The Cheapest Car Insurance in Iowa for 2022

If you're on a tight budget, finding the best car insurance policy might be challenging. For your convenience, we've compiled Iowa's cheapest auto insurance providers by city.

For those looking for a balance of quality service and cost, we analyzed the best auto insurance in Iowa.

Iowa's cheapest car insurance option is a policy that meets the state minimum liability coverage requirement. However, liability car insurance only offers basic protection. Those looking for broader protection should consider getting higher levels of coverage.

The following insurance providers are the cheapest options for minimum coverage in Iowa:

• GEICO: $236 per year
• State Farm: $278 per year

USAA is the cheapest option at roughly $230 per year, but it’s only available to current and former military members. Meanwhile, Allstate is Iowa’s most expensive car insurance company, offering minimum coverage for $497 per year.

These prices are only estimates based on rates for an average Iowa driver and should not be used to compare insurance prices.

A full coverage policy with comprehensive and collision insurance is the best option if you want insurance that covers most on and off-road accidents in Iowa. It costs more than the minimum coverage but has higher liability limits and includes expenses for damages to your car. Compare quotes from different insurers to get the fairest price.

Based on average rates in Iowa, the cheapest auto insurers offering full coverage policies are:

• GEICO: $481 per year
• State Farm: $626 per year

USAA offers the second most affordable full coverage insurance at an average cost of $624 per year, but it’s only available to former and current military members. The most expensive car insurance company in Iowa for a full coverage policy is Grinnell Mutual, which costs an average of $1,000 annually.

The biggest auto insurance companies in Iowa have different ways to calculate rates, so your premium will not match any of these examples. These rates are based on a comprehensive and collision insurance policy with $100,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person, $300,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident and $100,000 in property damage coverage per accident.

The cost of car insurance in Iowa depends on your needs. In most cases, Iowa drivers can get reasonably accurate quotes on the websites of auto insurance providers.

• Make sure the quotes have the same coverage levels. For example, if you receive a quote from one company with $50,000 in bodily liability coverage per accident, quotes from other companies should have the same limit.
• MoneyGeek’s car insurance calculator can provide an estimated quote based on your ZIP code. If you want something personalized, you’ll need to provide additional information. You can also use MoneyGeek’s price data to choose the companies you would check out.
• Based on average rates for the average driver, the most affordable options are USAA, GEICO and State Farm. You can begin your search for the best auto insurance in Iowa by getting quotes from these companies.

Young drivers pay higher premiums because they lack experience and are more likely to be involved in accidents. MoneyGeek researched car insurance coverage from multiple companies for young drivers aged 16 to 25. GEICO offers the lowest average rate for all drivers in this age group.

Teenagers in Iowa can get their learner's permit as young as 14. Maintaining good grades, driving the safest car in the household and keeping college students on the family policy are some strategies to keep premiums low. Thankfully, rates decrease as teen drivers get older. In Iowa, the average car insurance coverage for a 16-year-old is $1,910 per year, versus $776 for a 25-year-old driver.

Senior drivers in Iowa pay higher auto insurance premiums than young adults and middle-aged drivers. The average cost of auto insurance for senior drivers in Iowa is $806, which is $14 more than the average annual rate for a 40-year-old driver.

The cheapest full coverage options for senior drivers in Iowa are:

• GEICO: $498 per year
• State Farm: $604 per year

With an annual cost of $1,080, Travelers is the most expensive option for Iowa seniors.

Seniors are considered riskier to insure than middle-aged drivers. The typical driver's license renewal period in Iowa is eight years. Once you reach age 66, the renewal period decreases to seven years and then two.

Seniors may have reduced reaction times and are more likely to be involved in collisions. However, those with clean driving histories may qualify for reduced auto insurance rates. In addition, seniors who shop around can save up to $582 in annual premiums.

Minor driving violations like speeding tickets can raise auto insurance rates. The average cost of car insurance for an Iowa driver with a ticket is $983, which is $191 more than the average rate for drivers with a clean record.

The cheapest full coverage auto insurance options for Iowa drivers with a speeding ticket on their records are:

• GEICO: $502 per year
• State Farm: $682 per year

With an annual rate of $1,606, Travelers sells the most expensive auto insurance for drivers with tickets in Iowa.

A ticket may mean you can’t get the best rates, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still get affordable car insurance in Iowa. Any ticket you get can raise your rates for as long as the ticket stays on your driving record. Distracted driving can have a lifelong impact on yourself and others. Avoiding distractions and maintaining safe habits can help save you money on tickets, car insurance and more.

Severe driving offenses, such as a DUI, can increase your auto insurance premiums and require you to file an SR-22. Insurers consider it riskier to cover drivers with infractions. In Iowa, the average monthly cost of vehicle insurance for a motorist with a clean driving record is $792, while the average annual premium for drivers with a DUI is $1,306.

The cheapest options for Iowa drivers with a DUI who want comprehensive coverage are:

• State Farm: $682 per year
• American Family: $767 per year

Travelers offers the most expensive full coverage car insurance for drivers with a DUI in Iowa, at $2,184 per year.

A DUI can significantly impact a person's life, resulting in possible jail time, fines and loss of eligibility for low auto insurance rates.

Getting an affordable car insurance rate in Iowa with a DUI is difficult, but not impossible. Persons convicted of driving under the influence can shop around and compare quotes from several insurers to find the most affordable provider for their needs. Doing so can save you up to $1,500 per year.

A violation on your driving record can significantly increase your car insurance rates in Iowa. If you have an at-fault accident on your record, your car insurance will cost an average of $1,172 per year. That’s $380 higher than the average rate for safe drivers, $792 annually.

MoneyGeek analyzed premiums from various companies in Iowa and found the cheapest car insurance policies for those with at-fault accidents from:

• GEICO: $699 per year
• State Farm: $738 per year

The costliest option for at-fault drivers comes from Grinnell Mutual and costs $1,507 per year.

Drivers with low credit scores in Iowa pay higher insurance rates than drivers with good credit scores. The average cost of car insurance for Iowa drivers with good credit is $792. Having a poor credit score increases the average annual rate to $1,259.

The cheapest car insurance companies for Iowa drivers with bad credit are:

• GEICO: $665 per year
• Allied: $938 per year

Iowa drivers with bad credit can pay as much as $1,969 annually, the cost of a Grinnel Mutual policy.

In many states, car insurance companies consider credit scores when providing quotes. Iowa is no exception. According to Experian, the average credit score in Iowa is 720, higher than the national average of 703. As a result, finding affordable vehicle insurance rates in Iowa should be easier than in other states.

Drivers with poor credit may be unable to obtain the most affordable auto insurance rates in Iowa. Improving your credit score might help you get the best car insurance rates and coverage. However, individuals with bad credit could save up to $1,271 per year by shopping around.

Iowa drivers with a military background should consider USAA for their car insurance needs. The company has some of the best prices and consistently ranks as one of the top insurers in the country.

Car insurance in Iowa is also affected by where you live, as premiums often vary within the state.

Des Moines is Iowa’s capital city and has the largest population. Drivers living there pay $778 per year on average for full coverage auto insurance, while Cedar Rapids drivers pay roughly $725.

You can find more information about car insurance for a specific area by clicking on the city.

The Iowa Code states that all cars on the road must be registered and insured. Always check with your local DMV for answers to specific questions about unused or inoperable vehicles.

You should carry either a paper version of your insurance card or an electronic version on your smartphone when on the road. This proof must include the driver's name, vehicle identification number, policy dates and insurance contact information. If you are in an accident or an officer requests it, you must provide proof of insurance.

Iowa, like most states, mandates that drivers have insurance to protect other drivers and passengers. Auto insurance minimum liability requirements are $20,000 for injuries to one person, $40,000 for injuries per accident and $15,000 for property damage.

If you do not want to get standard insurance, you must find another way to show that you can pay up to $55,000 to cover injuries and property damage in the event of a crash. You can do so by purchasing a bond or making a security deposit. You can also apply for self-insurance if you own multiple cars.

Be aware that non-standard forms of insurance seldom provide enough protection. At-fault drivers will still have to pay out of pocket in the event of an accident. If you have a bond with a lien on your property, you risk losing it to pay off another driver's medical claims.

Although Iowa only requires minimum liability coverage, drivers might benefit from purchasing a policy that provides extra coverage. Industry experts recommend getting a policy with bodily injury liability limits of $100,000/$300,000. You may also want comprehensive coverage to protect your car from flood damage. Collision coverage will protect you in the case of accidents caused by others, including uninsured drivers.

Iowa drivers should consider various factors when looking for auto insurance. The most common questions that drivers are concerned about are those related to the price and which companies are the best.