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A passionate personal finance advocate, Sarah’s writing has graced the pages of many of the personal finance and insurance industries’ top web publications.
Evelyn PimplaskarEditor-in-Chief, Director of Content
10+ years in insurance and personal finance content
30+ years in media, PR, and content creation
Evelyn leads Insurify’s content team. She’s passionate about creating empowering content to help people transform their financial lives and make sound insurance-buying decisions.
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Des Moines drivers pay an overall average of $130 per month for car insurance — more than the state average of $115. As the capital city of Iowa and the most populous city in the state, the high number of vehicles on its roads likely influences its above-average car insurance costs.
With more vehicles on the road, more accidents follow, which also increases insurance rates. In 2022, Des Moines logged 5,442 accidents, according to Iowa Department of Transportation data. By comparison, Cedar Rapids — the second-largest city in the state with a population 65% of that of Des Moines — had 1,886 crashes in the same year.[1]
Auto-Owners, USAA, and Auto-Owners offer some of the cheapest car insurance rates in Des Moines. But you may be able to find even cheaper options by comparing car insurance quotes from multiple companies.
Here’s what you should know about finding affordable car insurance in Des Moines, Iowa.
Quick Facts
On average, drivers in Des Moines pay $74 per month for liability-only car insurance and $186 for a full-coverage insurance policy.
Des Moines has a population of around 211,000,[2] which could contribute to higher insurance costs.
The overall average cost of insurance in nearby South Dakota is $114 per month.
Cheapest car insurance companies in Des Moines
Every driver in Des Moines has a unique situation that affects their insurance premiums. However, some of the top insurance companies consistently offer more affordable car insurance rates than others.
Insurance companies each assess your situation differently, which results in different rates. Shopping around can help you find the cheapest car insurance premiums. To help your search, below is some information about some of the best insurance companies in Des Moines.
Insurance Company
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
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.
Insurify uses an in-house, proprietary method to rate and review the best car insurance companies. The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 crucial criteria, including average premiums, customer satisfaction, discounts, third-party ratings, and more, to calculate a final score for a company.
Criteria are weighted by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings. With the IQ Score, Insurify is able to provide quantitative ratings for drivers to better compare car insurance companies and make informed decisions to meet their coverage needs.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.1
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
837
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.
$24/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.
$44/mo
For both liability-only and full-coverage policies, Auto-Owners provides Des Moines drivers with the lowest average monthly costs. The insurer pairs its low rates with an above-average customer satisfaction rating. Through this major insurance company, you can also find home insurance, life insurance, and renters insurance policies.
Pros
Above-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in the Central region
Many available discounts
Cons
Must work with an agent to finalize insurance policy
Limited digital tools
I was pleased with the agent and for years the price, but now they have gotten too expensive for a person on a fixed income.
Mary - August 13, 2023
Verified
I was dropped because of two minor at-fault accidents in two plus years.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.3
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
880
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.
$46/mo
The capital city of the Hawkeye State is home to more than 9,400 veterans who can tap into the relatively low rates that USAA has to offer. In addition to low rates, USAA earned top marks in J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study.
The catch is that USAA is only available to active-duty, reserve, or retired military members and their immediate families.
Pros
Affordable coverage
Good drivers can save up to 30% with SafePilot program
Cons
No customer service on Sundays
Must meet eligibility requirements
They are the best in customer service.
Brenda - September 13, 2023
Verified
Overall poor service, took a safe driving discount away because I wasn’t driving enough.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.3
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
835
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.
$27/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.
$51/mo
The company offers a long list of discount opportunities for young drivers. Some discounts are available for good students, multiple vehicles, and driver educational courses. Plus, GEICO offers optional accident forgiveness, which could come in handy if you have new drivers in your household. The downside is that GEICO has a slightly below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction ranking in the Central region.
Pros
Long list of available discounts
Accident forgiveness option
Cons
Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction ranking in the Central region
Rideshare coverage not available
Unwilling to work with clients. Especially senior citizens on a fixed income.
Janina - September 10, 2023
Verified
Awesome customer service, good prices, easy to deal with.
Kathleen - September 9, 2023
Verified
Good treatment in responding to questions and handling of my accident, especially because I was not at fault. No hesitation in paying the repair bill and then collecting from the at-fault insurance company client's policy.
Rates start as low as $24 per month for liability coverage
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How to get the cheapest car insurance in Des Moines
Insurance companies take a range of factors into account when determining your premiums, including your age, location, driving record, credit history, and the type of insurance you want.
As you look for the cheapest car insurance option, here are some ways to lock in low rates:
Raise your deductible. A higher deductible usually translates into lower auto insurance premiums. If you have the ability to cover a higher deductible, this might be a good idea.
Ask for a discount. Most insurance companies provide discount opportunities. Find out if you qualify for any savings.
Shop around. Every insurance company looks at your situation differently, which leads to different rates. Getting quotes from multiple insurance companies can help you find cheap car insurance.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Des Moines: Auto-Owners
Liability-only car insurance helps you pay for any damages or injuries you cause to others during an accident. For example, your liability policy could help pay for another party’s medical bills or vehicle repairs after an accident.
The cheapest insurer for liability-only car insurance in Des Moines is Auto-Owners, with an average cost of $24 per month. In general, a liability-only car insurance policy that meets the minimum-coverage requirements is the most affordable option. But this bare-bones approach might not provide enough coverage for your situation.
The following table shows examples of average liability rates from some insurance companies.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST.
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.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Des Moines: Auto-Owners
A full-coverage auto insurance policy includes comprehensive and collision insurance on top of liability coverage. After an accident, a full-coverage policy will help you get back on the road by paying for repairs.
Most auto lenders require you to carry a full-coverage policy. But even if you aren’t required to carry this coverage, the more robust policy might provide the financial protection you need.
Generally, the cost of this type of a full-coverage policy is more than a liability-only policy. The cheapest insurer for full-coverage car insurance in Des Moines is Auto-Owners, with an average cost of $44 per month.
The following table illustrates the range of quotes for full-coverage car insurance that Des Moines drivers can find.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST.
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
Des Moines drivers must carry a minimum amount of liability coverage to legally use public roads. Below is a breakdown of the minimum-coverage requirements:
Coverage
Minimum Requirements
Bodily injury liability
$20,000 per person / $40,000 per accident
Property damage liability
$15,000 per accident
Collision coverage
After an accident, collision coverage can help you pay for repairs to your own vehicle. It can also cover repair costs if you collide with an object like a phone pole, tree, or fence.
Comprehensive coverage
After a non-collision event that causes damage, comprehensive coverage can help you cover repairs. Some non-collision events include severe weather, vehicle theft, and vandalism.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
A mistake on the road could lead to a traffic violation on your driving record. Some serious offenses include speeding tickets, driving under the influence, and at-fault accidents. These incidents on your driving record usually represent a red flag to car insurance companies. In general, insurers offset this risk by raising your insurance premiums.
As the most populous city in the state, Des Moines also sees more traffic issues. For example, Polk County — which covers most of Des Moines — saw 44 traffic fatalities in 2021.[3] That’s significantly more than any other county in the state.
In the sections below, you’ll see how an incident can affect car insurance costs for Des Moines drivers.
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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: Auto-Owners
In 2021, Polk County — which covers most of Des Moines — saw 16,272 speeding convictions.[4] That accounts for approximately 13% of speeding tickets in the entire state. After a speeding ticket, most drivers see their car insurance costs increase.
On average, Des Moines drivers see their overall car insurance premiums rise from $130 per month to $187 after a speeding ticket. Below is a breakdown of costs by insurance companies for drivers with a speeding ticket in Des Moines.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST.
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.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: Auto-Owners
An at-fault accident often leads to higher rates. In fact, Des Moines drivers could find an at-fault accident affects their car insurance premiums for three years or longer.
In Des Moines, car insurance can average $293 per month for full coverage following an accident and $117 for liability-only coverage.
Below is a closer look at some of the cheapest auto insurance companies for Des Moines drivers with an at-fault accident in their past.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST.
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.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: Auto-Owners
Iowa refers to driving under the influence as OWI — operating while intoxicated. Penalties for OWI convictions in Iowa range from license suspension for at least 180 days for a first offense, license revocation for six years for a third offense or any level of offense if someone dies in an accident you caused while intoxicated.[5] It’s also possible to face criminal penalties for an OWI in Iowa, and the courts will determine the penalty.
A driving under the influence (DUI) violation is arguably the most serious driving offense you can get. If you have an DUI/OWI on your record, you’ll likely face significantly higher auto insurance premiums. The rate increase is tied to the higher risk of insuring you. Your current insurer may even drop you after an OWI, and it may be difficult to find new insurance.
Des Moines drivers with an OWI on their records can expect to face car insurance rates of $132 per month for liability coverage and $331 for full coverage, on average. Explore some of the cheapest rates for Des Moines drivers with a DUI below.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST.
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.
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: Auto-Owners
Insurance companies usually take your age into account when determining car insurance premiums. While more experience behind the wheel tends to lead to car insurance costs trending downward for decades after your 30s, drivers might start to see higher insurance costs around age 75.
Shopping around can help senior drivers find the best rates. Start your search by exploring the cheapest average monthly rates for Des Moines’ older drivers.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST.
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.
Cheapest car insurance for teens: Auto-Owners
Teen drivers have the least amount of experience on the road. This lack of experience combined with the possibility of driving with more risk or recklessness involved can generally lead to higher insurance costs for young drivers.[6]
It’s impossible to age overnight. But you can tap into more affordable rates as a teen driver by getting good grades, driving a safer vehicle, increasing your deductible, choosing safe driving habits, and sticking with your parents’ insurance company.
On average, car insurance for teen drivers costs $221 per month. But you can explore the average car insurance cost for teen drivers by insurance company below.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST.
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.
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Rates start at $41 for teen drivers
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Des Moines car insurance quotes by credit tier
Although some states prohibit the practice, Iowa insurance companies can look at your creditwhen determining your premiums. Drivers with excellent or good credit scores typically pay less for car insurance than drivers with poor credit scores.
You can use this trend to your advantage by improving your credit score. Strategies to boost your credit score include paying your bills on time and removing mistakes from your credit report.
Explore the average monthly quote by credit score tier below.
Rates by Credit Tier
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.
Is car insurance more expensive in Des Moines?
Des Moines drivers pay an overall average of $130 per month for car insurance. When compared to the state average of $115, Des Moines drivers pay a bit more for car insurance. But when compared to the national average of $155, Des Moines drivers enjoy relatively affordable car insurance costs.
Des Moines is one of the most expensive places to insure a vehicle in Iowa. The city’s relatively high population and accident rates compared to other areas of the state are likely factors. In general, areas with more traffic congestion face higher insurance premiums.
More cities in Iowa
Council Bluffs — which sits next to Omaha, Nebraska — has the highest average car insurance costs for Iowa drivers. Other towns situated near state borders, like Davenport and Sioux City, also face higher car insurance costs than Des Moines, which is situated in the middle of the state.
Here’s a comparison of average monthly car insurance rates in other Iowa cities.
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.
Des Moines car insurance FAQs
Des Moines car insurance rates compare favorably to the national average cost of car insurance, although they’re a bit higher than in other Iowa cities. To help get you started comparing car insurance quotes, here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about Des Moines car insurance.
How much is car insurance in Des Moines?
The overall average cost of car insurance in Des Moines is $130 per month. Full coverage for the year averages $2,228, while liability is less, at $893 per year.
Who has the cheapest car insurance in Des Moines?
Liability coverage is generally cheaper than full coverage, and Auto-Owners offers the lowest liability rates in Des Moines, starting at $24 per month. USAA and GEICO also offer cheap liability rates in Des Moines, at $25 and $27 per month, respectively.
What are the best car insurance companies in Des Moines?
While many insurers offer affordable rates in Des Moines, Auto-Owners, USAA, and GEICO stand out as among the best car insurance companies serving the city. All three have Insurify Quality (IQ) Scores of at least 4, and all three received high customer satisfaction scores from J.D. Power in its 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study.
With a range of available coverage options and discounts, all three insurers provide a combination of strong product offerings, solid customer service, and numerous ways to save money.
Is auto insurance expensive in Iowa?
Car insurance in Iowa is comparatively inexpensive, at an average rate of $166 for full coverage and $63 per month for liability-only insurance. By comparison, the national averages for car insurance are $207 and $103, respectively. Rates in neighboring states vary significantly. For example, the average monthly cost of liability insurance in South Dakota is $62. But head north to Minnesota, and average liability rates climb to $102.
What is the minimum car insurance required in Iowa?
To drive legally in Iowa, you’ll need to have a minimum of $20,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person and $40,000 per accident, as well as $15,000 for property damage. Carrying the minimum required amount of car insurance can help you avoid running afoul of the law. But it could leave you on the hook financially if you cause an accident in which the other party’s damages exceed your policy limit.
For example, let’s say you have the state’s minimum coverage and cause an accident in which the other driver’s new car, worth $60,000, is totaled. Assuming your insurer pays out to the policy limit of $15,000, you could be financially responsible for the difference between the value of the other driver’s car and the insurance payout — $45,000.
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
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
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.
Sarah Sharkey is a personal finance writer who enjoys helping people make savvy financial decisions. She covered insurance and personal finance topics. You can find her work on Business Insider, Money Under 30, Rocket Mortgage, Bankrate, and more. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
Evelyn PimplaskarEditor-in-Chief, Director of Content
10+ years in insurance and personal finance content
30+ years in media, PR, and content creation
Evelyn leads Insurify’s content team. She’s passionate about creating empowering content to help people transform their financial lives and make sound insurance-buying decisions.
Auto-Owners
USAA
GEICO
