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10+ years writing on personal finance topics
Host of the Mental Health and Wealth podcast
Melanie is a blogger, author, and speaker specializing in personal finance and debt management. She’s also the author of the blog and book “Dear Debt.”
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7+ years in content creation and management
5+ years in insurance and personal finance content
Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.
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Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
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7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
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Home to the college town of Iowa City and the capital of Des Moines, Iowa has a significant amount of farmland and a low crime rate, which positively affects its car insurance rates.[1] The average cost of liability-only insurance in Iowa is $56 per month, according to Insurify data, which is lower than the national average of $105 per month.
Learn what factors affect your costs and where to find cheap car insurance in Iowa.
Auto-Owners, USAA, and GEICO offer the cheapest liability rates in Iowa.
Iowa drivers pay an average of $1,452 per year for full-coverage car insurance.
The Insurance Information Institute found that 10% of Iowa drivers are uninsured.[2]
3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Iowa
If you’re in the market for new auto insurance coverage, you have many factors to consider. Here are three of the cheapest options for car insurance in Iowa, and who might benefit the most from each company.
Auto-Owners
User Reviews | 4.0 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 8.5 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $22/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $38/mo |
Customers appreciate the friendly service and quick claims process but dislike the constant rate increases and perceived inflexibility in pricing.
Customers appreciate the friendly service and quick claims process but dislike the constant rate increases and perceived inflexibility in pricing.
Glinis
March 19, 2025
Great people, high cost
Jon
March 17, 2025
No Longer Offers a Paid in Full Discount
Karen
March 17, 2025
Premiums are too expensive
Iowa has a strong history in the agricultural industry, and farmers looking for car insurance should consider Auto-Owners. The company offers affordable auto insurance coverage and farm insurance in one place.
As an auto insurer, Auto-Owners offers standard coverage options in addition to road-trouble service, gap coverage, and accident forgiveness. The company also offers a multi-policy discount, and you may qualify if you also get farm insurance, home insurance, or life insurance from Auto-Owners.
Offers gap coverage
Many available discounts
Coverage for classic or modified vehicles
Low customer rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website
Not available in every state
Not as many discounts as some other insurers
USAA
User Reviews | 4.9 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.4 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $23/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $41/mo |
Customers appreciate the insurer’s reliable customer service and claim handling but express concerns about high rates and frequent price increases. Some also find the insurer’s security protocols and communication methods frustrating.
Customers appreciate the insurer’s reliable customer service and claim handling but express concerns about high rates and frequent price increases. Some also find the insurer’s security protocols and communication methods frustrating.
Salome
March 19, 2025
Rating USAA Insurance
Robert
March 19, 2025
Cost Increases are Insane
Martha
March 18, 2025
Expensive Insurance Rates
Iowa is home to more than 171,000 veterans and 1,300 active-duty service members, according to U.S. Census data and Military State Policy Source.[3][4]
USAA is a membership-based insurance and financial services company that works exclusively with the military community. It offers a range of insurance products and discounts if you’re on a military base or if you store your car on base during a deployment.
Military-specific discounts
Highly rated mobile app
Significant savings potential of up to 30% with SafePilot program
Poor customer satisfaction on Trustpilot
Only available to military members and their families
Low customer rating on the BBB website
GEICO
User Reviews | 4.0 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.0 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $25/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $43/mo |
Customers appreciate the reliability and customer service but find the rates to be high and increase frequently, even without claims or accidents. The app has improved, but some find the claims process lacking.
Customers appreciate the reliability and customer service but find the rates to be high and increase frequently, even without claims or accidents. The app has improved, but some find the claims process lacking.
Yuley
March 19, 2025
Mixed Experience
Norman
March 19, 2025
Geico is the Best Insurance Company I've Ever Worked With
Crystal
March 19, 2025
Good Insurance Company
According to U.S. Census data, 71.5% of Iowa residents own their home.[3] GEICO is a top option for homeowners, as the company offers savings when you bundle home and auto insurance.
GEICO offers standard coverage options as well as rental reimbursement, mechanical breakdown insurance, and emergency roadside assistance.
Mobile app available
15% good student discount
Streamlined claims process with Auto Repair Xpress
Limited agent network
Rideshare and gap insurance not available
Complaints on Trustpilot about surprise policy cancellations
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Iowa
Car insurance can be costly, but you can do some things to make it more affordable. In addition to driving safely and maintaining a clean record, the following steps can help you get the cheapest car insurance in Iowa:
Research discounts. Insurance companies may offer discounts based on your driving, affiliation, or safety features. Review which ones you qualify for and how much you could save.
Bundle insurance policies. You may get the best deal if you have more than one insurance policy with a company. Adding home insurance or renters insurance could lower your rate.
Check your credit report. Insurance companies may use your credit history as one of the factors to determine your rates. Drivers with good credit typically pay lower rates than drivers with poor credit. Review your credit report to ensure there are no errors that could be costing you money. If there are, dispute them with the appropriate credit bureau.
Compare options. Many insurance companies offer coverage to Iowa drivers, so compare several companies and quotes to find the best coverage for you.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance quotes in Iowa: Auto-Owners
Liability-only coverage meets the basic minimum coverage required in Iowa. Liability insurance covers your liability and pays out to cover injuries and damages suffered by the other parties in an accident you cause. But it doesn’t cover any of your damages.
Liability-only coverage costs an average of $56 per month in Iowa.
The table below shows average monthly rates offered by many of the state’s top companies.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
---|---|
Auto-Owners | $22 |
USAA | $23 |
GEICO | $25 |
American Family | $27 |
Allstate | $28 |
Farmers | $33 |
Nationwide | $44 |
Travelers | $44 |
Progressive | $51 |
National General | $53 |
Safeco | $53 |
Bristol West | $54 |
Direct Auto | $58 |
Dairyland | $60 |
Root | $66 |
Liberty Mutual | $76 |
The General | $85 |
Foremost | $89 |
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance quotes in Iowa: Auto-Owners
With full-coverage car insurance, you’re typically getting state-required liability insurance, as well as collision and comprehensive coverage. If you’re financing a vehicle or want additional protection, full coverage is likely a good fit for you.
Drivers in Iowa pay an average of $121 per month for full coverage.
In the table below, you can see the top insurance companies offering cheap full-coverage car insurance in Iowa.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
---|---|
Auto-Owners | $38 |
USAA | $41 |
GEICO | $43 |
American Family | $47 |
Allstate | $52 |
Farmers | $56 |
Travelers | $74 |
Nationwide | $77 |
Progressive | $92 |
National General | $104 |
Safeco | $108 |
Direct Auto | $110 |
Root | $126 |
Liberty Mutual | $163 |
Bristol West | $173 |
Dairyland | $174 |
Foremost | $198 |
The General | $198 |
Cheapest recent car insurance quotes in Iowa
Drivers using Insurify have found quotes as cheap as $33/mo for liability only and $56/mo for full coverage in Iowa.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on March 18, 2025. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on March 18, 2025. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
Your car insurance rates will change over time with age. Teen drivers are expensive to insure, as they’re more likely to engage in risky behaviors like speeding or texting behind the wheel.
Car insurance rates begin to decrease at age 35 and continue to drop well into retirement age. Senior drivers are generally eligible for lower rates because they have ample driving experience, a long driving history, and typically drive less. At around age 70, though, premiums start to increase because older drivers are at a higher risk of having a car accident.
Age GroupAverage Monthly Quote: Liability OnlyAverage Monthly Quote: Full CoverageTeen drivers $113 $245 Adult drivers $51 $110 Senior drivers $38 $83 Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Car insurance requirements in Iowa
Iowa requires drivers to carry at least minimum coverage or liability insurance. Iowa is an at-fault, or tort, state, which means it assigns fault to the driver that caused the incident.[5]
The table below shows the minimum requirements you must meet to drive legally in Iowa:[6]
Coverage | Minimum Requirements |
---|---|
Bodily injury liability | $20,000 per person / $40,000 per accident |
Property damage liability | $15,000 |
While you’re only required to carry minimum liability car insurance, it can be a good idea to look into additional coverage options depending on your needs. You can consider the following coverages for more financial protection:
Collision coverage
Liability-only insurance doesn’t cover the damage to your car if you’re in an at-fault accident. Collision coverage can help pay for damage to your vehicle.
Comprehensive coverage
It’s not just accidents you need to worry about. Comprehensive insurance will cover you in events like damage from falling rocks, floods, theft, and vandalism.
Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage
Personal injury protection coverage helps pay for medical expenses if you or your passengers get injured in an accident.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage helps pay costs if you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured driver or if you’ve been the victim of a hit-and-run.
The Iowa Automobile Insurance Plan
If you’ve tried to secure coverage through conventional insurers and have been rejected, you can get car insurance through the Iowa Automobile Insurance Plan (IAIP).
The program began in 1969 and works with insurers to provide high-risk drivers coverage when they lack other options. Iowa drivers seeking coverage through the IAIP must certify they’ve been unable to get auto insurance coverage elsewhere.
Cheapest car insurance in Iowa by driving record
While different factors affect your car insurance premiums, your driving history carries a lot of weight. People with a clean driving record free of incidents qualify for the most competitive rates. High-risk drivers with an incident on their record will likely receive more expensive rates.
Common incidents include speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, and driving under the influence (DUI).
Iowa drivers with a clean record pay a monthly average of $56 for liability insurance. That jumps to $104 per month for drivers with a DUI.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company | With Speeding Ticket | With At-Fault Accident | With DUI/DWI |
---|---|---|---|
Auto-Owners | $32 | $32 | $38 |
USAA | $33 | $34 | $40 |
GEICO | $36 | $37 | $43 |
American Family | $39 | $40 | $47 |
Allstate | $40 | $41 | $49 |
Farmers | $47 | $48 | $57 |
Nationwide | $63 | $65 | $76 |
Travelers | $64 | $65 | $76 |
Progressive | $73 | $76 | $89 |
National General | $76 | $77 | $92 |
Safeco | $77 | $79 | $89 |
Bristol West | $78 | $79 | $94 |
Direct Auto | $83 | $87 | $101 |
Dairyland | $86 | $87 | $104 |
Root | $102 | $104 | $105 |
Liberty Mutual | $115 | $117 | $132 |
The General | $126 | $127 | $148 |
Foremost | $135 | $137 | $155 |
Where you live in Iowa affects your car insurance rates. Location is related to risk factors like accident frequency, road congestion, and vehicle vandalism and theft rates. Check out liability and full-coverage rates for various Iowa cities in the table below.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, March 13 at 12:00 PM PDT.Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
CityAverage Quote: Liability OnlyAverage Quote: Full CoverageCouncil Bluffs $62 $147 Sioux City $63 $141 Cedar Rapids $64 $134 Davenport $65 $133 Des Moines $68 $133 Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Iowa car insurance FAQs
If you still have questions about car insurance in Iowa, this additional information may help as you research your coverage options.
On average, car insurance in Iowa costs $56 per month for liability-only coverage and $121 per month for full coverage.
Auto-Owners, USAA, and GEICO offer the cheapest liability rates in Iowa, at $22, $23, and $25 per month, respectively.
But these companies might not be the cheapest for you. Comparing quotes is the best way to find the cheapest insurance for your coverage needs.
Insurify identified Auto-Owners, USAA, and GEICO as some of the best insurance companies in Iowa. These companies offer drivers plenty of discounts, coverage options, and have high Insurify Quality Scores of 8.5, 9.4, and 9.0, respectively.
Iowa requires drivers to have a minimum amount of liability insurance including $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident in bodily injury liability, and $15,000 of property damage liability coverage.
No. Iowa is an at-fault, or tort, state. This means that in an at-fault accident, your insurer is responsible for paying any costs related to the other driver’s injuries and vehicle damage.
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.
Sources
- Britannica. "Iowa."
- III. "Facts + Statistics: Uninsured motorists."
- Census.gov. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Iowa."
- Military State Policy Source. "Iowa."
- FindLaw. "Iowa Car Accident Compensation Laws."
- Iowa Insurance Division. "Auto Insurance."
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Melanie Lockert is the founder of the blog and author of the book, "Dear Debt." Through her blog, she chronicled her journey out of $81,000 in student loan debt. Her work has appeared on Allure, Business Insider, Credit Karma, Fortune, and more. She is also the co-founder of the Lola Retreat and host of the Mental Health and Wealth show podcast. She lives in Los Angeles and enjoys jazz music, traveling, coffee, and spending time with her two cats and partner.
Melanie has been a contributor at Insurify since November 2022.
)
7+ years in content creation and management
5+ years in insurance and personal finance content
Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.
Featured in
)
Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
)
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.