The Best and Cheapest Iowa Car Insurance Quotes (2022)
The Best and Cheapest Iowa Car Insurance Quotes (2022)
We reviewed the top auto insurance companies in Iowa and found that State Farm has the best rates for a minimum coverage policy ($198 per year), as well as the best rates for full coverage ($764).
The average cost of minimum coverage car insurance in Iowa is $382 per year, or $32 per month, for a minimum liability policy.
Cheapest auto insurance in Iowa: State Farm
If you're looking for the cheapest available car insurance quotes with the lowest limits allowed in Iowa, State Farm offers the most affordable minimum coverage. The average cost of State Farm is $198 per year — 48% cheaper than the statewide average. Drivers in Iowa can also find cheap car insurance from IMT and Auto-Owners.
Find Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Iowa
A liability-only policy will be the cheapest option for any given insurer, as it only meets minimum state requirements for auto insurance coverage. But it will provide less protection than a policy with higher limits and add-on coverages.
Company | Annual rate | Monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $198 | $16 |
| IMT | $215 | $18 |
| Auto-Owners | $239 | $20 |
| Farm Bureau | $258 | $21 |
| American Family | $317 | $26 |
| Grinnell | $395 | $33 |
| Allstate | $467 | $39 |
| Progressive | $553 | $46 |
| Geico | $585 | $49 |
| Nationwide | $590 | $49 |
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Iowa: State Farm
The cheapest full-coverage policy comes from State Farm, which is 51% cheaper than average in Iowa.
The average cost of full coverage auto insurance in Iowa is $1,564 per year, or $130 per month, although drivers will find the cheapest costs by comparing prices from multiple insurers.
Company | Annual rate | Monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $764 | $64 |
| IMT | $1,138 | $95 |
| Farm Bureau | $1,303 | $109 |
| Auto-Owners | $1,372 | $114 |
| American Family | $1,398 | $116 |
| Geico | $1,766 | $147 |
| Nationwide | $1,778 | $148 |
| Allstate | $1,817 | $151 |
| Grinnell | $1,917 | $160 |
| Progressive | $2,384 | $199 |
A policy with increased liability limits and comprehensive and collision insurance, which the state of Iowa doesn’t require, will generally cost you more per year but will give you more protection than a basic policy.
Collision insurance covers the cost of damage to your own car after an accident, while comprehensive insurance pays for damage that isn't related to a collision, such as in cases of severe weather or vandalism. You should consider adding these coverages if you don't want to pay for these costs out of pocket.
Cheap car insurance for drivers with prior incidents
The average cost of car insurance in Iowa is most often more expensive for drivers who have been involved in an accident or gotten citations for DUI (driving under the influence) or other traffic violations.
Find Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Iowa
Cheapest full coverage car insurance after an accident: State Farm
State Farm offers the cheapest rates for Iowa drivers who have been in an at-fault accident. Typically, the cost of full coverage auto insurance from State Farm for drivers with one accident is $870, which is 61% cheaper than the statewide average for drivers with one accident.
Generally, we found that the average cost of coverage rose by 44% after an accident. However, we found that State Farm is $2,879 cheaper per year for drivers with an accident than the most expensive provider, Progressive.
Company | Annual rate | Monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $870 | $72 |
| IMT | $1,667 | $139 |
| Auto-Owners | $1,727 | $144 |
| Grinnell | $1,917 | $160 |
| Farm Bureau | $2,115 | $176 |
| American Family | $2,352 | $196 |
| Allstate | $2,521 | $210 |
| Geico | $2,723 | $227 |
| Nationwide | $2,850 | $237 |
| Progressive | $3,749 | $312 |
Cheapest for drivers with a speeding ticket: State Farm
State Farm has the cheapest full coverage auto insurance for people with a speeding ticket in Iowa, as its average rate of $817 per year is 56% cheaper than average. Drivers who have gotten a speeding ticket see higher-than-average insurance costs, though not as high as those with an at-fault accident.
Company | Annual rate | Monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $817 | $68 |
| IMT | $1,415 | $118 |
| Auto-Owners | $1,561 | $130 |
| Farm Bureau | $1,594 | $133 |
| American Family | $1,803 | $150 |
| Grinnell | $1,917 | $160 |
| Allstate | $1,999 | $167 |
| Geico | $2,066 | $172 |
| Nationwide | $2,204 | $184 |
| Progressive | $3,014 | $251 |
Cheapest for drivers with a DUI: State Farm
Having a DUI on your driving record can increase the average cost of car insurance by 70% per year. IMT is the cheapest insurance company for Iowa drivers with a DUI, where drivers can get full coverage for 25% less than average. Drivers with a DUI can also get cheap rates from State Farm, at $2,209 per year on average.
Company | Annual rate | Monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| IMT | $2,002 | $167 |
| State Farm | $2,209 | $184 |
| Auto-Owners | $2,293 | $191 |
| Allstate | $2,397 | $200 |
| Progressive | $2,639 | $220 |
| American Family | $2,682 | $223 |
| Geico | $2,783 | $232 |
| Farm Bureau | $2,844 | $237 |
| Grinnell | $3,233 | $269 |
| Nationwide | $3,521 | $293 |
Cheapest for drivers with poor credit history: IMT Insurance
For drivers with poor credit, IMT Insurance is the cheapest car insurance provider in Iowa. While the average overall cost of full coverage in Iowa is $2,375 per year, coverage from IMT Insurance is just $1,457 — 39% cheaper than its competitors.
Even though your credit score isn't related to your ability to drive safely, having poor credit can raise the cost of car insurance for Iowans by 52%, on average.
Company | Annual rate | Monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| IMT | $1,457 | $121 |
| State Farm | $1,659 | $138 |
| American Family | $2,104 | $175 |
| Farm Bureau | $2,108 | $176 |
| Geico | $2,205 | $184 |
| Nationwide | $2,225 | $185 |
| Allstate | $2,553 | $213 |
| Grinnell | $2,932 | $244 |
| Auto-Owners | $2,933 | $244 |
| Progressive | $3,579 | $298 |
Cheapest car insurance for married drivers
State Farm has the best price for car insurance for a married driver, even though it doesn't actually offer a discount for being married.
The average cost of full coverage car insurance for a married driver is $1,459 — an average of $105 per year cheaper than the cost for an unmarried driver.
Though it's not one of the cheapest insurance providers for married drivers, Progressive does provide the best discount for these customers. Progressive's discount for being married is four times better than the average insurer statewide.
Company | Annual rate | Monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $764 | $64 |
| IMT | $1,045 | $87 |
| Farm Bureau | $1,169 | $97 |
| Auto-Owners | $1,372 | $114 |
| American Family | $1,398 | $116 |
| Nationwide | $1,602 | $133 |
| Geico | $1,724 | $144 |
| Allstate | $1,755 | $146 |
| Progressive | $1,841 | $153 |
| Grinnell | $1,917 | $160 |
Cheapest car insurance for young drivers: IMT
IMT Insurance has the most affordable auto insurance for 18-year-old drivers in Iowa. They can find minimum coverage from IMT for just $555 per year, while full coverage costs $1,971 per year. Shoppers could also find cheap auto insurance from State Farm, Farm Bureau and Grinnell .
The average cost of full coverage car insurance in Iowa for young drivers is $4,389 per year — 165% more expensive than the average for older drivers.
On average, 18-year-old drivers pay $$1,181 for minimum car insurance and $3,921 for full coverage. This is a substantial increase compared to the average cost of car insurance for adults in Iowa, which is $382 per year for minimum coverage.
Company | Liability only | Full coverage |
|---|---|---|
| IMT | $555 | $1,971 |
| State Farm | $680 | $2,114 |
| Farm Bureau | $724 | $2,987 |
| Grinnell | $950 | $4,322 |
| Auto-Owners | $997 | $3,565 |
| Geico | $1,006 | $3,422 |
| American Family | $1,352 | $5,271 |
| Allstate | $1,592 | $3,676 |
| Progressive | $1,684 | $6,036 |
| Nationwide | $2,268 | $5,847 |
Cheapest for young drivers with one accident: State Farm
Accidents raise the cost of car insurance greatly for most people, meaning a young driver who's involved in an at-fault crash will see significantly higher rates. If they have an at-fault crash on their record, young drivers could still find affordable full coverage car insurance in Iowa with State Farm. State Farm's rates are 47% less expensive than average.
Company | Annual rate | Monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $831 | $69 |
| IMT | $943 | $79 |
| Grinnell | $950 | $79 |
| Farm Bureau | $1,179 | $98 |
| Auto-Owners | $1,396 | $116 |
| Geico | $1,588 | $132 |
| Allstate | $1,932 | $161 |
| American Family | $2,046 | $171 |
| Progressive | $2,254 | $188 |
| Nationwide | $2,535 | $211 |
Cheapest for young drivers with one speeding ticket: IMT Insurance
Young drivers are likely to see increased car insurance rates after receiving a speeding ticket, though the price hike isn't nearly as much as it is after an at-fault accident. The cheapest insurer for young drivers with a speeding ticket is IMT Insurance, which charges $676 for full coverage — 49% cheaper than average.
Company | Annual rate | Monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| IMT | $676 | $56 |
| State Farm | $756 | $63 |
| Farm Bureau | $887 | $74 |
| Grinnell | $950 | $79 |
| Auto-Owners | $1,147 | $96 |
| Geico | $1,257 | $105 |
| American Family | $1,456 | $121 |
| Allstate | $1,766 | $147 |
| Progressive | $1,841 | $153 |
| Nationwide | $2,452 | $204 |
Best car insurance companies in Iowa
Auto-Owners is our overall recommendation for the best car insurance company in Iowa. Customers are routinely satisfied with the service they receive, and it earned an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from ValuePenguin. State Farm also received a 4.5 out of 5, making it a close second to Auto-Owners when it comes to service, coverage options and cost.
The best car insurance companies aren't necessarily those with the cheapest rates. In addition to looking for low prices, Iowa drivers should look for an insurer with a strong customer service reputation.
Company |
Editor's rating
|
JD Power
|
AM Best
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | 842 | A++ | |
| State Farm | 851 | A++ | |
| American Family | 844 | A | |
| Geico | 837 | A++ | |
| Nationwide | 831 | A+ | |
| Progressive | 842 | A+ | |
| Allstate | 827 | A+ | |
| Farm Bureau | NR | NR | NR |
| Grinnell | NR | NR | A |
| IMT | NR | NR | A |
Auto insurance quotes in Iowa by city
The average cost of car insurance in Iowa for a full-coverage policy is $1,659 per year, but rates can differ greatly depending on location.
University Heights is the cheapest city in Iowa for auto insurance, with an average full-coverage policy costing $1,425 per year. Carter Lake is the most expensive city for car insurance: A full-coverage policy costs $2,012 per year on average.
Algona | $1,464 | -6% |
|---|---|---|
| Altoona | $1,445 | -8% |
| Ames | $1,347 | -14% |
| Anamosa | $1,588 | 2% |
| Ankeny | $1,364 | -13% |
| Asbury | $1,490 | -5% |
Iowa car insurance laws
Drivers in Iowa are required to carry enough car insurance to meet the following limits:
- Bodily injury liability: $20,000 per person/$40,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $15,000 per accident
Iowa is one of the few states in the nation that doesn't require auto insurance if you have an appropriate alternative. The law requires that a driver show proof of financial responsibility if they get into an accident or they’ll lose driving privileges.
There are a few ways to show proof of financial responsibility in Iowa, including:
- Bond insurance card: If you post a bond of at least $55,000 in value with Iowa's Department of Transportation, you will receive a bond insurance card that acts as proof of financial responsibility.
- Security insurance card: Similarly, you can file an endorsed certificate of deposit with the state treasurer to receive a security insurance card. This card indicates you've deposited at least $55,000 with an Iowa bank that can be used to meet your financial responsibilities if you're at fault in an accident.
Recap of the cheapest car insurance in Iowa
- Minimum coverage: State Farm
- Full coverage: State Farm
- After a speeding ticket: State Farm
- After an at-fault accident: State Farm
- After a DUI: IMT
- Poor credit history: IMT
- Married drivers: State Farm
- Young drivers: IMT
- Young drivers after a ticket: IMT
- Young drivers after an accident: State Farm
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest car insurance in Iowa?
State Farm has the best rate in Iowa for most drivers. It charges $198 per year for minimum coverage, and $764 for full coverage.
How much does car insurance cost in Iowa?
The average price of a minimum coverage car insurance policy in Iowa is $382 per year, or $32 per month.
What are the requirements for car insurance in Iowa?
You're required to have at least $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident of bodily injury liability coverage, plus $15,000 of property damage liability coverage.
Methodology
We collected thousands of rates from ZIP codes across Iowa for the insurers in the state. We used a sample driver with the following profile:
- 30-year-old man
- Drives a 2015 Honda Civic EX
- Average credit
The base policy for the study was a full-coverage policy with the following limits:
Coverage type | Study limits |
|---|---|
| Bodily liability | $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident |
| Personal injury protection | $10,000 |
| Property damage | $25,000 per accident |
| Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury | $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident |
| Comprehensive and collision | $500 deductible |
For our minimum-coverage policy, we quoted a policy with the minimum required limits in Iowa. Our young driver also received minimum coverage quotes unless otherwise stated.
For other rates analyses (credit score, accident history and marital status) the base policy listed above was changed to reflect the new driver.
ValuePenguin's analysis used insurance rate data from Quadrant Information Services. These rates were publicly sourced from insurer filings and should be used for comparative purposes only — your own quotes may be different.
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.