Auto-Owners Insurance leads our rankings of the best home insurance in Des Moines with a MoneyGeek score of 4.7 out of 5, offering reliable local agent support at $145 monthly. USAA earned the highest score at 4.9 for military families and veterans but didn't earn the No. 1 spot in our ranking because of its eligibility requirements. State Farm, American Family and Farmers complete our top five rankings.
Best Cheap Home Insurance in Des Moines, Iowa
Updated: February 26, 2026
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Compare the Best Home Insurance Companies in Des Moines
| Auto-Owners Insurance | 4.66 | $145 |
| USAA | 4.86 | $182 |
| State Farm | 4.44 | $185 |
| American Family | 4.3 | $235 |
| Farmers | 4.26 | $194 |
*Rates are for a 2,500-square-foot home with $250,000 in dwelling coverage and a $1,000 deductible, built in 2000.
Our Top 3 Recommendations for Des Moines Homeowners Insurance
Auto-Owners
Best for Des Moines Homeowners
MoneyGeek Rating
4.7/ 5
5/5Affordability
4.5/5Customer Experience
3.7/5Coverage
J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Score
621/1,000From the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Home Insurance Study, which examines customer satisfaction based on responses from 14,511 homeowners and renters. The average score is 642/1,000.Average Monthly Premium
$145Based on our methodology's base profile of a policy with $250K in dwelling coverage, $125K in personal property coverage and $200K in liability coverage with a $1,000 deductible.
USAA
MoneyGeek Rating
4.9/ 5
4.7/5Affordability
5/5Customer Experience
5/5Coverage
J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Score
737/1,000From the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Home Insurance Study, which examines customer satisfaction based on responses from 14,511 homeowners and renters. The average score is 642/1,000.Average Monthly Premium
$182Based on our methodology's base profile of a policy with $250K in dwelling coverage, $125K in personal property coverage and $200K in liability coverage with a $1,000 deductible.
State Farm
MoneyGeek Rating
4.4/ 5
4.7/5Affordability
4.2/5Customer Experience
4/5Coverage
J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Score
657/1,000From the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Home Insurance Study, which examines customer satisfaction based on responses from 14,511 homeowners and renters. The average score is 642/1,000.Average Monthly Premium
$185Based on our methodology's base profile of a policy with $250K in dwelling coverage, $125K in personal property coverage and $200K in liability coverage with a $1,000 deductible.
How Much Does Des Moines Home Insurance Cost?
Des Moines homeowners pay $206 monthly for home insurance with $250,000 in dwelling coverage, $125,000 in personal property protection and $200,000 in liability limits, compared to Iowa's average of $198 per month. Your premium varies based on factors like your home's age, construction materials and deductible selection.
| $100K Dwelling / $50K Personal Property / $100K Liability | $122 | $1,462 |
| $250K Dwelling / $125K Personal Property / $200K Liability | $206 | $2,473 |
| $500K Dwelling / $250K Personal Property / $300K Liability | $334 | $4,010 |
| $750K Dwelling / $375K Personal Property / $500K Liability | $456 | $5,475 |
| $1MM Dwelling / $500K Personal Property / $1MM Liability | $584 | $7,013 |
Who Has the Cheapest Home Insurance in Des Moines?
Auto-Owners offers the lowest home insurance rates in Des Moines at $145 monthly, which saves you 30% compared to the city's $206 average. Nationwide ranks second for affordability at $176 per month, providing a 15% discount from premiums while keeping strong coverage options and local agent support.
| Auto-Owners Insurance | $145 | -30% |
| Nationwide | $176 | -15% |
| USAA | $182 | -12% |
| State Farm | $185 | -10% |
| Farmers | $194 | -6% |
COMPARE COVERAGE, NOT JUST COST
Des Moines homeowners should look at coverage limits, deductibles and satisfaction ratings along with premiums when shopping for insurance. The cheapest rates don't always provide the best value for your home. Find out about top providers in our best homeowners insurance companies in Iowa review to ensure you get adequate protection.
How to Get the Best Cheap Home Insurance in Des Moines
Des Moines homeowners need to balance affordable premiums with comprehensive coverage.
Compare quotes from multiple insurers
Since rates vary widely among insurers, you'll want to get quotes from at least three companies. Average premiums range from $145 to $235 monthly among top-rated Des Moines insurers.
Bundle home and auto policies
Combining your home and auto insurance can save you 10% to 25% with most Des Moines insurers. Companies such as Allstate and State Farm offer multi-policy discounts.
Maintain a strong credit score
Insurers in Iowa use credit-based insurance scores to calculate your premiums, so better credit directly impacts your rates. Improving your credit score can lower your insurance costs over time through reduced risk assessment.
Upgrade your home’s safety features
Safety improvements like monitored security systems, smoke detectors, fire sprinklers and storm shutters can earn you discounts of 5% to 20%. The specific discount depends on which safety features you choose to install.
Best Home Insurance in Des Moines: Bottom Line
Des Moines' home insurance costs average $206 monthly, and rates range from $145 to $235 among leading insurers based on your coverage requirements. Auto-Owners offers the cheapest home insurance rates at $145.
Des Moines Home Insurance: FAQ
Des Moines homeowners frequently ask about what coverage they need and how to lower premiums.
Does home insurance cover wind damage in Des Moines?
Yes, wind damage from Des Moines' severe thunderstorms and tornadoes is covered under standard home insurance policies. Wind damage to your roof, siding, windows and other structures is covered, less your deductible.
What doesn't home insurance cover?
Standard policies exclude earthquakes, flood damage, normal wear and tear and damage from lack of maintenance. Des Moines homeowners in flood-prone areas should purchase separate flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program.
Is home insurance required in Des Moines?
Iowa doesn't legally require home insurance, but mortgage lenders require coverage until you've paid off your loan. Even without a mortgage, homeowners should keep insurance to protect against financial losses from severe storms and tornadoes, flooding from heavy rainfall and other risks common in Des Moines.
What discounts are available for Des Moines homeowners?
Des Moines homeowners save by bundling home and auto policies for 10% to 25% off, installing security systems (5% to 15% discount), upgrading to fire-resistant roofing materials (up to 20% savings) and maintaining a claims-free history for three or more years.
Our Methodology: Determining the Best Cheap Home Insurance Companies in Des Moines
We analyzed premium data from Quadrant Information Services for 10 major insurers serving Iowa, then evaluated their coverage options and customer experience to identify companies with the best combination of affordability, financial strength and service for Des Moines homeowners.
Our base profile used a 2,500-square-foot home built in 2000 with $250,000 dwelling coverage, $125,000 personal property coverage and $200,000 liability coverage. All policies included a $1,000 deductible to make sure we compared rates accurately. We also analyzed rates for newly constructed homes, increased dwelling coverage limits, higher deductibles of $2,500 or $5,000 and homeowners with poor credit scores to understand how insurers price coverage across different risk profiles.
We combined affordability scores (weighted 55%), customer satisfaction data from J.D. Power surveys and customer reviews (weighted 30%) and coverage add-on availability (weighted 15%) to calculate each company's final MoneyGeek score.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in 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.