Updated November 24, 2025

How to Find the Cheapest Car Insurance in Iowa

Iowa cheapest insurance

How to Find the Cheapest Car Insurance in Iowa

Good news for Iowa drivers: Jerry’s latest data shows that liability coverage in the Hawkeye State averages about $194 per month. Over the past year we’ve helped 1,691 Iowans lower their premiums, and drivers who switch with Jerry save an average of $699 a year without giving up the coverage they depend on.

Jerry compares quotes from up to 7 trusted insurers in Iowa to build your policy and help you lock in your best rate in minutes.

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What Iowa drivers are paying right now

Insurance prices in Iowa shift more than you might expect. Rural counties see different risk patterns than metro areas like Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, and insurers consider everything from icy winter roads to the state’s high deer-collision frequency when setting rates. Even two drivers with the same car and clean record can still receive very different quotes depending on where they live and other factors.

Jerry tracks live quotes across Iowa to give you a real-time look at what drivers are paying right now. Here are some recent full coverage policies purchased through Jerry and what those drivers paid.

Recent quotes

Last Updated Nov. 23, 2025

Based on Jerry customers with clean driving records who found savings in the past 12 months. Savings vary by state, coverage, driver profile and other factors.

Key takeaway: Check your rate periodically. In Iowa, things like winter conditions, crop-season traffic patterns, road construction and even minor updates to your driving profile can shift your premium by renewal time.

4 easy ways Jerry helps Iowa drivers save on car insurance

Lowering your car insurance bill isn’t just about chasing the cheapest quote. The real value comes from knowing what affects your rate and adjusting what actually moves the needle.

Jerry makes that easy by comparing real offers, surfacing discounts you qualify for and showing you exactly where you can save without compromising coverage.

Here are our top tips to help you spend less and worry less.

How to saveAverage Iowa driver savings
Compare quotes25% to 41%
Stack discounts28% to 52%
Pick the right deductible16% to 71%*
Opt into telematics5% to 9%*

*Among all Jerry drivers nationwide.

Based on Jerry customers with clean driving records who found savings in the past 12 months. Savings vary by state, coverage, driver profile and other factors.

Jerry Agent Tip 1: Compare quotes from multiple insurers

Iowa’s insurance rates vary widely by company. Rural drivers often face lower claim frequency but higher crash severity due to higher speeds on long stretches of two-lane highways. Urban drivers see more fender benders, theft and weather-related claims. Add in Iowa’s freezing rain, heavy snow and some of the Midwest’s highest deer-strike rates, and insurers can end up pricing risk very differently.

Comparing quotes side by side with Jerry is the fastest way to avoid paying more than you have to.

Here’s where Iowa drivers who saved most often switched after checking their rates with Jerry:

Insurance carrierIowa drivers who switchedAverage Jerry savings
Progressive29%31%
Root10%28%
Bristol West8%27%
National General7%30%
Assurance America6%28%

Based on Jerry customers with clean driving records who found savings in the past 12 months. Savings vary by state, coverage, driver profile and other factors.

Why it matters: Even drivers with similar profiles can see large price differences depending on whether they’re in the city or a rural county. Jerry helps you see those differences clearly so you can choose the best fit for your budget.

Jerry Agent Tip 2: Combine discounts for a cheaper rate

Most Iowa drivers qualify for several discounts, from safe-driver rewards to paperless billing, good-student savings, multi-car bundles and anti-theft devices. But insurers don’t always apply every discount automatically.

Jerry finds which discounts you’re eligible for so no savings get overlooked.

Key takeaway: Stacking discounts can lead to bigger savings than raising deductibles alone.

Jerry Agent Tip 3: Pick the right deductible

Your deductible has a big impact on your premium. Iowa drivers deal with black ice, sudden spring storms and rural highways where wildlife crossings are common, all of which create a higher chance of claims. Choose a deductible that fits your real-world risk and your budget.

Here’s what Jerry drivers are choosing for their deductibles:

To find the right deductible for your policy:

  • Review your car’s value (Jerry updates this monthly).

  • Decide what you could comfortably pay out of pocket.

  • Compare how different deductibles change your rate in real time.

The Jerry difference: Jerry shows you deductible options and savings instantly, making it easy to choose the balance of cost and protection that works for you.

Jerry Agent Tip 4: Use telematics to drive your rate down

Telematics programs reward how you actually drive, not how insurers assume you drive based on your age or ZIP code. Iowa drivers who use telematics save an average of 6%, according to Jerry data. Smooth braking, lighter mileage and safe driving hours all work in your favor, and many Iowa drivers benefit naturally thanks to open roads and lower congestion outside major cities.

Tools like Jerry’s DriveShield take this even further. It tracks your driving, scores your habits and automatically shops for lower rates when you qualify. We only share your drive score with insurers if it can genuinely save you money.

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How to get better coverage without overpaying

Iowa requires 20/40/15 liability coverage, but that minimum won’t cover your car if you’re hit or caught in storm damage. Here’s how Iowa drivers typically structure their coverage:

Minimum

$37$69/mo

Meets state requirements but doesn’t protect your own vehicle.

Full

$84$157/mo

Adds collision and comprehensive, often needed for leased or financed cars.

Standard

$99$178/mo

Includes UM/UIM and medical payments, especially useful in rural areas with higher crash severity.

Preferred

$105$176/mo

Higher liability limits, lower deductibles and extras like towing or rental reimbursement mean better protection.

Key takeaway: Start with your comfort around risk and what your vehicle is worth. Jerry shows real-time pricing across all coverage tiers so you can choose confidently.

The cheapest Iowa policy is liability-only, but affordable add-ons like comprehensive often pay off when hail, wildlife or storm wind are involved.

  • Coverage definitions

Iowa insurance factors at a glance

What you pay for car insurance in Iowa is shaped by the realities of driving here, from long rural highways to some of the country’s highest deer-strike rates. Winter storms, fast temperature swings and rising urban claim activity all factor into how insurers calculate your premium.

Wildlife collisions

Iowa regularly ranks near the top of national deer-strike lists, making comprehensive coverage valuable.

Winter weather

Collision coverage is smart when freezing rain, snow and black ice drive up crash frequency.

Rural crash severity

Higher-speed roads lead to more expensive claims, so consider your limits.

Urban theft pockets

Cities like Des Moines see higher vandalism and theft rates.

Iowa Insurance After a Ticket, Accident or SR-22

Jerry helps make sure one mistake doesn’t lock you into high rates forever. We partner with insurers that consider your full profile and automatically re-shop your policy as your record improves.

If you got a ticket

Iowa uses a point system to track violations. Too many points can affect your license status and your premium. Even one ticket can raise your rate for years, though some drivers may qualify for defensive driving courses that reduce the impact.

Once you’re signed up in the Jerry app, we’ll monitor your driving record. After the violation clears, Jerry shops for better prices automatically.

Here are the average rate increases we’ve seen for Iowa drivers after a ticket:

  • Speeding under 15: 3%

  • Speeding over 15: 23%

  • Failure to obey traffic sign: 0%

  • Reckless driving: 0%

Based on Jerry customers with clean driving records who found savings in the past 12 months. Savings vary by state, coverage, driver profile and other factors.

If you’ve had an accident

Iowa is an at-fault state. An at-fault crash raises premiums by 5% on average and those increases can stick around for three to five years. Jerry finds your best available rate immediately and re-shops your policy when the accident drops off.

Rates after an accident, full coverage
Accident record
Average monthly quote
Not At Fault $392
At Fault With Injury $399
At Fault With No Injury $439
Last Updated Nov. 24, 2025

Based on Jerry customers with clean driving records who found savings in the past 12 months. Savings vary by state, coverage, driver profile and other factors.

If you’ve been convicted of a DUI

A DUI can push Iowa insurance rates sharply higher, by an average of -1%. Some insurers still offer more reasonable pricing for high-risk drivers, and Jerry identifies those companies for you.

Here are the five cheapest insurance companies for Iowa drivers with DUIs:

Insurer
Avg monthly rate after DUI
Offers coverage after DUI
$113 Yes
$159 Yes
$198 Yes
$208 Yes
$724 Yes
Last Updated Nov. 24, 2025

Based on Jerry customers with clean driving records who found savings in the past 12 months. Savings vary by state, coverage, driver profile and other factors.

If you need an SR-22 in Iowa

Iowa may require an SR-22 after certain violations, uninsured crashes or suspensions. When you check the SR-22 option in the Jerry app, we only show insurers that file them. Most charge around $25 per year for the paperwork.

Car Insurance with Bad Credit

Iowa allows insurers to use credit-based insurance scores, so your credit can influence your premium. Still, keeping continuous coverage, choosing the right deductible and maintaining a strong driving record often have a bigger impact. 

Jerry helps you compare prices instantly so you always find your best rate.

Average rates in Iowa by credit score

Last Updated Nov. 24, 2025

Based on Jerry customers with clean driving records who found savings in the past 12 months. Savings vary by state, coverage, driver profile and other factors.

Drive with confidence

Iowa’s blend of rural highways, growing metro areas, winter storms and high wildlife activity means there’s no one perfect insurance plan for everyone. The right policy is the one that fits how you drive.

Jerry makes that simple by matching you with strong, affordable coverage and automatically re-shopping when you qualify for a better price.

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Methodology

To find the cheapest car insurance in each state, we use proprietary, real-world quotes from drivers — not third-party estimates. Each shopping journey includes multiple rounds of quotes, with information verified along the way.

At every stage, we aggregate and anonymize data to protect privacy and ensure accuracy. Because Jerry has delivered millions of quotes, often with multiple offers per driver, our datasets are large enough to avoid bias toward any one region, carrier or driver type.

Unlike other sites that rely on modeled rates, Jerry is a licensed insurance broker in 48 states, giving us firsthand visibility into how quotes are generated and validated.

Unless otherwise stated, rates reflect the last six months of verified full-coverage quotes for clean-record drivers. Data involving accidents or credit uses the last 18 months to ensure reliability.

Read more about Jerry’s data gathering and verification processes

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Our experts
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Stephanie Colestock

Stephanie Colestock is a professional writer, CFEI®, and licensed insurance agent specializing in personal finance. With over 14 years of experience, she crafts insightful and accessible content on a wide range of financial topics, including insurance, loans, credit/debt, investing, retirement planning, and banking.

Her bylines appear in top-tier publications such as TIME, Fortune, MSN, Business Insider, USA Today, Money, Fox Business, and CBS. Stephanie’s deep understanding of complex financial concepts and her ability to communicate them clearly have made her a trusted voice in the industry.

When she’s not writing, Stephanie enjoys SCUBA diving, reading a good book, and traveling the world with her family.

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Ben Moore

Ben Moore is a writer and editor at Jerry and an auto insurance expert. He previously worked as a writer, editor and content strategist on NerdWallet’s auto insurance team for five years. His work has been published in The Associated Press, Washington Post, Chicago Sun-Times, MarketWatch, Nasdaq and Yahoo News. He also served as a NerdWallet spokesperson, with appearances on local broadcast television and quotes in Martha Stewart and Real Simple magazine.

Ben has an extensive background in digital marketing, working on affiliate and programmatic advertising campaigns for brands like Cabela’s, H&R Block and Sears. He holds a bachelors degree in marketing from Olivet Nazarene University.

Over the past 12 months, 25% of drivers who switched with Jerry paid $89 or less per month. Not all customers find savings. Savings depend on state, policy features, coverage, driving history and other factors.
Editorial Note: This article was written by a paid member of Jerry’s editorial team. Statements in this article do not constitute advice or recommendations. You should consult with an insurance professional about your specific circumstances and needs before making any insurance decisions.
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