Average car insurance cost in Des Moines, Iowa

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Our analysis shows that drivers in Des Moines pay about $2,239 per year for car insurance. It is $11 more than the Iowa average and $274 less than the nationwide average.

Where you live plays a big role in how much you pay for car insurance. Areas with high population density, theft and accident rates tend to have higher premiums.

Comparing car insurance rates in Des Moines to state and national averages can help you determine if you’re getting a good deal or if it’s time to explore other options. Below, we outline local trends, rate differences and ways 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.

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 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, 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 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

Car insurance rates in Des Moines saw an upward trend between 2023 to 2025. During this period, average premiums Increased by 41% – a change of 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.