State Farm and IMT generally offer the cheapest car insurance in Iowa. For example, IMT has the lowest average rate for minimum-coverage car insurance, $23 a month, while State Farm’s rate of $68 a month is lowest for full coverage. Since price matters, here’s what you need to know about finding cheap car insurance in Iowa.
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Cheapest car insurance companies in Iowa
Our analysis of Iowa car insurance quotes shows that IMT offers the cheapest rates on minimum coverage and to teen drivers in general. On the other hand, State Farm’s rates tend to be lowest for full coverage and those with certain prior incidents on their driving record.
Car insurance companies evaluate several factors to determine your rate, including:
- Your age and ZIP code
- The value and characteristics of your vehicle, including any safety features
- Your driving record and insurance history
- Your credit
- Any discounts you may be eligible to receive
Since each car insurance company weighs these factors differently and offers different discounts, you may qualify for a significantly lower rate with one than you do with others. This is why it’s best to compare quotes from multiple companies when you shop.
Cheapest minimum-coverage car insurance in Iowa
IMT offers the cheapest minimum-coverage car insurance in Iowa, with rates averaging $281 a year, or $23 a month. The next-best rates are available from State Farm, $28 a month, and Iowa Farm Bureau, $35 a month.
The average cost of minimum-coverage car insurance in Iowa is $49 a month.
| Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| IMT | $23 |
| State Farm | $28 |
| Iowa Farm Bureau | $35 |
| American Family | $36 |
| Grinnell Mutual | $42 |
| Nationwide | $44 |
| Allstate | $46 |
| State average | $49 |
| Progressive | $56 |
| GEICO | $73 |
| Auto-Owners | $85 |
| Note: Average rates are based on non-binding estimates provided by Quadrant Information Services. Your rates may vary. | |
In Iowa, a minimum-coverage policy satisfies state requirements for liability insurance, which covers injuries and property damage you cause to others. Minimum-coverage car insurance does not cover your own medical bills or car repairs.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Iowa
State Farm offers the cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Iowa, with its rates averaging $822 a year, or $68 a month. The next-best rates are available from IMT, $71 a month, and American Family, $87 a month.
Full-coverage auto insurance prices in Iowa average $132 a month.
| Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $68 |
| IMT | $71 |
| American Family | $87 |
| Nationwide | $109 |
| Iowa Farm Bureau | $109 |
| Allstate | $110 |
| Grinnell Mutual | $116 |
| State average | $132 |
| Progressive | $154 |
| GEICO | $177 |
| Auto-Owners | $254 |
| Note: Average rates are based on non-binding estimates provided by Quadrant Information Services. Your rates may vary. | |
Full-coverage car insurance includes liability limits that are higher than the state’s minimum requirements, as well as collision and comprehensive coverage.
- Collision: Covers damage your vehicle sustains in a collision with an object or other vehicle.
- Comprehensive: Covers damage from causes other than a collision, including fire, flood, vandalism and falling objects. It also covers theft of the vehicle.
Neither collision nor comprehensive coverage is required by state law, but both are typically required for a car loan or lease.
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Cheapest car insurance for Iowa drivers with a ticket or accident
State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance to Iowa drivers with a ticket or accident on their record. The company's full-coverage rates average $75 a month for drivers with a prior speeding ticket and $81 a month for those with a prior accident.
IMT’s rates are next best for drivers with a prior ticket, $87 a month, or accident, $95 a month.
A ticket raises the average price of car insurance in Iowa by 17%, while an accident raises it by 40%.
| Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $75 |
| IMT | $87 |
| American Family | $112 |
| Grinnell Mutual | $116 |
| Allstate | $121 |
| Iowa Farm Bureau | $134 |
| Nationwide | $138 |
| State average | $154 |
| Progressive | $204 |
| GEICO | $210 |
| Auto-Owners | $279 |
| Note: Average rates are based on non-binding estimates provided by Quadrant Information Services. Your rates may vary. | |
| Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $81 |
| IMT | $95 |
| Nationwide | $109 |
| Grinnell Mutual | $116 |
| American Family | $152 |
| Allstate | $165 |
| Iowa Farm Bureau | $178 |
| State average | $185 |
| Progressive | $265 |
| GEICO | $276 |
| Auto-Owners | $322 |
| Note: Average rates are based on non-binding estimates provided by Quadrant Information Services. Your rates may vary. | |
Cheapest car insurance for Iowa drivers with an OWI
State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance to drivers convicted of operating while intoxicated, or OWI, charging an average rate of $75 a month for full coverage. The next-best rates are available from IMT, $123 a month, and Allstate, $146 a month.
An OWI raises the average price of car insurance in Iowa by 70% to $225 a month.
| Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $75 |
| IMT | $123 |
| Allstate | $146 |
| American Family | $166 |
| Progressive | $176 |
| Nationwide | $222 |
| State average | $225 |
| Grinnell Mutual | $232 |
| Iowa Farm Bureau | $239 |
| GEICO | $304 |
| Auto-Owners | $467 |
| Note: Average rates are based on non-binding estimates provided by Quadrant Information Services. Your rates may vary. | |
Cheap car insurance for teen drivers in Iowa
IMT has the cheapest car insurance for teen drivers in Iowa, charging 18-year-olds $66 a month for minimum coverage and $148 a month for full coverage.
Teen drivers have the highest crash rates among all age groups, and this is one of the main reasons why they are charged such high rates for auto insurance.
In Iowa, the average price of minimum-coverage car insurance for an 18-year-old is $155 a month, which is more than three times the average rate charged to a 35-year-old.
Teens often receive lower rates when added to a policy with a parent or guardian than they do on their own. Many companies also offer discounts to families with teen drivers who maintain good grades and/or complete an authorized driver-education program.
| Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| IMT | $66 |
| State Farm | $92 |
| Grinnell Mutual | $95 |
| Iowa Farm Bureau | $95 |
| Allstate | $108 |
| American Family | $143 |
| GEICO | $153 |
| State average | $155 |
| Nationwide | $176 |
| Progressive | $217 |
| Auto-Owners | $316 |
| Note: Average rates are based on non-binding estimates provided by Quadrant Information Services. Your rates may vary. | |
| Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| IMT | $148 |
| State Farm | $213 |
| Allstate | $235 |
| Grinnell Mutual | $266 |
| Iowa Farm Bureau | $273 |
| American Family | $340 |
| State average | $379 |
| Nationwide | $383 |
| GEICO | $400 |
| Progressive | $538 |
| Auto-Owners | $760 |
| Note: Average rates are based on non-binding estimates provided by Quadrant Information Services. Your rates may vary. | |
Cheap car insurance for Iowa teens with a prior incident
IMT offers the cheapest car insurance to teens with a prior ticket, $185 a month for full coverage, or a prior accident, $209 a month.
State Farm has the lowest rate for 18-year-olds with an OWI, $235 a month, followed by IMT, $263 a month.
A ticket raises the average price of car insurance for an 18-year-old by 12% compared to 18-year-olds with a clean driving record.
An accident raises the average price of car insurance for 18-year-olds by 47%, while an OWI raises the price by 66%.
| Company | Monthly rates |
|---|---|
| IMT | $185 |
| State Farm | $235 |
| Allstate | $266 |
| Grinnell Mutual | $266 |
| Iowa Farm Bureau | $335 |
| American Family | $366 |
| Nationwide | $419 |
| State average | $424 |
| GEICO | $482 |
| Progressive | $592 |
| Auto-Owners | $858 |
| Note: Average rates are based on non-binding estimates provided by Quadrant Information Services. Your rates may vary. | |
| Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| IMT | $209 |
| State Farm | $256 |
| Grinnell Mutual | $266 |
| Allstate | $317 |
| Nationwide | $383 |
| Iowa Farm Bureau | $445 |
| American Family | $466 |
| State average | $501 |
| GEICO | $645 |
| Progressive | $713 |
| Auto-Owners | $1,022 |
| Note: Average rates are based on non-binding estimates provided by Quadrant Information Services. Your rates may vary. | |
| Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $235 |
| IMT | $263 |
| Allstate | $334 |
| Nationwide | $485 |
| Grinnell Mutual | $534 |
| Progressive | $548 |
| Iowa Farm Bureau | $598 |
| State average | $628 |
| American Family | $638 |
| GEICO | $701 |
| Auto-Owners | $1,578 |
| Note: Average rates are based on non-binding estimates provided by Quadrant Information Services. Your rates may vary. | |
Cheap car insurance for Iowa’s senior citizen drivers
IMT offers the cheapest minimum-coverage car insurance for senior citizens in Iowa, charging 60-year-olds $22 a month, but State Farm offers the lowest full-coverage rate, $63 a month.
| Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| IMT | $22 |
| State Farm | $27 |
| Iowa Farm Bureau | $29 |
| American Family | $33 |
| Grinnell Mutual | $34 |
| Nationwide | $39 |
| Allstate | $45 |
| State average | $45 |
| Progressive | $48 |
| GEICO | $69 |
| Auto-Owners | $84 |
| Note: Average rates are based on non-binding estimates provided by Quadrant Information Services. Your rates may vary. | |
| Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $63 |
| IMT | $64 |
| American Family | $78 |
| Iowa Farm Bureau | $88 |
| Nationwide | $90 |
| Grinnell Mutual | $94 |
| Allstate | $100 |
| State average | $113 |
| Progressive | $123 |
| GEICO | $155 |
| Auto-Owners | $229 |
| Note: Average rates are based on non-binding estimates provided by Quadrant Information Services. Your rates may vary. | |
Cheap car insurance for Iowa seniors with a prior incident
State Farm has the cheapest auto insurance rates for seniors with a prior ticket, $69 a month for full coverage. Its rates are also lowest for drivers in this age group with an accident, $74 a month, or OWI, $69 a month.
A ticket raises the average price of car insurance for a 60-year-old by 19% compared to a 60-year-old with a clean driving record. An accident raises the average price of car insurance for 60-year-olds by 42%, and an OWI raises it by 74%.
| Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $69 |
| IMT | $79 |
| Grinnell Mutual | $94 |
| American Family | $101 |
| Iowa Farm Bureau | $108 |
| Allstate | $110 |
| Nationwide | $119 |
| State average | $134 |
| Progressive | $171 |
| GEICO | $178 |
| Auto-Owners | $253 |
| Note: Average rates are based on non-binding estimates provided by Quadrant Information Services. Your rates may vary. | |
| Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $74 |
| IMT | $86 |
| Nationwide | $90 |
| Grinnell Mutual | $94 |
| American Family | $139 |
| Iowa Farm Bureau | $143 |
| Allstate | $151 |
| State average | $161 |
| GEICO | $228 |
| Progressive | $233 |
| Auto-Owners | $294 |
| Note: Average rates are based on non-binding estimates provided by Quadrant Information Services. Your rates may vary. | |
| Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $69 |
| IMT | $112 |
| Allstate | $134 |
| Progressive | $144 |
| American Family | $150 |
| Grinnell Mutual | $186 |
| Iowa Farm Bureau | $193 |
| State average | $197 |
| Nationwide | $199 |
| GEICO | $271 |
| Auto-Owners | $431 |
| Note: Average rates are based on non-binding estimates provided by Quadrant Information Services. Your rates may vary. | |
Iowa auto Insurance rates by city
In Iowa’s largest cities, auto insurance rates range from $39 a month in Ames for minimum coverage to $51 in Council Bluffs. The average price in Des Moines is $49 a month.
| City | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| Ames | $39 |
| Ankeny | $43 |
| Cedar Rapids | $44 |
| Council Bluffs | $51 |
| Davenport | $49 |
| Des Moines | $49 |
| Iowa City | $39 |
| Sioux City | $49 |
| Waterloo | $44 |
| West Des Moines | $44 |
| Note: Average rates are based on non-binding estimates provided by Quadrant Information Services. Your rates may vary. | |
How do car insurance laws and requirements work in Iowa?
Iowa is a comparative fault state for car insurance and requires drivers to carry 20/40/15 liability insurance, which includes the following coverages and limits:
- Bodily injury liability: $20,000 per person/$40,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $15,000
Insurance agents are required to offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, but you can reject it.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage pays to treat injuries you and/or your passengers suffer in an accident caused by a driver with no insurance or not enough insurance to cover your claim.
Personal injury protection (PIP) is also available in Iowa on an optional basis. PIP covers injuries you and/or your passengers suffer in a car accident, regardless of fault.
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Comparative fault car accident laws in Iowa
Under Iowa’s comparative fault laws, a person’s financial responsibility for injuries or damage in an accident they cause is reduced by the other party’s share of responsibility, if the other driver is partially at fault.
For example, if you are completely at fault for an accident, you are responsible for 100% of the other driver’s medical and car repair bills. However, if an investigation determines that the other driver has a 25% share of responsibility for the accident, you are only responsible for 75% of their bills.
If your share of expenses from a car accident is greater than your insurance policy’s limits, you may be held personally responsible for the shortfall. This is the main reason to consider coverages and limits that exceed the state’s minimum requirements.
Frequently asked questions about car insurance in Iowa
How much is car insurance in Iowa?
The average price of car insurance in Iowa is $49 a month for minimum coverage and $132 a month for full coverage.
What car insurance is required in Iowa?
Iowa law requires motorists to carry liability insurance with bodily injury limits of at least $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident, plus a property damage limit of at least $15,000. Insurance companies are required to offer uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, but you can reject it.
Is Iowa a no-fault state?
Iowa is not a no-fault state for car accidents and insurance. Under Iowa’s comparative fault laws, your financial responsibility for injuries or damage in an accident you cause may be reduced by the other party’s share of responsibility, if the other driver is partially at fault.
Methodology
We obtained non-binding car insurance quotes for a typical driver in every Iowa ZIP code from Quadrant Information Services. Unless otherwise noted, a typical driver is a 35-year-old male with a clean driving record. He owns a 2012 Honda Accord LX and drives an average 13,500 miles a year.
Minimum-coverage insurance rates are based on a policy meeting Iowa’s 20/40/15 requirements for bodily injury and property damage liability.
Full-coverage policies include the following additional coverages, limits and/or deductibles:
- Bodily injury liability: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $100,000
- Collision coverage: $500 deductible
- Comprehensive coverage: $500 deductible
Sources:
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