Cheapest Car Insurance in Iowa 2021

Insuring your car in the Hawkeye State can be a positive experience, due to the selection of providers offering cheap car insurance in Iowa. The average annual cost of car insurance in Iowa is $233 for minimum coverage and $1,234 for full coverage. It is the second-cheapest state for basic car insurance in the country, behind Maine.

However, drivers in Iowa should stay alert. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Association found that the majority of crashes and deaths in the state are due to drivers swerving off the road in rural areas. The state also has one of the highest rates in the country of car collisions with deer. Therefore, full car insurance that includes coverage for your vehicle if you strike an animal is recommended.

The cheapest car insurance in Iowa

There is a big difference between the cost of minimum coverage and full coverage in the state. When searching for cheap car insurance in Iowa, consider the following insurance companies and how their rates compare:

Quadrant Information Services, 2020

USAA

USAA offers the cheapest auto insurance in Iowa for minimum coverage and earned the top place for customer satisfaction in the 2020 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance study. The only drawback to USAA is membership — you will need to qualify to become a member before you can access its low rates, as well as gain access to exclusive discounts with other companies and services. Only past and present military personnel and their families can be members of USAA.

Geico

If you don’t have a connection to someone in the military, Geico is a great choice for cheap car insurance in Iowa. The company provides a long list of coverage types and discounts so you can customize an affordable insurance package for your needs. You can save on your car insurance by insuring multiple vehicles, being in the military and deployed, being a safe driver, driving a car equipped with airbags or having a vehicle with an anti-theft system.

Auto-Owners

Auto-Owners has the highest rate out of all the carriers above for full coverage insurance, but the higher premium comes with a range of unique coverage options, including the Personal Automobile Plus package, which provides identity theft coverage and cell phone coverage. The company also offers multiple discounts to help policyholders lower their premiums.

State Farm

State Farm is the cheapest car insurance in Iowa if you are in need of full coverage. Full coverage consists of at least the minimum state-required liability insurance, as well as comprehensive and collision coverage to protect your vehicle and property. One of the reasons State Farm is able to offer the cheapest full coverage is its discounts. Drivers under 25 years of age can participate in the Steer Clear program to save money, and adult drivers can save up to 30{de3fc13d4eb210e6ea91a63b91641ad51ecf4a1f1306988bf846a537e7024eeb} through Drive Safe and Save, which tracks and rewards safe driving habits using a mobile app.

Progressive

Progressive is another cheap car insurance contender in the Hawkeye State. The Name Your Price tool allows potential policyholders to enter the amount they are able to pay, then populates a range of coverage options within the specified budget. Animal lovers with collision coverage through Progressive will appreciate that their pets are also covered in an accident. The carrier will pay for veterinary expenses if pets in the vehicle were injured in a car crash.

Affordable coverage for Iowa drivers

All vehicle owners in the state of Iowa must have car insurance with minimum liability limits of:

• Bodily injury: $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident
• Property damage: $15,000 per accident

Keep in mind that liability coverage only pays for injuries and damages you cause to others. If you need coverage for damages to your own vehicle, you will need to upgrade your car insurance by adding collision and comprehensive insurance. Otherwise, you would have to pay for repair or replacement of your car out of pocket. Additionally, while minimum coverage insurance can be much less expensive than full coverage, drivers are encouraged to purchase higher liability limits if they are able to do so. If the damages from an at-fault loss exceed the amount of liability coverage you carry, you will be responsible for paying the difference out of pocket.

How to get cheap car insurance in Iowa

Iowa’s car insurance rates are already low, but there are still ways to find additional savings, especially if you opt for full car insurance. You can save on car insurance a few ways:

• Get quotes: Car insurance can vary in price from one carrier to another for the same product. It is important to get multiple quotes before you choose a car insurance company, so that you can compare the price each company offers for the coverage you need.
• Find discounts: Auto insurance providers offer discounts for students, professionals, military service members, certain types of vehicles, safe drivers and for setting up automatic payments. Take advantage of as many discounts as you qualify for to reduce your car insurance bill.
• Choose a higher deductible: If you file a claim with your collision or comprehensive coverage, you’ll need to pay the deductible out of pocket. The higher your deductible, the lower your premium. Be sure to quote this change before committing, as it does not always result in significant savings, and make sure you can afford the higher deductible if you are involved in an accident.
• Improve your credit score: Most car insurance companies check your credit score to evaluate how likely it is that you will file a claim. If you have judgments and unpaid bills on your credit, your car insurance may be more expensive. Working to improve your credit score may have a beneficial impact on your insurance premiums.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best car insurance in Iowa?

The best car insurance in Iowa depends on your coverage needs and what you can afford. To find the best car insurance, get quotes from several carriers and compare the coverages and premiums.

What is the average cost of car insurance in the U.S.?

The average annual cost of car insurance in the U.S. is $563 for minimum coverage and $1,738 for full coverage. Iowa’s rates are the second lowest in the country at $233 per year for minimum coverage and $1,234 per year for full car insurance. In general, Iowans pay less than average American drivers for car insurance.

What kind of car insurance do I need if I hit a deer?

A state’s minimum liability insurance does not cover the cost of repairs to your vehicle if you strike a deer or other wildlife while driving. To cover the cost of hitting an animal, you will need comprehensive coverage, sometimes called “other than collision” coverage. Fortunately, most full car insurance coverages include both, so you are protected against collisions, damage from bad weather, striking animals, theft, vandalism and fire.

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:

• $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $50,000 property damage liability per accident
• $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
• $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
• $500 collision deductible
• $500 comprehensive deductible

To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverages that meet each state’s requirements. Our sample drivers own a 2018 Honda Accord, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.

These are sample rates and should be used for comparative purposes only. Your quotes may be different.