In Des Moines, State Farm offers the lowest annual rate for minimum coverage at $237, while GEICO provides the cheapest full coverage at $904 per year. Progressive, Farm Bureau and Auto-Owners also offer competitive rates in the city.
Car Insurance in Des Moines
Updated: August 12, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
The cheapest car insurance companies in Des Moines are GEICO, State Farm and Auto-Owners, with rates up to 28% lower than the city average.
In Des Moines, monthly car insurance costs average $102 for full coverage and $36 for minimum coverage.
To get the best cheap auto insurance in Des Moines, decide on coverage beforehand and compare quotes from multiple sources.
Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance in Des Moines?
| GEICO | $29 | $75 | -28% |
| State Farm | $20 | $87 | -26% |
| Auto-Owners | $33 | $90 | -15% |
| Progressive | $26 | $98 | -14% |
| Farm Bureau | $28 | $112 | -3% |
Cheapest Des Moines Car Insurance by Category
State Farm leads Des Moines with five affordability wins, including rates for high-risk and young drivers. GEICO offers the cheapest coverage for adult drivers and newer vehicles, while IMT Insurance wins for drivers with bad credit.
| Young Drivers | State Farm | $49 |
| Adult Drivers | GEICO | $29 |
| Senior Drivers | State Farm | $26 |
| Drivers With an Accident | State Farm | $23 |
| Drivers With a DUI | State Farm | $21 |
| Drivers With a Speeding Ticket | State Farm | $21 |
| Drivers With Bad Credit | IMT Insurance | $64 |
| Drivers With Newer Cars | GEICO | $34 |
| Drivers With Old Cars | Auto-Owners | $22 |
Compare the Cheapest Des Moines Car Insurance for You
Your driving record and personal details affect what you'll pay for car insurance. Check the table below to find the cheapest insurance companies for your specific profile.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Select
Age Group:Adult Drivers
Select
Gender:Male
Select
Coverage Level:State Minimum Liability Only
Select
Credit:Good
Select
Driving Record:Clean
| State Farm | $20 | $237 | -47% |
| Progressive | $26 | $312 | -30% |
| Farm Bureau | $28 | $330 | -26% |
| Geico | $29 | $344 | -23% |
| Auto Owners | $33 | $398 | -11% |
Best Car Insurance Companies in Des Moines
In Des Moines, the leading car insurance companies are Auto-Owners, Progressive, State Farm and GEICO. These providers stand out for offering competitive rates, reliable customer service and comprehensive coverage options.
| Auto-Owners | 92 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| Progressive | 89 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| State Farm | 89 | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| GEICO | 88 | 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Travelers | 85 | 7 | 2 | 5 |
Auto-Owners: Best Customer Service
pros
Top-rated customer service in Des Moines
Extensive coverage customization options
Strong claims satisfaction ratings
cons
Higher minimum coverage rates
Limited digital tools
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Auto-Owners ranks first among Des Moines insurers thanks to outstanding customer service and claims handling. The company offers full coverage at $90 monthly and minimum coverage at $33 monthly. While rates run slightly higher than some competitors, customers benefit from personalized service and efficient claims processing. Auto-Owners particularly stands out for drivers with older cars, offering specialized coverage options for these vehicles.
Progressive: Best for Coverage Options
pros
Extensive coverage add-ons available
Competitive rates for most drivers
User-friendly digital tools
cons
Average customer service ratings
Higher full coverage rates
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
With its broad coverage selection and competitive rates, Progressive earns the second spot in Des Moines. The company offers minimum coverage starting at $26 monthly, though full coverage runs higher at $98 monthly. Progressive stands out for its extensive coverage options, ranking second in coverage offerings among local providers. Its strong digital tools make policy management and claims filing straightforward, though customer service ratings fall behind some competitors.
How Much Is Car Insurance in Des Moines?
In Des Moines, minimum coverage costs about $36 per month or $426 per year, ranking 901st out of all Iowa cities for affordability. Full coverage averages $102 monthly or $1,230 annually, ranking 214th among Iowa cities.
| Full Coverage | $102 | $1,230 |
| Minimum Coverage | $36 | $426 |
Des Moines Car Insurance Cost by Category
In Des Moines, monthly coverage costs range from $31 to $343 based on your driver profile. Check the table below to see rates for your category.
| Young Drivers | $89 | $234 |
| Adult Drivers | $36 | $102 |
| Senior Drivers | $51 | $123 |
| Drivers With an Accident | $50 | $140 |
| Drivers With a DUI | $64 | $181 |
| Drivers With a Speeding Ticket | $45 | $130 |
| Drivers With Bad Credit | $138 | $343 |
| Drivers With Newer Cars | $49 | $142 |
| Drivers With Old Cars | $31 | $90 |
Des Moines Car Insurance Costs by ZIP Code
In Des Moines, car insurance rates by ZIP code range from $32 to $109 per month. ZIP code 50380 is the most expensive, while 50395 is the cheapest. Check the average rates for your ZIP code on the table below.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Select
ZIP Code:50307
| 50307 | $35 | $103 |
Compare Personalized Des Moines Car Insurance Costs
While we've provided many breakdowns for average rates, your personal profile may not be fully represented. Below are the average rates by major factor combinations that you can filter for your profile.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Select
Age Group:Adult Drivers
Select
Gender:Male
Select
Coverage Level:State Minimum Liability Only
Select
Credit:Good
Select
Driving Record:Clean
| $38 | $461 | 11% |
How to Get the Best Cheap Des Moines Car Insurance
Finding good, cheap car insurance in Des Moines can be challenging due to the expensive average rates in the state and the difficulty of determining the right coverage for your area. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you get the best coverage and lower your auto insurance rates.
- 1
Calculate your coverage requirements
First, find out exactly how much coverage you need for your situation. Use our car insurance coverage needs calculator to evaluate your needs based on your car's value, assets and risk tolerance.
- 2
Explore different coverage types
Review various types of car insurance to find the best fit. Consider pay-per-mile if you drive infrequently or non-owner coverage if you don't own a vehicle. These alternatives could offer significant savings.
- 3
Know the average costs
Research average vehicle insurance costs in Des Moines to set realistic expectations. Understanding typical rates helps you recognize good deals and avoid overpaying. Use this knowledge as a benchmark when comparing quotes.
- 4
Check available discounts
Explore every car insurance discount opportunity. Consider bundling multiple policies or getting multi-car discounts. Safe driver programs and telematics devices can also lead to significant savings.
- 5
Research company reputations
Investigate insurance providers' customer service records and claims handling processes. Check customer reviews and complaints specific to Des Moines. A company's local reputation matters as much as their rates when choosing your insurer.
- 6
Get quotes from multiple providers
Request quotes from at least three different insurance companies. Use a mix of online tools, local agents and direct contact with insurers. Different companies use various factors to determine rates, so comparing multiple offers helps find the best deal.
- 7
Review coverage annually
Set a yearly reminder to review your policy and shop for new rates. Life changes like moving, buying a new car or improving your credit score can affect your premiums.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Des Moines: Bottom Line
Finding the cheapest car insurance in Des Moines depends on your age, driving record, vehicle type and credit score. State Farm and GEICO consistently offer low rates across different driver profiles, but compare quotes from multiple providers to ensure you get the best deal.
Cheap Des Moines Car Insurance: FAQ
MoneyGeek answers frequently asked questions about the cheapest car insurance in Des Moines, helping you find the best coverage for your needs.
What is the cheapest car insurance company in Des Moines, Iowa?
State Farm offers the lowest rates in Des Moines at $237 for minimum coverage, while GEICO provides full coverage at $904 annually. Compare quotes, as rates vary based on personal factors.
Who offers the best car insurance in Des Moines?
Auto-Owners leads Des Moines with a MoneyGeek score of 92 out of 100, scoring three points higher than Progressive. The company delivers excellent customer service and competitive rates.
What is the average cost of car insurance in Des Moines?
In Des Moines, drivers pay $1,230 annually for full coverage and $426 for minimum coverage auto insurance. Actual rates vary based on individual factors.
Is car insurance in Des Moines expensive?
Car insurance in Des Moines costs more than average, ranking 901st for minimum coverage affordability and 214th for full coverage compared to other Iowa cities.
How We Chose the Best and Cheapest Car Insurance in Des Moines, IA
To help Des Moines drivers find the most affordable auto insurance companies, MoneyGeek analyzed auto insurance rates based on data and information from the Iowa Insurance Division and Quadrant Information Services. We studied all ZIP codes in the city and hundreds of thousands of quotes for 12 companies offering auto insurance in Iowa to tailor options as closely as possible to you.
Des Moines Driver Profile
MoneyGeek created a sample driver profile to calculate car insurance quote averages with the following characteristics:
- 40-year-old male
- 2012 Toyota Camry LE
- Clean driving record
- 12,000 miles driven annually
- Good credit
- Valid license
- Currently insured
- No claims history
We adjusted certain factors, such as age, driving record, credit score and military affiliation, to find the most suitable insurance companies for specific driver profiles.
Coverage Levels in Des Moines
MoneyGeek compared the most affordable insurance providers for minimum and full coverage auto insurance policies.
The minimum coverage requirements in Iowa are:
- $30,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $60,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 property damage liability per accident
For a full coverage policy, we used the following coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $100,000 property damage liability per accident
- Comprehensive and collision insurance, each with a $1,000 deductible
Our Best Company Rating Methodology
We rated all companies based on the following rating scale:
- Affordability (60% of score): To get this score, we evaluated quotes for various common driver profiles and compared rates to the competition within the city.
- Customer experience (30% of score): We used sources such as agency reviews on Google, J.D. Power, AM Best and forums like Reddit to gauge customer sentiment and experiences across the board.
- Coverage options (10% of score): This score considers the number of coverage options a provider offers and the uniqueness of the offering and benefits.
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.
sources
- Progressive. "Progressive Insurance Reviews." Accessed August 12, 2025.