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Field report · IA

Car insurance in Iowa

Iowa is an at-fault state with a minimum liability requirement of 20/40/15. Here's what that means, what it costs, and what to check before you buy.

Minimum coverage20/40/151
Fault systemAt-fault1
Uninsured motoristMust be offered1
RegulatorIowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT), Motor Vehicle Division

What the minimums actually mean

$20,000 per injured person, $40,000 total per accident for injuries, and $15,000 for property damage - the lowest liability minimums among neighboring Midwest states, worth noting as a possible coverage gap.

UM/UIM is mandated on all policies (matching the 20/40 bodily-injury minimums) unless rejected in writing.

Estimated cost

$335 a year for minimum coverage, $1,932 for full coverage2

Average annual premiums in Iowa for a 40-year-old with a clean record and good credit, driving a 2023 Toyota Camry. Full coverage here means 100/300/50 liability plus collision and comprehensive.

Why this is an average, not a quote

Rates depend heavily on your driving record, exact ZIP code, vehicle, and the insurer's own pricing model — two neighbors can legally pay very different amounts for the same coverage. Use our cost calculator for a figure based on your own details, or get matched with carriers directly.

SR-22 & high-risk filings

Typically required after a DUI, driving uninsured, or reckless driving, generally for about 2 years.

Local conditions worth knowing

Iowa consistently ranks in the nation's top 10 for deer-vehicle collisions, a major factor in comprehensive-claim frequency statewide.

Frequently asked

What is the minimum car insurance requirement in Iowa?
Iowa requires liability limits of at least 20/40/15. $20,000 per injured person, $40,000 total per accident for injuries, and $15,000 for property damage - the lowest liability minimums among neighboring Midwest states, worth noting as a possible coverage gap.
Is Iowa an at-fault or no-fault state?
Iowa is an at-fault state for car insurance claims.
Do I need an SR-22 in Iowa?
Typically required after a DUI, driving uninsured, or reckless driving, generally for about 2 years.
Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Iowa?
UM/UIM is mandated on all policies (matching the 20/40 bodily-injury minimums) unless rejected in writing.

Sources

  1. Iowa Legislature, Iowa Code §321A.1 (2026).
  2. Bankrate, using Quadrant Information Services rates (November 2025), Average cost of car insurance, updated June 5, 2026.

Figures checked against these sources on October 2, 2026.

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