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Ross Martin

Insurance Writer

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  • 4+ years in the Insurance Industry

Ross joined The Zebra as a writer and researcher in 2019. He specializes in writing insurance content to help shoppers make informed decisions.

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Renata Balasco

Senior Content Strategist

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Renata joined The Zebra in 2020 as a Customer Experience Agent. Since 2021, she has worked as licensed insurance professional and content strategist.…

What is the average cost of car insurance in Des Moines?

 

The average car insurance rate in Des Moines, Iowa, is $1,088 per year. That's less expensive than the average across Iowa ($1,106) and less expensive than the national average of $1,548. Our guide to car insurance in Des Moines — researched and written by The Zebra's team of licensed insurance experts — includes average premiums based on age, credit score, driving history, and marital status. Read on for more information.

 
CAR INSURANCE RATES IN DES MOINES
Des Moines Average (annual) Iowa Average National Average
$1,088 $1,106 $1,548
 
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Des Moines auto insurance rates by company

 

One of the most important determinants of your car insurance rates is the insurance company you work with. For a typical insurance customer, GEICO provides Des Moines's cheapest rates. Reference below the top options for affordable insurance in Des Moines. Don't forget to get car insurance quotes based on your unique driving profile.

 
DES MOINES CAR INSURANCE PREMIUMS BY COMPANY
Company Average Yearly Rate
GEICO $821
Iowa Farm Bureau $919
State Farm $926
Nationwide $962
IMT $1,076

 

Read our guide to finding the best cheap auto insurance.

 

Des Moines car insurance premiums by age

Des Moines drivers in their 50s pay relatively affordable car insurance rates just $897 each year, on average. Rates for Des Moines drivers in their 60s are also relatively affordable, at just $910 per year.

The Des Moines drivers who pay the highest insurance rates are teenagers. When drivers hit their 20s in Des Moines and move out of the teenage age bracket, they reduce their premiums substantially. The difference in rates paid by teenage drivers and drivers in their 20s in Des Moines is $1,832, the largest such difference between any two age groups.

 
DES MOINES AUTO INSURANCE COSTS BY AGE
Age tier Average Annual Rate
Teenagers $3,324
20s $1,491
30s $1,061
40s $995
50s $897
60s $910
70s $1,138
 

Learn more about the impact of age on auto insurance rates.

 

Des Moines auto insurance rates by gender and marital status

 

Marital status and gender are contributing factors to car insurance rates in many cases. In most places, single drivers pay more than married drivers based on data that says they're more likely to file claims. Married drivers in Des Moines pay $88 less than single drivers for auto insurance. Rates for those who are widowed are also much cheaper than rates for those who are single. Interestingly enough, in Des Moines, single drivers pay more than those who are widowed.

Gender is yet another factor that can affect auto insurance premiums. In Des Moines, female drivers pay $6 per year more than do male drivers for car insurance.

 
DES MOINES CAR INSURANCE RATES: BY MARITAL STATUS AND GENDER
Marital Status/Gender Average Yearly Rate
Female $1,094
Male $1,088
Single $1,001
Married $1,001
Divorced $1,088
Widowed $1,046
 

Learn more about the impact gender and marital status have on insurance rates.

 

Des Moines auto insurance costs by violation history

 

Maintaining a clean driving record is an effective way to minimize your auto insurance costs. At-fault accidents, DUIs, reckless driving citations, and speeding tickets all contribute to expensive auto insurance rates, as insurance companies reward low-risk drivers with the gift of affordable rates.

Des Moines drivers found guilty of reckless driving pay the price when it comes to auto insurance, facing a rate increase of $636 per year versus the city average. A ticket for speeding results in a $173 rate hike, on average, while a DUI violation costs $626per year in insurance premiums.

 
AVERAGE DES MOINES INSURANCE RATES AFTER A VIOLATION OR ACCIDENT
Violation Average Annual Rate
DUI/DWI $1,714
Reckless Driving $1,724
At-fault Accident (damages < $1,000) $1,407
At-fault Accident (damages > $2,000) $1,512
Speeding Ticket (16-20 mph over speed limit) $1,261
 

Learn more about how citations can raise your auto insurance rates.

 

Des Moines car insurance premiums by credit tier

 

One of the byproducts of a good credit score is lower car insurance costs. Drivers who keep their credit score up typically pay less for auto insurance than do drivers with less-than-stellar credit histories. Des Moines drivers who improve their credit score from "Very Poor" (300-579) to "Exceptional" (800-850) can save as much as 55% on their auto insurance premiums. Moving from "Very Poor" to "Fair" credit is a great way to save money on car insurance. In Des Moines, improving your credit to "Fair" could help you earn $692 in savings on insurance premiums each year.

 
DES MOINES AUTO INSURANCE RATES BY CREDIT SCORE
Credit Tier Average Yearly Rate
Very Poor $2,016
Fair $1,324
Good $1,088
Very Good $996
Exceptional $906
 

Curious about how your credit score might impact your auto insurance rates? Click here to learn more.

 

Compare quotes and save on your next policy.

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About The Zebra

The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.

  • The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
  • The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
  • The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
  • The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.