iowa car insurance
Welcome to our bird's-eye view of car insurance in the Hawkeye State. You'll find info on Iowa's Financial and Safety Responsibility Act, car insurance pricing factors, and more.
Iowa car insurance basics
Iowa does not require all drivers to carry insurance. Instead, the state's Financial and Safety Responsibility Act requires that drivers prove financial responsibility after a car accident.
One good way to prove financial responsibility is by having liability coverage on a car insurance policy. Alternatively, drivers can:
- Agree to pay the other's expenses in an installment plan
- Post cash, a cashier's check, a certified check, a bank draft, or a money order to the Office of Driver Services
- Get releases from the other parties involved
- File evidence of a damage settlement
- Have a court issue a civil damage action excusing you from liability
Drivers who are unable to prove financial responsibility face an automatic suspension of license and registration. They may also be required to submit an SR-22 form certifying their active liability coverage before driving privileges are reinstated.
Iowa's car insurance authority: Iowa Insurance Consumer Advocate
Esurance in Iowa
Esurance is available to Hawkeyes of driving age. If you're ready to see what you could save with Esurance, start your free quote here.
Optional Esurance coverages
In addition to the basic liability coverages, you can add any of the following coverages to round out your policy:
- Medical payment coverage
- Comprehensive coverage
- Collision coverage
- CarMatch® rental car coverage
- Towing and labor
- Customized parts and equipment coverage
- Loan/lease gap coverage
Money-saving discounts available to Iowa drivers
When you get a car insurance quote from Esurance, you can find out if you qualify for any of our big Iowa discounts:
- Multi-Car discount
- Homeowners discount
- Paid in Full discount
- On-Time Payment discount
- DriveSense™ discount
- Switch & Save® discount
- Claim-Free discount
- Good Student discount
Already have an Esurance policy? Give us a call at 1-800-ESURANCE (1-800-378-7262) if you have questions about your discounts (some exclusions may apply).
Esurance-approved repair shops in Iowa
The Esurance E-star® network feature RepairView™, which lets you monitor your repairs online, and guarantee repairs for as long as you own your car.
Find an E-star shop near you.
How your car insurance rate may be determined
Iowa car insurers often consider the following factors when setting premiums:
- Driving record
- Marital status
- Where you live
- Vehicle type and its primary use
- Prior insurance coverage
- Gender and age
- Credit-based insurance score
Uninsured drivers in Iowa
A recent report by the Insurance Research Council (IRC) found that 11 percent of Iowa's drivers were uninsured. This was below the national average of 13.8 percent.
Filing an SR-22 form in Iowa
If the state requires you to submit an SR-22 through your insurer, you'll be required to carry liability coverage with at least following limits:
- $20,000 bodily injury coverage per person
- $40,000 bodily injury coverage per incident
- $15,000 property damage coverage per incident
These limits are often written as 20/40/15.
How fault works in Iowa
Iowa practices the tort, or fault-based, system. This means you can sue an at-fault driver for accident-related expenses (and vice versa).
If you're found at fault, your liability coverage can help pay for others' expenses. If another driver caused the accident, you can seek a settlement through that driver's insurer.
Related links
Iowa driving info
Laws, requirements, and info on driving in the Hawkeye State.
Esurance Coverage Counselor®
Take a look at our online counselor for a personalized policy recommendation.
Iowa Insurance Consumer Advocate
The official authority on all things Iowa insurance.