
Best Car Insurance In Iowa
State Farm offers the best car insurance in Iowa considering its affordable average rates, number of available discounts, and wide variety of coverage.
Find out if you’re paying too much for auto insurance here.
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Key Points:
- You can find the best car insurance in Iowa from State Farm, Geico, Auto-Owners, Iowa Farm Bureau, and Progressive.
- State Farm offers affordable rates for both minimum and full coverage insurance.
- Progressive is a good option for extra savings with usage-based insurance.
Are you looking for the best car insurance in Iowa? Our review team takes a look at the top car insurance providers in the Hawkeye state as well as state requirements and costs. If you want the best deal on Iowa car insurance, whether you live in Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, or Sioux City, we recommend getting auto insurance quotes from multiple providers and comparing them.
What Is The Best Car Insurance Company In Iowa?
State Farm is the best car insurance company in Iowa because it offers low rates. The state average cost of car insurance for full coverage is $111 per month while State Farm offers average rates of $81 per month. State Farm also offers many useful discounts including 25 percent off for good students, which is the best in the industry.
Iowa Car Insurance Company Comparison
Our review team took a deep dive into the nation’s best auto insurance companies, considering everything from average cost and discounts to customer service and filing claims. From this, we narrowed down the best Iowa car insurance companies that represent everything you need as a driver in the Midwest. Our picks for the best car insurance in Iowa combine nationally ranked companies with a few local providers.
| Best Iowa Car Insurance | Our Rating
(Out of 5.0) | Award |
|---|---|---|
| 1. State Farm | 4.7 | Best Overall Provider |
| 2. Geico | 4.5 | Best for Basic Coverage |
| 3. Auto-Owners | 4.4 | Good Claims Experience |
| 4. Iowa Farm Bureau | 3.9 | Best Local Service |
| 5. Progressive | 4.5 | Best for Usage-Based Insurance |
*Not all companies were included in our rate estimates for each state. You may also notice that some car insurance companies are listed above those with higher star ratings. This is because our star ratings take into account nationwide factors, while our ranking looks specifically at what insurance providers are best for car insurance in Iowa.
5 Best Car Insurance Companies In Iowa
Next, we’ll dive into each of our top picks for Iowa car insurance.
#1 State Farm: Best Overall Provider
Full Coverage Auto Insurance Cost: $976 per year or $81 per month
Minimum Liability Auto Insurance Cost: $255 per year or $21 per month
Iowa Customer Service Rating: 833/1,000
Claims Satisfaction Rating: 891/1,000
Our first choice for car insurance in Iowa is State Farm. Besides offering low car insurance rates on average, State Farm has a good selection of discounts for young drivers, safe driving, vehicle safety, and more. State Farm ranked third in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study for the central region, which includes Iowa.
To learn more about the car insurance provider, check out our review of State Farm auto insurance.
Pros
- Comprehensive coverage offerings
- Extensive selection of discounts for teens and students
- Superior financial strength rating from AM Best
- Easy online quotes process and positive customer reviews
Cons
- Higher rates than some competitors
- Not taking new customers in Massachusetts or Rhode Island
- C- rating from the BBB due to unresolved customer complaints
#2 Geico: Best for Basic Coverage
Full Coverage Auto Insurance Cost: $1,234 per year or $103 per month
Minimum Liability Auto Insurance Cost: $353 per year or $29 per month
Iowa Customer Service Rating: 819/1,000
Claims Satisfaction Rating: 871/1,000
Geico offers car insurance policies to all 50 states. Overall, we found that Geico has cheap car insurance in Iowa with reliable services across the board. It received an A++ from AM Best and maintains an A+ rating on the BBB, which means it’s able to pay out claims and solves customer complaints quickly. Geico also offers 16 discounts, so there are many ways to save on your car insurance premiums.
To learn more about the car insurance provider, check out our review of Geico insurance.
Pros
- Affordable rates and numerous discounts
- Good option for military members
- Superior financial strength rating and A+ rating from the BBB
Cons
- Below-average scores on J.D. Power studies
#3 Auto-Owners: Good Claims Experience
Full Coverage Auto Insurance Cost: $1,306 per year or $109 per month
Minimum Liability Auto Insurance Cost: $297 per year or $25 per month
Iowa Customer Service Rating: 829/1,000
Claims Satisfaction Rating: 888/1,000
Auto-Owners is another great option for Iowa car insurance. The company works through local Iowan agents, so you get a personal touch when shopping for auto insurance coverage. Auto-Owners also scored high on the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study℠, which shows most drivers have a good experience working through claims.
Pros
- Superior financial strength rating and A+ rating from the BBB
- Many choices for coverage
- High level of customer satisfaction with claims
Cons
- No online quote option
#4 Iowa Farm Bureau: Best Local Service
Full Coverage Auto Insurance Cost: $1,478 per year or $123 per month
Minimum Liability Auto Insurance Cost: $297 per year or $25 per month
Iowa Customer Service Rating: N/A
Claims Satisfaction Rating: N/A
If you want to support local agriculture and experience service from local agents, Iowa Farm Bureau is a good option. The company offers a wide variety of coverage options and has offices in all Iowa counties. Iowa Farm Bureau offers affordable rates in the state, but you’ll have to get in touch with an agent for a quote.
Pros
- Ideal for those seeking a local service experience
- Known for low rates
- Several discounts available
- A+ BBB rating for Farm Bureau Financial Services
Cons
- Not large enough to be rated by J.D. Power
- No online quote option
#5 Progressive: Best for Usage-Based Insurance
Full Coverage Auto Insurance Cost: $1,285 per year or $107 per month
Minimum Liability Auto Insurance Cost: $434 per year or $36 per month
Iowa Customer Service Rating: 803/1,000
Claims Satisfaction Rating: 870/1,000
Rounding out our list of the best car insurance companies in Iowa is Progressive. The company offers decent rates on full coverage car insurance and has multiple discounts for Iowa drivers to save money. You can also take advantage of Snapshot, Progressive’s mobile app and usage-based program, and get a discount for safe driving habits.
To learn more about the car insurance provider, check out our review of Progressive car insurance.
Pros
- Superior financial strength rating and A rating from the BBB
- Can cover custom equipment and classic cars
- Usage-based insurance discount
Cons
- Below-average J.D. Power scores
Is Car Insurance Mandatory In Iowa?
Car insurance is mandatory in Iowa, and driving uninsured in the state can result in hefty fines and vehicle impoundment. Auto insurance coverage requirements vary state by state. Only two states–New Hampshire and Virginia–don’t mandate auto insurance, while others have a law requiring minimum coverage. Iowa law requires liability coverage of 20/40/15, which we’ve broken down below.
- Bodily injury liability (BI): $20,000 in bodily injury per person and $40,000 in bodily injury per accident
- Property damage liability (PD): $15,000 in property damage per accident
Keep in mind that these coverages are only the minimum insurance requirements in the state. On one hand, this means you have more flexibility to customize your Iowa auto insurance policy and often at more competitive prices than other states. However, in addition to the minimums, we recommend some level of collision, comprehensive, and medical coverage. Between liability vs. full coverage insurance, you get a lot more protection with full coverage.
Is Iowa A No-Fault State?
No, Iowa is not a no-fault state. This means that if you cause an accident in Iowa–such as rear-ending the car in front of you–it’s your car insurance provider’s financial responsibility to cover the damages and related injuries for both you and the other driver, depending on the coverage you have.
What To Know About Driving In Iowa
Iowa is known for its flat, wide-open spaces where one can take to the highway and explore small country towns. As a midwestern state, Iowa sees its fair share of snow each year. Icy roads and poor visibility are other strong reasons to purchase higher coverage than the state minimum for car insurance in Iowa.
Best Iowa Car Insurance: Our Take
Overall, State Farm is our top pick for the best Iowa car insurance coverage. That said, you can also find great rates and coverage from Geico, Auto-Owners, Iowa Farm Bureau, and Progressive. Compare multiple car insurance quotes to find the best option for your situation.
Best Car Insurance In Iowa: FAQ
Below are a few frequently asked questions about car insurance in Iowa.
Who has the best auto insurance rates in Iowa?
Our rate data shows State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance as a national provider in Iowa with annual rates of $81 per month for full coverage. Some local providers like Pelkin and West Bend can also be affordable.
How much is car insurance in Iowa per month?
Our analysis shows the average good driver (someone with a clean driving record and good credit score) in Iowa pays about $111 per month for full coverage insurance and $30 per month for minimum coverage insurance. The national average monthly cost for full coverage is $134 and $67 for minimum liability.
Which type of car insurance is best?
We recommend getting full coverage insurance, which includes liability insurance plus comprehensive and collision coverage. This protects you and your vehicle in many different situations.
How We Rate Auto Insurers
Our review team extensively researches auto insurance providers to deliver informed and unbiased assessments of leading companies. We evaluate several key rating factors that are important to consumers to determine which providers are the best in the industry:
- Reliability: It’s important that an auto insurer is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong financial strength rating from AM Best score best in this category. Established insurers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
- Availability: Insurance companies that offer wider availability to consumers in terms of state availability and few eligibility requirements are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Coverage: To determine our coverage score, we look at the number of coverage options available as well as coverage limits and deductible options. Our ratings also take into account additional services and benefits like roadside assistance.
- Pricing: Cost can be difficult to compare between insurers because so many factors impact annual premiums. The cheapest insurer for one driver may not be the cheapest for another. To determine our cost score, we look at insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services, discount opportunities, and consumer reports.
- Service: We comb through customer reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn about customer experiences. Insurers with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the claims process, giving higher ratings to car insurance providers that offer a smooth experience.
- Technology: Providers with an online quote tool, easy-to-use claims app and a usage-based insurance app score best in this category.
*Data accurate at time of publication.