Average car insurance cost in Des Moines, Iowa

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According to our data, the average annual cost of car insurance in Des Moines is $2,239 – $11 more than the Iowa average cost and $274 less than when compared to the national average.

Insurance rates can vary significantly depending on where you live. Factors such as population density and accident and theft rates influence premium costs, making some areas more expensive or affordable than others.

Understanding how rates in Des Moines compare to state and national averages can help you spot a good deal, or know when it’s time to shop around. Below, we’ll break down local trends, show how rates vary, and explain how to save.

Cheap car insurance companies in Des Moines

GEICO provides the lowest full coverage car insurance rate in Des Moines, with an annual premium of $1,435 for the liability limits of $100,000 per person, $300,000 per accident and $100,000 for property damage.

State Farm also offers cheap full coverage car insurance rates at an average annual cost of $1,909.

Every insurance company calculates premiums differently based on its unique underwriting guidelines. This means prices can vary widely, so getting quotes from multiple insurers is one of the best ways to find affordable coverage tailored to you.

The following table compares average yearly and monthly car insurance costs from different 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

While liability insurance is required in nearly every state to drive legally, the minimum coverage limits differ by state. This coverage protects you financially if you’re responsible for injuring someone or damaging their property in a crash.

Minimum liability insurance only covers damage or injuries you cause to others – it won’t help with your own medical bills or car repairs. You should consider adding collision and comprehensive coverage for adequate protection.

Average car insurance rates by gender in Des Moines

In Des Moines, the average annual car insurance cost for female drivers is $2,236. Male drivers, on the other hand, pay $2,243 per year – that’s $7 more than what female drivers pay. While most states allow insurers to use gender when setting rates, there are states, including California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina and Pennsylvania that prohibit the use of gender as a rating factor.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, or Triple-I, women tend to drive more cautiously and are involved in fewer serious accidents than men. Insurers factor this into their premium calculations, which is why men often pay more for car insurance.

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 experience the highest insurance rates, paying an average of $6,793 per year or $566 per month.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, teens aged 16 to 19 are considered high-risk due to their inexperience behind the wheel. On average, teen drivers pay $3,123 more than young adults for insurance.

With age and experience, young drivers often see a drop in car insurance premiums. On average, 20 to 24-year-olds pay $3,670 per year – a difference of $3,123 less than compared to teen drivers.

Drivers in Des Moines aged 25 to 55 typically pay $2,249 a year for car insurance. For senior drivers aged between 60 and 75, the average annual premium is $2,115.

Read more on auto insurance for seniors.

Below is a breakdown of average annual full coverage car insurance rates by age group.

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. Drivers can get affordable insurance rates by shopping around and comparing quotes from at least three to five insurance companies. You should also look for available discounts, such as a safe driver discount, low mileage and bundling discounts.

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.