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 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.

Below is a breakdown of average yearly and monthly car insurance rates from different insurers 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 carry a minimum amount of liability insurance to legally operate a vehicle, but the specific coverage limits vary by state. Liability insurance is designed to cover injuries or property damage you cause to others in an accident.

However, it’s important to understand that minimum coverage won’t pay for your own medical bills or repairs to your vehicle if you’re at fault. If you want protection for your own car, you’ll need to add collision and comprehensive coverage to your policy.

Average car insurance rates by gender in Des Moines

Female drivers in Des Moines pay about $2,236 per year for car insurance, while male drivers spend $2,243, which is $7 more than what females pay.

Gender is commonly used to calculate premiums in most states, but some states, including California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, don’t allow insurers to use gender to calculate premiums.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, or Triple-I, women generally demonstrate safer driving habits and are less likely to be involved in severe accidents. Insurers account for this elevated risk, resulting in increased insurance premiums for male drivers.

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 face the highest car insurance rates, at $6,793 per year or $566 per month. According to the Insurance Information Institute, insurance costs are higher for teens aged 16 to 19 due to their increased risk of accidents and limited driving experience. On average, teen drivers pay $3,123 more for car insurance than young adults.

Car insurance premiums typically drop as teens age and gain more experience behind the wheel. On average, young adults (ages 20 to 24) pay $3,670 annually for coverage – that’s $3,123 less than what teens usually pay.

Adults between 25 and 55 and senior drivers between 60 and 75 in Des Moines pay an average of $2,249 and $2,115 per year for car insurance, respectively.

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

From 2023 to 2025, drivers in Des Moines experienced an upward trend in car insurance premiums, with average rates Increased 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

Drivers in Des Moines pay higher than the state average for car insurance. The good news? You can often cut costs by comparing quotes from several insurers and using discounts – like bundling policies, safe driver rewards, or low-mileage savings.

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.