Lindsay is a freelance personal finance writer currently pursuing her Series 65 license. She enjoys helping readers learn money management skills that improve their lives.
7+ years in business and financial services content
Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.
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Cheapest recent rates in Iowa for drivers with an SR-22
Recent Iowa car insurance prices for GMC, Chevrolet, Honda , and more.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users from Iowa within the last 10 days. Last updated on December 19, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from December 19, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users from Iowa within the last 10 days. Last updated on December 19, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from December 19, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
If you have a suspended driver’s license, Iowa law requires your auto insurance company to file an SR-22 form showing “proof of financial responsibility” that you’re properly insured in order to reinstate your license.[1] Not all companies offer this form for customers, so you’ll need to find one that does.
Here’s what you should know about SR-22s and your requirements in the state of Iowa.
Quick Facts
If you don’t have a car, you may still need to purchase non-owner SR-22 coverage.[2]
On average, an SR-22 increases monthly car insurance premiums by $17.
Iowa requires drivers with revoked licenses to meet SR-22 minimum requirements for at least two years.
Cheapest companies for SR-22 insurance in Iowa
The following car insurance companies offer the cheapest SR-22 insurance in the Hawkeye State.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, December 1 at 11:00 AM PST.
Insurance Company
▲▼
Liability Only
▲▼
Full Coverage
▲▼
Auto-Owners
$29
$58
USAA
$32
$62
GEICO
$35
$68
American Family
$36
$72
Allstate
$39
$76
Farmers
$44
$87
Nationwide
$60
$117
Travelers
$60
$118
Safeco
$67
$130
National General
$69
$137
Progressive
$71
$139
Bristol West
$76
$253
Dairyland
$79
$222
Direct Auto
$82
$154
Liberty Mutual
$100
$248
Root
$112
$171
The General
$122
$279
Foremost
$123
$275
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.
What is SR-22 insurance in Iowa?
In Iowa, like many other states, the state may revoke or suspend your driver’s license for certain driving-related offenses or other legal situations, such as not paying court fines. To reinstate a suspended license, you’ll need to meet several requirements, including complying with Iowa’s financial responsibility laws.
These laws require you to have a way to pay for any property damage or injuries you cause in an accident. Most people do that by purchasing liability auto insurance, and after a suspension, you’ll need to proactively prove this before you can have your license reinstated.
You can do that by filing a certificate of financial responsibility (form SR-22) with the state through your insurer.
“SR-22 insurance” is a bit of a misnomer since it’s not different from any other standard car insurance policy. The only difference is that your insurance company will file a certificate with the state saying that you’re insured. Many, but not all, insurance companies will do this for clients. If they do provide this service, they’ll typically charge a small filing fee ranging from $15 to $30.
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Difference between SR-22 and FR-44
In Virginia and Florida, some drivers may need to file an FR-44 instead of an SR-22 after certain driving infractions and offenses. FR-44s operate similarly to SR-22s, though they generally require you to carry insurance coverage above the required minimum.
That’s not the case in Iowa, though: It only uses an SR-22 insurance form, not an FR-44.
When you need SR-22 insurance
You’ll need to file an SR-22 certificate with the Iowa Department of Transportation if it revokes your license. This can happen for a number of reasons, such as:
Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Not paying fines, penalties, or other government-imposed fees
Failure to show proof of insurance coverage within three days of an accident (whether you cause it or not) if it causes more than $1,500 in property damage or kills or injures someone
You’ll receive a notice if the state revokes your license, along with an explanation of how you can reinstate it. You can also check the reinstatement requirements for your case online on the Iowa DOT’s website.[3]
How to get SR-22 insurance in Iowa
Decide on the type of policy you need. You’ll need a policy meeting the minimum liability requirements in Iowa (a 20/40/15 policy), although you can purchase additional coverage.[4] If you won’t be insuring a motor vehicle that you own, you’ll need to buy a non-owner insurance policyto ensure you’re covered when driving someone else’s car.
Find insurers that can file an SR-22. Some insurers won’t file an SR-22 to help you meet state requirements to reinstate your license. You’ll need to locate insurers that will provide this service. An insurance agent who works with multiple insurers can help you do this if you don’t want to shop around on your own.
Check your rate and coverage options. Get a quotefrom at least three companies if you’re not purchasing a policy through an insurance agency. This can help you find the best auto insurance premiums.
Purchase a policy. Choose the most affordable option and complete your policy purchase. Remember, it’s a good idea to shop around for rates with other companies each time your policy is up for renewal. Set a goal to do this every six months.
Ask your insurer to file an SR-22. If your insurance company hasn’t done so yet, you’ll need to ask it to file the correct certification document with the Iowa DOT on your behalf. You won’t be able to get your license reinstated until you meet this requirement.
How long Iowa requires SR-22 insurance
If a state agency suspends your license, you’ll generally need to meet SR-22 filing requirements for two years. Keep in mind that it’s important to maintain coverage during this time since any lapses in coverage can result in the state canceling your car registration and revoking your license again.
If you move out of state, you can apply for an SR-22 waiver, but this doesn’t necessarily mean you’re free to drive in another state. Your driving record follows you around the country, and you’ll need to check with your new state to see if you’ll still need to meet SR-22 requirements to get a new driver’s license.
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How SR-22 insurance affects driving record and future rates in Iowa
People who need to meet SR-22 certificate requirements have a reputation as having some of the highest car insurance rates around, but that’s not always the case. In fact, most drivers only see a monthly insurance cost increase of $17, on average, when they need to buy an SR-22 auto insurance policy.
The rise in car insurance costs isn’t due to the SR-22 itself; rather, it depends on the reason why you needed to meet the SR-22 in the first place. If you have a DUI conviction — one of the most common reasons drivers need to file an SR-22 — you’re considered a high-risk driver for the next 12 years while the mark stays on your driving record.
You can find opportunities in every bad situation, though, even if you’re paying a high cost for car insurance. You have several ways you can save on insurance coverage, including:
Compare quotes
Your insurance premiums can be wildly different between insurers, which use various factors to set a price. Each time your policy is up for renewal, spend a few minutes checking your rate with different insurance companies to get the best deal.
Drive safely
If you’re involved in another car accident or receive another conviction, you’ll pay more than just fines — your auto insurance rates will go up, too. On the flip side, many insurers offer a big discount if you drive safely and use their monitoring app.
Get discounts
Speaking of discounts, most insurers offer many other ways to save, too. Buying other financial products like home or renters insurance, taking a defensive driving course, or going for a long time without filing a claim can be good ways to save.
Consider coverages
If you have an older, paid-off car, you can save by buying minimum-liability coverage instead of full coverage. It carries a bit more risk since it won’t pay for damages to your car in the event of an accident.
Iowa SR-22 insurance FAQs
Meeting SR-22 requirements can add an extra wrinkle to your car insurance coverage, but it’s not a total roadblock. Here’s some quick information to put you back on the road.
How do you know if you need an SR-22?
You’ll generally need to meet SR-22 filing requirements if you have a suspended driver’s license, such as for an OWI (operating while intoxicated; Iowa’s version of a DUI). You can check your online account with the state to see if you’re required to file an SR-22.
Are there any fees with SR-22 insurance?
Yes. You’ll typically have to pay a filing fee ranging from $15 to $30 for your auto insurance company to submit the correct forms to the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT). You’ll need to pay other costs to state agencies to reinstate your license, including a $200 penalty, a $20 license reinstatement fee, and other mandatory charges.
How much do car insurance rates increase after filing an SR-22?
Insurance rates don’t actually go up that much if you’re required to file an SR-22, at least according to the most current information from Insurify’s partners. Most Iowa drivers only saw a rate bump of $17 per month.
If police caught you driving under the influence, though, your rates may go up simply because it’s considered a high-risk policy.
How long do you have to hold an SR-22 in Iowa?
Iowa residents are generally required to keep their SR-22 insurance policy for at least two years. If you don’t keep your policy for the required period of time, you could face another license suspension along with revocation of your car registration.
How do you get rid of an SR-22 in Iowa?
Once you no longer need an Iowa SR-22 form, you can ask your insurance company to submit a form SR-26 to the state to cancel the filing requirement.
What happens to your SR-22 in Iowa if you move?
It depends on the rules in the state you’re moving to, so check with its Department of Motor Vehicles. If your new state requires you to maintain your SR-22, the state of Iowa offers a residency statement form that you can use when you apply for a driver’s license in your new state.
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.
Lindsay VanSomeren is a freelance personal finance writer living in Suquamish, WA. Her work has appeared with FICO, Credit Karma, The Balance, and more. She enjoys helping people learn how to manage their money better so they can live the life they want.
Lindsay has been a contributor at Insurify since October 2022.
7+ years in business and financial services content
Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.
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