Updated January 7th, 2021
If you are a driver in Iowa with a decent driving record, you will find the cheapest auto insurance quotes with Western National, Progressive, and Hastings Mutual.
Each carrier can offer quotes from 12 to 16% lower than the median rate for drivers of similar age and profile.
Your next best options are with State Farm, Farm Bureau Mutual, and Farmers.
Each carrier can provide quotes from 10 to 14% lower than the median quote.
Depending on the city or zip code you reside in, any of the 6 previously mentioned insurers may offer the lowest rate.
It would be smart to put all of them on your bucket list to get quotes if you are in the market for an inexpensive premium.
This article will cover the minimum coverage requirements in Iowa, low-cost car insurance providers, and cost-saving strategies to help you find the most savings.
If you would like to skip to a certain portion of the article, please use the table of contents down a little and to the right.
Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Iowa
| Coverage | Iowa Minimum Liability Coverage | Recommended Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily Injury Protection | $20,000 / $40,000 | $100,000 / $300,000 |
| Property Damage | $15,000 | $50,000 |
| Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage* | $20,000 / $40,000 | $20,000 / $40,000 |
| Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage* | $20,000 / $40,000 | $20,000 / $40,000 |
| Comprehensive Coverage | Optional | $250 - $1,000 deductible |
| Collision Coverage | Optional | $250 - $1,000 deductible |
* Please note that Iowa allows drivers to reject Uninsured and Underinsured coverages by returning a form to your insurance company. (Source – GEICO)
Bodily Injury Liability
Each Iowa motorist must get at least $20,000 of coverage for a single person and $40,000 for multiple passengers.
To pay for medical bills in the event, they’re wounded in an accident where the insured individual is revealed to be at-fault. (Source).
Note: The low-cost options for a 25-year-old driver in Iowa are GEICO, Progressive, and Hastings Mutual. The quotes illustrated are for a driver with a fair driving history. Please see the table below.
Property Damage Liability
Property damage liability covers damage to private and public property like buildings, guardrails, and road signs, as well as the other person’s vehicle.
The minimum quantity of coverage in the state of Iowa is $15,000 per accident. (Source).
Note: Top picks for a 30-year-old driver in Iowa are GEICO, Progressive, and Hastings Mutual. State Farm and Farm Bureau Mutual are competitive for a 30-year-old driver. Realize your quotes will vary depending on the city and/or zip code you reside in. Please see the table below.
You may see the set numbers for Iowa’s state as 20/40/15, representing thousands of dollars from the figures above respectfully.
However, it is recommended to have coverage for unforeseen auto accidents or other non-vehicular incidents.
For that reason, the majority of drivers in Iowa opt to have at least minimum coverage.
Note: As illustrated, the best options for a low premium for a 35-year-old are GEICO, Progressive, and Hastings Mutual. Each carrier average 12% to 14% lower than the median quote. Please realize the average rate is much higher in cities like Des Moines or Cedar Rapids.
Iowa is a Tort State
Iowa is a tort state.
Suggesting that someone at fault in an accident will be financially responsible for the other party’s damages.
These damages can include claims for bodily injury, death, or property damage.
If you are involved in an accident in Iowa, your license and registration will be suspended on the spot if you do not have insurance.
Note: The lowest insurers for a 40-year-old are GEICO, Progressive, and Hastings. Each clustering near the $700 range for a full coverage premium. Which is 14% lower than the median quote for drivers of similar age and profile. More details in the table below.
Furthermore, if you have had a major traffic violation (which is more common in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City) such as reckless driving, driving under the influence, or running a red light, you will have to show proof of insurance before your license is reinstated.
Note: An older driver is going to have more options. Particularly if you have a good driving history, the lowest quotes we found are GEICO, Progressive, and Hastings Mutual. Each carrier offers quotes approximately 15% lower than the median quotes for similar age and profile drivers.
Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Iowa
Below is a list of 16 least expensive carriers for drivers from 25 to 55 years of age.
Overall, GEICO can offer the cheapest car insurance quotes for all drivers across the age spectrum.
Averaging 14% to 18% lower than the median quote.
Progressive and Hastings Mutual can offer quotes approximately 15% lower than the median quote for similar profiled drivers.
If you are a driver with a clean record looking for savings, you would want to put all three carriers on your list to get quotes.
Other insurers that offer competitive quotes are State Farm, Farm Bureau Mutual, and Farmers.
Each carrier can offer quotes from 10 to 14% lower than the median quote for drivers with the same profile.
Another insurer who came on the radar in certain cities in Iowa is Partners Mutual.
With 7 insurers on your list, you should be able to find a low-cost premium.
Plus, you will have a blend of national and regional carriers, which is the best option when shopping for a cheaper rate.
| Iowa Company | Average Annual Rate 25 Y/O Driver | 30 Y/O Driver | 35 Y/O Driver | 40 Y/O Driver | 45 Y/O Driver | 55 Y/O Driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $1,431 | $1,032 | $736 | $699 | $632 | $531 |
| Progressive | $1,487 | $1045 | $744 | $703 | $631 | $535 |
| Hastings | $1,501 | $1,057 | $755 | $709 | $644 | $567 |
| State Farm | $1,532 | $1,089 | $809 | $755 | $651 | $578 |
| Farm Bureau Mutual | $1,544 | $1,099 | $844 | $745 | $654 | $579 |
| Farmers | $1,654 | $1,163 | $879 | $744 | $675 | $600 |
| Allstate | $1,689 | $1,179 | $931 | $786 | $678 | $597 |
| Western National | $1,699 | $1,243 | $956 | $789 | $679 | $598 |
| American Family | $1,805 | $1,308 | $1,008 | $799 | $700 | $600 |
| MetLife | $1,849 | $1,478 | $1,043 | $802 | $699 | $623 |
| Amica | $2,000 | $1,532 | $1,067 | $809 | $700 | $644 |
| Nationwide | $2,010 | $1,554 | $1,121 | $876 | $710 | $611 |
| 21st Century | $2,143 | $1,645 | $1,167 | $900 | $768 | $610 |
| Liberty Mutual | $2,178 | $1,679 | $1,243 | $904 | $799 | $628 |
| Esurance | $2,132 | $1,900 | $1,244 | $899 | $810 | $654 |
| Sentry | $2,167 | $2,089 | $1,277 | $867 | $900 | $674 |
Comprehensive & Collision Coverage
Even though Iowa is a lenient state for car insurance, it is recommended to get comprehensive and collision coverage for your vehicle, particularly if you have a new model car.
Getting quotes in the state of Iowa is easy. The zip code form box above will provide you with quotes from top insurance companies to help you find the lowest rate possible and in less time.
Once you have a selection of three or more quotes, be sure to compare each of them and find the policy that is right for you.
If you find one online, you can purchase it immediately, but it is always a good idea to go over the type of coverage with an insurance agent.
Note: A 55-year-old driver will find quotes clustering between $531 and $579, with GEICO and Progressive offering the lowest quotes. Hastings Mutual, State Farm, and Farm Bureau Mutual are competitive with quotes less than 5% higher.
Best Insurers by Consumer Rating & Rate Change Percentage
Below is a list of insurance companies by consumer rating, written premiums, and rate change over 12 to 18 months.
It includes complaints too, which should not discourage you when looking for a reputable insurance firm.
Any reputable company will have complaints filed against it.
The rate change is from 2.1 to 4.1% depending on the company.
This is typical.
If you get a traffic violation, your premium could increase dramatically for a period of 3 years.
Your best option to keep your premium as low as possible is to maintain a clean driving record.
And try not to file claims.
| Iowa Company | Premiums | Rate Change > 18 Months | # of Complaints | Consumer Rating out of 5 Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $221,659,344 | +2.4% | 7 | 4.4 |
| IMT Group | $41,528,000 | +2.9% | 1 | 3.9 |
| GEICO | $49,701,791 | +2.1% | 3 | 4.4 |
| USAA | $21,117,743 | +2.1% | 2 | 4.6 |
| Progressive | $244,275,206 | +2.3% | 13 | 4.6 |
| Farmers | $21,702,542 | +2.9% | 3 | 4.3 |
| Allied | $9,920,209 | +3.1% | 0 | 4.0 |
| MetLife | $24,293,753 | +3.1% | 0 | 4.0 |
| Nationwide | $45,911,924 | +3.6% | 1 | 4.2 |
| Liberty Mutual | $56,145,789 | +3.3% | 5 | 4.4 |
| Allstate | $98,012,635 | +3.3% | 11 | 4.5 |
| Sentry | $693,992 | +3.7% | 4 | 4.2 |
| AIG | $500,011 | +3.1% | 3 | 4.1 |
| American Family | $519,715,033 | +2.9% | 8 | 4.4 |
| Esurance | $6,331,911 | +4.1% | 3 | 4.5 |
| Safeco | $17,448,310 | +3.8% | 3 | 3.8 |
| Secura | $31,010,361 | +3.1% | 5 | 4.1 |
| State Auto | $16,292,539 | +2.6% | 5 | 3.9 |
| AAA | $10,125,841 | +4.1% | 3 | 3.8 |
| Auto-Owners | $35,380,259 | +4.1% | 5 | 3.8 |
| Hartford | $28,261,658 | +3.7% | 2 | 4.0 |
Discounts in Iowa
- Safe driver discount
- Student discount for good grades
- Up to twenty percent off for taking a defensive driver course
- Pleasure use – if you only drive your car for pleasure; not to and from work
Note: In the illustration, the biggest percentage of discounts are good driver, 12%, and safety features, at 10%. And if you combine any two or all of your discounts you could save nearly 20% at times.
Note: As illustrated, with one discount, you may get 10% in savings. Combined them, and you may get 22% in savings. This is important to ask your insurer about any available discounts.
Average Premium by City in Iowa
Location, company, and credit are the main determining factors behind auto insurance costs for Iowa drivers.
One thing to point out is the cost of auto premiums in populous cities, such as Des Moines, is higher than average.
This doesn’t mean you are not getting the lowest rates.
It means the cost in other cities is low, bringing the average down.
The cost of premiums varies dramatically from city to city.
Below are 36 cities in Iowa and the average premium.
If you would like a detailed comparison of the most populous cities in the state, please read further below.
| City | Average Rate | City | Average Rate | City | Average Rate | City | Average Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altoona | $812 | Charlotte | $1,089 | Fort Dodge | $1,008 | Onawa | $1,053 |
| Ankeny | $867 | Chelsea | $1,097 | Guttenberg | $854 | Osage | $1,097 |
| Atlantic | $900 | Clinton | $1,100 | Indianola | $879 | Oskaloosa | $994 |
| Baxter | $931 | Clive | $899 | Iowa Falls | $941 | Pella | $854 |
| Boyden | $945 | Council Bluffs | $1,099 | Knoxville | $995 | Sac City | $931 |
| Brighton | $878 | Cumberland | $1,071 | Lorimor | $1,061 | Tipton | $907 |
| Burlington | $1,009 | Delhi | $1,378 | Marion | $963 | Waterloo | $1,021 |
| Carroll | $1,054 | Dubuque | $1,106 | Mt. Pleasant | $993 | Waverly | $1,038 |
| Cedar Falls | $1,067 | Elridge | $969 | Newell | $994 | Webster City | $1,091 |
Des Moines
The average car insurance rate in Des Moines is $1,378 per year. We were able to find 7 carriers below the “mean” rate.
Start by getting quotes from GEICO and Progressive.
Each queried at $1,187 and $1,199 respectfully.
This is 12% lower than the average rate for a 30-year-old driver.
If you are older, then get quotes from GEICO, Progressive, Hastings, and State Farm.
If you have a good driving history, you should have nearly 20% by comparing quotes with the 4 companies illustrated in the table.
| Des Moines Company | 30 Y/O Driver | 45 Y/O Driver |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $1,187 | $903 |
| Progressive | $1,199 | $904 |
| Hastings | $1,244 | $926 |
| State Farm | $1,267 | $987 |
| Farm Bureau Mutual | $1,321 | $1,007 |
| Farmers | $1,367 | $1,043 |
| Allstate | $1,401 | $1,087 |
Cedar Rapids
You can find cheap car insurance in Cedar Rapids if you know where to get quotes from.
Start with GEICO, Progressive, and Hastings. Each is below the $1,000 mark for a 30-year-old driver.
And more than 12% lower than the average rate of $1,089.
For a 45-year-old driver, we found the top three clusterings at the $800 range.
Progressive, GEICO, and Hasting are the top picks if you want to save 15% on your yearly auto premium.
| Cedar Rapids Company | 30 Y/O Driver | 45 Y/O Driver |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $941 | $799 |
| Progressive | $944 | $809 |
| Hastings | $967 | $816 |
| State Farm | $1,008 | $865 |
| Farm Bureau Mutual | $1,045 | $904 |
| Farmers | $1,099 | $899 |
| Allstate | $1,145 | $878 |
Davenport
Davenport has an average auto insurance rate of $1,071 or “mean” rate, including all drivers’ age.
In our analysis, we were able to find 4 insurers below the “mean” rate.
Start by getting quotes from State Farm, GEICO, and Progressive.
Each was approximately 10% below the average rate.
Farm Bureau Mutual should be included in your quest for a lower premium too.
| Davenport Company | 30 Y/O Driver | 45 Y/O Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $903 | $789 |
| GEICO | $932 | $800 |
| State Farm | $989 | $854 |
| Farm Bureau Mutual | $1,031 | $878 |
| Hastings | $1,078 | $897 |
| Farmers | $1,145 | $904 |
| Allstate | $1,177 | $971 |
Sioux City
If you hunt for cheaper auto insurance in Sioux City, start with Progressive, GEICO, and Farm Bureau Mutual.
Each queried at $978, $1,044, and $1,078 respectfully.
This is 14% lower than Sioux City’s average rate for a 30-year-old driver.
For a 45-year-old, we found the quotes clustered at the $900 range for a full coverage premium.
However, Progressive stood out at $807 per year for a 45-year-old.
| Sioux City Company | 30 Y/O Driver | 45 Y/O Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $978 | $807 |
| Farm Bureau Mutual | $1,044 | $890 |
| GEICO | $1,087 | $878 |
| Allstate | $1,098 | $903 |
| State Farm | $1,132 | $899 |
| Hastings | $1,178 | $961 |
| Farmers | $1,200 | $960 |
Iowa City
Our analysis of auto insurance firms in Iowa City found the lowest rates are with Progressive, Farm Bureau Mutual, and Partners Mutual.
All three clustered near the $900 range for a 30-year-old driver.
It was the same three companies for a 45-year-old driver too.
It would be smart to get quotes from all 7 companies to find additional savings while maintaining the same coverage.
| Iowa City Company | 30 Y/O Driver | 45 Y/O Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $890 | $678 |
| Farm Bureau Mutual | $904 | $700 |
| Partners Mutual | $916 | $714 |
| GEICO | $1,001 | $765 |
| Allstate | $945 | $841 |
| State Farm | $989 | $878 |
| Farmers | $1,021 | $880 |
Resources & Iowa MVD information
| Department of Insurance | Department of Transportation | Department of Motor Vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| 601 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309 (515) 281-5705 | 5455 Kirkwood Blvd SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 (319) 364-0235 | 6310 SE Convenience Blvd, Ankeny, IA 50021 (515) 244-8725 |
| Website | Website | Website |
Sources
https://iid.iowa.gov/automobile-insurance
https://www.cga.ct.gov/2013/rpt/2013-r-0258.htm
