Iowa auto insurance policies are among the most affordable in the country. But that doesn't mean you can just take your coverage for granted!
This guide:
Explains Iowa car insurance regulations and requirements
Describes how Iowa auto insurance rates are decided
Shows you how you can save money by comparing multiple quotes
See How Much You Could Save:
Save $300-400 or more with discount rates from all major auto insurance carriers, as well as local companies in Iowa.
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Iowa car insurance laws
Iowa is a tort state, which means that drivers are financially responsible for the damage and injury they may cause during an auto accident. Liability coverage helps insure you against these costs, and it is required in Iowa.
Iowa auto insurance laws require liability coverage of 20/40/15. (That's $20,000 per person for injuries you cause to the other party, up to $40,000 for all, and $15,000 for any damage that you cause to the other driver's car and/or property.)
However, these are only minimums, and higher levels of protection are strongly recommended, especially if you have assets to protect. After all, accidents can get very expensive, especially if injury is involved.
Iowa auto insurance companies will also offer optional coverages such as medical payments, collision, comprehensive, and uninsured and underinsured motorists bodily injury coverage.
You may want to consider purchasing any or all of these coverages, especially uninsured and underinsured motorist coverages. These policies help cover the cost of your injuries should you be struck by a driver with inadequate liability insurance.
Sidebar If you are an Iowa resident, you may be able to save on your premium by visiting Electric Insurance. Their policies are available only to those drivers whose credit and driving records could be described as being at least good.
For better or for worse, the price of Iowa auto insurance is decided by the behavior of the state's drivers as a whole. Iowa auto insurance companies take the cost of insuring Iowa drivers (this includes what they pay out for injury and damage, legal and administrative fees, and the cost of prosecuting insurance fraud) and divide it up among the drivers.
But these costs aren't spread around evenly. Instead, Iowa car insurance providers calculate how much a certain "category" of driver costs them, and decide premiums based on that. The "category" you're in is decided by your driving record, your age, where you live, and the kind of car you drive, among other things.
Of course, not all auto insurance providers use the same categories and calculations, so the same set of characteristics (yours!) will be seen very differently by different insurance companies. And they'll quote youdifferent rates.
What this means for you, as an Iowa driver, is that you need to shop around. It's the fastest easiest way to save on an Iowa auto insurance policy.
Luckily for you, shopping around is easy to do online.
Where you can get Iowa auto insurance quotes.
The following web sites will help you find Iowa car insurance quotes: (these links will open in a new window)
ComparisonMarket is the easiest-to-use and most accurate online quotes comparison service
Netquote is particularly useful if you want a local agent to contact you, to help you iron out the details of your policy, and possibly to help you save even more.
Geico - Like the gecko says: "15 minutes could save you 15% or more on your car insurance".
Get quotes in your area, using your ZIP code to find local agents. Enter your ZIP below to get a quote from a local provider:
To help speed up the process, you may wish to have some of the information needed for an online quote ready before you begin.
More IA car insurance help
If you want more help designing your IA auto insurance policy, read our guide to setting safe and reasonable car insurance coverage levels. It contains loads of money-saving tips, too.
To find out more about IA auto insurance laws and regulations, visit the state's official website of the Iowa Insurance Division.
Want to learn even more?
Take our quick auto insurance course, and learn the step-by-step to get the most out of your auto insurance policy for the least amount money.
This wrebsite provides general information for educational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. We make no guarantees as to the validity of the information presented. Your particular facts and circumstances, and changes in the law, must be considered when applying insurance law. You should always consult with a competent auto insurance professional licensed in your state with respect to your particular situation.