120+ more*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Des Moines, Iowa within the last 10 days. Last updated on May 12, 2026. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Des Moines, Iowa within the last 10 days. Last updated on May 12, 2026. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
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AFCPE Accredited Financial Counselor
6 years experience in the personal financial industry
Theresa is a writer and former financial advisor with experience helping clients solve money challenges. She uses her expertise to clarify complex personal finance concepts.
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Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 21630969
MacKenzie Korris is an insurance copy editor with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance in Missouri.
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30+ years in financial services
Clinical Professor of Finance, University of San Diego
Dan is a well-recognized and widely quoted financial services expert, regularly appearing in a variety of national and local media as a subject matter expert.
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State Farm offers the lowest average car insurance rates in Des Moines.
Drivers in Des Moines have slightly higher auto insurance policy premiums than drivers in other Iowa cities.
More than 2,000 car crashes occurred in Des Moines in the first half of 2025.
On average, Des Moines drivers pay $57 per month for liability-only car insurance and $111 per month for full coverage. Smaller Iowa cities, such as Cedar Rapids and Sioux City, generally have cheaper auto insurance.
Drivers in Council Bluffs pay similar rates, with premiums averaging $55 per month for liability-only coverage.
Rates in Des Moines are higher in part because of its size. It’s the largest city in Iowa, with a population density far above the state average. For comparison, Iowa averages about 57 people per square mile, while Des Moines has more than 2,400 people per square mile.
The following table shows how car insurance rates in Des Moines compare to the average cost of insurance in Iowa.
Car Insurance Costs in Des Moines vs. Iowa | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Des Moines average | $84 |
| Iowa average | $84 |
The company with the cheapest car insurance quotes in Des Moines is State Farm, with rates averaging $24 per month for liability-only insurance.
State Farm has the lowest full-coverage rates on average, at $47 per month.
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Des Moines is the most densely populated city in Iowa, which means drivers face more congestion and overall risk than they do in smaller Iowa cities.
In fact, Des Moines ranked among the worst cities for commuters in 2022, with average commute times 16% longer than the state average, at just over 19 minutes, according to an Insurify study. Major corridors like Interstate 235, I-35, and I-80 can experience bottlenecks, especially around peak commuting hours.
In the first half of 2025, Des Moines experienced more than 2,100 car crashes, with “following too closely” cited as the leading cause. Although most crashes occurred in clear weather, more than 500 crashes happened in adverse conditions, such as rain, snow, and cloudy skies.
Adding to the risk, an estimated 11.4% of Iowa drivers are uninsured, according to the Insurance Information Institute.[1]
In the first half of 2025, the Des Moines metro area reported 575 car thefts, according to data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). This is a decrease from 657 stolen cars in 2024.
While the number of vehicle thefts in Des Moines has decreased, insurers still consider local theft rates when setting premiums.
At $84 per month, the average cost of car insurance in Des Moines is slightly higher than in other Iowa cities, primarily due to its population density and winter-weather risks, such as snow and ice. In March 2026, for example, blizzard conditions temporarily closed parts of I-35 and I-80.
Rates in nearby Council Bluffs are comparable, averaging $86 per month, according to Insurify data. The cheapest cities for car insurance in Iowa are Cedar Rapids and Sioux City.
The following table shows average car insurance rates in several Iowa cities.
City | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | $79 |
| Council Bluffs | $86 |
| Davenport | $84 |
| Des Moines | $84 |
| Sioux City | $83 |
As the state’s largest metro area, Des Moines sees heavier traffic volume than most other parts of Iowa, particularly along major corridors like I-235, I-80, and I-35. The average commute time in Des Moines is about 19 minutes.
Des Moines drivers could see improvements in the near future. The Hickman Road interchange construction project is underway in Des Moines to improve traffic flow and enhance safety at the I-35/I-80 interchange.[2]
Drivers should also be aware of a statewide crackdown on cell phone use in vehicles. Iowa’s hands-free driving law went into effect in July 2025, and officers began issuing citations under the new law in January 2026.
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The companies in Des Moines with the cheapest liability-only car insurance are State Farm, Auto-Owners, and USAA. The average rate for state-minimum insurance in Des Moines is $57 per month, which is higher than the state average of $56 per month.
Iowa car insurance requirements include $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage and $15,000 in property damage liability insurance.[3] But many drivers choose to increase their required coverage by adding comprehensive and collision insurance for greater protection.
The following table shows companies with the cheapest state-minimum car insurance in Des Moines.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $24 |
| Auto-Owners | $38 |
| USAA | $40 |
| GEICO | $45 |
| American Family | $47 |
| Allstate | $51 |
| Safeco | $54 |
| National General | $56 |
| Farmers | $58 |
| Bristol West | $60 |
| The General | $61 |
| Liberty Mutual | $66 |
| Direct Auto | $68 |
| Dairyland | $70 |
| Root | $70 |
| Travelers | $76 |
| Nationwide | $76 |
Drivers in Des Moines pay an average of $111 per month for full-coverage car insurance, which is similar to the state average of $111.
One reason Des Moines drivers may want to consider a full-coverage policy is the high rate of animal-related accidents. Iowa drivers report more than 7,300 crashes involving animals (primarily deer) each year.[4]
The table below shows companies with the cheapest full-coverage quotes in Des Moines.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $47 |
| Auto-Owners | $76 |
| USAA | $80 |
| GEICO | $87 |
| American Family | $93 |
| Safeco | $93 |
| National General | $96 |
| Allstate | $99 |
| Root | $101 |
| Direct Auto | $108 |
| Farmers | $112 |
| Liberty Mutual | $114 |
| Bristol West | $146 |
| Travelers | $151 |
| Nationwide | $151 |
| Dairyland | $159 |
| The General | $188 |
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Des Moines, Iowa within the last 10 days. Last updated on May 12, 2026. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Des Moines, Iowa within the last 10 days. Last updated on May 12, 2026. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
Nearly 7.50% of Des Moines drivers have a ticket in their driving history, according to Insurify data. Speeding ticket fines in Iowa start from $30 but increase depending on how many miles above the speed limit you were going.
Drivers with a ticket in Des Moines pay a monthly average of $77 for liability insurance.
See the table below for the companies with the most affordable liability-only car insurance in Des Moines for drivers with a ticket.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $32 |
| Auto-Owners | $52 |
| USAA | $54 |
| GEICO | $61 |
| American Family | $63 |
| Allstate | $69 |
| National General | $73 |
| Safeco | $74 |
| Farmers | $77 |
| Bristol West | $79 |
| The General | $85 |
| Liberty Mutual | $88 |
| Direct Auto | $89 |
| Dairyland | $91 |
| Root | $97 |
| Travelers | $103 |
| Nationwide | $103 |
In 2025, Polk County recorded just over 10,000 crashes, which resulted in 22 fatalities, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT). Nearly 5.5% of Des Moines drivers have an accident on their driving record, according to Insurify data.
The cheapest insurer for drivers with an accident in Des Moines is State Farm, with an average liability-only rate of $34 per month.
The table below shows the companies with the cheapest liability insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident in Des Moines.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $34 |
| Auto-Owners | $53 |
| USAA | $57 |
| GEICO | $63 |
| American Family | $67 |
| Allstate | $72 |
| National General | $79 |
| Safeco | $79 |
| Farmers | $82 |
| Bristol West | $84 |
| The General | $89 |
| Liberty Mutual | $93 |
| Dairyland | $98 |
| Direct Auto | $98 |
| Root | $100 |
| Travelers | $108 |
| Nationwide | $108 |
In Des Moines, about 1.2% of drivers have an operating while intoxicated (OWI) conviction on their record, according to Insurify data. If the authorities convict you of operating a vehicle while intoxicated in Iowa, you must take a state-approved driver education course as part of getting your license back.
If you lose your license after an OWI, you’ll need to file an SR-22 afterward to comply with Iowa state requirements.
Drivers with an OWI in Des Moines pay monthly averages of $88 for liability insurance and $172 for full-coverage insurance.
The following table shows the cheapest liability-only rates for drivers with an OWI in Des Moines.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $36 |
| Auto-Owners | $57 |
| USAA | $60 |
| American Family | $67 |
| GEICO | $67 |
| Allstate | $76 |
| National General | $84 |
| Safeco | $85 |
| Farmers | $87 |
| The General | $88 |
| Bristol West | $90 |
| Liberty Mutual | $99 |
| Direct Auto | $102 |
| Dairyland | $105 |
| Root | $105 |
| Travelers | $114 |
| Nationwide | $114 |
Iowa follows a graduated driver’s license system, meaning drivers younger than age 18 must meet certain requirements before getting on the road. In Iowa, teen drivers can get an instruction permit at age 14.
Between 2020 and 2025, Iowa drivers between the ages of 14 and 19 were involved in nearly 66,000 car crashes, with 300 resulting fatalities, according to the Iowa DOT.
Des Moines teens pay $114 per month for liability policies, on average.
Compare the cheapest liability-only rates for teen drivers in Des Moines below.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $49 |
| USAA | $78 |
| Auto-Owners | $81 |
| GEICO | $85 |
| American Family | $93 |
| Allstate | $106 |
| Bristol West | $112 |
| The General | $115 |
| Safeco | $115 |
| National General | $117 |
| Farmers | $121 |
| Liberty Mutual | $122 |
| Dairyland | $128 |
| Root | $128 |
| Direct Auto | $138 |
| Nationwide | $155 |
| Travelers | $165 |
About 12% of Des Moines’ population is 65 years of age or older. In Iowa, all drivers aged 78 and older must renew their license in person every two years.
The insurers with the cheapest liability-only coverage for senior drivers in Des Moines are State Farm, Auto-Owners, and USAA.
The following table shows the cheapest liability-only quotes for senior drivers in Des Moines.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $19 |
| Auto-Owners | $30 |
| USAA | $32 |
| GEICO | $36 |
| American Family | $38 |
| Allstate | $41 |
| National General | $44 |
| Farmers | $46 |
| Safeco | $47 |
| Bristol West | $50 |
| The General | $52 |
| Liberty Mutual | $55 |
| Direct Auto | $56 |
| Nationwide | $58 |
| Root | $59 |
| Dairyland | $60 |
| Travelers | $61 |
For more information on Des Moines car insurance, see the answers to frequently asked questions below.
Des Moines drivers pay $84 per month, on average, for car insurance. Liability policies average $57 per month, and full-coverage policies average $111 per month.
State Farm has the cheapest car insurance in Des Moines, based on Insurify data, with liability-only coverage averaging $24 per month.
No. GEICO has cheaper rates in Des Moines than Liberty Mutual. In Des Moines, a full-coverage policy through GEICO averages $101 per month, while the same coverage through Liberty Mutual averages $134 per month.
Iowa requires drivers to have a minimum of $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage and $15,000 in property damage liability.
Des Moines drivers can find the best car insurance deals by comparing quotes with their insurance agent, dropping their comprehensive and collision insurance coverage, or raising their deductibles. Asking about car insurance discounts you qualify for can also help you save money.
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 190 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 500+ 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:
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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AFCPE Accredited Financial Counselor
6 years experience in the personal financial industry
Theresa is a writer and former financial advisor with experience helping clients solve money challenges. She uses her expertise to clarify complex personal finance concepts.
Featured in
Theresa is a writer and former financial advisor with experience helping clients solve money challenges. She uses her expertise to clarify complex personal finance concepts.
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 21630969
MacKenzie Korris is an insurance copy editor with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance in Missouri.
30+ years in financial services
Clinical Professor of Finance, University of San Diego
Dan is a well-recognized and widely quoted financial services expert, regularly appearing in a variety of national and local media as a subject matter expert.