The cost of car insurance in Iowa varies significantly depending on the type and amount of insurance coverage you buy, your location, age and driving history. Travelers offers the cheapest rates at $1,238 a year for full coverage.
We’ve compiled this detailed guide to help you choose the right car insurance in Iowa. The team at CarInsurance.com has done all the hard work by researching and analyzing insurance prices for different kinds of drivers.
Keep reading to get a clear idea of how car insurance in Iowa works and how much coverage you need.
- Travelers provides the most affordable annual rates for full coverage car insurance in Iowa, at $1,238 per year.
- In Iowa, car insurance costs can change based on the type of coverage, coverage limits, age, location, make and model of your car and your driving record.
- Minimum liability coverage in Iowa costs around $260 annually for limits of 20/40/15, while liability-only coverage costs $320 per year for limits of 50/100/50.
- In Iowa, driving incidents can significantly increase premiums, with a speeding ticket raising rates by up to 28%, a DUI raising rates by 44%, and an at-fault accident by up to 40%.
How much is car insurance in Iowa?
CarInsurance.com data found that drivers in Iowa pay $136 monthly for full coverage car insurance.
Understanding the average insurance cost can help you budget effectively for your coverage. Remember that insurance premiums can differ significantly based on your vehicle’s make and model and your driving history.
Average cost of auto insurance in Iowa by coverage level
In Iowa, the cost of car insurance can vary depending on how much coverage you purchase. Iowa drivers need at least the minimum insurance coverage limits of 20/40/15 to legally drive.
Liability-only insurance is the least expensive coverage and meets the minimum legal requirements in Iowa, but it doesn’t offer adequate protection.
While liability insurance protects you from financial loss by covering legal defense and damages if you’re found responsible for causing injury or property damage to others, it doesn’t protect your vehicle or passengers.
Full coverage car insurance policies are the most expensive but provide much more protection. They cover your own vehicles from accidents, theft, natural disasters and animal strikes. With a full-coverage insurance policy, drivers can be confident that they’re protected in the event of an accident up to the limits of their policies.
Full coverage comprises liability, comprehensive, collision and any other coverage required by your state.
Below, you will find the rates for car insurance in Iowa for different coverage levels.
| Coverage Level | Avg. Monthly Cost | Avg. Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| State Minimum – Liability Only BI/PD | $22 | $260 |
| Liability Only – 50/100/50 BI/PD | $27 | $320 |
| Full Coverage – 100/300/100 Liability BI/PD with $500 Comp/Coll Deductible | $136 | $1,630 |
State minimum car insurance in Iowa
Iowa’s car insurance laws require a minimum coverage of $20,000 in bodily injury liability per person, $40,000 in bodily injury liability per accident and $15,000 in property damage liability.
The state minimum coverage in Iowa costs $260 a year but doesn’t provide much protection for drivers. Iowa drivers may purchase additional coverage, such as comprehensive and collision insurance, increase their liability limits and add personal injury coverage or other endorsements for extra protection.
Drivers in Iowa must be aware of the minimum car insurance requirements to remain legally compliant.
Liability-only car insurance in Iowa
According to CarInsurance.com data, liability-only car insurance costs $320 in Iowa for limits 50/100/50.
Liability-only insurance helps cover the costs if you damage someone else’s car or injure someone in an accident. It’s more affordable than full coverage insurance, but remember, it doesn’t pay for repairs to your vehicle or cover injuries to your passengers.
Full coverage car insurance in Iowa
The average annual premium in Iowa is $1,630 for a full coverage policy with limits of 100/300/100 – $100,000 in bodily injury coverage, $300,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident and $100,000 in property damage coverage.
Car insurance experts advise drivers to get full coverage insurance with the highest liability limits they can afford. Full coverage includes liability, comprehensive and collision coverage, with a deductible.
Calculate the cost of car insurance in Iowa
Insurance costs can vary depending on where you live. An affordable policy for someone in one area might be more expensive for someone living elsewhere.
When determining insurance premiums, companies study crime rates, traffic conditions, car thefts and population density in different areas. This research helps them assess the associated risk and set competitive prices for their policies.
This means that residents in higher-risk neighborhoods in Iowa have to bear greater financial burdens than those in areas with lower risks.
Use our simple tool to see how much you’ll have to pay for car insurance. Just type in your ZIP code, and you’ll get quotes for different coverage options quickly.
Iowa car insurance rates by ZIP Code
For 30 year old Male ( Liability - Minimum)
Estimate car insurance in Iowa by car model
In Iowa, car insurance costs depend on the type of car you drive. If you have a luxury or electric vehicle that’s more expensive to repair, you’ll pay higher insurance rates than someone with a car that’s cheaper to repair.
For instance, Maserati, BMW, Porsche and Audi are some of the most expensive cars to insure. Subaru, Hyundai, Honda and Mazda are among the cheapest cars to insure.
See how much you’ll pay for car insurance for your specific make and model in Iowa.
Insurance rates by car model
Guide: How to estimate car insurance using our car insurance estimator tool
Car insurance rates by age group in Iowa
Younger drivers and teenagers typically pay more for insurance than older, more experienced drivers. This is because teenagers are more likely to get into car accidents. In fact, teenagers are four times more likely to crash than drivers who are 20 or older, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Insurers know that teenage drivers are less experienced and pose a higher risk, resulting in higher insurance premiums. Iowa drivers between the ages of 30 to 60 typically enjoy the lowest average auto insurance rates, at about $1,575 annually.
Drivers aged 16-19 pay $2,847 more for car insurance than Iowa drivers aged 30-60 per year.
See the average rates by age group below:
- For teen drivers: Teens aged 16-19 can expect to pay $4,422 per year for a full coverage car insurance policy.
- For young adults: Drivers aged 20-25 can expect to pay $2,480 yearly for a full coverage policy.
- For average-aged adult drivers: Drivers aged 30 to 60 can expect to pay $1,575 annually in Iowa.
- For senior drivers: Drivers aged 65 and older can expect to pay $1,468 per year.
Check out our detailed guide on average car insurance rates by age
Rates based on driver profile, history and habits in Iowa
Having a DUI, speeding ticket or being at fault in an accident can substantially increase your insurance rates. In Iowa, a DUI conviction often results in higher premiums and you may see an increase of up to 44% as insurers perceive you as a high-risk driver.
If you receive a speeding ticket in Iowa, be prepared for your car insurance rates to rise by up to 28% when you renew your policy. This increase might last for about three years. However, the exact amount of the increase depends on the specific laws in your state, your insurance provider and your driving record.
Find below how much your car insurance rate increases depending on driving incidents:
- Speeding ticket: Up to 28% increase
- DUI conviction: 44% increase
- At-fault accident (bodily injury and property damage): 40% increase
Even if you’ve received a traffic ticket, you can still save money by comparing insurance quotes.
Car insurance cost in Iowa for high-risk drivers
High-risk drivers in Iowa pay more for car insurance than other drivers because they are considered riskier. Factors like accident history, traffic violations and poor credit scores influence how much the policyholder will pay for insurance coverage.
Fortunately, high-risk drivers have several options to lower their insurance premiums. A good first step is to shop around and compare quotes, as each insurance provider has a unique rate structure designed to meet individual needs.
Use the tool below to see which company offers cheaper rates for drivers with speeding tickets, DUI convictions and at-fault accidents.
Select your state and risk factor below to see the insurance company and its
average annual full coverage rates.
| Company Name | Insurance Rates |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $1,482 |
| USAA | $1,726 |
| Travelers | $1,795 |
| Auto-Owners | $1,931 |
| Progressive | $2,302 |
| Geico | $3,020 |
| Allstate | $3,121 |
Learn more: The 10 most important factors that affect car insurance rates
Explore car insurance costs in your neighboring states
Compare car insurance quotes in Iowa
Drivers in Iowa can save hundreds of dollars by shopping around and comparing quotes. While many factors influence the cost of your car insurance, from driving record to the type of car you drive, there are many options to get the coverage you need at a price that works for you.
Begin your search for the top car insurance policy in Iowa by getting quotes from multiple insurance providers and comparing them.
Below are the details of Iowa car insurance companies and their annual premiums.
| Company | State Minimum | 50/100/50 | 100/300/100 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travelers | $310 | $369 | $1,238 |
| State Farm | $199 | $258 | $1,306 |
| West Bend Mutual | $199 | $230 | $1,311 |
| Auto-Owners | $189 | $219 | $1,461 |
| Progressive | $174 | $249 | $1,589 |
| IMT Insurance | $232 | $244 | $1,634 |
| Geico | $254 | $325 | $1,716 |
| Iowa Farm Bureau | $262 | $304 | $1,796 |
| Allstate | $508 | $591 | $2,126 |
| Grinnell Mutual | $362 | $468 | $2,591 |
| USAA | $166 | $264 | $1,165 |
Car insurance rates by city in Iowa
Bedford is the most expensive city in Iowa, with an average car insurance rate of $2,053 a year. Coralville is the cheapest city for Iowa drivers at an average rate of $1,311 annually.
Car insurance rates vary by city in Iowa for several reasons. One of the most significant factors is traffic congestion. Areas with more traffic typically have higher rates of accidents and claims, which leads to higher premiums.
The number of uninsured drivers, crime rates, and the average cost of repairs and medical bills also influence car insurance rates.
Below, you’ll see the average annual car insurance cost of major cities in Iowa.
Select your city below to see the insurance company and its average full coverage rates.
| Company Name | Insurance Rates |
|---|---|
| Travelers | $1,075 |
| USAA | $1,116 |
| State Farm | $1,186 |
| West Bend Insurance Company | $1,196 |
| Auto-Owners | $1,346 |
| IMT Insurance | $1,377 |
| Progressive | $1,385 |
| Geico | $1,403 |
| Iowa Farm Bureau | $1,508 |
| Allstate | $1,985 |
| Grinnell Mutual | $2,275 |
How much does car insurance cost in Iowa per month?
In Iowa, a full coverage car insurance policy with 100/300/100 limits typically costs about $136 per month.
For some people, it is better to pay car insurance monthly because it gives them more flexibility in their budget. They can spread the cost over a longer period of time and don’t have to worry about a large lump sum payment.
While paying your car insurance in full upfront at renewal can sometimes get you a discount, the best choice will depend on your situation.
| Coverage Level | Avg. Monthly Rates |
|---|---|
| State Minimum – Liability Only BI/PD | $22 |
| Liability Only – 50/100/50 BI/PD | $27 |
| Full Coverage – 100/300/100 Liability BI/PD with $500 Comp/Coll Deductible | $136 |
Final thoughts on choosing car insurance in Iowa
There’s no one best car insurance for everyone. Some drivers are willing to pay a bit more for outstanding customer service, some want the lowest rates, others prefer carriers who can handle claims and payments through mobile apps and some prefer agents.
Ultimately, understanding your needs to find the best policy at the most competitive price is critical. Shop around for a good deal that provides peace of mind when hitting the open road in Iowa.
Resources & Methodology
Sources
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. “Teenagers.” Accessed March 2025.
- USAA. “How credit affects insurance premiums.” Accessed March 2025.
Methodology
CarInsurance.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to get car insurance rates in Iowa. The average premiums are based on the sample profile of a 40-year-old male and female driving a Honda Accord LX with a good insurance score and a clean driving record.
The rates are for different coverage limits. It includes:
- Full coverage car insurance with a coverage limit of $100,000 in bodily injury per person, $300,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident, $100,000 in property damage coverage per accident and a $500 collision/comprehensive deductible.
- Liability-only car insurance rates with a limit of 50/100/50.
- State minimum coverage limit of 20/40/15.
To evaluate the rates, we have compared 53,409,632 insurance quotes from 75 company groups across 34,588 ZIP codes. The average premiums are for comparison purposes only; your exact rates may vary.
Note: USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
Get advice from an experienced insurance professional. Our experts will help you navigate your insurance questions with clarity and confidence.
Browse all FAQs