Iowa Car Insurance

Everything You Need to Know About Auto Insurance in Iowa

Located between the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, Iowa is the 26th largest state in the U.S. Known as the Hawkeye State, Iowa has a population of 3.2 million. Iowa is considered a farm state, with its production of corn, soybeans, hogs, and cattle.

Although Iowa is a farm state, it also has employment in manufacturing, finance and insurance, real estate, and rental and leasing. This provides ample places for residents to work.

All Iowa residents must possess auto insurance to be compliant with state laws. It also protects you from civil liability. Be sure you have the proper car coverage for your specific needs. Expert agents at InsureOne are waiting to help you find the best auto insurance at the best price in Iowa.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Iowa

Iowa insurance rates are $223 per year if you get minimum coverage, which is required to comply with state laws. If you opt for full coverage, the cost is $1,315 per year. There may be other factors that affect the final cost. These factors include what you may have on your record (i.e., speeding ticket, DUI, etc.). The individual’s age can also be a factor in determining cost.

Iowa auto coverage is lower than the national average of $684 for the minimum and $2,148 for full coverage. The state law mandates that all Iowa drivers maintain liability car insurance.

What Does Full Coverage vs. Minimum Liability Mean?

If you own your vehicle and don’t have a loan on it, you can opt for minimum liability auto coverage. However, this only protects against damage to other vehicles and property and bodily injury to other parties if you cause an accident. That means if your vehicle is damaged and you are injured, you’ll have to pay out of pocket for costs. Having a full coverage policy will ensure that you have protection for any damage done to your vehicle and coverage for medical expenses for you.

Affordable Car Insurance Rates Comparison by Cities in Iowa

If you live in any of Iowa’s larger cities, your rate may be different. Here is a breakdown of the average annual premiums paid in a selection of Iowa cities.

City	Full Coverage Insurance	Liability Insurance Coverage
Cedar Rapids	$1,221	$303
Davenport	$1,324	$325
Des Moines	$1,332	$326
Iowa City	$1,174	$320
Sioux City	$1,458	$394

Our average annual premiums by city are based on the following methodology: male, age 30, with a good driving record.

What Types of Auto Discounts Are Available in Iowa?

There are plenty of options for discounts in Iowa. The best way to find out what you might be eligible for is to talk to an Iowa insurance agent for details. However, some of the common auto insurance discounts include the following:

• Multi-car discount
• Safety discount
• Good driver discount
• Anti-theft device discount
• Defensive driver discount
• Full payment discount
• Auto payment discount

Iowa Car Insurance Laws

Iowa’s auto insurance laws require all drivers to maintain minimum liability on their vehicles. The coverage limits are outlined below.

What Are the Mandatory Car Insurance Requirements in Iowa?

Iowa has auto insurance laws similar to that of other states. You must carry liability coverage to help cover damages to the other party if you are at fault in an accident. There are two different components to liability coverage: bodily injury and property damage liability. Bodily injury has per accident and per person coverage. When viewing your policy, you may see something like 20/40/15 listed for liability. This indicates the limit for each type of component.

In Iowa, the required amount you must carry for each liability component is as follows:

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

What Is the Penalty for Driving Without Insurance in Iowa?

If you don’t carry the mandatory liability coverage, you may receive one or more of the following penalties:

• A $250 fine
• Vehicle impoundment

If you get in an accident, you may have further penalties such as:

• 12-month license suspension for damages exceeding $1,500
• Vehicle registration suspended

What Factors Does Iowa Law Allow in Determining Your Premiums?

There are various factors that can help reduce or increase your premiums. These are:

• Your car type
• Your driving habits
• Your annual mileage
• Your location
• Any discounts you may qualify for

Insurance That Helps You Prepare for the Future

Selecting the right policy is necessary to ensure you are protected in case of an accident. No one plans to get into an accident, but there are approximately six million auto wrecks annually in the U.S.

An auto accident can devastate a person and their loved ones. Even when you have auto coverage, an accident can uproot your life. If you aren’t covered, many more problems may arise. You might find yourself in a civil lawsuit.

Don’t delay in making sure you have the right coverage to protect yourself, your family and your finances.  At InsureOne, we have expert agents on hand to guide you through finding the best auto policy that includes customizable options.

How Many Car Accidents Happen in Iowa?

In 2021, there were 356 people fatally injured in motor vehicle crashes. Of auto-related accidents, 74 fatalities were the result of alcohol.

According to the latest data, Iowa had 53,644 vehicle accidents in 2022. This number has been increasing in the last few years. The major cities around Iowa are more congested and susceptible to accidents.

Larger cities in Iowa had the following car accident fatalities in 2021:

City	Fatalities
Cedar Rapids	6
Davenport	12
Des Moines	21
Iowa City	1
Sioux City	6

How Many Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists Are in Iowa?

State law in Iowa restricts motorists from driving without proper coverage. However, some people will still continue to drive without this coverage, putting themselves and others at financial risk.

In Iowa, approximately 11.3% of registered drivers are considered uninsured. In addition, there are many others who only carry the state minimum coverage.