note that MedPay doesn’t follow the car in Iowa. Instead, MedPay follows the driver, meaning that if you drive someone else’s car, your MedPay coverage will still help with any of your personal medical costs after an accident. However, your MedPay coverage won’t protect another driver who drives your car.
In Iowa, full-coverage car insurance consists of liability insurance, collision insurance, and comprehensive insurance. Liability insurance covers costs for any bodily injury and property damage you cause others in an accident.
Collision insurance covers the cost of repairs to your vehicle in the event of an accident. Comprehensive coverage, on the other hand, covers repair and replacement costs for any damage that isn’t from a car accident. Damage from natural disasters, animals, falling objects, and any other “acts of God” are all covered by comprehensive insurance.
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Data scientists at Insurify analyzed over 40 million auto insurance rates across the United States to compile the car insurance quotes, statistics, and data visualizations displayed on this page. The car insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers' vehicles, driving records, and demographic information. With these insights, Insurify is able to offer drivers insight into how their car insurance premiums are priced by companies.
