Best Car Insurance in Iowa

Last Updated on April 14, 2021

Compared to the rest of the country, Iowa has some of the cheapest car insurance rates. In fact, just five states have cheaper average car insurance premiums than Iowa, including Idaho, Ohio, Wisconsin, Maine, and New Hampshire.

The average driver in Iowa pays around $1,174 per year for full coverage car insurance, which is over $250 cheaper than the nationwide average of around $1,450 per year. 

Best Car Insurance in IowaThere are ways to save even more on car insurance in Iowa. By picking the right insurance company based on your unique needs and driving record, you can ensure you find the best car insurance in Iowa.

Table of Contents:

Top 10 Auto Insurance Companies in Iowa

Some car insurance companies specialize in offering cheap prices. Others specialize in premium customer service or extra coverage perks. We’ve ranked the best car insurance companies below based on ratings from real customers in Iowa.

1. USAA

Available to military personnel and certain qualifying family members, USAA is one of the best-rated car insurance companies in most states, including Iowa. Iowa drivers pay an average of $934 per year for full coverage car insurance with USAA. If you qualify for membership, USAA may be your best option in Iowa for pricing, customer service, and overall claims satisfaction.

2. GEICO

GEICO emphasizes competitive prices while offering the amenities of a larger insurance company. The average GEICO policyholder pays around $1,012 per year for full coverage car insurance in Iowa, although rates vary widely depending on your location (rural drivers tend to pay less than urban drivers).

3. Progressive

Progressive has a relatively strong presence in Iowa, and the company offers cheap rates to drivers across the state. Progressive insures all types of urban and rural drivers in Iowa, offering competitively-priced coverage and strong claims satisfaction. Average rates are around $1,129 per year.

4. Farmers

Farmers offers an extensive range of coverage options while being one of the top insurance companies in the United States. If you are insuring multiple vehicles or properties, or if you have complex insurance needs, then Farmers may be the right choice. Full coverage car insurance policies are priced at around $1,232 per year, based on average rates across our model driver profiles.

5. State Farm

State Farm is America’s largest property insurance company, and the company insures thousands of drivers across Iowa. You get the amenities of a large insurance company with prices that compete with any provider on this list. Expect to pay around $1,239 per year.

6. American Family

American Family Insurance tends to be more expensive than competing insurers, but you can slash rates significantly by taking advantage of discounts. Check if you qualify for American Family insurance discounts to drop prices. Our average driver profiles saved hundreds per year with discounts, dropping average premiums to around $1,301 per year.

7. Auto-Owners

If customer service and claims satisfaction are important, then Auto-Owners may be worth a look. Auto-Owners isn’t the rock-bottom cheapest insurer in Iowa, but they have strong ratings for customer service and claims handling. Expect to pay around $1,432 per year for full coverage car insurance with Auto-Owners in Iowa.

8. Allstate

Large and well-known, Allstate has a proven reputation for providing effective insurance across the United States. Allstate offers competitively-priced coverage in Iowa, similar to the rates provided by GEICO, Progressive, and other nationwide competitors in the state, with average prices of around $1,456 per year.

9. Hastings Mutual

Hastings Mutual is based in Hastings, Michigan. It’s one of the few companies on this list that exclusively covers Iowa and surrounding states. Hastings Mutual emphasizes strong customer service and a local, personalized approach to doing business. The company’s rates start at around $1,502 per year, with extensive discounts available to drop the price.

10. West Bend Mutual

Based in West Bend, Wisconsin, West Bend Mutual Insurance Company has insured property owners across the Midwest since 1894. Today, the company continues to provide effective car insurance and home insurance through Iowa and neighboring states. Prices are competitive with larger competitors on this list, with minimum liability plans under $500 per year and full coverage plans for as little as $1,539 per year.

Iowa Insurance Requirements

Drivers in Iowa are required to carry a specific minimum amount of liability insurance. You are not required to carry insurance that protects your own vehicle. However, you must carry insurance to protect other drivers, pedestrians, and property.

Iowa requires drivers to carry a minimum of a 20/40/15 plan, which includes:

  • $20,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person
  • $40,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident
  • $15,000 of property damage liability coverage

These are minimum insurance requirements. Any insurance policy you buy in Iowa will meet these minimum requirements. Many drivers choose to exceed these requirements for added protection and peace of mind.

Many Iowa drivers carry collision coverage (to cover your own vehicle after an accident) and comprehensive coverage (to protect your car from theft, vandalism, and weather-related damage). Iowa does not require these coverages, but they’re useful for protecting your vehicle.

Driving Without Insurance in Iowa

It’s illegal to drive without insurance in Iowa. Drivers must carry proof of insurance with them at all times when driving. This proof of insurance needs to verify you meet the minimum insurance requirements listed above.

If you’re caught without proof of insurance in Iowa, then you could face fines, license suspensions, and even jail time, depending on the offense:

No Proof of Insurance (But Can Prove Coverage): All fines and penalties dismissed after you provide proof of valid coverage at the time of the citation.

No Proof of Insurance (Cannot Prove Coverage): Maximum of $250 fine and SR-22 requirement for first offense. Additional fines, license suspensions, and revocation of driving privileges for second and subsequent offenses.

No Proof of Insurance After an Accident: SR-22 requirement, removal of license plates and registration, $15 administrative fee, additional towing and storage fees, 12 month suspension of license if damage to the other party exceeds $1,500, suspension of all vehicles registered under the owner’s name, and other possible penalties.

Car Insurance in Iowa with DUI

DUIs are expensive in Iowa and all other states. In addition to fines, you may need to pay higher insurance premiums for the next 3 to 5 years, depending on your insurer.

All insurance companies in Iowa raise rates after a DUI or DWI, even if this is your first incident on an otherwise clean record. However, some insurers have cheaper rates for drivers with DUIs than others, including:

  • USAA: $1,452 per year
  • GEICO: $1,590 per year
  • Progressive: $1,613 per year
  • Nationwide: $1,732 per year
  • Allstate: $1,821 per year

Car Insurance in Iowa with At-Fault Accidents

All insurance companies in Iowa check your driving record before assigning rates. Drivers with one or more at-fault accident on their record will pay higher rates than drivers with a clean record.

Like DUIs, at-fault accidents work differently with different insurers. Request a quote from the following Iowa insurance companies to save money after an at-fault accident:

  • USAA: $1,383 per year
  • GEICO: $1,491 per year
  • Allstate: $1,521 per year
  • State Farm: $1,609 per year
  • Progressive: $1,791 per year

Car Insurance in Iowa with Speeding Tickets

Speeding tickets aren’t as serious as DUIs or at-fault accidents, but they can still raise rates. One or two speeding tickets aren’t a big deal, but three or more speeding tickets can lead to significantly higher insurance premiums.

Not all insurers treat speeding tickets with the same severity. Request a quote from any of the following insurers if you have a speeding ticket in Iowa:

  • USAA: $1,132 per year
  • GEICO: $1,182 per year
  • State Farm: $1,314 per year
  • Progressive: $1,382 per year
  • Hastings Mutual: $1,389 per year

Car Insurance in Iowa for Young Drivers

Drivers under 25 in Iowa cause more fatal accidents than any other demographic. Even if you’re the world’s safest young driver, insurers err on the side of caution by charging higher rates to all young drivers.

Fortunately, young drivers can save on car insurance by taking advantage of discounts and shopping around. Request a quote from the following Iowa insurers to pay cheaper than average rates on car insurance under age 25:

  • USAA: $1,783 per year
  • State Farm: $1,891 per year
  • GEICO: $1,909 per year
  • Progressive: $2,090 per year
  • Allstate: $2,195 per year

Car Insurance in Iowa with Poor Credit

Iowa allows insurance companies to use your credit score to calculate driver-specific premiums. Drivers with average to good credit ratings should not notice a significant difference in premiums. However, drivers with poor credit or no credit could pay significantly higher rates for car insurance.

Consider requesting a quote from any of the following insurance companies in Iowa if you have a bad credit score or limited credit history:

  • USAA: $1,999 per year
  • GEICO: $2,021 per year
  • Hastings Mutual: $2,090 per year
  • West Bend Mutual: $2,121 per year
  • State Farm: $2,209 per year

SR-22 Insurance in Iowa

High-risk drivers, drivers with lapsed insurance, and drivers with a history of DUIs or at-fault accidents may need SR-22 insurance.

Most insurance companies in Iowa provide SR-22 certificates to policyholders. An SR-22 certificate verifies you’re carrying valid coverage to meet Iowa’s minimum requirements.

However, if you are a particularly high-risk driver (say, if you have multiple accidents or DUIs), then you may need to buy SR-22 insurance from a specialty insurer. Some insurers specialize in insuring high-risk drivers.

Most insurance companies in Iowa charge SR-22 filing fees of $15 to $35. Generally, SR-22 insurance is significantly more expensive than ordinary car insurance in Iowa. You can expect to pay anywhere from 50% to 150% higher premiums for SR-22 insurance in Iowa. Some insurers may even deny your request for coverage, forcing you to work with a specialty insurer.

Conclusion: How to Find the Best Auto Insurance in Iowa

Iowa has relatively cheap car insurance premiums. However, premiums vary widely across the state. Drivers in rural areas may pay rock bottom rates for car insurance, while drivers in urban areas will pay relatively high rates.

By shopping around, taking advantage of discounts, and comparing insurers, you can find the best car insurance in Iowa based on your unique needs and driving record.