- Iowa car insurance cost averages $992 per year for full coverage, or around $83 on a monthly basis.
- When compared to Midwest states, Iowa ranks #1 for cheapest car insurance cost and ranks #3 out of all 50 states.
- Drivers looking for cheap Iowa car insurance should focus on compact SUVs like the Mazda CX-3, Mazda CX-30, and Ford Ecosport.
How much does car insurance cost in Iowa?
The average cost of car insurance in Iowa is $992 per year, which is 34.9% less than the U.S. average rate of $1,523. Average car insurance cost per month in Iowa costs $83 for a policy that provides full coverage.
Average car insurance quotes in Iowa for the five most popular vehicles
- Ford F-150 pickup – $988 per year ($82 per month)
- Honda CR-V compact SUV – $798 per year ($67 per month)
- Chevrolet Equinox compact SUV – $848 per year ($71 per month)
- Toyota RAV4 compact SUV – $952 per year ($79 per month)
- Chevrolet Silverado pickup – $1,092 per year ($91 per month)
Some additional models that are very popular in Iowa include the Nissan Rogue at $882 per year, the Toyota Camry at $1,004, the Toyota Corolla at $816, and the Ford Explorer with an average cost of $974 per year.
The chart below details average car insurance rates in Iowa for different driver age groups and policy deductibles. Rates shown are averaged for all 2021 models and grouped by driver age.
As shown in the chart, average car insurance rates range from $752 per year for a high deductible policy for a 60-year-old driver to $2,280 per year for a 20-year-old driver with low physical damage deductibles.
When these annual rates are converted to a cost per month, the average cost of car insurance per month in Iowa ranges from $63 to $190 for our rate example.
The insured vehicle makes a big difference in the cost of auto insurance, and the chart below demonstrates this by showing average auto insurance rates in Iowa for 20 of the most popular vehicles sold in the state. With the average cost of car insurance in Iowa being $992, the vehicle in the chart closest to the average rate is the Toyota Camry.
The other largest factor determining the price you pay for car insurance is the age of the driver. The first chart we showed definitely illustrates that a 20-year-old driver pays much more than a 50 or 60-year-old.
But what about drivers younger than age 20?
Teenagers have the most expensive car insurance quotes of any other age group. Average rates in Iowa range from $2,492 per year for a 19-year-old female driver up to $3,552 per year for a 16-year-old male driver.
For 17-year-old drivers, average car insurance rates in Iowa will cost $2,952 to $3,318 per year, while 18-year-olds will range from $2,688 to $3,102 per year.
As with any other age group, the vehicle your teen will be driving makes a big difference in the final cost for coverage. And if the vehicle is old enough to justify not carrying full coverage, you can save quite a bit of money by insuring for only liability coverage.
How do Iowa car insurance rates compare?
Iowa ranks third in the U.S. and number one in the Midwest for cheap car insurance rates. When compared to nearby states, Iowa car insurance costs 24.7% less than Missouri, 25.5% less than Minnesota, and 16.4% less than Nebraska.
The chart below compares average Iowa car insurance quotes to the rest of the states in the Midwest.
When compared to states outside the Midwest region, the average cost of auto insurance in Iowa is 26.8% cheaper than Arizona, 36% cheaper than Georgia, 51% cheaper than Florida, 31.9% cheaper than Texas, and 25.3% cheaper than than Oregon.
Only the states of Maine and Virginia have cheaper average car insurance rates than Iowa.
Average Iowa car insurance cost by automotive segment
The chart below shows average car insurance cost in Iowa for the different categories of vehicles. Drivers will generally find cheaper rates on small and midsize SUVs, minivans, midsize pickup trucks, and non-luxury compact and midsize cars.
Why is this data useful?
When shopping for a new or used vehicle, consumers generally know the type of vehicle they want, such as a large SUV to haul the family or a full-size pickup for hauling gear or cargo.
If having the cheapest car insurance cost is a priority, then by knowing which types of vehicles have the cheapest average car insurance rates can point you in the right direction.
It’s important to note, however, that the cost of insuring individual models within each segment can vary widely. So as you begin to refine your search to specific models, it’s always smart to verify rates not only for that vehicle, but also the specific trim level you’re interested in.
Which models have cheap car insurance in Iowa?
Cars and SUVs with the cheapest car insurance rates in Iowa for their segment include the Mazda CX-3 at $768 per year, the Chevrolet Spark at $774 per year, the Honda Insight at $916 per year, and the Ford Edge at $842 per year.
Other segment-leading models include the the Kia Cadenza at $996 per year, the Chevrolet Tahoe at $1,026 per year, the Chevrolet Colorado at $830 per year, and the Ford F150 at $988 per year.
For luxury cars, the cheapest Iowa car insurance for compact, midsize, and full-size models is on the Mercedes-Benz A220 at $962 per year, the Acura ILX at $920 per year, and the Audi A5 at $1,116 per year.
Compact, midsize, and full-size luxury SUVs with the cheapest rates include the Acura RDX at $844 per year, the Volvo V60 at $946 per year, and the Volvo XC90 at $1,060 per year.
The next table ranks the top 50 cars, pickups, and SUVs with the cheapest average car insurance cost in Iowa.
Car insurance rates for cities in Iowa
Average insurance cost per year and month are listed below for some of the larger Iowa cities. These pages show detailed city-based insurance cost information, including the cheapest models to insure in each city.
- Des Moines Car Insurance - $1,014 per year or $85 per month
- Cedar Rapids Car Insurance - $982 per year or $82 per month
- Davenport Car Insurance - $1,030 per year or $86 per month
- Sioux City Car Insurance - $1,054 per year or $88 per month
- Waterloo Car Insurance - $1,062 per year or $89 per month
Additional insights and ways to save
Below are some additional average rates for different situations that may arise when buying car insurance, as well as some discounts and tips for saving money on your next policy.
- Fewer accidents means cheaper auto insurance rates. Frequent accidents will raise rates, potentially up to $1,382 per year for a 20-year-old driver and as much as $318 per year for a 50-year-old driver.
- As you get older, rates tend to drop. The difference in insurance rates in Iowa between a 50-year-old driver ($902 per year) and a 30-year-old driver ($1,044 per year) is $142, or a difference of 13.6%.
- Policy discounts equal cheaper car insurance. Discounts may be available if the policyholders belong to certain professional organizations, insure their home and car with the same company, are accident-free, sign their policy early, choose electronic billing, or many other discounts which could save the average driver as much as $254 per year on auto insurance.
- A good driving record means cheaper rates. You have to be a safe driver in order to get the best car insurance quotes in Iowa. As a matter of fact, just one or two minor infractions on your driving record have the potential to raise insurance policy rates by as much as $262 per year.
- Improve your credit for cheaper auto insurance rates. Having a high credit score of 800+ could save as much as $156 per year versus a lower credit score of 670-739. Conversely, a weaker credit score below 579 could cost up to $181 more per year.
