Average Car Insurance Cost in Iowa (2024)

Iowa drivers pay a monthly average of $92 for car insurance. The good news for Iowa drivers is that the rate ranks as one of the lowest costs for car insurance in the nation.

One of the reasons Iowans enjoy a low state average versus the national average of $153 is that the state boasts a low car theft rate: 168.07 per 100,000 people, according to 2022 data.^[1] By comparison, Colorado’s car theft rate in 2022 was 731.28 per 100,000.

However, not everything is perfect for drivers in the Hawkeye State. Iowa is one of the top accident-prone states. In addition, Iowa’s state capital, Des Moines, ranks among the cities with the worst drivers.

As you navigate the perks and pitfalls of driving in Iowa, the information presented in this article can help you do so with the most affordable car insurance possible.

What’s the average cost of car insurance in Iowa?

The average cost of liability car insurance in Iowa is $56 per month, while the average cost of full-coverage car insurance is $127 per month.

The average cost of auto insurance can vary from state to state, and even from ZIP code to ZIP code based on a number of factors, such as crime rates, claims-filing activity, and different risks presented by natural disasters.

The table below shows different rates from leading insurance companies in Iowa.

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How Iowa car insurance rates have changed over the past two years

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 by city

Your car insurance rate can vary dramatically depending on where you live in Iowa.

Sioux City drivers enjoy the state’s lowest average car insurance quotes for liability coverage, and Cedar Rapids checks in with the lowest average car insurance quotes for full-coverage insurance.

Surprisingly, the state’s largest city, Des Moines, has neither the highest nor the lowest quotes for liability-only or full-coverage car insurance.

You can see average quotes for several prominent Iowa cities in the table below.

Average Iowa car insurance rates by age

Age also plays a part in setting your car insurance rates. For instance, relatively inexperienced drivers (namely young drivers) generally pay more for car insurance than older, more experienced drivers do.

On the other hand, drivers in their 70s might pay more than drivers in their 50s or 60s because their chances of being involved in a crash and suffering serious injuries go up along with their age.

The chart below shows how your car insurance rates fluctuate as you age.

How gender affects car insurance rates in Iowa

Generally, men pay higher car insurance rates than women. This is because women get into fewer accidents, are involved in less serious accidents, and are cited for fewer DUIs. However, age also contributes to the equation, as teen drivers pay higher rates than drivers pay at age 35 or 50.^[2]

Here, you can see the dramatic differences between car insurance rates in Iowa for male and female drivers.

How your driving record affects car insurance rates in Iowa

Car insurance companies reward good drivers and penalize bad drivers, greatly affecting your insurance premium. That’s especially true for drivers with DUIs on their record. 

For instance, the average full-coverage quote for an Iowa driver with a good driving record is $160, compared to an average full-coverage quote of $241 for an Iowa driver with a DUI.

Overall, people with a good driving record pay less for car insurance than people with a bad driving record. Why? Because insurers view drivers with spotty records as riskier and more likely to file insurance claims than drivers with clean records.

Here, you can see how different driving incidents affect your car insurance rates in Iowa.

Average Iowa car insurance rates by marital status

Car insurance companies typically consider married drivers to be less risky than unmarried drivers. Therefore, a low-risk married driver might score lower car insurance rates than a single driver who’s a higher risk.

The change is small, but here you can see how your marital status affects your car insurance rates.

Average Iowa car insurance rates by credit tier

Iowa allows car insurers to use credit-based insurance scoring to help determine how much you pay for an insurance policy.^[3]

A credit-based insurance score — which isn’t the same as a traditional credit score — is calculated by pulling your credit history and other information from your credit report. The insurance score helps forecast how likely you are to get involved in a car accident and file insurance claims.^[4]

Here, you can see how your credit score affects your car insurance rates.

Iowa car insurance FAQs