Average homeowners insurance cost in Des Moines, Iowa

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The average cost of homeowners insurance in Des Moines is $2,819 per year for $300,000 in dwelling coverage, $100,000 in liability, and a $1,000 deductible – $304 more than the national average of $2,515. West Bend Insurance Company offers the cheapest homeowners insurance in Des Moines, with an average premium of $2,121 per year.

But that average doesn’t tell the whole story. Home insurance rates in Des Moines can swing by hundreds – sometimes thousands – of dollars from one house to the next, depending on:

Size of your home
Age of your home
Amount of coverage you need
Location
Your credit score

Ways to lower your home insurance in Des Moines

Compare at least three quotes before every renewal – different companies offer the same coverage at different prices
Raise your deductible from $1,000 to $2,500 to save 10% to 15%
Bundle home and auto for a 10% to 25% multi-policy discount
Ask about discounts for security systems, smart-home devices, and claims-free history
Improve your credit in states where insurers use it

Average homeowners insurance cost per month in Des Moines

Homeowners in Des Moines pay an average of $235 per month for coverage, which is $5 more than compared to the state average of $240 and $25 more than compared to the national average.

Comparing quotes from multiple insurers is one of the easiest ways to find lower rates in your area.

Does it feel like you’re paying a lot for insurance in Des Moines?

Your rate isn’t set in stone. A few changes to your policy or home can reduce your monthly costs.

You can lower your costs by:

Increasing your deductible
Bundling your home and auto insurance
Improving your credit score
Installing smoke detectors or a home security system
Comparing quotes from multiple insurers regularly

Small adjustments to your coverage or property can add up to real savings over time.

Average homeowners insurance cost for a $200,000 house in Des Moines

A home insured at $200,000 in dwelling coverage in Des Moines carries an average annual premium of $2,151. Local risk factors, particularly exposure to natural disasters, can push both rebuilding costs and premiums higher in certain areas.

One thing to keep in mind: standard home insurance policies generally exclude flood and hurricane damage, since catastrophic weather events can cause simultaneous losses across wide areas. If you live in a high-risk area, you may need separate flood or windstorm coverage for full protection.

It’s also worth making sure your dwelling limit actually reflects current construction costs in your area, rather than what you paid for the home. Regularly revisiting your coverage, comparing insurers, and applying eligible discounts can all help you stay adequately protected without overpaying.

Does it feel like you’re paying a lot for insurance in Des Moines?

Your current rate has more flexibility than you might think. A few deliberate changes can meaningfully lower your monthly bill.

You may be able to save money by:

Increasing your deductible
Bundling your home and auto insurance
Improving your credit score
Installing smoke detectors or a home security system
Comparing quotes from multiple insurers regularly

Taking action on even one or two of these can reduce what you owe each month.

Average homeowners insurance cost for a $300,000 house in Des Moines

Insuring a $300,000 home in Des Moines costs an average of $2,819 per year. Increasing coverage from $200,000 to $300,000 raises premiums by about $668 annually.

Higher coverage limits increase premiums because the insurer may need to pay more to rebuild your home after a major loss. If you choose to increase your coverage, it can be a smart financial decision since paying a little more now may help protect you from much larger out-of-pocket costs after a serious claim.

People also ask:

How much dwelling coverage do you need for your home?

Your dwelling coverage should be enough to fully rebuild your home at today’s construction prices – which is often different from what the home would sell for on the market. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), a nonprofit organization that provides data and insights on the insurance industry, most policies cover personal belongings at roughly 50% to 70% of the dwelling coverage amount. To find the right number, factor in your home’s size, the materials it’s built with, and local labor costs in Des Moines.

Is $300,000 enough homeowners insurance coverage?

It depends on what it would cost to rebuild your specific home in Des Moines. In areas with higher construction costs, $300,000 may not stretch far enough. Compare your coverage to rebuilding costs, not your home’s market value.

Average homeowners insurance cost in Des Moines by company

West Bend Insurance Company is the most affordable insurer in Des Moines, with an average rate of $2,121 per year. State Farm and Allstate are also worth a look for budget-conscious homeowners in the area.

Rates and coverage options can differ substantially across providers, which is why getting multiple quotes before you decide is so important.

Home insurance company	Annual rate
West Bend Insurance Company	$2,121
State Farm	$2,586
Allstate	$2,651
Auto-Owners	$2,689
Farmers	$2,830
Nationwide	$2,958
IMT Insurance	$3,614
American Family	$3,757
USAA*	$2,587

*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.

What factors affect homeowners insurance rates in Des Moines?

Insurance companies price your policy based on how likely you are to file a claim and how expensive that claim would be. That calculation pulls from your home’s physical characteristics, your location, your coverage choices, and even your financial history.

Here’s how the biggest factors actually move your rate:

Size of your home. Bigger homes cost more to rebuild, and rebuild cost is what your dwelling coverage has to pay for. A 3,500-square-foot home will almost always cost more to insure than a 1,500-square-foot one on the same street. Insurers calculate this using square footage, construction materials, and local labor rates – not your home’s market value.
Age of your home. Older homes typically cost more to insure because of higher-risk systems like knob-and-tube wiring, galvanized plumbing, and aging roofs. A home built in 1925 with original electrical can cost 20% to 40% more to insure than a comparable new build. Recent updates to the roof, electrical, or plumbing can offset this – but you have to tell your insurer about them.
Amount of coverage you need. Higher dwelling and liability limits mean higher premiums, but your deductible is where you have the most control. Raising it from $1,000 to $2,500 typically saves 10% to 15%; going from $1,000 to $5,000 can save more than 20%. Just don’t pick a deductible you couldn’t actually afford tomorrow.
Location. Two identical homes a few miles apart can have very different rates. Insurers look at your ZIP code’s history of weather damage (hail, wind, flooding), wildfire risk, crime rates, and even how far you are from the nearest fire hydrant or fire station. Homes more than 5 miles from a fire station often pay noticeably more.
Your credit score. In most states, insurers use a credit-based insurance score to predict claim likelihood. Homeowners with poor credit can pay 50% or more than those with excellent credit for the same coverage. Three states – California, Maryland, and Massachusetts – ban this practice for homeowners insurance.
Claims history. Your past claims matter, even if they were on a different home. Filing two or more claims in the past 5-7 years can raise your rate or make it harder to find coverage. Some insurers also pull the CLUE report (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) on your address – meaning the previous owner’s claims can affect your rate too.

Frequently asked questions

Is homeowners insurance required in Des Moines?

There’s no state or local law requiring homeowners insurance in Des Moines, but mortgage lenders will usually require it as a condition of your loan. And even if you own your home free and clear, going uninsured carries real financial risk – a single fire or major storm could mean six figures in out-of-pocket repair costs.

How much coverage do I need for my home?

Your dwelling coverage should be enough to fully reconstruct your home from scratch if it were completely destroyed. That number is driven by local construction costs, your home’s square footage, and the materials used to build it – not what it’s worth on the open market. A replacement cost estimate from your insurer or an appraiser is a good starting point, and it’s worth revisiting every few years as costs change.

What does homeowners insurance not cover?

Flood and earthquake damage are excluded from standard policies, even though both can cause devastating losses. Homeowners in high-risk areas will need separate policies to be fully covered. Other exclusions include routine wear and tear, pest damage, and sewer backups. These can be added as endorsements instead. Reading your policy thoroughly before you ever need to file a claim is always a good idea.

Methodology

In 2025, Insure.com, with the help of Quadrant Information Services, gathered data for homeowners insurance rates in Des Moines for $300,000 dwelling coverage, $100,000 liability coverage with a $1,000 deductible. The data presented are those with a good credit tier alignment.

Sources

Insurance Information Institute. How much homeowners insurance do you need? Accessed May 2025.

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Alisha Ambre

Alisha Ambre holds a Bachelor of Arts with honours in English Literature and Media Studies. She focuses on crafting clear, engaging content that makes complex information feel practical and approachable for everyday readers. When she’s not writing, she’s likely on the volleyball court or immersed in a good video game.