Des Moines drivers pay an overall average of $94 per month for car insurance — more than the state average of $82. As the capital city of Iowa and the most populous city in the state, the high number of vehicles on its roads likely influences its above-average car insurance costs.

With more vehicles on the road, more accidents follow, which also increases insurance rates. In 2022, Des Moines logged 5,442 accidents, according to Iowa Department of Transportation data. By comparison, Cedar Rapids — the second-largest city in the state with a population 65% of that of Des Moines — had 1,886 crashes in the same year.1

State Farm, Auto-Owners, and State Farm offer some of the cheapest car insurance rates in Des Moines. But you may be able to find even cheaper options by comparing car insurance quotes from multiple companies.

Here’s what you should know about finding affordable car insurance in Des Moines, Iowa.

Cheapest car insurance companies in Des Moines

Every driver in Des Moines has a unique situation that affects their insurance premiums. However, some of the top insurance companies consistently offer more affordable car insurance rates than others.

Insurance companies each assess your situation differently, which results in different rates. Shopping around can help you find the cheapest car insurance premiums. To help your search, below is some information about some of the best insurance companies in Des Moines.

Best insurer for cheap coverage: Auto-Owners

Best insurer for military members and veterans: USAA

Best insurer for families: GEICO

How to get the cheapest car insurance in Des Moines

Insurance companies take a range of factors into account when determining your premiums, including your age, location, driving record, credit history, and the type of insurance you want.

As you look for the cheapest car insurance option, here are some ways to lock in low rates:

• Raise your deductible. A higher deductible usually translates into lower auto insurance premiums. If you have the ability to cover a higher deductible, this might be a good idea.

• Ask for a discount. Most insurance companies provide discount opportunities. Find out if you qualify for any savings.

• Shop around. Every insurance company looks at your situation differently, which leads to different rates. Getting quotes from multiple insurance companies can help you find cheap car insurance.

Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Des Moines: State Farm

Liability-only car insurance helps you pay for any damages or injuries you cause to others during an accident. For example, your liability policy could help pay for another party’s medical bills or vehicle repairs after an accident.

The cheapest insurer for liability-only car insurance in Des Moines is State Farm, with an average cost of $27 per month. In general, a liability-only car insurance policy that meets the minimum-coverage requirements is the most affordable option. But this bare-bones approach might not provide enough coverage for your situation, especially if you lease or finance your vehicle.

The following table shows examples of average liability rates from some insurance companies.

Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Des Moines: State Farm

A full-coverage auto insurance policy includes comprehensive and collision insurance on top of liability coverage. After an accident, a full-coverage policy will help you get back on the road by paying for repairs.

Most auto lenders require you to carry a full-coverage policy. But even if you aren’t required to carry this coverage, the more robust policy might provide the financial protection you need.

Generally, the cost of this type of a full-coverage policy is more than a liability-only policy. The cheapest insurer for full-coverage car insurance in Des Moines is State Farm, with an average cost of $43 per month.

The following table illustrates the range of quotes for full-coverage car insurance that Des Moines drivers can find.

Car insurance requirements in Iowa

Des Moines drivers must carry a minimum amount of liability coverage to legally use public roads. Below is a breakdown of the minimum-coverage requirements:

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident

A mistake on the road could lead to a traffic violation on your driving record. Some serious offenses include speeding tickets, driving under the influence, and at-fault accidents. These incidents on your driving record usually represent a red flag to car insurance companies. In general, insurers offset this risk by raising your insurance premiums.

As the most populous city in the state, Des Moines also sees more traffic issues. For example, Polk County — which covers most of Des Moines — saw 44 traffic fatalities in 2021.3 That’s significantly more than any other county in the state.

In the sections below, you’ll see how an incident can affect car insurance costs for Des Moines drivers.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: State Farm

In 2021, Polk County — which covers most of Des Moines — saw 16,272 speeding convictions.4 That accounts for approximately 13% of speeding tickets in the entire state. After a speeding ticket, most drivers see their car insurance costs increase.

On average, Des Moines drivers see their overall car insurance premiums rise from $94 per month to $124 after a speeding ticket. Below is a breakdown of costs by insurance companies for drivers with a speeding ticket in Des Moines.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: State Farm

An at-fault accident often leads to higher rates. In fact, Des Moines drivers could find an at-fault accident affects their car insurance premiums for three years or longer.

In Des Moines, car insurance can average $169 per month for full coverage following an accident and $95 for liability-only coverage.

Below is a closer look at some of the cheapest auto insurance companies for Des Moines drivers with an at-fault accident in their past.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: State Farm

Iowa refers to driving under the influence as OWI — operating while intoxicated. Penalties for OWI convictions in Iowa range from license suspension for at least 180 days for a first offense, license revocation for six years for a third offense or any level of offense if someone dies in an accident you caused while intoxicated.6 It’s also possible to face criminal penalties for an OWI in Iowa, and the courts will determine the penalty.

A driving under the influence (DUI) violation is arguably the most serious driving offense you can get. If you have an DUI/OWI on your record, you’ll likely face significantly higher auto insurance premiums. The rate increase is tied to the higher risk of insuring you. Your current insurer may even drop you after an OWI, and it may be difficult to find new insurance.

Des Moines drivers with an OWI on their records can expect to face car insurance rates of $95 per month for liability coverage and $170 for full coverage, on average. Explore some of the cheapest rates for Des Moines drivers with a DUI below.

Cheapest car insurance for seniors: State Farm

Insurance companies usually take your age into account when determining car insurance premiums. While more experience behind the wheel tends to lead to car insurance costs trending downward after age 25, drivers often start to see slightly higher insurance costs around age 70.

Car insurance for senior drivers in Des Moines costs $97 per month for full coverage and $54 for liability only, on average.

Shopping around can help senior drivers find the best rates. Start your search by exploring the cheapest average monthly rates for Des Moines’ older drivers.

Cheapest car insurance for teens: State Farm

Teen drivers have the least amount of experience on the road, are more likely to get into accidents, and are more likely to engage in risky driving behaviors. This can generally lead to higher insurance costs for young drivers.7

It’s impossible to age overnight. But you can tap into more affordable rates as a teen driver by getting good grades, driving a safer vehicle, increasing your deductible, choosing safe driving habits, and sticking with your parents’ insurance company.

On average, car insurance for teen drivers in Des Moines costs $265 per month for full coverage and $149 for minimum coverage policies. But you can explore the average car insurance cost for teen drivers by insurance company below.

Des Moines car insurance quotes by credit tier

Although some states prohibit the practice, Iowa insurance companies can look at your credit when determining your premiums. Drivers with excellent or good credit typically pay less for car insurance than drivers with poor credit.

You can use this trend to your advantage by improving your credit score. Strategies to boost your credit score include paying your bills on time, reducing the amount you owe on credit cards, and removing mistakes from your credit report.

Explore the average monthly quote by credit score tier below.

Is car insurance more expensive in Des Moines?

Des Moines drivers pay an overall average of $94 per month for car insurance. When compared to the state average of $82, Des Moines drivers pay a bit more for car insurance. But when compared to the national average of $144, Des Moines drivers enjoy relatively affordable car insurance costs.

Des Moines is one of the most expensive places to insure a vehicle in Iowa. The city’s relatively high population and accident rates compared to other areas of the state are likely factors. In general, areas with more traffic congestion face higher insurance premiums.

More cities in Iowa

Council Bluffs — which sits next to Omaha, Nebraska — has the highest average car insurance costs for Iowa drivers. Other towns situated near state borders, like Davenport and Sioux City, also face higher car insurance costs than Des Moines, which is situated in the middle of the state.

Here’s a comparison of average monthly car insurance rates in other Iowa cities.