Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in Des Moines, IA (July 2024)

In Des Moines, Iowa, Progressive offers the cheapest minimum coverage car insurance, while American Family has the most affordable rates for full coverage. State Farm is the most cost-effective option for families with teenage drivers. West Bend Mutual provides the best customer service and the best overall value, balancing price and service. The ideal option for you will depend on your car insurance needs and preferences.

MoneyGeek found that Progressive offers the most affordable minimum coverage car insurance in Des Moines, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious drivers. The following companies offer the cheapest car insurance:

• Progressive: $240 per year
• West Bend Mutual: $254 per year

Allstate has the most expensive minimum coverage policy in Des Moines, costing $651 per year. The price difference of $411 between the cheapest and the most costly options underscores the significance of comparing car insurance rates to ensure you get the best deal possible.

In Iowa, state law dictates car insurance coverage. These are the specific minimum requirements.

• $20,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $40,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $15,000 property damage liability per accident

A minimum coverage policy will cover up to $20,000 for an individual's injuries and up to $40,000 for injuries in one accident. If damages exceed these limits, you are responsible for covering the remaining costs out of pocket.

MoneyGeek found that American Family offers the cheapest full coverage car insurance in Des Moines, providing substantial savings for budget-conscious drivers.

• American Family: $719 per year
• West Bend Mutual: $726 per year

Grinnell Mutual has the highest annual premium for full coverage policies in Des Moines, at $1,618. The rate difference underscores the need to compare rates in order to save money. Full coverage policies are pricier than minimum coverage due to additional protections like comprehensive and collision insurance.

Full coverage insurance has increased liability limits, with the inclusion of comprehensive and collision insurance:

• Collision Insurance: This element of a full coverage plan covers the costs to repair your car if it collides with another vehicle or object like a tree or light pole. It also covers rollover accidents and pothole damage.

• Comprehensive Insurance: This feature compensates for damages to your vehicle caused by non-collision-related incidents, such as theft, vandalism, fires, extreme weather conditions or being hit by an animal.

Investing in full coverage insurance is generally advised for new vehicles to protect your financial interest adequately. On the other hand, for older vehicles, the additional cost of enhanced protection may not justify the higher expense. Making an informed decision about how much car insurance you need entails a thorough analysis of the trade-off: higher coverage equates to steeper premiums, whereas reduced coverage could leave you inadequately protected in case of an accident.

MoneyGeek found that American Family is the cheapest company for drivers with a poor driving record in Des Moines. Here are the least expensive insurers for full coverage policies:

• Speeding Ticket: American Family ($851 per year)
• At-Fault Accident: American Family ($719 per year)
• DUI: American Family ($851 per year)

Grinnell Mutual has the highest rates for drivers with a speeding ticket ($1,675 per year) and a DUI ($3,859 per year). Farmers is the most expensive option for those with an at-fault accident on their record, at $1,890 per year. These rate differences show how the severity of a driving offense can influence car insurance rates.

Insurance rates in Des Moines escalate with the severity of driving offenses because insurers view drivers with violations as higher risk. For instance, the annual insurance rate for someone with a DUI is approximately $2,215, while a driver with a speeding ticket is quoted around $1,654. This contrast reinforces the importance for individuals with driving offenses to diligently compare insurance rates, as selecting the right provider can lead to significant savings.

MoneyGeek found that State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance for teens in Des Moines.

• State Farm: $1,605 per year for female teens; GEICO: $1,831 per year for male teens
• GEICO: $1,712 per year for female teens; Allstate: $1,834 per year for male teens

These rates reflect the cost of a family plan with two parents and a teenage driver. Auto-Owners has the highest premium of $2,419 per year for a male teen in Des Moines who is being added to a family policy. This price disparity highlights the importance of comparing offers, especially for high-risk drivers like teenagers.

In Des Moines, teen drivers face a financial challenge when seeking car insurance. The average annual premium for an individual policy for a teen driver is $4,522, nearly double the cost of joining a family plan, which averages $2,106 per year. This significant rate disparity reflects the higher risk insurers attribute to independent teen drivers, who statistically are more likely to be involved in accidents. It's also often difficult for teens to obtain an individual policy, as insurers may be hesitant to underwrite such high-risk coverage without the buffer of a more experienced driver's history on a joint family policy. Adding a teen to a family plan eases approval and can result in substantial savings.

MoneyGeek found that American Family offers the cheapest car insurance for military backgrounds in Des Moines.

• American Family: $719 per year
• West Bend Mutual: $726 per year

Although not the cheapest, USAA offers a competitive annual premium of $784. It also ranks as a leading insurer because of its services tailored for active-duty military members.

In Des Moines, diligently comparing car insurance rates is key to maximizing savings. However, evaluating at least three providers can take over an hour.

MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator is a valuable tool as it can help you streamline the comparison process. Users receive instant estimates by inputting information such as age, driving history, credit score and desired coverage.

Finding the right auto insurance depends on how you prioritize service quality, cost and coverage options. MoneyGeek's specialized scoring system considers these variables to identify Des Moines's standout car insurance providers. Here are the top choices for different needs:

• Best overall: West Bend Mutual (MoneyGeek score 90 out of 100)
• Best for service: West Bend Mutual (MoneyGeek score 84 out of 100)
• Best for affordability: West Bend Mutual (MoneyGeek score 89 out of 100)

West Bend Mutual is the best in the city for its overall value, exemplary service and affordability. It is a leading option for those seeking a balanced approach to auto insurance.

MoneyGeek found that West Bend Mutual provides the best car insurance in Des Moines for drivers seeking a mix of quality service and affordability. Here are the top providers:

• West Bend Mutual: MoneyGeek score of 90 out of 100 ($726 per year)
• Westfield: MoneyGeek score of 81 out of 100 ($857 per year)

West Bend Mutual stands out primarily due to its high customer satisfaction and affordability scores, which are significant contributors to its overall MoneyGeek score. This top ranking reflects a full coverage policy offering comprehensive protection for motorists.

MoneyGeek found that West Bend Mutual is the best car insurance company in Des Moines in terms of customer service, without any weight given to cost.

• West Bend Mutual: MoneyGeek score of 84 out of 100 ($726 per year)
• Grinnell Mutual: MoneyGeek score of 82 out of 100 ($1,618 per year)

West Bend Mutual leads with the highest MoneyGeek score, mainly because of its outstanding customer satisfaction and claims service performance. These elements make it a solid choice for consumers prioritizing exceptional service.

West Bend Mutual is the premier option for affordable car insurance in Des Moines. The company excels in affordability and demonstrates superior performance in claims handling and customer satisfaction.

• West Bend Mutual: MoneyGeek score of 89 out of 100 ($254 per year)
• Auto-Owners: MoneyGeek score of 83 out of 100 ($271 per year)

West Bend Mutual distinguishes itself with the highest MoneyGeek score, which is attributed to its exceptional affordability and robust claims process. The score highlights the company's commitment to providing minimum coverage policies without compromising on service quality, making it a standout choice for drivers in Des Moines seeking value and reliability.

Des Moines residents can expect to pay an average of $973 per year for car insurance, which is slightly more than the Iowa state average of $967. Iowa's average is significantly less than the national average of $1,781 per year.

Location plays a significant role in determining car insurance costs. Factors such as the frequency of accidents, vehicle theft rates, and urban population density contribute to the varying costs of each region. MoneyGeek's analysis identified Cedar Rapids as the city with the most affordable annual premium of $941. Des Moines is the most expensive car insurance at $973 per year. This indicates a modest $32 difference within the state. In Iowa, non-metropolitan areas with lower traffic density may have even lower insurance rates than the cities listed.