Find the Best Car Insurance Quotes and Options in Iowa
The average cost of car insurance in Iowa is $886 per year. With a national average annual car insurance cost of $1,311, car insurance in Iowa costs less than it does in many other states. But your Iowa car insurance rates will be more or less than average depending on where you live in the state and your other personal risk factors.
An independent insurance agent in Iowa can help you find the right car insurance for your needs and budget. Here, we’ll explain some important facts about car insurance in Iowa.
Best Car Insurance Companies in Iowa
You can purchase car insurance in Iowa from numerous insurance companies. But which insurance company offers the best mix of coverage and value for your unique needs? We’ve selected some of the best car insurance companies in Iowa to help you get started.
- Best Iowa car insurance company overall: USAA
- Best Iowa car insurance company for minimum liability: USAA
- Best Iowa car insurance company for full coverage: West Bend Mutual
- Best Iowa car insurance company for young drivers: USAA
- Best Iowa car insurance company for accident history: Travelers
An independent insurance agent in Iowa can help you determine if any of these companies have the right car insurance policy for your needs and budget.
Best Iowa Car Insurance Company Overall: USAA
Our pick for the best overall car insurance company in Iowa overall is USAA. The carrier ranks high for claims satisfaction, ease of interaction, customer service, trust, and other important factors.
USAA was founded in 1922 by 25 Army officers who decided to insure each other's vehicles. Over time, the organization grew to serve millions in the military community, offering a variety of personal insurance products as well as other financial products and services.
USAA’s net worth has surpassed $40 billion. The carrier has more than 13 million members and 37,000 employees. USAA consistently receives high marks for financial stability, including an A++ rating from AM Best, the highest available.
Unfortunately, not everyone can take advantage of USAA’s superior performance. Only active duty and retired military members and select family members are eligible for USAA membership and insurance coverage.
| Average Monthly Insurance Cost: Car Insurance Policy | Average Annual Insurance Cost: Car Insurance Policy |
| $100 | $1,204 |
Best Iowa Car Insurance Company for Minimum Liability: USAA
If you’re looking for minimum liability coverage, USAA is again a top choice for Iowa residents. The carrier allows customers to get bare minimum auto insurance at around $222 per year.
Highly affordable coverage combined with high customer satisfaction ratings makes USAA an easy choice for eligible members.
| Average Monthly Insurance Cost: Minimum Liability Policy | Average Annual Insurance Cost: Minimum Liability Policy |
| $19 | $222 |
Best Iowa Car Insurance Company for Full Coverage: West Bend Mutual
The best car insurance company in Iowa for full coverage is West Bend Mutual. The insurance company offers affordable full-coverage policies with premiums starting at just $46 per month.
In addition to affordable full-coverage policies, West Bend offers a wide range of discounts and unique coverage options that make it a great option for drivers looking for full-coverage auto insurance in Iowa.
Founded in 1894, West Bend Mutual has long had a reputation for excellence by offering innovative insurance products, and by achieving steady growth and long-term financial stability. Since 1971, West Bend has been rated A (Excellent) or better by AM Best.
As a mutual insurance company, West Bend is owned by its policyholders. The company’s decisions are based on what’s best for its policyholders, agents, and associates.
| Average Monthly Insurance Cost: Full Coverage Car Insurance Policy | Average Annual Insurance Cost: Full Coverage Car Insurance Policy |
| $46 | $548 |
Best Iowa Car Insurance Company for Young Drivers: USAA
Drivers between the ages of 16 and 25 typically pay very high car insurance rates because of the extra risk presented by their inexperience behind the wheel. While insuring a teen driver is never cheap, USAA is one of the best insurance companies for teen drivers in Iowa.
Car insurance for young drivers in Iowa can cost around $206 per month with USAA. The company also offers a good student discount so students with good grades can save on their car insurance.
| Average Monthly Insurance Cost: Young Drivers | Average Annual Insurance Cost: Young Drivers |
| $206 | $2,467 |
Best Iowa Car Insurance Company for Accident History: Travelers
Your driving record is one of the most important factors in what you pay for car insurance in Iowa. All insurance companies want to know if you’ve been at fault for an accident in the past in order to determine how risky you might be to cover.
In these cases, Travelers earns a spot on our list of top picks. Travelers is one of the best Iowa car insurance companies for drivers with an accident history. The company is highly rated for its claims response and for offering affordable policies for drivers with bad records. If you’ve had an at-fault accident, you can get a car insurance policy in Travelers for about $120 per month.
Travelers also offers perks like accident forgiveness along with optional coverage like roadside assistance coverage, new car replacement coverage, and rental car reimbursement coverage.
Travelers was founded in 1853, making it one of the oldest insurance companies in the US. It is a leader in both personal and business insurance with approximately 30,000 employees. The company works with a network of 13,500 independent insurance agents and brokers across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Travelers generated approximately $35 billion in revenues in 2021. The carrier was awarded an A++ rating from AM Best, reflecting its superior position as a financially stable and reliable company.
| Average Monthly Insurance Cost: Drivers with Accident History | Average Annual Insurance Cost: Drivers with Accident History |
| $120 | $1,440 |
Iowa Car Insurance Requirements
Drivers in Iowa must purchase a car insurance policy that meets the state's minimum coverage requirements. The following types of coverage are required by Iowa state law:
- Bodily injury liability coverage: Protects you if you injure or kill someone else while driving your car. It covers an injured party's claims for damage, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. It also covers your legal defense fees if another party involved in the accident sues you. In Iowa, you must have coverage of at least $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident for bodily injury.
- Property damage liability coverage: Covers damage you cause to another person’s property. In Iowa, you must have coverage of at least $15,000 per accident for property damage.
Optional car insurance coverages in Iowa include:
- Uninsured motorist coverage: Protects you if you are hit by a hit-and-run driver or a driver who does not have auto liability coverage. It takes the place of liability insurance that the other driver should have but does not.
- Underinsured motorist coverage: Protects you if another motorist is at fault for a collision but does not have enough insurance to cover your losses.
- Medical payments coverage: Helps pay for medical, dental, and funeral expenses for you or your passengers, regardless of who is at fault for an accident.
- Collision coverage: Covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled in a collision, regardless of fault.
- Comprehensive coverage: Covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled by a non-collision event such as a hailstorm or theft.
- Roadside assistance coverage: Pays for help if you are locked out of your vehicle, run out of gas, or face some other type of problem while out on the road. Your insurance company will help you contact tow trucks, locksmiths, or other forms of assistance as needed, and will reimburse you for the costs of these services up to certain limits.
- Rental reimbursement coverage: Provides payment for a rental car if your vehicle is damaged and you must rent a vehicle while it is being repaired.
- Loan/lease or gap coverage: Pays the difference between what you owe on a vehicle and its cash value if it is totaled.
An independent insurance agent in Iowa will help you find a car insurance policy that includes the coverage you need.
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Average Cost of Car Insurance in Iowa
The average cost of car insurance in Iowa is $886 per year, which is far less than the national average of $1,311 per year. Remember that everyone’s car insurance costs are a little different depending on your personal risk factors (e.g., your age, gender, accident history, etc.) and the types and amounts of coverage you select. You can find ways to reduce your car insurance costs in Iowa by taking advantage of car insurance discounts offered by your insurance carrier.
Average Iowa Car Insurance Costs by City
The city you live in is one of the most important factors in what you’ll pay for car insurance in Iowa. This is because the city’s crime rate, severe weather frequency, traffic density, and more can all impact how at-risk you and your car are for being in an accident, being stolen, or being subject to some other kind of damage (e.g., hail damage).
In Iowa, we found some of the most expensive car insurance rates in Council Bluffs, a city with a higher-than-average rate of car theft, where you’ll pay around $1,095 annually. heaper rates are available in cities like Cedar Falls and Dubuque, where drivers will pay an average of $723 and $761 per year, respectively.
Finding Car Insurance Discounts in Iowa
One of the best ways to save on car insurance in Iowa is to make sure that you take advantage of any car insurance discounts for which you may be eligible. One of the most common discounts is the multi-policy discount, which rewards you with savings if you have more than one policy with the same carrier (e.g., home and auto). Some of the other common auto insurance discounts offered in Iowa include the following:
- Student driver discounts: If you have a student driver in your household, you may be able to take advantage of a good student discount if your child gets a B average or better. Many insurance companies also offer away-at-school discounts for students who won’t be using their parents’ cars while they are away at school. Your young driver may also be able to receive a discount by participating in an insurance-company-approved or sponsored safe driving course.
- Safe driver discount: Drivers who maintain a clean driving record over a period of time may be able to receive an ongoing discount from their insurance company.
- Anti-theft device discount: Some insurance companies offer discounts when your car has certain anti-theft devices installed.
- Military discount: Active or retired members of the military can often qualify for auto insurance discounts.
- Paperless billing discount: Many insurance companies offer a discount for policyholders who agree to receive paperless billing statements.
- Other car insurance discounts: Being a member of a particular group, such as an employment union, may make you eligible for a car insurance discount specifically for members.
Your independent car insurance agent in Iowa can help you find all of the car insurance discounts that you qualify for.
How to Find the Best Car Insurance Quote in Iowa
Finding the best car insurance quote in Iowa requires comparing several insurance companies and making an informed choice. But you don’t have to go it alone. An independent insurance agent in Iowa can help you obtain and review quotes from multiple insurance companies and choose the one that offers the best coverage for your needs and budget. An independent agent works for you, free of charge, to help you through the process.
How to File a Car Insurance Claim in Iowa
Filing a car insurance claim in Iowa is always going to be a little stressful. But if you know what to do in advance, it can help the process to go more smoothly. If you’re in a car accident, here are some tips for filing your insurance claim:
- Check for and tend to injuries: Check yourself, your passengers, and anyone else involved in the accident for injuries. Seek immediate medical treatment for anyone who is injured.
- Call the police: Filing a police report ensures that your accident is on-the-record and all appropriate information has been collected. That way, your insurance company will have a reliable source for information about the details of your accident.
- Contact your independent insurance agent: Your Iowa independent insurance agent can start the process by connecting you with your insurance company, or even by filing the claim for you. Your agent can guide you throughout the claims process.
- Schedule an appointment with an adjuster: Your insurance company will likely want to evaluate the damage before you seek repairs for your car. That means you’ll likely need to set up an appointment with an adjuster who works for your carrier.
- Get repairs: If necessary, get your vehicle repaired from a reputable auto body shop or from a shop recommended by your insurance company.
- Get a rental vehicle: If you’re without your car while it's being repaired, consider getting a rental vehicle. If you have rental reimbursement coverage, you’ll have some help paying for the cost of your rental car.
An independent car insurance agent in Iowa can help you through the claims process and answer your questions about how best to file your claim.
How does your city measure up to the national average?
National average time spent commuting 26.9 Min
National average car thefts per 1,000 2.3 Year
National average car insurance cost $1,311 Year
| City | Commute time (min) | Auto thefts / 1,000 | Annual insurance cost |
| Ames | 16.4 | 0.85 | $815 |
| Ankeny | 21.4 | 0.62 | $938 |
| Bettendorf | 18.6 | 1.0 | $847 |
| Cedar Falls | 14.7 | 0.67 | $723 |
| Cedar Rapids | 17.6 | 2.72 | $888 |
| Council Bluffs | 19.3 | 7.87 | $1,095 |
| Davenport | 17.9 | 3.35 | $1,015 |
| Des Moines | 18.9 | 6.01 | $1,064 |
| Dubuque | 14.9 | 1.10 | $761 |
| Iowa City | 17 | 0.92 | $887 |
| Marion | 19.6 | 1.23 | $875 |
| Sioux City | 17.3 | 3.01 | $882 |
| Urbandale | 18.8 | 0.81 | $837 |
| Waterloo | 16.1 | 1.91 | $820 |
| West Des Moines | 17 | 1.07 | $836 |
Popular Questions about Car Insurance in Iowa
The average cost of car insurance in Iowa is $886 per year, or about $74 per month.
Iowa car insurance covers medical expenses and property damage costs that occur due to a car accident. If you’re at fault for an accident, your bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage pay for the damage or injuries you inflict on other drivers or their passengers.
You can cover some of your own losses with optional uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, comprehensive coverage, and collision coverage.
Iowa law requires all drivers to have a minimum amount of liability coverage. The minimum amounts of coverage you must have are as follows:
- Bodily injury liability coverage: $20,000 for any one person in any one accident
- Bodily injury liability coverage: $40,000 for two or more persons in any one accident
- Property damage liability coverage: $15,000 for any one accident
About 8.7% of drivers in Iowa are uninsured. Nationwide, the average is 13%, which is higher than you will find in Iowa.
Clearly, not all drivers follow the mandatory car insurance rules in the state. That’s why you need uninsured motorist coverage to protect you when you’re involved in an accident and the at-fault driver does not have car insurance.
Iowa follows a traditional fault-based system for car insurance financial responsibility. In an at-fault state like Iowa, the driver who is at fault for a car accident has to pay for the other party's damage, such as medical expenses or car repairs.
This is where your auto liability insurance comes in. It pays for medical bills or property repairs for others when you cause a car accident.
You have a lot of options for your Iowa car insurance policy. The best car insurance companies in Iowa are USAA, Travelers, and West Bend Mutual. These companies are highly rated for their mix of customer satisfaction, valuable coverage offerings, financial stability, and competitive pricing.
If you hit a deer while driving, the comprehensive coverage in your Iowa auto insurance policy will cover the damage to your car after you satisfy your deductible. Comprehensive coverage is optional, but this is a good example of why having it can be extremely important. It covers damage to your car caused by events that are out of your control, such as hitting a deer or some other kind of animal, whether you run into the deer or the deer runs into you.
Check your policy or ask your independent car insurance agent in Iowa to confirm if your policy includes comprehensive coverage. If you don’t have it, talk to your agent about why it’s important.
Driving without car insurance is illegal in Iowa. For that reason, you’ll face certain fines or penalties if you’re caught driving uninsured.
The penalties for driving without insurance in Iowa are as follows:
- Up to $250 fine for first offense (or community service)
- Impoundment of the vehicle for the first and subsequent offenses.