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6 years experience in personal finance writing
Featured on Credit Karma and Insider
Jamie is a meticulous researcher who has published 2,000+ personal finance articles. Her expertise is trusted by major brands like Bankrate and Rocket Mortgage.
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Becky Helzer is an editor at Insurify. She loves helping writers express their ideas clearly and authentically. With a diverse background in editing everything from curriculum and books to magazine articles and blog posts, she’s worked on topics ranging from home finance, insurance, and cloud computing to the best tools for home improvement.
A proud graduate of Colorado State University with a degree in technical journalism, Becky lives in Fort Collins, CO, with her husband and their two spoiled rescue dogs.
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Table of contents
The average monthly rate for car insurance in Iowa is $88, which is well below the national average monthly rate of $150. Several factors contribute to Iowa’s cheap car insurance costs. The state has a low population density, with around 58 people per square mile, and fewer people on the road mean fewer opportunities for accidents that result in car insurance claims.
But while Iowa’s average annual rate for auto insurance remains low, it’s risen significantly over the past few years. Let’s look at the average monthly rate for Iowa drivers in different demographics and some steps you can take to find cheap car insurance.
The average monthly rate for car insurance in Iowa is $55 for liability-only coverage and $120 for full coverage.
Iowa car insurance rates rank among the lowest in the nation, second only to North Carolina.
Car insurance premiums in Iowa vary by ZIP code, with Council Bluffs having the highest average annual rate, at $1,254.
How much is car insurance in Iowa?
Iowa drivers pay an average rate of $88 per month for car insurance.
Liability-only coverage, which doesn’t pay to repair your car, costs an average of $55 per month. Full coverage, which includes comprehensive and collision, covers your car repairs if you file a claim and costs $120 per month, on average.
In comparison, the national average cost of car insurance is $105 per month for liability coverage and $196 per month for full coverage.
How Iowa car insurance rates have changed over the past two years
To find car insurance rates in Iowa and the U.S. over the last two years, download our data here.
The average price for full-coverage car insurance in Iowa rose to $1,600 in 2024, up significantly over rates from just a few years ago. Full-coverage rates also rose nationally, though they remain more expensive than in Iowa.
See how Iowa car insurance prices have changed over the past two years below.
Average Iowa Car Insurance Rates Over the Past Two Years
Average Iowa car insurance rates by city
Monthly car insurance rates vary quite a bit from city to city, even within the same state.[1] If you live in a densely populated city with high crime rates, you’ll pay higher monthly premiums. On the other hand, drivers in rural areas often have lower car insurance rates because there’s a lower likelihood they’ll have to file a claim.
Factors like car repair costs, medical costs, litigation costs, and weather patterns also affect car insurance rates. The following table outlines average monthly car insurance rates in several Iowa cities.
City | Average Monthly Liability-Only Quote | Average Monthly Full-Coverage Quote |
---|---|---|
Council Bluffs | $62 | $147 |
Sioux City | $63 | $141 |
Cedar Rapids | $64 | $134 |
Davenport | $65 | $133 |
Des Moines | $68 | $133 |
Average Iowa car insurance rates by age and gender
Your age and gender also play a significant role in your car insurance rates. For example, women are statistically less likely to be involved in a car accident than men and have fewer driving-related incidents like speeding tickets and DUIs.[2] As a result, they often pay less for insurance.
Age is another major factor influencing car insurance rates, with young drivers paying the highest average premiums. Teen drivers pay higher insurance rates than older drivers due to inexperience and higher accident risk.[3] Your rates decline with age, usually hitting their lowest in your 60s. But while 60-year-old drivers typically have the lowest insurance rates, they increase again at age 70 due to age-related changes in vision and motor function.[4]
Age | Average Monthly Liability-Only Quote | Average Monthly Full-Coverage Quote |
---|---|---|
16 | $124 | $275 |
18 | $108 | $239 |
20 | $77 | $171 |
25 | $67 | $148 |
30 | $57 | $126 |
40 | $49 | $110 |
50 | $42 | $93 |
60 | $36 | $81 |
70+ | $38 | $84 |
Age | Average Monthly Liability-Only Quote | Average Monthly Full-Coverage Quote |
---|---|---|
16 | $129 | $286 |
18 | $112 | $249 |
20 | $81 | $177 |
25 | $70 | $155 |
30 | $59 | $132 |
40 | $51 | $114 |
50 | $44 | $97 |
60 | $38 | $85 |
70+ | $40 | $88 |
Average cost to insure popular vehicles in Iowa
Your vehicle’s make and model also affect your insurance premium. Iowa’s agricultural economy makes trucks among the most popular vehicles, according to data from Edmunds. This may be due to their versatility, strong resale value, and towing and hauling capabilities.
The table below shows the average monthly rate for each vehicle.
Vehicle | Average Monthly Quote |
---|---|
Chevrolet Silverado | $128 |
Ford F-Series | $120 |
GMC Sierra | $129 |
Ram 1500 | $143 |
Honda CR-V | $107 |
How your driving record affects car insurance rates in Iowa
In Iowa, your good driving record will earn you lower monthly rates on your car insurance. If you have a history of car accidents or speeding tickets, you’ll pay a higher monthly premium to account for the added risk.
For example, a speeding ticket on your record leads to average insurance price increases of 66%. Drivers with a DUI on their record pay an average of 88% more than drivers with a clean record.
The following table shows the average monthly rate for a sample driver profile with various driving-related infractions.
Driver Record | Average Monthly Quote | % Increase Compared to Good Drivers |
---|---|---|
With accident | $151 | 68% |
With speeding ticket | $149 | 66% |
With DUI | $169 | 88% |
Iowa is one of many states that allow car insurance companies to consider your credit history when evaluating your car insurance application. Car insurance companies use your credit history as one metric to determine risk since data shows that drivers with poor credit file claims more often than drivers with good credit.[5]
This table illustrates the average monthly rate for drivers at different credit tiers. Drivers with excellent credit have the lowest average monthly rates, while drivers with poor credit pay the most for car insurance.
Credit TierAverage Monthly Liability-Only QuoteAverage Monthly Full-Coverage QuoteExcellent $41 $91 Good $45 $100 Fair $51 $112 Poor $70 $154 Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
How to lower your insurance costs in Iowa
Iowa drivers pay relatively inexpensive insurance costs overall, but you can find ways to find even cheaper car insurance.[6] The following five strategies can help you lower your average rate even more and still get the best insurance:
Lower your deductible
Your deductible is an out-of-pocket expense you pay to receive compensation after an accident. Choosing a higher deductible will result in lower insurance premiums, but be sure you can afford to pay the difference if you need to file a claim.
Compare costs before buying a car
If you’re currently in the market to buy a new car, compare the potential car insurance costs before making a final decision. You could save on car insurance by choosing a vehicle with a high safety rating and a low risk of car theft. And older cars may be cheaper to insure.
Take advantage of discounts
Many insurance companies offer discounts to help you save on car insurance costs. For example, you could earn a bundling discount if you have several policies with the same insurance company.
Reduce coverage on older vehicles
If you have an older vehicle that’s paid off, you may not need full coverage. It could make sense financially to switch to state-minimum liability coverage to save money.
Shop around
All car insurance companies consider slightly different criteria to determine your car insurance rates. Shopping around and comparing quotes is the best way to find your lowest insurance premium. Comparing rates each time your policy renews can also save money.
Iowa average car insurance cost FAQs
If you still have questions about car insurance in Iowa, this additional information may help.
Liability-only coverage costs an average of $664 per year in Iowa, and full coverage averages $1,446 per year. You can find good coverage by shopping around and comparing your options from different car insurance companies.
Auto-Owners is often the cheapest car insurance company in Iowa, with an average monthly liability rate of $22. Other companies may be a cheaper option for you, though. Shopping around and comparing your options helps ensure you get the lowest rates.
The average cost of car insurance in Iowa is $88 per month, which is below the national average monthly rate of $150.
The best car insurance companies in Iowa vary depending on your driver profile and coverage needs. Auto-Owners offers the lowest average monthly rate for Iowa drivers. State Farm is a good option for teen drivers, and GEICO is one of the best choices for Iowa drivers looking to take advantage of car insurance discounts.
Iowa isn’t a no-fault state, which means the driver who caused the accident is responsible for covering the other driver’s medical and property damages. That’s why all Iowa drivers must meet the state’s minimum coverage requirements.
You must carry at least $20,000 in bodily injury liability per person and $40,000 per accident. The state also requires that you purchase at least $15,000 in property damage liability coverage.[7]
Additionally, state-minimum coverage may not protect you financially if you cause an accident, so many experts recommend buying higher amounts.[8]
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
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Sources
- Insurance Information institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. "Fatality Facts 2022 Males and females."
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Risk Factors for Teen Drivers."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Background on: Older drivers."
- Consumer Reports. "The Secret Score Behind Your Rates."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Nine ways to lower your auto insurance costs."
- Iowa Insurance Division. "Auto Insurance."
- Insurance Information Institute. "How much auto coverage do I need?."
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Jamie Johnson is a Kansas City-based personal finance writer whose work has been featured on several of the top finance and business sites in the country, including Insider, Credit Karma, Bankrate, Rocket Mortgage, Fox Business, Quicken Loans, and The Balance. For the past six years, she's dedicated more than 10,000 hours of research and writing to more than 2,000 articles about personal finance topics.
Jamie has been a contributor at Insurify since October 2022.
)
Becky Helzer is an editor at Insurify. She loves helping writers express their ideas clearly and authentically. With a diverse background in editing everything from curriculum and books to magazine articles and blog posts, she’s worked on topics ranging from home finance, insurance, and cloud computing to the best tools for home improvement.
A proud graduate of Colorado State University with a degree in technical journalism, Becky lives in Fort Collins, CO, with her husband and their two spoiled rescue dogs.