The average driver in Iowa pays about $1,010 a year for full coverage — about 30% less than the US average of $1,438. That ranks Iowa #45 of 51 states (one of the cheapest). The car you drive then shifts it: a cheap-to-insure model can land near $485, a high-loss one well over $7,438.
Iowa insurance cost by coverage
Average Iowa premium split by coverage type — liability is required, full coverage adds collision + comprehensive.
Minimum car insurance required in Iowa
Iowa legally requires at least 20/40/15 in liability coverage — $20,000 bodily injury per person, $40,000 per accident, and $15,000 property damage. These are legal minimums — most drivers carry more to fully protect themselves. Buying used here? Check the car first — look it up by its Iowa license plate.
Minimum coverage is the cheapest to buy, but it may not cover a serious crash — full coverage adds collision and comprehensive for your own car.
Cheapest cars to insure in Iowa
Estimated annual premium in Iowa, cheapest first — state average × each car's real HLDI loss index. See the full cheapest cars to insure nationally.
Know what a car really costs to insure and own.
- Your personalized rate by coverage, age and deductible
- Insurance folded into the 5-year cost to own
- Full breakdown: what each coverage actually costs
- Compare insurance across cars, side by side
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Most expensive cars to insure in Iowa
The priciest cars to insure in Iowa — powerful, theft-prone and costly to repair. See the most expensive cars to insure nationally.
Iowa insurance cost by year
Iowa premiums are up about +23% since 2019. Average Iowa premium by year:
| Year | Iowa avg / yr |
|---|---|
| 2023 | |
| 2022 | |
| 2021 | |
| 2020 | |
| 2019 |
Car insurance cost in Iowa's largest cities
Rates vary within Iowa by city and ZIP — dense metros like Des Moines run above the state average, while smaller towns run below. Estimated typical premium in Iowa's biggest cities:
| City | Est. typical / yr | vs state avg |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | $1,111/yr | +10% urban |
| Cedar Rapids | $1,081/yr | +7% urban |
| Davenport | $1,061/yr | +5% urban |
| Sioux City | $1,050/yr | +4% urban |
| Iowa City | $1,030/yr | +2% urban |
| Waterloo | $1,020/yr | ≈ state avg |
City figures are estimates — urban areas trend above the state average; your exact rate depends on your ZIP, car and record. Use the calculator above for your specific car.
Iowa car insurance — frequently asked
How much is car insurance in Iowa?
The average is about $1,010/yr ($84/mo) for full coverage — 30% below the US average. Your exact rate depends on your car, age and record.
What is the minimum car insurance required in Iowa?
Iowa requires at least 20/40/15 liability — $20,000 bodily injury per person, $40,000 per accident and $15,000 property damage.
Is car insurance expensive in Iowa?
Iowa ranks #45 of 51 states (one of the cheapest). At $1,010/yr it is below the national average of $1,438.
What is the cheapest car to insure in Iowa?
On our data, low-loss models like the Chevrolet Express are cheapest to insure in Iowa — around $485/yr.
How much is car insurance per month in Iowa?
About $84/month for a typical car with full coverage — less for cheap-to-insure models, more for high-performance ones.