Cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in Iowa

Which company has the cheapest car insurance in Iowa for a bad driving record?

Travelers, Progressive and State Farm offer some of the cheapest rates for drivers with poor driving records in Iowa. Among them, Travelers has the lowest average premiumThe payment required for an insurance policy to remain in force. Auto insurance premiums are quoted for either 6-month or annual policy periods. at $1,851 annually.

If you have accidents, tickets or a DUI on your record, insurance companies will charge higher rates. Serious violations may affect your premiums for years, especially if you have multiple offenses.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for high-risk driver
Travelers	$1,238	$1,851
Progressive	$1,589	$2,081
State Farm	$1,306	$2,238
Allstate	$2,126	$2,631
GEICO	$1,716	$2,733
Auto-Owners	$1,461	$2,928
USAA	$1,165	$1,652

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How much is high-risk car insurance in Iowa?

State Farm has the cheapest average DUI insurance rates in Iowa at $1,394 per year. Drivers with a DUI often see some of the largest premium increases because insurers consider a bad driving record a major risk factor.

Although you may be labeled high-risk for many reasons, some factors raise rates more than others. For example, multiple speeding tickets may significantly raise car insurance rates, but so can a single ticket for excessive speed in a school zone.

Keep reading as we break down high-risk car insurance factors and rates.

Average annual car insurance rate for At-fault bodily injury accident in Iowa, IA is $2,371

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Company	Annual premium for clean record	Annual premium after violation
State Farm	$1,306	$1,482
USAA	$1,165	$1,726
Travelers	$1,238	$1,795
Auto-Owners	$1,461	$1,931
Progressive	$1,589	$2,302
GEICO	$1,716	$3,020
Allstate	$2,126	$3,121

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Average annual rate

People ask

Who is considered a high-risk driver in Iowa?

Drivers in Iowa are considered high-risk if they have a DUI, multiple speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, reckless driving convictions, insurance lapses, an SR-22 requirement or a poor driving history. Teen drivers and new drivers also often pay higher premiums. Insurance companies use different rating formulas, so classifications vary by insurer.

What company offers the cheapest car insurance in Iowa after a DUI?

State Farm has the cheapest average DUI insurance rates in Iowa at $1,394 annually.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a major traffic violation that will hurt your driving record. It can increase auto insurance rates for almost a decade, in addition to fines and other penalties. Multiple DUIs will increase your premiums even more, but improving your driving habits can help you get better rates over time.

The table below shows the average car insurance rates for a clean record vs. a DUI in Iowa.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for a DUI
State Farm	$1,306	$1,394
Progressive	$1,589	$1,677
Travelers	$1,238	$1,889
Allstate	$2,126	$2,794
GEICO	$1,716	$3,087
Auto-Owners	$1,461	$3,547
USAA	$1,165	$1,922

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What is the cheapest car insurance in Iowa with multiple tickets?

State Farm has the cheapest average rates for drivers with multiple tickets at $1,394 annually or $116 monthly.

A single ticket can raise your car insurance premiums, but multiple tickets will push them even higher. Repeatedly violating speed limits and other traffic laws signals risky behavior, increasing the likelihood that insurers will have to pay claims.

This table shows drivers in Iowa how much having multiple tickets can raise their insurance premiums.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium with a speeding ticket
State Farm	$1,306	$1,394
Travelers	$1,238	$1,811
Progressive	$1,589	$1,998
Auto-Owners	$1,461	$2,252
Allstate	$2,126	$2,336
GEICO	$1,716	$2,688
USAA	$1,165	$1,450

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Expert's Insight Two minor tickets can sometimes cost you more on insurance than one major violation.

Which company offers the cheapest insurance for reckless driving in Iowa?

State Farm provides the cheapest average reckless driving insurance rates in Iowa at $1,394 per year.

If you engage in hazardous driving behaviors that endanger others, you may be charged with reckless driving. A reckless driving conviction will increase your car insurance rates.

The table below shows car insurance rates for drivers with a clean record vs. drivers with a reckless driving conviction.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for reckless driving
State Farm	$1,306	$1,394
Travelers	$1,238	$1,889
Progressive	$1,589	$2,148
GEICO	$1,716	$2,663
Allstate	$2,126	$2,794
Auto-Owners	$1,461	$3,547
USAA	$1,165	$1,631

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Expert's Insight A reckless driving conviction can limit your car insurance options and significantly raise rates, so shopping around is critical.

Which company has the cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in Iowa?

The cheapest Iowa insurer for bad credit is Travelers, with rates averaging $1,891 per year or $158 per month. The good news is that drivers with bad credit can still get affordable auto insurance.

Your credit score may not be related to your driving skills, but it can affect your car insurance rates and put you in a higher-risk category. From an insurer's perspective, higher risk means an increased chance of filing a claimAn insurance claim is a request you make to your insurance company for coverage after your car is damaged or you have an accident. You can file a claim online, by phone, or in writing., and statistics show that drivers with lower credit scores are in this category.

Check the table below to see how your credit score affects Iowa car insurance.

Company	Annual premium for good credit	Annual premium for bad credit
Travelers	$1,238	$1,891
GEICO	$1,716	$2,583
Progressive	$1,589	$2,666
Allstate	$2,126	$3,194
Auto-Owners	$1,461	$3,720
State Farm	$1,306	$6,462
USAA	$1,165	$2,005

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What company has the cheapest car insurance in Iowa after an accident?

State Farm has the cheapest average post-accident insurance rates in Iowa at $1,482 per year. Travelers also offers below-average rates after an at-fault crash.

Drivers with accidents on their driving records see higher rates than drivers who avoid crashes. While car insurance increases after one accident, multiple accidents significantly increase rates.

This table compares rates for drivers with a clean driving record, one at-fault accident, and multiple accidents.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for one at-fault accident	Annual premium for multiple accident
State Farm	$1,306	$1,482	$1,482
Travelers	$1,238	$1,753	$2,214
Auto-Owners	$1,461	$1,931	$2,280
Progressive	$1,589	$2,302	$2,823
GEICO	$1,716	$3,020	$3,439
Allstate	$2,126	$3,121	$4,478
USAA	$1,165	$1,726	$2,631

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Expert's Insight Accident forgiveness programs can prevent rate increases, but eligibility varies by insurer, and often only minor accidents qualify.

Which city is cheapest for high-risk car insurance in Iowa?

Iowa City has the cheapest average high-risk insurance premiums in Iowa at $2,074 annually. Meanwhile, Centerville has the highest average rates at $2,628 per year.

Where you live affects your insurance costs. Areas with more traffic, accidents or vehicle theft usually have higher insurance rates.

City	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for high-risk driver
Iowa City	$1,351	$2,074
Story City	$1,461	$2,226
Altoona	$1,441	$2,228
Kalona	$1,554	$2,364
Lawton	$1,567	$2,373
Cedar Falls	$1,562	$2,408
Ely	$1,580	$2,418
Atkins	$1,618	$2,475
Des Moines	$1,585	$2,479
Centerville	$1,741	$2,628

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How can high-risk drivers lower their car insurance rates in Iowa?

High-risk drivers in Iowa can reduce insurance costs by comparing quotes and avoiding additional violations. Many insurers reward safer driving habits over time with lower premiums.

Ways to lower car insurance rates include:

Carefully consider filing claims. Paying for minor damage out of pocket may be cheaper than filing an insurance claim and increasing rates for years.
Avoid costly infractions. Drive carefully to avoid adding traffic infractions to your record. Tickets only affect insurance rates for a few years, which will decrease if more tickets aren't added.
Take a defensive driving course. Many insurance companies offer a discount for completing the class, and some states remove driver's license points for successfully completing it.
Shop around for coverage. Every car insurance company weighs factors differently and offers different rates. Compare quotes to find the cheapest rates.

People ask

How long are you considered a high-risk driver in Iowa?

Three years is common, but how long you are considered a high-risk driver in Iowa depends on the insurance company's guidelines. The state determines how long a violation stays on your record, but the insurance company determines how long you're charged for that violation.

What are Iowa's insurance requirements for high-risk drivers?

If you're a high-risk driver in Iowa, you might need to file an SR-22. This is a form that your car insurance company sends in to show you have the required minimum insurance coverage. The court will let you know how long you need to keep the SR-22.

An SR-22 isn't a type of insurance; it's just a form. You don't need special coverage, but your rates might be higher because you're considered high-risk. Also, not all insurance companies offer coverage for high-risk drivers or handle SR-22 filings.

Methodology

170+

insurance companies analyzed

34,000+

ZIP codes examined

$53M

insurance quotes analyzed

National and state average rates are based on three coverage levels: state minimum, 50/100/50 liability-only, and full coverage with 100/300/100 liability and $500 deductibles.

All base rate averages are based on our full coverage data set. This data set is based on:

Bodily injury liability of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident
Property damage liability of $100,000 per incident
Comprehensive and collision deductibles of $500
40-year-old driver
Honda Accord LX
Good credit
A clean driving record
12-mile commute, 10,000 annual mileage

Our data is then adjusted to reflect the rate increase from this base rate for the following infractions and issue:

DUI
Reckless driving
Multiple speeding tickets
Bad credit
One at-fault accident over $2,000

FAQ: High-risk car insurance in Iowa

Can high-risk drivers get full coverage car insurance in Iowa?

Yes, you can get full coverage insurance as a high-risk driver. However, you can expect it to cost a lot more than liability-only coverage.

Does an SR-22 automatically make your insurance more expensive in Iowa?

An SR-22 doesn't increase your rates, but the violation that resulted in the requirement will; as a result, having an SR-22 means higher rates. An SR-22 is the form the insurance company has to file with the state, and by itself, it doesn't increase your rates.