The Best Cheap Renters Insurance Quotes in Iowa (2024)

State Farm has the cheapest renters insurance in Iowa, at $10 per month, on average.


Compare Cheap Renters Insurance in Iowa

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Best Cheap Iowa Renters Insurance

To find the cheapest renters insurance quotes in Iowa, ValuePenguin collected quotes from eight of the top renters insurance companies in the state. To help you find the best renters insurance company for you, our editors considered coverage options, customer service and cost.

Full methodology.

Cheapest Iowa renters insurance companies

State Farm has the cheapest renters insurance quotes in Iowa.

A policy from State Farm costs around $10 per month. That's half the Iowa state average.

Cheapest Renters Insurance in Iowa

Compare Cheap Renters Insurance in Iowa

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The average cost of renters insurance in Iowa is $21 per month, or $248 per year.

Renters insurance in Iowa is cheaper than in most other states. Nationally, renters insurance usually costs about $23 per month.

Cheap renters insurance quotes in Iowa

Company
Monthly cost
State Farm logo
State Farm
$10
Amica logo
Amica
$14
Lemonade logo
Lemonade
$14
Progressive logo
Progressive
$18
Allstate Home Insurance logo
Allstate
$23
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Best renters insurance in Iowa for most people: State Farm

  • Editor's rating

  • Cost: $10/mo

State Farm has cheap rates and lots of coverage upgrades.

Pros:
  • Cheapest quotes in IA

  • Extra coverage options

  • Great for bundling

Cons:
  • Average customer service

  • Some people have to work with an agent to buy a policy

State Farm is the best choice for Iowa renters looking for the cheapest rates. A policy from State Farm costs around $10 per month, which is half the statewide average.

State Farm is also a great option if you're looking to bundle your renters and car insurance policies.

It offers some of the cheapest car insurance quotes in Iowa, along with a bundling discount of around 5%.

In addition, State Farm offers many ways for renters to upgrade their coverage. You can add protection for valuable items like jewelry, upgrade to replacement cost coverage or protect your stuff from water damage caused by a broken sump pump.

However, renters can find better customer service elsewhere. State Farm earned a good score on J.D. Power's customer satisfaction survey, but it gets an average number of complaints for a company its size. While you can count on State Farm to get your life back to normal after an emergency, it may require some extra work on your part.

Best customer service for Iowa renters: Amica

  • Editor's rating

  • Cost: $14/mo

Amica offers a top-rated claims experience at an affordable rate.

Pros:
  • Cheap quotes

  • Great customer service

  • Lots of discounts

Cons:
  • Limited coverage options

Iowa renters can expect Amica to take great care of them in an emergency situation.

Amica earned the top score on J.D. Power's claims satisfaction survey. It also gets one-third as many complaints as an average company its size. That means renters are typically happy with the service they get from Amica.

Amica's great service doesn't come at a steep price. Renters insurance from Amica costs an average of $14 per month, which is $6 per month less than the Iowa average. It's also only $4 per month more than a policy from State Farm.

In addition, Amica offers lots of ways to lower your renters insurance bill. You can save by bundling renters and auto insurance, signing up for automatic payments and getting your bills via email. You'll automatically save if you haven't made a claim in the past three years, or have been with your current insurance company for more than two years.

A basic policy from Amica includes enough coverage for most renters. But it doesn't offer as many add-ons as other companies. For example, you can't get water backup coverage, which protects against flooding caused by backed-up pipes or a broken sump pump.

Best online experience for Iowa renters: Lemonade

  • Editor's rating

  • Cost: $14/mo

Lemonade has affordable rates and a highly-rated app.

Pros:
  • Low-cost renters insurance

  • Excellent website and app

  • Great for pet owners

Cons:
  • Mixed customer service reviews

  • Difficult to speak with a person

Lemonade is the best choice if you prefer to manage your policy and file claims online. Its website and mobile app are very user-friendly, so you can buy a policy or file a claim in just a few minutes.

Lemonade is also a great choice for pet owners because it offers pet damage protection. It covers up to $500 of damage to your rental home caused by your pets. For example, if your dog scratches and breaks a window screen, Lemonade will pay for a new screen. This coverage only costs about $1.50 extra per month.

It's difficult to predict what your claims experience will be like with Lemonade because of its mixed reviews.

Lemonade earned an excellent score on J.D. Power's customer satisfaction survey. However, it gets three and a half times more complaints than an average company its size, according to the NAIC. Customers typically complain about Lemonade's lengthy claims process.

The high number of complaints may be partially because it can be tough to get in touch with someone if you have a question about your policy or claim. Lemonade also doesn't have any physical offices, so you won't have a relationship with a local agent.

Iowa renters insurance rates by city

Clinton, located on the Mississippi River, has the most expensive renters insurance compared to other large cities in Iowa.

The average cost of renters insurance in Clinton is $27 per month, which is $6 per month more than the state average. This could be due to the high number of property crimes in Clinton.

Ames, home to Iowa State University, has the cheapest rates, at $19 per month.

Cost of Iowa renters insurance by city

City
Monthly rate
% from average
Ames$19-8%
Ankeny$20-4%
Bettendorf$20-4%
Burlington$19-6%
Cedar Falls$20-4%
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Compare Rates

Renters insurance costs can change based on where you live. Your bill might be lower if you live in an area with a low crime rate or higher if you live far from a fire station. However, the cost of renters insurance is fairly consistent across Iowa compared to other states.


How to find the cheapest renters insurance in Iowa

To find the cheapest renters insurance for you, start by figuring out how much coverage you need. Then, you can shop around for quotes and look for discounts.

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Figure out how much insurance you need. It's important to choose the right amount of coverage so you have enough protection without overpaying for coverage you don't need.

  • Start by creating a home inventory. This will help you figure out how much it would cost to replace all of your stuff if you have a major disaster, like a house fire.

  • Next, decide whether you want replacement cost coverage. With this coverage, your insurance company will pay to replace damaged belongings with brand-new ones. In comparison, a basic policy usually takes wear and tear into consideration. That means you'll typically only get enough money to replace your things with used items.

    Replacement cost coverage is more expensive. But, it's worth it if you don't want to spend extra on new clothing and furniture after a disaster.

  • You should also think about how much personal liability insurance you need. Most policies come with $100,000 of coverage. However, you may need more if you have certain features on your property — like a pool or trampoline — that can make it more dangerous for guests.

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Compare quotes from multiple companies. In Iowa, there's a difference of $16 per month between the most and least expensive renters insurance companies. That could add up to a savings of nearly $200 per year.

In addition, each insurance company calculates rates differently. So, the best choice for you may not be the same as the cheapest company for your friends, family or neighbors.


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Ask about discounts. The best way to save is typically by bundling your renters and car insurance policies with the same company. Many companies also offer a discount for installing a security system or fire alarm.

You should also ask if you can save money by:

  • Paying your annual bill upfront
  • Signing up for automatic payments
  • Getting policy documents and bills via email

You may also get a discount if you're retired or a non-smoker.


What renters insurance coverage do I need in Iowa?

Iowa has many types of severe weather, including tornadoes, hail, thunderstorms and snow.

Most basic renters insurance policies protect against these types of damage. However, your coverage could differ if you live in a high-risk area.

For example, renters living in areas with frequent tornadoes may have a separate deductible for wind damage. So, if high winds cause a tree to fall on your rental home, damaging your stuff, you'll have to pay more to replace it.

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However, renters insurance doesn't pay for weather-related flooding. This includes flash flooding, rising rainwater and overflowing rivers or lakes.

If you live near a body of water or in a low-lying area, you should consider buying a separate flood insurance policy to protect your belongings.

Frequently asked questions

How much is renters insurance in Iowa?

Renters insurance costs $21 per month in Iowa, on average. The cheapest company in the state is State Farm, which offers coverage for about $10 per month.

Is renters insurance mandatory in Iowa?

The state of Iowa does not require renters insurance, but your landlord or property management company might. It's important to check your lease agreement before moving in to make sure you have enough coverage to protect you and your stuff.

How much is renters insurance in Des Moines, Iowa?

Renters insurance in Des Moines costs $22 per month, on average. State Farm has the cheapest rates in Des Moines, averaging $9 per month.

How much is renters insurance in Iowa City?

The average cost of renters insurance in Iowa City is $19 per month. That's $2 per month less than the Iowa state average.


Methodology

To find the best cheap renters insurance in Iowa, ValuePenguin evaluated quotes from eight major insurance companies in 25 cities and census-designated places across the state. Rates are for an unmarried 30-year-old woman who lives alone and has no recent renters insurance claims. Quotes include the following coverage limits:

  • Personal property: $30,000
  • Personal liability: $100,000
  • Medical payments: $1,000
  • Loss of use: $9,000
  • Deductible: $500

To determine the best companies in the state, our editors considered rates, customer service and coverage options.

Renters insurance star ratings are based on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Complaint Index, the J.D. Power customer service satisfaction index and ValuePenguin's editors' rankings.

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.