Iowa car insurance laws

Iowa requires that drivers carry at least 20/40/15.

These limits are in place to ease the financial burden for drivers who cause an accident and for the victims. The at-fault driver knows their insurer will cover medical expenses and property damage up to a certain amount, and victims can more readily access funds to pay for accident costs.

However, coverage limits are very low and will not cover expenses from a serious accident. To be better protected, Iowa drivers should consider increasing liability limits and adding coverage, such as collision and comprehensive.

Iowa car insurance requirements

Iowa requires the following coverage:

Liability. There are two parts to liability coverage. First, bodily injury liability pays medical costs associated with an accident, such as doctor visits, surgery, and prescriptions. Second, property damage liability covers repairing or replacing items such as vehicles, fences, or buildings.

Iowa liability minimums are 20/40/15.

The average cost of a minimum coverage policy is $260. However, Progressive has the lowest minimum car insurance rates, averaging $174.

The table below shows the top insurers' average rates for minimum coverage in Iowa.

CompanyAverage annual premiumAverage monthly premium
Progressive$174$15
Auto-Owners$189$16
State Farm$199$17
West Bend Insurance Company$199$17
IMT Insurance$232$19
Geico$254$21
Iowa Farm Bureau$262$22
Travelers$310$26
Grinnell Mutual$362$30
Allstate$508$42
USAA$166$14
Read our methodology

Iowa car insurance cost for minimum coverage limits

On average, state minimum car insurance costs $260. Car insurance rates for minimum coverage vary by company and driver. The table below shows average rates for drivers with minimum coverage in Iowa.

The cheapest company for minimum coverage in Iowa is Progressive at an average rate of $174 annually.

State minimum coverage limit20/40/15
Average annual premium$260
Average monthly premium$22
Read our methodology

Are the Iowa minimum coverage requirements changing in 2025?

Iowa car insurance requirements will not change in 2025. You do not need to make any changes if you have minimum coverage. If mandatory coverage changes in the future, your insurer will inform you, along with any rate changes.

Why do limits change?

"Several states have minimum requirements of property damage of $10,000-$25,000," says Zack Pope, agency manager at David Pope Insurance in Missouri. "[Given] the current values of vehicles, that's extremely antiquated values of coverage and a main reason that I personally do not offer less than 100/300/100 to customers. It is significantly easier to see a car on the road that is valued at $100,000 than it has been in the past."

What does minimum car insurance cover in Iowa?

Iowa requires drivers to carry at least a minimum amount of car insurance to help offset accident costs.

Iowa drivers are required to carry liability coverage. Bodily injury liability helps pay for injuries you cause to others in an accident. Property damage liability covers items damaged in an accident, such as another vehicle, fence, or other property.

PEOPLE ASK:

Is Iowa minimum car insurance enough?

It may not be. Even a moderately serious accident could exceed the state minimum limits of 20/40/15, and minimum coverage may not cover all accident costs. Furthermore, state minimums do not cover your vehicle; you need to add comprehensive and collision coverage.

How much car insurance is enough in Iowa?

Car insurance isn't one size fits all. The amount of coverage you need depends on your assets, net worth and risk level.

For example, if you are financially stable and can afford to pay out of pocket for medical costs and repairs, you may keep insurance limits low. However, you may be sued for the cost difference if you have a sizeable net worth and don't carry enough insurance to cover expenses.

Additionally, if you drive very little or have a short commute, your chances of causing an accident are relatively low. Also, you may choose to skip coverages such as collision and comprehensive if your car isn't worth much, or you can afford to pay for a new vehicle if yours is damaged. However, if you have a loan or lease you will be required to carry this coverage by your lender.

Consider your financial situation when determining how much car insurance you need.

Iowa penalties for driving without car insurance

Since Iowa requires its drivers to carry car insurance, failing to do so has consequences. Although you may be tempted to skip coverage to save money, you'll wind up paying heavily in the long run.

Failing to carry Iowa car insurance has penalties including those listed below. Keep in mind that repeated infractions have more severe penalties, such as jail time.

Fines$325
Other penaltiesLicense and registration suspension
Jail timeNo
Read our methodology

Iowa minimum coverage cost by age group

Younger drivers pay for more car insurance because they lack experience behind the wheel. Fortunately, rates decrease as drivers age.

The table below breaks down the cost of car insurance for various age groups. State Farm has the best rates for teens with minimum coverage averaging $666. Progressive offers the cheapest coverage for adults at $181.

Additionally, females and males pay different rates. The average rate for a 40-year-old female is $264, and the average rate for a 40-year-old male is $256, a difference of $8.

Male
AgeCompanyMale annual premiumMale monthly premium
16IMT Insurance$835$70
16Geico$896$75
16State Farm$923$77
16Auto-Owners$935$78
16Progressive$1,242$104
16Iowa Farm Bureau$1,314$110
16Grinnell Mutual$1,603$134
16Travelers$1,690$141
16West Bend Insurance Company$1,789$149
16Allstate$3,743$312
16USAA$755$63
17Geico$707$59
17IMT Insurance$760$63
17Iowa Farm Bureau$760$63
17State Farm$797$66
17Auto-Owners$835$70
17Progressive$838$70
17West Bend Insurance Company$873$73
17Grinnell Mutual$1,008$84
17Travelers$1,231$103
17Allstate$2,188$182
17USAA$555$46
18IMT Insurance$669$56
18State Farm$680$57
18Progressive$701$58
18Geico$708$59
18Iowa Farm Bureau$720$60
18Auto-Owners$727$61
18Grinnell Mutual$871$73
18West Bend Insurance Company$873$73
18Travelers$967$81
18Allstate$1,562$130
18USAA$462$39
19Progressive$564$47
19State Farm$579$48
19Geico$581$48
19IMT Insurance$601$50
19Auto-Owners$604$50
19West Bend Insurance Company$609$51
19Iowa Farm Bureau$660$55
19Grinnell Mutual$753$63
19Travelers$758$63
19Allstate$1,134$95
19USAA$381$32
20Progressive$453$38
20State Farm$496$41
20Auto-Owners$508$42
20IMT Insurance$527$44
20Geico$546$46
20Iowa Farm Bureau$597$50
20West Bend Insurance Company$604$50
20Travelers$634$53
20Grinnell Mutual$664$55
20Allstate$984$82
20USAA$328$27
21Progressive$370$31
21State Farm$415$35
21Geico$427$36
21Auto-Owners$434$36
21West Bend Insurance Company$467$39
21IMT Insurance$471$39
21Iowa Farm Bureau$475$40
21Travelers$530$44
21Grinnell Mutual$585$49
21Allstate$796$66
21USAA$303$25
22Progressive$330$28
22State Farm$368$31
22Auto-Owners$377$31
22Geico$393$33
22West Bend Insurance Company$421$35
22IMT Insurance$430$36
22Iowa Farm Bureau$466$39
22Travelers$478$40
22Grinnell Mutual$573$48
22Allstate$711$59
22USAA$275$23
23Progressive$300$25
23State Farm$318$27
23Auto-Owners$329$27
23Geico$371$31
23IMT Insurance$378$32
23West Bend Insurance Company$379$32
23Iowa Farm Bureau$428$36
23Travelers$433$36
23Grinnell Mutual$560$47
23Allstate$660$55
23USAA$258$22
24State Farm$276$23
24Progressive$279$23
24Auto-Owners$296$25
24Geico$297$25
24IMT Insurance$345$29
24West Bend Insurance Company$372$31
24Travelers$407$34
24Iowa Farm Bureau$421$35
24Grinnell Mutual$548$46
24Allstate$617$51
24USAA$245$20
25Progressive$237$20
25State Farm$243$20
25West Bend Insurance Company$244$20
25Auto-Owners$279$23
25Geico$286$24
25Iowa Farm Bureau$287$24
25IMT Insurance$318$27
25Travelers$356$30
25Grinnell Mutual$459$38
25Allstate$579$48
25USAA$228$19
30Auto-Owners$191$16
30State Farm$198$17
30Progressive$199$17
30West Bend Insurance Company$209$17
30Geico$242$20
30IMT Insurance$250$21
30Iowa Farm Bureau$254$21
30Travelers$347$29
30Grinnell Mutual$362$30
30Allstate$510$43
30USAA$181$15
35Progressive$187$16
35Auto-Owners$191$16
35State Farm$196$16
35West Bend Insurance Company$209$17
35IMT Insurance$231$19
35Geico$239$20
35Iowa Farm Bureau$254$21
35Travelers$346$29
35Grinnell Mutual$362$30
35Allstate$510$43
35USAA$172$14
40Progressive$169$14
40Auto-Owners$189$16
40West Bend Insurance Company$196$16
40State Farm$199$17
40IMT Insurance$217$18
40Geico$240$20
40Iowa Farm Bureau$254$21
40Travelers$316$26
40Grinnell Mutual$362$30
40Allstate$508$42
40USAA$163$14
45Progressive$167$14
45Auto-Owners$184$15
45West Bend Insurance Company$195$16
45IMT Insurance$200$17
45State Farm$201$17
45Geico$239$20
45Iowa Farm Bureau$254$21
45Travelers$316$26
45Grinnell Mutual$352$29
45Allstate$506$42
45USAA$158$13
50Progressive$160$13
50Auto-Owners$177$15
50West Bend Insurance Company$188$16
50IMT Insurance$196$16
50State Farm$198$17
50Iowa Farm Bureau$208$17
50Geico$246$21
50Grinnell Mutual$301$25
50Travelers$316$26
50Allstate$496$41
50USAA$153$13
55Progressive$154$13
55Auto-Owners$173$14
55West Bend Insurance Company$184$15
55State Farm$193$16
55Iowa Farm Bureau$197$16
55IMT Insurance$202$17
55Geico$246$21
55Travelers$299$25
55Grinnell Mutual$301$25
55Allstate$482$40
55USAA$153$13
60Progressive$154$13
60Auto-Owners$176$15
60State Farm$188$16
60West Bend Insurance Company$196$16
60Iowa Farm Bureau$206$17
60IMT Insurance$216$18
60Geico$249$21
60Grinnell Mutual$290$24
60Travelers$304$25
60Allstate$490$41
60USAA$155$13
65Progressive$155$13
65State Farm$188$16
65Auto-Owners$196$16
65West Bend Insurance Company$212$18
65IMT Insurance$224$19
65Iowa Farm Bureau$227$19
65Geico$257$21
65Grinnell Mutual$307$26
65Travelers$334$28
65Allstate$499$42
65USAA$166$14
70Progressive$173$14
70State Farm$199$17
70Auto-Owners$230$19
70West Bend Insurance Company$238$20
70IMT Insurance$252$21
70Iowa Farm Bureau$279$23
70Geico$284$24
70Grinnell Mutual$346$29
70Travelers$357$30
70Allstate$524$44
70USAA$185$15
75Progressive$220$18
75State Farm$223$19
75Auto-Owners$266$22
75West Bend Insurance Company$305$25
75Geico$311$26
75IMT Insurance$344$29
75Grinnell Mutual$350$29
75Iowa Farm Bureau$366$31
75Travelers$403$34
75Allstate$593$49
75USAA$213$18
Read our methodology
AgeCompanyFemale annual premiumFemale monthly premium
16IMT Insurance$756$63
16Geico$923$77
16State Farm$723$60
16Auto-Owners$623$52
16Progressive$1,149$96
16Iowa Farm Bureau$1,405$117
16Grinnell Mutual$1,119$93
16Travelers$1,271$106
16West Bend Insurance Company$1,786$149
16Allstate$3,743$312
16USAA$745$62
17Geico$742$62
17IMT Insurance$664$55
17Iowa Farm Bureau$822$69
17State Farm$623$52
17Auto-Owners$600$50
17Progressive$774$65
17West Bend Insurance Company$787$66
17Grinnell Mutual$704$59
17Travelers$952$79
17Allstate$2,188$182
17USAA$555$46
18IMT Insurance$568$47
18State Farm$538$45
18Progressive$628$52
18Geico$706$59
18Iowa Farm Bureau$742$62
18Auto-Owners$552$46
18Grinnell Mutual$647$54
18West Bend Insurance Company$650$54
18Travelers$765$64
18Allstate$1,562$130
18USAA$461$38
19Progressive$488$41
19State Farm$464$39
19Geico$539$45
19IMT Insurance$510$43
19Auto-Owners$492$41
19West Bend Insurance Company$532$44
19Iowa Farm Bureau$677$56
19Grinnell Mutual$556$46
19Travelers$618$52
19Allstate$1,134$95
19USAA$377$31
20Progressive$424$35
20State Farm$405$34
20Auto-Owners$438$37
20IMT Insurance$458$38
20Geico$533$44
20Iowa Farm Bureau$623$52
20West Bend Insurance Company$505$42
20Travelers$533$44
20Grinnell Mutual$534$45
20Allstate$984$82
20USAA$324$27
21Progressive$339$28
21State Farm$347$29
21Geico$446$37
21Auto-Owners$398$33
21West Bend Insurance Company$446$37
21IMT Insurance$421$35
21Iowa Farm Bureau$469$39
21Travelers$459$38
21Grinnell Mutual$514$43
21Allstate$796$66
21USAA$298$25
22Progressive$309$26
22State Farm$315$26
22Auto-Owners$366$31
22Geico$406$34
22West Bend Insurance Company$405$34
22IMT Insurance$400$33
22Iowa Farm Bureau$463$39
22Travelers$424$35
22Grinnell Mutual$514$43
22Allstate$711$59
22USAA$271$23
23Progressive$285$24
23State Farm$275$23
23Auto-Owners$338$28
23Geico$395$33
23IMT Insurance$372$31
23West Bend Insurance Company$342$29
23Iowa Farm Bureau$447$37
23Travelers$403$34
23Grinnell Mutual$513$43
23Allstate$660$55
23USAA$257$21
24State Farm$248$21
24Progressive$268$22
24Auto-Owners$316$26
24Geico$326$27
24IMT Insurance$342$29
24West Bend Insurance Company$323$27
24Travelers$394$33
24Iowa Farm Bureau$433$36
24Grinnell Mutual$462$39
24Allstate$617$51
24USAA$247$21
25Progressive$237$20
25State Farm$223$19
25West Bend Insurance Company$223$19
25Auto-Owners$299$25
25Geico$312$26
25Iowa Farm Bureau$270$23
25IMT Insurance$315$26
25Travelers$344$29
25Grinnell Mutual$422$35
25Allstate$579$48
25USAA$231$19
30Auto-Owners$191$16
30State Farm$198$17
30Progressive$206$17
30West Bend Insurance Company$214$18
30Geico$271$23
30IMT Insurance$256$21
30Iowa Farm Bureau$270$23
30Travelers$335$28
30Grinnell Mutual$362$30
30Allstate$510$43
30USAA$186$16
35Progressive$196$16
35Auto-Owners$191$16
35State Farm$196$16
35West Bend Insurance Company$208$17
35IMT Insurance$252$21
35Geico$270$23
35Iowa Farm Bureau$270$23
35Travelers$332$28
35Grinnell Mutual$362$30
35Allstate$510$43
35USAA$176$15
40Progressive$179$15
40Auto-Owners$189$16
40West Bend Insurance Company$202$17
40State Farm$199$17
40IMT Insurance$247$21
40Geico$268$22
40Iowa Farm Bureau$270$23
40Travelers$304$25
40Grinnell Mutual$362$30
40Allstate$508$42
40USAA$168$14
45Progressive$177$15
45Auto-Owners$184$15
45West Bend Insurance Company$201$17
45IMT Insurance$243$20
45State Farm$201$17
45Geico$264$22
45Iowa Farm Bureau$270$23
45Travelers$304$25
45Grinnell Mutual$352$29
45Allstate$506$42
45USAA$163$14
50Progressive$162$14
50Auto-Owners$177$15
50West Bend Insurance Company$196$16
50IMT Insurance$237$20
50State Farm$198$17
50Iowa Farm Bureau$231$19
50Geico$264$22
50Grinnell Mutual$301$25
50Travelers$304$25
50Allstate$496$41
50USAA$160$13
55Progressive$154$13
55Auto-Owners$173$14
55West Bend Insurance Company$193$16
55State Farm$193$16
55Iowa Farm Bureau$222$19
55IMT Insurance$226$19
55Geico$264$22
55Travelers$288$24
55Grinnell Mutual$301$25
55Allstate$482$40
55USAA$159$13
60Progressive$153$13
60Auto-Owners$176$15
60State Farm$188$16
60West Bend Insurance Company$195$16
60Iowa Farm Bureau$229$19
60IMT Insurance$221$18
60Geico$264$22
60Grinnell Mutual$290$24
60Travelers$292$24
60Allstate$490$41
60USAA$162$14
65Progressive$153$13
65State Farm$188$16
65Auto-Owners$196$16
65West Bend Insurance Company$210$18
65IMT Insurance$221$18
65Iowa Farm Bureau$240$20
65Geico$269$22
65Grinnell Mutual$307$26
65Travelers$320$27
65Allstate$499$42
65USAA$173$14
70Progressive$172$14
70State Farm$199$17
70Auto-Owners$230$19
70West Bend Insurance Company$240$20
70IMT Insurance$226$19
70Iowa Farm Bureau$259$22
70Geico$288$24
70Grinnell Mutual$346$29
70Travelers$339$28
70Allstate$524$44
70USAA$193$16
75Progressive$198$17
75State Farm$223$19
75Auto-Owners$266$22
75West Bend Insurance Company$311$26
75Geico$314$26
75IMT Insurance$280$23
75Grinnell Mutual$350$29
75Iowa Farm Bureau$337$28
75Travelers$371$31
75Allstate$593$49
75USAA$221$18
Read our methodology

Iowa minimum coverage cost by city

Ames drivers pay the least for minimum coverage in Iowa at $274. However, Des Moines pay the most at $339.

Car insurance rates vary by city. For example, drivers in larger cities with a high traffic volume or vehicle theft rate pay higher rates.

The table below shows average minimum coverage rates for cities in Iowa.

CityAverage annual premiumAverage monthly premium
Ames$274$23
Iowa City$278$23
Ankeny$296$25
Waterloo$302$25
West Des Moines$307$26
Cedar Rapids$314$26
Council Bluffs$335$28
Sioux City$335$28
Davenport$337$28
Des Moines$339$28
Read our methodology

Optional car insurance coverage in Iowa

Iowa requires drivers to carry car insurance to pay for injuries and damages caused to others. However, drivers don't have to carry coverage for their vehicle unless required by a loan or lease.

Drivers may choose optional coverages such as:

  • Collision. Collision coverage pays for damages to your vehicle if you cause an accident.
  • Comprehensive. This coverage pays for damages to your car unrelated to an accident, such as fire, flood, falling debris, and hail.
  • Rental car coverage. This pays for a rental car if your vehicle is being repaired for a covered claim and usually has time and cost limits.
  • Roadside assistance. If you run out of gas, need a tire changed, or have a dead battery roadside assistance will send someone to help.
  • Gap. Gap coverage pays the difference between what you owe on a car loan and the vehicle's value.

Insurance.com commissioned state minimum car insurance rates from Quadrant Information Systems based on a 40-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving history, driving a 2023 Honda Accord LX. Rates are based on all coverages required by law at minimum coverage limits. Rates were also fielded for various additional age groups. State laws were gathered from state DMV and insurance department websites.

Iowa car insurance laws and requirements: FAQs

Is it mandatory to have car insurance in Iowa?

Yes, Iowa requires that you carry at least the minimum mandatory coverage. Necessary coverage includes 20/40/15.

Will my bare minimum car insurance cover me in another state?

Yes, your car insurance covers claims in another state, even if the minimums are higher in the other state.

What happens if I drive without car insurance in Iowa?

If you're caught driving without car insurance in Iowa, you may face fines, a driver's license suspension, having your vehicle impounded, and increased car insurance rates. Additionally, you may face jail time, especially for multiple violations.

Compare state minimum requirements with other states

Alabama
$433/year
Alaska
$398/year
Arizona
$516/year
Arkansas
$397/year
California
$551/year
Colorado
$437/year
Connecticut
$704/year
Delaware
$788/year
Florida
$993/year
Georgia
$577/year
Hawaii
$396/year
Idaho
$357/year
Illinois
$421/year
Indiana
$417/year
Kansas
$434/year
Kentucky
$606/year
Louisiana
$722/year
Maine
$335/year
Maryland
$727/year
Massachusetts
$511/year
Michigan
$654/year
Minnesota
$475/year
Mississippi
$463/year
Missouri
$488/year
Montana
$350/year
Nebraska
$331/year
Nevada
$720/year
New Hampshire
$397/year
New Jersey
$853/year
New Mexico
$421/year
New York
$731/year
North Carolina
$476/year
North Dakota
$349/year
Ohio
$362/year
Oklahoma
$408/year
Oregon
$641/year
Pennsylvania
$375/year
Rhode Island
$646/year
South Carolina
$720/year
South Dakota
$307/year
Tennessee
$442/year
Texas
$572/year
Washington, D.C.
$558/year
Show more
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