Car Insurance in Iowa
Iowa drivers spend an average of $873 a year on auto insurance according to the NAIC — ▼ −32% versus the national average of $1,282, ranking 48th most expensive of 51. The state requires 20/40/15 liability coverage and follows an at-fault system.
Average car insurance cost in Iowa
The NAIC average expenditure is what insured drivers actually paid on average, including people who carry only liability. For those who buy each coverage, the average premium was $387 for liability, $313 for collision and $311 for comprehensive ($1,010 combined, versus $1,439 nationally). That average expenditure is 12% higher than the NAIC's previous data year ($777). Comprehensive coverage costs notably more than the U.S. average here, which usually reflects weather (hail, wind, flooding) and theft losses.
Minimum car insurance requirements in Iowa
Iowa's minimum is written as 20/40/15: $20,000 per person / $40,000 per accident in bodily injury liability and $15,000 in property damage liability. Those limits are low compared with the cost of a serious injury claim, so many drivers choose 100/300/100 — we estimate that "standard" level at about $465 a year here, $155 more than the minimum.
| Coverage | Required? | Minimum | What it pays for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | Yes | $20,000 per person / $40,000 per accident | Injuries you cause to other people |
| Property damage liability | Yes | $15,000 | Damage you cause to other vehicles and property |
| Personal injury protection (PIP) | No | — Iowa does not require personal injury protection. | Your own medical bills and lost wages, regardless of fault |
| Uninsured motorist (UM) | No | — Policies must include uninsured and hit-and-run motorist coverage unless the named insured signs a written rejection. | Your injuries when the at-fault driver has no insurance |
| Underinsured motorist (UIM) | No | — Policies must include underinsured motorist coverage unless the named insured signs a written rejection. | The gap when the at-fault driver’s limits are too low |
| Medical payments (MedPay) | No | — Medical payments coverage is optional. | Medical bills for you and your passengers |
Compare with another state
Is Iowa a no-fault state?
No — Iowa is an at-fault (tort) state. Iowa is an at-fault (tort) state: the driver responsible for a crash, through their liability insurance, pays for the other party's injuries and property damage. Injured people can claim against the at-fault driver's insurer, use their own coverage, or sue.
Uninsured drivers in Iowa
The Insurance Research Council estimates 11.4% of Iowa drivers are uninsured — 33rd highest in the country, compared with 15.4% nationally. That's roughly one uninsured driver in every 9 on the road. Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage isn't mandatory here (Policies must include uninsured and hit-and-run motorist coverage unless the named insured signs a written rejection), but it is still inexpensive protection against hit-and-run and uninsured drivers.
SR-22 requirements in Iowa
Iowa uses the SR-22 — a certificate your insurer files with the state to prove you carry at least the minimum liability coverage. It is usually ordered after a DUI, driving uninsured, serious violations or a license suspension, and is typically kept for about 2 years. Iowa DOT requires SR-22 proof of insurance from the first day of a suspension or revocation for two years.
By our model, a driver in their 30s with a DUI would pay about $600 a year for minimum coverage in Iowa, versus $310 with a clean record. What is SR-22 insurance?
Estimate your premium in Iowa
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Car insurance by city in Iowa
We cover 8 Iowa cities. Estimates are for full coverage for a driver in their 30s with a clean record; hover a city to find it on the map. The lowest estimate is in Ames ($1,165) and the highest in Ankeny ($1,235).
- Des MoinesPop. 213,096 · Polk County$1,220+12% vs state
- Cedar RapidsPop. 137,904 · Linn County$1,190+9% vs state
- DavenportPop. 100,938 · Scott County$1,185+9% vs state
- Sioux CityPop. 86,875 · Woodbury County$1,170+7% vs state
- AnkenyPop. 76,727 · Polk County$1,235+13% vs state
- Iowa CityPop. 76,710 · Johnson County$1,205+11% vs state
- West Des MoinesPop. 73,664 · Polk County$1,175+8% vs state
- AmesPop. 69,026 · Story County$1,165+7% vs state
Estimated cost by driver profile in Iowa
Age and driving record move premiums more than almost anything else. A teen on their own policy pays about 2.8× what a driver in their 30s pays for the same full coverage in Iowa.
| Driver | Minimum | Standard | Full coverage | Full / month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teen driver (18, own policy) | $850 | $1,285 | $3,000 | $250 |
| Young adult (22) | $495 | $750 | $1,745 | $145 |
| Adult in their 30s | $310 | $465 | $1,090 | $91 |
| Adult in their 50s | $285 | $430 | $1,005 | $84 |
| Senior (72) | $345 | $525 | $1,220 | $102 |
| 30s, one at-fault accident | $450 | $680 | $1,580 | $132 |
| 30s, DUI on record | $575 | $865 | $2,020 | $168 |
By coverage level
| Coverage level | What it includes | Per year | Per month | Typical range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State minimum liability | Only the liability (and PIP/UM where required) limits your state mandates. No coverage for your own car. | $310 | $26 | $255–$365 |
| Standard liability (100/300/100) | Higher liability limits plus uninsured motorist coverage. Still no coverage for damage to your own car. | $465 | $39 | $385–$550 |
| Full coverage | Standard liability plus collision and comprehensive, typically required on a financed or leased car. | $1,090 | $91 | $895–$1,285 |
Cheapest and most expensive cars to insure in Iowa
Full-coverage estimates for current models, using HLDI insurance-loss data where available. Vehicle choice alone can swing the premium by more than $2,680 a year here.
| Model | Segment | Est. / year |
|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Traverse | Midsize SUV | $680 |
| GMC Acadia | Midsize SUV | $770 |
| Subaru Crosstrek | Small SUV | $795 |
| Honda CR-V | Small SUV | $810 |
| Subaru Forester | Small SUV | $815 |
| MINI Cooper | Subcompact car | $815 |
| Honda Pilot | Midsize SUV | $825 |
| Subaru Outback | Wagon | $830 |
| Ford Bronco | Midsize SUV | $835 |
| Jeep Wrangler | Midsize SUV | $840 |
| Model | Segment | Est. / year |
|---|---|---|
| Lamborghini Urus | Luxury SUV | $3,360 |
| BMW M3 | Luxury car | $3,065 |
| BMW M4 | Luxury sports car | $3,060 |
| BMW 7 Series | Luxury car | $2,810 |
| Mercedes-Benz S-Class | Luxury car | $2,470 |
| Mercedes-Benz G-Class | Luxury SUV | $2,195 |
| Lucid Air | Luxury car | $1,955 |
| Audi RS 7 | Luxury car | $1,940 |
| Mercedes-Benz SL-Class | Luxury sports car | $1,870 |
| Land Rover Range Rover | Luxury SUV | $1,840 |
Cheap car insurance in Iowa: how to lower your rate
- Raise your deductible. Going from $500 to $1,000 on collision and comprehensive saves about $85 a year on a typical Iowa full-coverage policy.
- Match coverage to your car's value. On a 10-year-old car, dropping collision and comprehensive could cut the bill from about $810 to $465.
- Drive less, pay less. Low-mileage and usage-based programs can save around $75 a year if you drive under 7,500 miles.
- Protect your record. A single speeding ticket adds roughly $240 a year in our model; an at-fault accident adds much more.
- Shop at renewal. Rates for the same driver differ widely between insurers. Compare identical limits and deductibles.
- Ask about discounts — bundling home and auto, good student, safe-driver, paid-in-full and defensive-driving course discounts. See common discounts.
Complaints and help: Iowa Insurance Division
The Iowa Insurance Division licenses insurers and agents, reviews rates and handles consumer complaints about claims, cancellations and billing — free of charge.
- Website
- iid.iowa.gov
- File a complaint
- Consumer complaint page
- Consumer helpline
- 1-877-955-1212
Iowa vs. neighboring states
| State | NAIC avg. | Minimums | System | Uninsured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | $873 | 20/40/15 | At-fault (tort) | 11.4% |
| Illinois | $1,153 | 25/50/20 | At-fault (tort) | 15.2% |
| Minnesota | $1,103 | 30/60/10 | No-fault | 11.3% |
| Missouri | $1,155 | 25/50/25 | At-fault (tort) | 20.7% |
| Nebraska | $981 | 25/50/25 | At-fault (tort) | 9.5% |
| South Dakota | $937 | 25/50/25 | At-fault (tort) | 9.4% |
| Wisconsin | $922 | 25/50/10 | At-fault (tort) | 15.6% |
Frequently asked questions
How much is car insurance in Iowa?
NAIC data puts the average Iowa auto insurance expenditure at $873 a year, 32% less than the national average of $1,282 (rank 48 of 51, where 1 is the most expensive). Our estimate for full coverage for a driver in their 30s with a clean record is about $1,090 a year ($91 a month); state-minimum liability is about $310.
What is the minimum car insurance required in Iowa?
Iowa requires at least 20/40/15 liability coverage: $20,000 per person / $40,000 per accident for bodily injury and $15,000 for property damage.
Is Iowa a no-fault state?
No. Iowa is an at-fault (tort) state: the driver responsible for a crash, through their liability insurance, pays for the other party's injuries and property damage.
How many drivers in Iowa are uninsured?
The Insurance Research Council estimates that about 11.4% of Iowa drivers are uninsured, ranking 33rd in the nation (national estimate: 15.4%).
Does Iowa require SR-22 insurance?
Yes, Iowa uses the SR-22 certificate for drivers who must prove financial responsibility, typically for about 2 years. Iowa DOT requires SR-22 proof of insurance from the first day of a suspension or revocation for two years.
Which Iowa city has the cheapest car insurance?
Among the 8 cities we cover, Ames has the lowest full-coverage estimate at about $1,165 a year, while Ankeny is the highest at about $1,235. Differences come from population density, commute length and local weather risk.
How much does car insurance cost for a teen driver in Iowa?
An 18-year-old on their own full-coverage policy would pay roughly $3,000 a year in Iowa by our estimate, or about $850 for minimum coverage. Joining a parent's policy usually costs less.
How do I file a complaint against a car insurance company in Iowa?
Contact the Iowa Insurance Division (consumer line 1-877-955-1212). It handles consumer complaints about claims, cancellations and rates at no cost.
How we estimate this
We start from the state's average liability, collision and comprehensive premiums published by the NAIC, then apply a location factor (population density and commute time from the Census ACS, weather hazard scores from FEMA's National Risk Index), a vehicle factor (HLDI insurance-loss data where available, otherwise vehicle segment), and a driver-profile multiplier. Results are rounded ranges for comparison, not quotes. Read the full methodology.
- Iowa Insurance Division: Auto Insurance
- Iowa Code 516A.1 (uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and rejection)
- Iowa DOT: Proof of Insurance After a Suspension (SR-22)
- Iowa Insurance Division: Filing Complaints
- NAIC 2022/2023 Auto Insurance Database Report
- NAIC Homeowners Insurance Report: Data for 2023
- Insurance Research Council uninsured motorist estimates (via Triple-I)
- IIHS Fatality Facts: state by state
- FBI Crime Data Explorer: Crime in the United States 2025 (Table 4)
- NICB 2022 Vehicle Theft Data: top 10 stolen vehicles by state
- FHWA Highway Statistics 2024, Table DL-1C (licensed drivers)
- FHWA Highway Statistics 2024, Table MV-1 (registrations)
- FHWA Highway Statistics 2024, Table VM-2 (vehicle-miles traveled)
- U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2024 population estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau: population estimates and American Community Survey
- FEMA National Risk Index