Average cost of car insurance in Iowa for 2024

How much is car insurance in Iowa? 

The average cost of car insurance in Iowa is $363 per year for the state minimum required coverage and $1,888 per year for full coverage, both well below the national averages of $678 and $2,458, respectively. However, costs vary based on a number of factors, including the company you choose, your city, your age and your driving record. Bankrate analyzed average rates from Quadrant Information Services for several different types of drivers. Our research might help you understand what a competitive rate looks like for your situation.

Key takeaways

• Drivers in Des Moines, Iowa’s capital, pay $1,920 per year for full coverage, only about 2 percent more than the state average.
• 18-year-old males have the highest average premium of any age and gender, at $4,052 per year for full coverage.
• A 20-year-old driver on their own policy pays 37 percent more per year on average than a 20-year-old on their parents’ policy.
• Iowa drivers with a DUI conviction pay an average of 83 percent more for full coverage than drivers with a clean driving record.
• Having excellent credit pays off; drivers in Iowa with the highest credit tier pay an average of 17 percent less per year for full coverage compared to drivers with good credit.

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Iowa car insurance rates by city

Although the state you live in impacts the amount of insurance you must have, your ZIP code also plays a role in determining your Iowa car insurance rates. Drivers in busy urban areas, where heavy traffic makes accidents more likely and there is a higher rate of car theft, may pay more than those in suburban or rural areas, for example.

Average car insurance costs by age and gender in Iowa

In most states, including Iowa, your age can impact your rate. Statistics indicate that young drivers have an increased rate of accidents, sometimes related to risky driving behaviors such as texting while driving. For that reason, teen drivers pay some of the highest rates for car insurance. As drivers age into their 20s, rates start to decrease as long as drivers maintain a clean driving record.

The average car insurance rates in Iowa by age shown in the table below are representative of drivers on their own policy (with the exception of 16-year-old driver rates, which are rated on a policy under their married parents’).

Cost considerations for young drivers in Iowa

Young drivers are expensive to insure, but staying on their parents’ policy can have a less striking increase. Generally, insurers will allow a young driver to be included on their parents’ policy as long as they are still a member of the household. Once a young driver has moved out and established their own household (with the exception of going to college), it’s usually time to start a separate policy, but be prepared for the cost difference. 18 year olds, for example, pay 51 percent more on their own policy versus when on their parents’ policy.

How does driving record impact the cost of car insurance in Iowa?

Insurers factor in your driving record to help determine your likely future driving behaviors, which can indicate your risk of causing an accident in the future. Therefore, even one traffic offense can increase your rates by a notable amount. A single speeding ticket conviction has the least impact on the cost of car insurance in Iowa of other driving incidents, with an annual increase of 19 percent more for full coverage, while a single DUI conviction raises full coverage premiums by an average of 83 percent more per year.

Car insurance rates in Iowa by credit score

Your credit-based insurance score also contributes to your final car insurance cost in Iowa. Statistically, drivers with poor credit are more likely to file claims, which means that they are a higher risk to insurers. Insurance companies typically charge higher rates for lower credit tiers to compensate. In Iowa, drivers with poor credit pay 143 percent more than drivers with excellent credit on average.

Iowa car insurance rates by vehicle type

Finally, our team looked at average car insurance rates for different vehicles. If you’re wondering, “How much is car insurance in Iowa?”, take time to consider the type of vehicle you need to insure. Vehicles that cost more to repair or replace or are more likely to get into an accident will likely have higher average rates. For example, our research found that a BMW 330i costs $688 more annually to insure with full coverage than a Ford F-150.

Estimate your car insurance cost in Iowa

An auto insurance premium significantly adds to the total cost of car ownership, but driving without insurance can lead to hefty fines. However, with so many different factors influencing the cost of coverage, it can be challenging to figure out how much to budget for coverage. This calculator can help you estimate your monthly premium so you can get a better feel of how to financially prepare.

How to save on car insurance in Iowa

Iowa drivers already enjoy lower-than-average rates for car insurance when compared to the national costs, but there are ways to lower your premium even more. If you want to save money on car insurance, you might consider:

• Make use of discounts: Almost all insurers offer at least a small handful of discounts, and many of them are easy to earn. You could, for example, save money by agreeing to receive your insurance documents digitally rather than by postal mail. You may also save for bundling auto plus home insurance, or for having safety features such as airbags installed on your vehicle.
• Drive safely: Your driving record has a major influence on what you pay for your policy. Maintaining a clean record indicates to your company that you're not as likely to file a claim as someone with multiple infractions might, and that generally earns you a lower rate. If you do have infractions, some insurers will offer a discount if you take a defensive driving course to improve your skills behind the wheel.
• Increase your deductible: Your deductible is the amount you pay before your policy kicks in if you have full coverage. Generally, the higher your deductible, the less you'll pay for coverage. Keep in mind, however, that you will need to have that amount available in the event of an approved claim, so be careful to only raise it as high as you can easily pay.
• Improve your credit: Credit tiers have an indirect, but notable, impact on auto insurance rates. Lower credit tiers generally result in higher premiums. If you can improve your credit, you may see a reduction in your car insurance premium over time.

Frequently asked questions