In 2018, Iowa had more 2.3 millions licensed drivers. It is no surprise that distracted driving is on the rise. Proper auto insurance coverage is essential if you want to protect yourself from financial hardship in the event of an accident. Iowa has one of the lowest auto insurance rates in America, with minimum coverage at $252 and full coverage at $1,260 per annum.
Before selecting a company, there are many factors you need to consider if you’re looking for Iowa car insurance. You can feel more confident about your auto insurance policy by making an informed decision based upon the company’s average rates and customer satisfaction scores.
Iowa’s best car insurance companies
Quadrant Information Services was used by Bankrate to determine which Iowa car insurance companies are the best. To determine the best Iowa companies, we analyzed average premiums, customer service scores and coverage options. We also considered financial stability. The full coverage premiums of the companies listed below are higher than the average for Iowa. However, they offer a variety of coverages and discounts along with attractive customer service and financial strength scores.
| Provider | Average premium for full coverage annually | J.D. J.D. (Central region). |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $2,302 | 832/1,000 |
| Geico | $1,421 | 55/1,000 |
| Farmers | $1,931 | 827/1,000 |
| All over the country | $1,423 | 815/1,000 |
| State Farm | $1,453 | 849/1,000 |
Allstate
Allstate was founded in 1931. It is one of America’s oldest auto insurance companies. It is the fourth largest national insurance company. Allstate provides standard insurance coverages. You can choose from collision, comprehensive, and liability coverages. There are also options to personal injury protection, accident forgiveness and rental car reimbursement for your vehicle while it is being repaired.
Geico
Geico holds just 13.8% of the market share and is the second-largest car insurance provider in America. Geico is well-known for its affordable premiums. The average annual rate in Iowa for full coverage is $1,421. Geico offers many discounts, including those for good students, defensive driving, new vehicles, and more. There are also unique savings opportunities such as seat belt use and vehicle equipment discounts. Geico has an A++ financial strength rating by AM Best. This indicates that the company’s financial health is good.
Farmers
Farmers began selling insurance for farm vehicles back in 1928. It has since expanded its coverage to include coverage for most cars. Although Farmers coverage is not available in every state, Iowan drivers have access to the options. Farmers provides basic auto coverage, as well as some additional coverage options like New Car Replacement coverage.
All over the country
Nationwide has been ranked as one of the most important insurance companies in the nation. Nationwide has one of our lowest full coverage premiums. Although its customer satisfaction score was below industry average, Nationwide did receive an above-industry-average score in J.D. Power’s 2020 Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. Nationwide offers many discounts and has additional savings for safe drivers with its Safe Driver program.
State Farm
State Farm has the largest insurance company in America. State Farm’s network of local agents is one of its best assets. These agents are familiar with the local area and can help policyholders select coverage options that best suit their needs. Two safe driving programs are offered by the company. It also has an A++ financial strength rating, according to AM Best.
Iowa average car insurance costs
Iowa drivers pay on average less than average US drivers. The average premium in the United States is $1,674 for full coverage, and $565 for minimal coverage. Iowa’s large swathes are sparsely populated and rural, which reduces the likelihood of collisions between vehicles. This could also explain the state’s low insurance costs.
| Iowa’s minimum coverage: Average annual premium | Iowa’s average annual premium for full insurance |
|---|---|
| $252 | $1,206 |
A car insurance premium is influenced by many factors, such as your age, ZIP code, coverages you select, and your driving record. Your premiums could be higher or lower that the state averages.
Iowa’s minimum insurance requirements
Iowa, like most other states, requires minimum levels of mandatory auto insurance. Iowa residents must have minimum liability coverage:
- $20,000 per person, per accident for bodily injuries
- $40,000 per accident for bodily injuries
- $15,000 per accident for property damage
Iowa car insurance companies must offer coverage for uninsured or underinsured motorists. However, they can reject this in writing.
The minimum state coverage limits may not be sufficient to pay the full amount of damages if your accident causes. This could leave you with high out-of-pocket costs. Agents recommend that you buy higher limits of liability coverage, if possible. Your lender may also require you to have full coverage if you have a car loan or lease.
How to get the best car coverage
You may need to assess your needs and take into account your geographical factors in order to find the best car coverage. Each person is different and will have their own unique car insurance needs. The best car insurer for one person may not be the best for another.
- Assess your needs. Everyone has different needs and should be evaluated when looking for car insurance. Perhaps you are looking for the lowest premium. You may be more interested in customer service or multiple discount options. Perhaps you have a DUI and are looking for an insurance company that will file an SR-22 form. Knowing what you are looking for in an insurance company can help you narrow down your choices. After you’ve selected the companies that best suit your needs, you can request quotes to see what each company has to offer in terms of premiums and coverages.
- Take into account state factors. Each state has its own unique geographic and environmental conditions that you should consider when looking for car insurance. Iowa lies in the Northwestern hemisphere and receives heavy snowfalls. It may be worth adding roadside assistance if you live in an area with more snow. Uninsured drivers make up roughly 11% in Iowa. If you are looking to cover yourself against an uninsured driver, the Uninsured Motorist coverage is a great option.
Iowa offers car insurance discounts
Auto insurance in Iowa can be quite expensive compared to national averages. However, many companies offer discounts to help drivers manage their insurance costs. Below is a table that shows the discounts offered by Iowa’s best companies.
| Get Discount | Allstate | Geico | Farmers | All over the country | State Farm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-lock brakes | X | X | X | X | |
| Anti-theft devices | X | X | X | X | X |
| Paperless billing/automatic payment | X | X | X | ||
| Driving course for defensive driving | X | X | X | X | |
| Sign up early | X | X | X | ||
| Full payment | X | X | |||
| Good student | X | X | X | X | X |
| Green vehicle | X | ||||
| Loyalty | X | X | |||
| Low mileage | X | X | X | ||
| Military | X | X | |||
| Multiple policies | X | X | X | X | X |
| Multiple vehicles | X | X | X | X | |
| Organizations or occupational jobs | X | ||||
| Safe driver/accident free | X | X | X | X | X |
| Safety features | X | X | X | X | |
Questions frequently asked
What information do you need to obtain Iowa car insurance?
You will need the following to get auto insurance:
- The dashboard on the driver’s side shows information about your vehicle, including make, year, and model.
- Your social security number
- Your driver’s license details
- Payment of insurance premiums in the form a check, debit, or credit card
Each company will have its own quote process and may need additional information.
What amount of Iowa-required auto insurance do I need?
Iowa residents who live or drive in Iowa must have at least the minimum level of liability coverage.
- $20,000 per person for bodily injuries
- $40,000 per accident for bodily injuries
- $15,000 for property damage
The minimum coverage requirements for state law are very low. They are often inadequate to cover the full cost of injury or property damage that you may cause if an accident occurs. You will not be covered for any damage to your car if the minimum limits are exceeded. To better protect your finances, most insurance professionals recommend higher liability limits or full coverage.
How do I get the best auto insurance rate?
To earn your loyalty, car insurance companies offer discounts for a variety of reasons. Compare the table below to compare the rates of auto insurance. Make sure you shop at least three companies before you choose the best rate. You can also keep your car insurance costs low by maintaining a clean driving record and choosing the right coverage level for you budget.