Updated: December 18, 2025
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GEICO: Most affordable for diverse driver types at $28 monthly for minimum coverage and $75 monthly for full coverage. Drivers save 18% compared to Des Moines averages with this top-rated insurer.
State Farm: Runner-up for affordability with $19 monthly minimum and $86 monthly full coverage rates. It's affordable for young drivers, senior drivers and drivers with an accident on their record.
Auto-Owners: Offers affordable coverage across different driver profiles, ranking third for Des Moines residents looking for competitive rates.
Cheapest Monthly Rates by Coverage and Driver Profile in Des Moines:
State Farm offers Des Moines' lowest minimum coverage at $19 monthly, 26% below the city average. Progressive ranks second at $26 per month (14% savings). For full coverage, GEICO leads at $75 monthly, 28% below average. State Farm ranks second for full coverage at $86 per month, 26% under average rates. Des Moines drivers enjoy lower insurance costs compared to many U.S. cities. Your actual rate depends on your ZIP code and driving record, so compare quotes from several insurers.
| State Farm | $20 | $87 | -26% |
| Progressive | $26 | $98 | -14% |
| Farm Bureau | $28 | $112 | -3% |
| Geico | $29 | $75 | -28% |
| Auto Owners | $33 | $90 | -15% |
Not in Des Moines? Read more about the cheapest car insurance or the best providers in Iowa.
Young drivers in Des Moines pay higher premiums due to limited driving experience. State Farm offers the lowest rates at $183 monthly. GEICO ranks second at $184 per month, and IMT third at $200 monthly. Young drivers save money by staying on their parents' policy instead of buying separate coverage. Defensive driving courses cut premiums by 5% to 15%, helping families reduce insurance costs.
| State Farm | $183 | $2,199 | -25% |
| Geico | $184 | $2,211 | -25% |
| IMT | $201 | $2,408 | -18% |
| Auto Owners | $208 | $2,491 | -15% |
| Travelers | $224 | $2,692 | -8% |
Des Moines seniors save money through defensive driving courses, which cut premiums up to 10% for three years. State Farm offers the lowest rates at $90 monthly. GEICO ranks second at $94, and Progressive ranks third at $105. Many insurers offer accident forgiveness programs for drivers aged 65 and older, which protect rates after minor incidents. State Farm offers additional age-based discounts and credits for completing a defensive driving course.
| State Farm | $90 | $1,080 | -29% |
| Geico | $95 | $1,136 | -26% |
| Progressive | $105 | $1,261 | -17% |
| Auto Owners | $116 | $1,393 | -9% |
| Farm Bureau | $130 | $1,558 | 2% |
Violations increase premiums, but Des Moines insurers vary in how much they penalize drivers. After a DUI, State Farm offers the lowest minimum coverage at $21 monthly. Progressive ranks second at $33. For speeding tickets, State Farm charges $21 per month, and Farm Bureau $33. After at-fault accidents, State Farm costs $23 monthly, and Progressive $42. Compare quotes after any violation; insurers differ in rate increases. Speeding tickets affect your record for three to five years. DUIs and other serious violations impact rates for up to 10 years.
| At-Fault Accident | State Farm | $23 | -55% |
| At-Fault Accident | Progressive | $42 | -19% |
| DUI | State Farm | $21 | -68% |
| DUI | Progressive | $33 | -50% |
| Speeding Ticket | State Farm | $21 | -55% |
| Speeding Ticket | Farm Bureau | $33 | -30% |
ZIP codes affect car insurance costs in Des Moines. The most expensive area, 50380, costs $109 monthly for full coverage. Drivers in 50395 pay $95. The $14 difference reflects crime rates, traffic patterns and accident frequency in each area. Moving across town can change your premium.
| 50380 | $109 |
| 50940 | $109 |
| 50936 | $108 |
| 50360 | $107 |
| 50947 | $106 |
| 50314 | $105 |
| 50396 | $104 |
| 50392 | $104 |
| 50330 | $104 |
| 50335 | $104 |
| 50395 | $95 |
| 50312 | $98 |
| 50311 | $98 |
| 50321 | $99 |
| 50313 | $100 |
| 50310 | $100 |
| 50369 | $100 |
| 50320 | $101 |
| 50339 | $101 |
| 50317 | $101 |
Auto-Owners ranks first in Des Moines with a MoneyGeek score of 92 out of 100. The insurer combines strong customer service with competitive rates for comprehensive coverage.
Progressive, State Farm, GEICO and Travelers complete the top five for Iowa residents. These companies offer financial stability and competitive pricing.
| 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 |
Des Moines drivers pay high insurance, but you can find affordable coverage through smart shopping strategies.
Combine auto insurance with home or renters coverage to save 15% to 25%. Add multi-car discounts (10% to 25% per vehicle), good driver discounts and paperless billing. These combined discounts cut your premium by 30% to 40%.
A $1,000 deductible instead of $500 reduces premiums by 10% to 15% annually. Choose this option only if you can cover the higher out-of-pocket cost after an accident.
Des Moines insurers adjust rates based on local claims data and risk factors. Your driving record improves after three years without violations, making you eligible for better rates. Compare quotes from at least three insurers each year.
Compare Des Moines insurance rates and find affordable coverage that fits your budget.
Des Moines drivers pay $102 monthly for full coverage, middle of the pack for Iowa cities. Coralville offers the state's lowest rates at $28 monthly, while Carter Lake ranks most expensive at $112.
Finding affordable car insurance in Des Moines starts with understanding how insurers price policies across the city. Traffic congestion, theft risk and Iowa’ insurance requirements all shape your premium. Even within city limits, drivers in ZIP code 50380 often pay much more than those in 50395.
We partnered with the Iowa Insurance Division and Quadrant Information Services to analyze hundreds of thousands of quotes from 12 insurers across every Des Moines ZIP code.
Our ratings for the best car insurance in Des Moines are calculated by a weighted score incorporating affordability (60%), customer experience (30%) and coverage options (10%).
Read more about our methodology, which shows which insurers maintain competitive rates across Des Moines neighborhoods and driver categories while delivering reliable claims service, not just advertised rates for perfect-record drivers.
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!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.
