Travelers ranks as Iowa's best car insurance company, earning a MoneyGeek score of 4.77 out of 5 for its strong mix of affordability, customer service and coverage options. Since insurance needs vary by driver, we also recommend considering Progressive, Auto-Owners, State Farm and GEICO.
Best Car Insurance in Iowa
Updated: August 26, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
The best overall car insurance provider in Iowa is Travelers, leading the pack with top scores in affordability.
IMT Insurance offers the best rates for drivers with bad credit, while Auto-Owners is the top choice for those with older vehicles in the state.
Iowa drivers can secure better rates by deciding on coverage needs first, researching provider options and comparing plenty of quotes before making a choice.
Best Car Insurance Companies in Iowa
| Travelers | 4.77 | $47 | 2 | 5 |
| Progressive | 4.64 | $49 | 3 | 2 |
| Auto-Owners | 4.61 | $57 | 1 | 6 |
| State Farm | 4.28 | $55 | 5 | 7 |
| GEICO | 4.25 | $54 | 6 | 7 |
*Scores above are for a 40-year-old male driver with a clean driving record and good credit who is insuring a 2012 Toyota Camry LE. Rates refer to an overall average of minimum and full coverage rates for this profile.
Best Car Insurance in Iowa by Driver Profile
Travelers leads in six out of 10 driver categories, showing strong market dominance. IMT Insurance wins two categories for drivers with bad credit and low income, while Progressive and Auto-Owners each top one category.
| Young Drivers | Travelers | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| Adult Drivers | Travelers | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| Senior Drivers | Progressive | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| Drivers With an Accident | Travelers | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| Drivers With a DUI | Travelers | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Drivers With a Speeding Ticket | Travelers | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| Drivers With Bad Credit | IMT Insurance | 1 | 9 | 3 |
| Drivers With Low Income | IMT Insurance | 1 | 9 | 3 |
| Drivers With Newer Cars | Travelers | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| Drivers With Old Cars | Auto-Owners | 1 | 1 | 6 |
*We modified the categories above based on a 40-year-old male driver with a clean driving record and good credit who is insuring a 2012 Toyota Camry LE. Young drivers reflect ages 16 to 25, adult drivers ages 26 to 64 and seniors 65 and older.
Personalized Best Iowa Car Insurance Recommendations
Our general recommendations might not match your specific situation. Compare our top five insurance providers below to find coverage that fits your personal profile.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
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Age Group:Adult Drivers
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Gender:Female
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Coverage Level:100/300/100 Full Cov. w/$1,000 Ded.
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Credit Alignment:Below Fair
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Driving Record:At Fault Accident ($1000-$1999 Prop Dmg)
| Auto-Owners | 4.65 | $227 | 1 | 6 |
| IMT Insurance | 4.49 | $183 | 9 | 3 |
| Travelers | 4.35 | $282 | 2 | 5 |
| Grinnell Insurance | 4.23 | $240 | 7 | 5 |
| Progressive | 3.84 | $444 | 3 | 2 |
*Rates refer to an overall average of minimum and full coverage rates for this profile.
Best Iowa Car Insurance Reviews
Below, you'll find detailed service comparisons for our top-ranked insurance providers in each category.
Travelers
Best Cheap Overall in Iowa
MoneyGeek Rating
4.8/ of 5
5/5Affordability
4.6/5Customer Experience
3.9/5Coverage Options
Average Monthly Full Coverage Cost
$66For 100/300/100 liability and $1,000 deductible comprehensive and collision coverage for our base profile of a 40-year-old male driver with good credit and no driving violationsAverage Monthly Minimum Coverage Cost
$28For minimum state coverage for our base profile of a 40-year-old male driver with good credit and no driving violationsAgent Service Score
4.2/5Aggregated across all captive and independent agentsMost Unique Coverage Add-on
IntelliDrive Plus Program
Progressive
Best Coverage Options in Iowa
MoneyGeek Rating
4.6/ of 5
4.9/5Affordability
4/5Customer Experience
4.8/5Coverage Options
Average Monthly Full Coverage Cost
$78For 100/300/100 liability and $1,000 deductible comprehensive and collision coverage for our base profile of a 40-year-old male driver with good credit and no driving violationsAverage Monthly Minimum Coverage Cost
$21For minimum state coverage for our base profile of a 40-year-old male driver with good credit and no driving violationsAgent Service Score
4.3/5Aggregated across all captive and independent agentsMost Unique Coverage Add-on
Pet Injury Coverage
How to Find the Best Car Insurance in Iowa
Finding the right car insurance in Iowa takes time, but our guide helps you choose coverage that fits your needs and budget.
- 1
Decide on coverage needs before you buy
Decide what coverage you need. Consider your driving habits, location and finances when deciding on auto insurance while meeting Iowa required minimums.
- 2
Research average costs and discounts you may qualify for
Start by researching average car insurance costs in Iowa to understand typical rates for your profile. Look into savings opportunities like home and auto insurance bundles, telematics programs and good student discounts. Taking a defensive driving program can provide additional savings on your premium.
- 3
Look through provider customer experiences and coverage options thoroughly
Research customer reviews and ratings to understand claims handling and service quality and look at available coverage add-ons.
- 4
Consider non-standard coverage options
Explore alternatives like non-owner car insurance and pay-per-mile policies that might better suit your situation. If you need an SR-22 in Iowa, make sure to factor this into your provider selection.
- 5
Compare plenty of quotes through multiple means
Shopping around is key to finding the cheapest option possible. Get quotes from independent agents, direct from insurers and online comparison tools.
- 6
Reassess annually
Review your coverage and compare rates yearly to find the best value for your needs.
Best Iowa Auto Insurance: Bottom Line
The best auto insurance depends on location, coverage type, driver profile and driving history. Based on our analysis, Travelers is the top-rated company overall in Iowa, while Progressive and Auto-Owners are also good options for drivers in the state.
Best Auto Insurance in Iowa: FAQ
Your ideal car insurance policy depends on your specific needs, so we'll answer common questions to help you pick the right coverage.
What is the best car insurance company in Iowa?
Travelers leads Iowa's auto insurance market with a MoneyGeek score of 4.77 out of 5 and competitive monthly premiums averaging $66 for full coverage.
What is the best car insurance company for minimum coverage in Iowa?
State Farm leads for minimum coverage in Iowa with an average rate of $235 per year.
What is the best car insurance in Iowa for young drivers?
Travelers offers the best insurance for young adults in Iowa, combining competitive rates starting at $746 per year with strong customer service ratings.
What is the best car insurance for Iowa drivers who value customer service?
Auto-Owners ranks highest for customer experience in Iowa with a score of 5 out of 5. The company excels in their purchase experience, agent interactions, digital tools and claims handling.
What is the best car insurance in Iowa if you have driving offenses?
Travelers offers the best insurance for Iowa drivers with violations, charging $35 monthly for minimum coverage and $87 for full coverage policies after a speeding ticket.
How We Rated the Best Car Insurance in Iowa
We researched more than 70 companies, from national to small local providers across all U.S. residential ZIP codes in Iowa. We also checked the internet for customer reviews, discounts and coverage details to give you a complete picture of each provider's services. All companies had enough customer reviews and coverage information to make our list.
Here's how we score each company:
- Affordability (60% of score): We look at quotes for different driver profiles and compare rates within Iowa. Our main rating uses a 40-year-old male with good credit, no driving violations, no claims history and a valid license. We also check other combinations to ensure you find the right fit for your situation.
- Customer experience (30% of score): We used sources like Google reviews, J.D. Power, AM Best and Reddit to see what customers think about each company. We focused on Iowa-specific feedback to get an accurate score.
- Coverage options (10% of score): This score considers the number of coverage options a company offers, what makes it unique and what benefits it includes.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.