Average car insurance cost in Des Moines, Iowa

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Based on our data, Des Moines drivers pay an average of $2,239 annually for car insurance. It’s $11 more than the Iowa state average and $274 less than the national average.

Insurance rates can differ significantly depending on where you live. Factors like population density, accident rates and theft statistics all play a role in determining premiums. As a result, drivers in some ZIP codes pay higher premiums.

Understanding how car insurance rates in Des Moines stack up against state and national averages can help you make informed decisions. We’ll walk you through local trends, rate changes and how to save on your premiums.

Cheap car insurance companies in Des Moines

GEICO offers the most affordable full coverage car insurance in Des Moines, at $1,435 annually, with coverage limits of $100,000 in bodily injury per person, $300,000 total per accident, and $100,000 for property damage.

State Farm offers the second-lowest rate in Des Moines, with an average yearly premium of $1,909.

Car insurance rates vary by company because each insurer uses its own method to assess risk and determine premiums. That’s why it’s smart to compare quotes from different providers to find coverage that fits your needs and budget.

The table below shows the average annual and monthly car insurance rates for various car insurance companies in Des Moines.

Read about the best car insurance companies.

Average car insurance cost in Des Moines by coverage limits

Here’s a breakdown of average car insurance rates in Des Moines by coverage type.

• State minimum coverage: $452 per year (limits are $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 total bodily injury liability per accident and $25,000 property damage liability per accident).
• Liability only coverage: $540 per year (limits are $50,000 bodily injury liability per person, $100,000 total bodily injury liability per accident and $50,000 property damage liability per accident).
• Full coverage: $2,239 per year (limits are $100,000 bodily injury liability per person, $300,000 total bodily injury liability per accident and $100,000 property damage liability per accident).
• Non-owners coverage: $227 per year

Most states require drivers to purchase minimum liability insurance to drive legally, but the minimum required limits vary. This coverage helps pay for injuries or damage you cause to others in an accident.

However, a liability-only policy won’t cover damage to your car or medical expenses if you’re at fault. You’ll need to add collision and comprehensive coverage to your policy to protect your car.

Average car insurance rates by gender in Des Moines

In Des Moines, female drivers pay an average of $2,236 per year for car insurance. In comparison, male drivers pay $2,243 annually, which is $7 more than what female drivers pay. Most states consider gender when calculating premiums. However, states such as California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina and Pennsylvania don’t allow insurers to use gender as a rating factor to determine insurance rates.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, or Triple-I, women tend to be safer drivers than men and are less likely to be involved in severe accidents. Insurers account for this risk by charging male drivers higher premiums.

Read more on how gender affects car insurance rates.

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Average car insurance rates by age in Des Moines

Teen drivers in Des Moines pay the highest car insurance premiums, at $6,793 per year or $566 per month.

Data from the Insurance Information Institute shows that teens aged 16 to 19 are more likely to be involved in crashes due to inexperience, which leads to higher insurance rates. On average, teen drivers pay $3,123 more annually than young adult drivers.

As teen drivers get older and gain more experience, their car insurance premiums usually decrease. On average, young adults aged 20 to 24 pay $3,670 per year for car insurance – that’s $3,123 less than what teen drivers typically pay.

Adult drivers aged 25 to 55 pay an average of $2,249 per year for car insurance, while seniors aged 60 to 75 pay around $2,115 annually.

Read more on auto insurance for seniors.

The table below shows the average annual full coverage car insurance rates for drivers of different age groups.

Car insurance rate trends in Des Moines

Car insurance premiums in Des Moines showed an upward trend between 2023 to 2025, with average rates changing by 41% or about $654.

The graph below tracks insurance costs from 2022 to 2025, highlighting long-term trends that help explain today’s rate changes.

How drivers can save on insurance even with higher rates

Car insurance rates in Des Moines are higher than the Iowa state average. To find affordable coverage, consider comparing quotes from at least three to five insurers. You can also save by taking advantage of discounts for safe driving, low annual mileage or bundling your policies.

Methodology

Insure.com commissioned car insurance rates in 2025 from Quadrant Information Services. To determine the average premiums, our team of data analysts and expert editors analyzed 53,409,632 insurance quotes from 170 insurance companies across 34,588 ZIP codes.

The insurance rates are based on a sample profile of a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record and a good insurance score. Quotes premiums are for a full coverage policy with limits:

• $100,000 bodily injury per person
• $300,000 bodily injury per accident
• $100,000 property damage per accident
• $500 comprehensive and collision deductible

The quoted insurance rates are for comparison purposes, and your rates may vary.

Shivani Gite

Contributing Writer

 

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Shivani Gite is a personal finance and insurance writer with a degree in journalism and mass communication. She is passionate about making insurance topics easy to understand for people and helping them make better financial decisions.