Iowa Car Insurance

Iowa’s required auto insurance limits

In Iowa, drivers are required to carry the following minimum liability coverage limits for auto insurance:

• Bodily Injury Liability Coverage:
  • $20,000 per person
  • $40,000 per accident
• Property Damage Liability Coverage:
  • $15,000 per accident

Bodily injury liability coverage: Coverage to protect you from the financial consequences of causing bodily harm to others in an auto accident. This extends to coverage for medical expenses, pain and suffering, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages. It may also cover legal fees if you’re sued for the damage. Coverage is subject to limitations and exclusions.

Property damage liability coverage: This coverage helps with damage you cause to someone else’s property in an auto accident where you’re at fault. It includes costs for repairing or replacing the other party’s vehicle and other damaged property, like buildings or fences. If you’re sued for the damage, it may also cover legal expenses. Coverage is subject to limitations and exclusions.

In addition to the minimum liability coverage requirements, if you opt for uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage, Iowa requires the following minimum limits:

• Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage:
  • $20,000 per person^*
  • $40,000 per accident^*

Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage: Provides financial support if you’re injured in an accident caused by a driver who’s uninsured or doesn’t have enough coverage to pay for your medical bills and other expenses. 

*In Iowa, these coverages can be rejected in writing.

It’s important to understand that these are just the minimum requirements, and drivers in Iowa may choose higher coverage limits for added protection.

Additional coverage considerations in Iowa

Opting for additional auto insurance coverage beyond Iowa-mandated minimums can provide invaluable protection in various scenarios. It’s not only a wise choice for safeguarding your finances and assets, but may be required coverage if you lease or finance your car. Here are some additional coverages you might consider:

• Comprehensive (other than collision): Coverage for damage to your vehicle that isn’t the result of a collision with another car or object. This includes damage caused by falling trees or rocks kicked up by other cars. 
• Collision coverage: No-fault coverage that helps pay for repairs to your car if it’s damaged in a collision with another vehicle or object. 
• Medical payments: Covers medical expenses for you and your passengers after an accident, regardless of fault. Medical payments coverage can help cover costs like hospital stays, surgery and rehabilitation. 
• Rental reimbursement: Coverage for transportation costs if your vehicle needs repairs after an accident. It covers rental cars, ridesharing or public transportation like trains, taxis and buses. 
• Auto loan/lease coverage: Coverage for the difference between what you owe on your loan or lease and the current value of your vehicle if it’s totaled in a covered accident.
• Roadside assistance coverage: Around-the-clock roadside assistance, providing services like jumping dead batteries, towing your car and unlocking car doors.
• Repairing or replacing auto glass: Repair or replacement of your damaged windshield, windows and other auto glass, without a deductible.

What affects your Iowa auto insurance rates

There are several factors that impact auto insurance in Iowa, including individual circumstances, location, weather patterns and more. Here are key points to consider:

• Driving history: Your individual driving record significantly impacts insurance premiums. Drivers with clean records may have lower premiums, while drivers with a history of accidents or traffic violations typically face higher rates. 
• Coverage options and limits: The types and amounts of coverage you choose affect your premiums. Opting for the minimum state-required coverage tends to be more affordable, whereas adding optional coverages with higher limits increases premiums. 
• Vehicle type: The make and model of your vehicle can influence Iowa car insurance rates. Factors such as safety ratings, repair costs and the likelihood of theft contribute to premium calculations. 
• Claims in your state: Iowa auto insurance rates may be influenced by the frequency and severity of claims filed in the state. Higher rates of accidents, theft or other incidents could lead to increased premiums for all drivers in Iowa.

It’s important to know that auto rates change over time for a number of reasons. Some of those reasons, like your driving record and claim history, are within your control, while others, like industry repair rates and claim frequency in your area, are not. If your auto rates increase, you may be able to mitigate the increase by adjusting your coverage or deductible, or qualifying for policy discounts.

Save more with Iowa auto insurance discounts

Amica offers various auto insurance discounts to help Iowans save money on their premiums.¹ Here are some ways to save:

• Discounts for family
  • Young driver training: We have discounts for drivers under 21 who complete an accredited driver training program. 
  • Good student: Policies with full-time high school or college students, ages 15-25, with a “B” average or higher are eligible for our Good Student Discount.
• Discounts for how you drive
  • Accident-free: Get an insurance discount when you’ve been claim-free for the past three years. 
  • Defensive driver training: Taking an approved driver safety course can earn you a discount.
• Discounts for your car’s systems
  • Anti-theft: We’ll reward you for keeping your car safe and secure with anti-theft devices, like car alarms and GPS tracking systems. 
  • Adaptive headlights: If your car is equipped with adaptive headlights, you may be eligible for a discount.
• Discounts for how you pay
  • AutoPay: Simplify your payment experience with AutoPay to earn even more savings. 
  • Paperless: Get a discount when you sign up to receive policy documents and bills electronically. 
  • Paid in full: Save money when you pay the entire balance of your Iowa policy premium up front.

If you’re an Iowa driver in need of both auto and home insurance coverage, it’s worth exploring options for bundling policies to maximize savings. When you bundle auto and home insurance with Amica, you’re eligible to save up to 20% with a multiline discount.¹

Facts and figures about Iowa

Fun facts about Iowa:

• With the Missouri River to the west and the Mississippi River to the east, Iowa is the only state where the borders are formed by water.²
• Snake Alley in Burlington is listed in “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” for its unique design and sharp, winding turns.²
• Iowa 80 Truckstop, the world’s largest truck stop, is located in Walcott. Open 24/7, it has restaurants, a barbershop, gym, laundry facilities, dentist, a movie theater and more.³

Facts about driving in Iowa:

• Avoid stopping your car in the green spaces at intersections. These are bicycle boxes designed to provide a safe space for bicyclists to turn.⁴
• Pedestrian hybrid beacons alert drivers when pedestrians need to cross busy roadways. A flashing yellow light signals a waiting pedestrian, a solid yellow light means be prepared to stop and once the top lights become red, the motorist must stop to allow the pedestrian to cross.⁴
• May, October and November are peak months for deer collisions in Iowa. Deer are especially active at sunrise and sunset.⁴