The Best and Cheapest Iowa Car Insurance Quotes (2024)
State Farm has the best cheap car insurance in Iowa, with average rates of $80 per month for a full-coverage policy.
Find Cheap Car Insurance Quotes in Iowa
Best cheap car insurance companies in Iowa
How we chose the top companies
Best and cheapest car insurance in Iowa
- Cheapest full coverage: State Farm, $80/mo
- Cheapest minimum liability: State Farm, $20/mo
- Cheapest for young drivers: Farm Bureau, $261/mo
- Cheapest after a ticket: State Farm, $85/mo
- Cheapest after an accident: State Farm, $91/mo
- Cheapest for teens after a ticket: State Farm, $76/mo
- Cheapest after a DUI: Progressive, $180/mo
- Cheapest for poor credit: American Family, $196/mo
Monthly rates based on full coverage car insurance for a 30-year-old man. Some rates use different ages or coverage limits.
State Farm, Auto-Owners and Farm Bureau offer the best mix of affordable rates and reliable customer service in Iowa.
Of the three companies, State Farm is the only one that offers online quotes. So it's the best choice for Iowa drivers looking to compare rates quickly. To get a quote from Auto-Owners or Farm Bureau, you'll have to contact a local insurance agent.
Cheapest car insurance in Iowa: State Farm
The cheapest full-coverage quotes come from State Farm. At $80 per month, a policy from State Farm is 43% cheaper than the average in Iowa.
The average cost of full coverage auto insurance in Iowa is $139 per month, or $1,530 per year.
Find Cheap Car Insurance Quotes in Iowa
Cheapest IA full coverage car insurance
Company | Monthly rate | |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $80 |
| Auto-Owners | $108 |
| Farm Bureau | $114 |
| American Family | $119 |
| Nationwide | $159 |
Cheapest liability insurance quotes in Iowa: State Farm
State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance quotes for minimum coverage insurance in Iowa, at $20 per month — 47% cheaper than the state average.
The average cost of minimum coverage car insurance quotes in Iowa is $37 per month, or $444 per year, for a minimum liability policy.
A liability-only policy is the cheapest insurance option for drivers in Iowa. However, it provides less protection than a full coverage policy, which protects your own car from damage and can also have higher liability limits.
Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Iowa
Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $20 |
| Auto-Owners | $21 |
| Farm Bureau | $22 |
| American Family | $25 |
| Progressive | $34 |
Cheap insurance quotes for young drivers in Iowa: Farm Bureau
Farm Bureau has the cheapest car insurance quotes for 18-year-old drivers in Iowa.
Teen drivers can find minimum coverage from Farm Bureau for just $62 per month. Meanwhile, the cheapest full coverage for younger drivers is at State Farm, averaging $219 per month.
Company | Liability only | Full coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Farm Bureau | $62 | $261 |
| State Farm | $68 | $219 |
| Auto-Owners | $84 | $294 |
| Grinnell Mutual | $84 | $378 |
| American Family | $105 | $446 |
The average cost of minimum coverage car insurance in Iowa for young drivers is $111 per month. In Iowa, a typical 18-year-old driver pays about three times as much for minimum liability insurance as a 30-year-old driver.
Young drivers can usually find the cheapest rates by sharing a policy with their parents.
Cheapest rates for drivers with a speeding ticket: State Farm
State Farm has the cheapest full coverage auto insurance in Iowa for people with a speeding ticket. Coverage from State Farm costs $85 per month, which is 49% cheaper than average in Iowa.
Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $85 |
| Farm Bureau | $140 |
| American Family | $154 |
| Grinnell Mutual | $168 |
| Auto-Owners | $185 |
Drivers in Iowa can expect their car insurance rates to increase by around 21% after a single speeding ticket.
Cheapest Iowa car insurance after an accident: State Farm
State Farm offers the cheapest quotes for Iowa drivers who have been in an at-fault accident. The cost of full coverage auto insurance from State Farm is $91 per month, which is 54% cheaper than the statewide average for drivers with one accident.
Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $91 |
| Auto-Owners | $140 |
| Grinnell Mutual | $168 |
| Farm Bureau | $185 |
| American Family | $200 |
On average, the cost of coverage rises by 41% for Iowa drivers after an at-fault accident. However, State Farm is $167 cheaper a month than the most expensive company, Progressive, for drivers with an accident.
Cheap auto insurance for teens with a ticket or accident: State Farm
The cheapest insurance company for young drivers with a speeding ticket or after an accident is State Farm. A minimum-liability coverage policy from State Farm costs $76 per month for a ticket and $83 per month after an accident— around 43% cheaper than average.
Farm Bureau also has great rates for young drivers after a speeding ticket, matching State Farm’s $76, while Grinnell's rates are cheaper than average after a crash, at $84.
Accidents have a big impact on the cost of car insurance for most people. However, young drivers see a smaller rate increase after an accident than older drivers.
An 18-year-old driver can expect to pay 31% more for insurance after an at-fault accident, while rates for a 30-year-old driver go up by 41%, on average.
Company | Ticket | Accident |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $76 | $83 |
| Farm Bureau | $76 | $101 |
| Grinnell Mutual | $84 | $84 |
| American Family | $113 | $161 |
| Progressive | $116 | $124 |
Young drivers in Iowa are likely to see car insurance rates increase by 20% after a speeding ticket.
Cheapest quotes in IA for drivers with a DUI: Progressive
Progressive is the cheapest insurance company for Iowa drivers with a DUI (driving under the influence) conviction. A full-coverage policy from Progressive costs $180 per month with a DUI, which is 29% less than the Iowa average.
Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| Progressive | $180 |
| Allstate | $226 |
| American Family | $229 |
| Farm Bureau | $249 |
| Auto-Owners | $251 |
A DUI on your driving record can increase the average cost of car insurance by 84% in Iowa. Drivers with a DUI may also have to get an SR-22 certificate, which can increase prices even more.
Cheap Iowa car insurance for drivers with poor credit: American Family
American Family is the cheapest car insurance company in Iowa for drivers with bad credit. Full coverage from American Familycosts around $196 per month. That's 20% cheaper than the state average of $244 per month.
Cheapest Iowa insurers for bad credit
Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| American Family | $196 |
| Farm Bureau | $197 |
| Nationwide | $228 |
| Geico | $238 |
| Allstate | $254 |
Even though your credit score isn't related to your ability to drive safely, having poor credit can raise the cost of car insurance for Iowans by 76%, on average. That's because insurance companies see drivers with bad credit as more likely to file a claim or be involved in an accident.
Best car insurance companies in Iowa
Farm Bureau has the best-rated customer service for drivers in Iowa.
Customers are generally satisfied with the service they get, and it earned an overall rating of 4 1/2 out of 5 stars from ValuePenguin. Drivers in Iowa can also find dependable customer service from State Farm, Auto-Owners and Geico, all of which are also highly-rated by J.D. Power and AM Best.
Company |
Editor's rating
|
JD Power
|
AM Best
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Farm Bureau | NR | A | |
| State Farm | 842 | A++ | |
| Auto-Owners | 837 | A++ | |
| Geico | 835 | A++ | |
| Nationwide | 815 | A+ |
The best car insurance companies aren't necessarily those with the cheapest rates. In addition to shopping for low prices, Iowa drivers should look for an insurer with a strong customer service reputation.
A company with excellent customer service can help make the claims process stress-free if you're in an accident. If you choose a company with poor customer service reviews, it may take longer for you to fix your car and get back on the road.
Auto insurance quotes in Iowa by city
University Heights is the cheapest city in Iowa for auto insurance, while Carter Lake is the most expensive.
The average cost of car insurance in Iowa for a full coverage policy is $139 per month. However, rates can vary by up to $49 per month, depending on where you live.
Drivers living in University Heights, an Iowa City suburb, pay an average of $119 per month for a full coverage policy. On the other hand, people in Carter Lake, just across the border from Omaha, NE, can expect to pay $168 per month for the same coverage.
You're likely to pay more for car insurance in places with higher rates of theft, or where roads are narrow or poorly-maintained, which may lead to more car accidents.
Average cost of full coverage insurance by city
City | Monthly Rate | % from average |
|---|---|---|
| Ackley | $131 | -5% |
| Ackworth | $143 | 3% |
| Adair | $151 | 9% |
| Adel | $135 | -3% |
| Afton | $150 | 8% |
Iowa car insurance laws
Iowa is one of the few states in the nation that doesn't require auto insurance. Drivers can either get a policy with a minimum amount of liability coverage or show proof of financial responsibility.
Drivers in Iowa who buy car insurance need to get 20/40/15 of bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage.
Coverage | Limit |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | $20,000 per person/$40,000 per accident |
| Property damage liability | $15,000 per accident |
Alternatively, you can show proof of financial responsibility, which means you're agreeing to pay out of pocket for any damage you cause in an accident instead of buying an insurance policy.
It's risky, but there are also two other methods you can use to show proof of financial responsibility in Iowa:
- Bond insurance card: If you post a bond of at least $55,000 in value with Iowa's Department of Transportation, you will get a bond insurance card that acts as proof of financial responsibility.
- Security insurance card: Similarly, you can file an endorsed certificate of deposit with the state treasurer to get a security insurance card. This card shows you've deposited at least $55,000 with an Iowa bank that can be used to meet your financial responsibilities if you're at fault in an accident.
If you opt for either of these options, you'll be responsible for any damage you cause in a car crash, but you won't be guilty of driving without insurance.
What's the best car insurance coverage for Iowa drivers?
A policy with higher liability limits and comprehensive and collision insurance will cost you $102 more per month in Iowa.
Collision insurance covers the cost of damage to your own car after an accident, regardless of fault. Comprehensive insurance pays for damage unrelated to a collision, like severe weather or vandalism.
You should consider adding these coverages if your car is worth more than $5,000 or is less than 8 years old. Comprehensive and collision are usually required if you have a car loan or lease.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest car insurance in Iowa?
State Farm has the cheapest quotes in Iowa for most drivers. A minimum coverage policy from State Farm costs $20 per month, and full coverage costs $80 per month.
What is the average cost of car insurance in Iowa per month?
The average price of a minimum coverage car insurance policy in Iowa is $37 per month. Full coverage policies cost $139 per month, on average.
What are the requirements for car insurance in Iowa?
Iowa drivers are legally required to have at least $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident of bodily injury liability coverage, plus $15,000 of property damage liability coverage, or show proof of financial responsibility.
Methodology
We collected thousands of rates from ZIP codes across Iowa for the largest insurers in the state. Our sample driver is a 30-year-old man who drives a 2015 Honda Civic EX with good credit and a clean driving record.
Unless otherwise noted, quotes are based on a full coverage policy with the following limits:
Full coverage quotes include:
- $50k of bodily injury liability coverage per person, and $100k per accident
- $25k of property damage liability
- $10k of personal injury protection
- $50k of bodily injury uninsured motorist coverage per person, and $100k per accident
- $25k of uninsured motorist coverage for property damage
- Collision and comprehensive coverage with a $500 deductible
ValuePenguin's analysis used insurance rate data from Quadrant Information Services. These rates were publicly sourced from insurer filings and should be used for comparative purposes only — your own quotes may be different.
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.