Updated: October 16, 2024
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Drivers with several violations on their record are classified by insurance companies as risky to insure and are thus charged more expensive premiums. But there are still ways to save, such as comparing rates from multiple providers.
MoneyGeek found that GEICO is the best auto insurance for high-risk drivers in Iowa, and State Farm is the cheapest option. A standard policy from these insurers costs an average of $734 and $687 per year, respectively.
Best & CheapestAuto InsuranceHigh-RiskBest Companies for High-Risk Drivers in 2023
Driving history is one of the main determinants of insurance rates. Companies use this information to measure the likelihood and frequency of an individual filing a claim. Drivers with a DUI, ticket or at-fault accident on their record are charged more expensive premiums to offset the projected increase of filed claims. Similarly, teen drivers are charged higher rates due to their lack of driving experience.
In Iowa, high-risk drivers pay an average of $960 per year on auto insurance, while drivers with a clean record only pay $713 per year, which is a 23% difference in annual premiums.
There are several types of high-risk drivers, according to auto insurers. Some may drive a less road-worthy vehicle and are more prone to accidents. But in general, having a string of serious violations will put you in an exceptionally risky driver category.
Most insurance providers classify the following as high-risk drivers:
State Farm is the cheapest car insurance company in Iowa for high-risk drivers, according to MoneyGeek’s research. This insurer’s auto policy is priced at an average of $687 annually.
For more information, read MoneyGeek’s State Farm review, where we provide a more detailed analysis of its pros, cons and average auto insurance rates.
| State Farm | $687 |
| GEICO | $734 |
| American Family | $739 |
| Progressive | $942 |
| Allstate | $1,047 |
| Farmers | $1,078 |
| Travelers | $1,495 |
Drivers convicted of a major violation, such as driving with a suspended license or a DUI, will typically need SR-22 insurance.
Iowa SR-22 insurance assures the state that a high-risk driver’s policy meets the state’s minimum liability coverage.
With a 92 out of 100, GEICO is MoneyGeek’s top pick for Iowa's best car insurance for high-risk drivers. You can find out more about this insurer’s average rates, customer service reputation and coverages from our comprehensive GEICO review.
A close runner-up is State Farm, scoring 91 out of 100. It is also the cheapest option across the state.
State Farm’s high-risk auto insurance in Iowa is priced at $687 per year, on average. This is 10% more than drivers with clean records pay for similar coverage.
Among State Farm’s most noteworthy perks are its low rates (even for high-risk drivers) and its wide range of discounts, making its premiums even more affordable. Notable discounts include those for good students and good drivers. Its policies are available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., with the option to include rideshare insurance on top of the standard policy. However, this insurer has a limited number of coverages which might be a dealbreaker if you’re looking for more protection.
GEICO’s high-risk car insurance in Iowa costs roughly $734 per year, which is 33% higher than the average premium for drivers with clean records.
GEICO is one of the best and cheapest insurance providers in the country, based on MoneyGeek’s analysis. It offers inexpensive policies for all driver profiles, including high-risk drivers, and has a variety of rare discounts that can further decrease one’s rates. These include discounts for always wearing a seatbelt and having an airbag and anti-lock brakes. GEICO also offers mechanical breakdown insurance, an add-on coverage that few insurers provide.
Great coverage often comes at a higher cost. If you’re on a tight budget, consider getting low-income car insurance in Iowa.
There are no government programs to help low-income drivers in Iowa, but there are other affordable options, such as the traditional minimum coverage policy or pay-per-mile insurance.
A DUI can cause your insurance premiums to skyrocket. MoneyGeek found that State Farm provides the cheapest car insurance in Iowa for drivers with a DUI conviction at roughly $670 per year. To learn more about this company, read MoneyGeek’s State Farm review, detailing its coverages, rates and discounts.
Alternatively, military personnel and their families might find affordable rates from USAA.
| State Farm | $670 |
| American Family | $739 |
| Progressive | $755 |
| GEICO | $977 |
| Farmers | $1,091 |
| Allstate | $1,121 |
| Travelers | $1,885 |
The look-back period is the duration of time that a driving violation, such as a DUI, remains on an individual's record. This tends to vary per state but is generally long enough for insurance providers to check for repeat offenses. Keep in mind that Iowa has a 12-year look-back period for DUI convictions, and a third offense is considered a felony DUI.
With an average annual premium of $2,402, GEICO is Iowa’s cheapest car insurance company for teenage drivers based on MoneyGeek’s comprehensive study. However, premiums for teen drivers vary depending on an individual’s actual age.
Check our GEICO review for the latest information on its car insurance products.
| GEICO | $2,402 |
| State Farm | $2,731 |
| Allstate | $3,076 |
| Progressive | $4,820 |
Car insurance for teenage drivers can be very costly because they are at a greater risk of being involved in traffic accidents, including fatal crashes.
Although it is tempting to go for the cheaper option, Iowa’s state minimum coverage, MoneyGeek strongly recommends that teen drivers always purchase full coverage car insurance. Alternatively, the best cheap car insurance for teens and student drivers encompasses affordability and adequate protection.
Having bad credit may also cause you to be classified as a high-risk driver. In Iowa, the cheapest car insurance for drivers with poor credit is GEICO, which offers policies at an average annual cost of $653. Head over to MoneyGeek’s GEICO review for a more thorough discussion of this provider’s coverages, discounts and average rates.
| GEICO | 653 | 33% |
Drivers with poor credit may end up paying up to thousands of dollars more per year on car insurance compared to drivers with good credit. Avoid paying more than you have to by shopping for the lowest rates.
MoneyGeek has also listed recommendations for the best car insurance for drivers with bad credit to help you find one perfectly suited for your financial situation.
If you’re wondering how much more a high-risk driver pays on car insurance compared to the average driver, MoneyGeek’s comparison shows that high-risk drivers in Iowa pay roughly $960 in annual premiums. In contrast, drivers with a clean record pay 23% less at an average of $713 per year.
Low-Risk Driver
$713High-Risk Driver
$960This is 35% more expensive.
For a free, quick and personalized estimate of your car insurance costs, you can use MoneyGeek's Iowa car insurance calculator by entering your personal details and preferred coverage. This insurance tool may also be used to determine which factors tend to have the most impact on your rates.
MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator will give you a customized estimate of your auto insurance cost. It's free to use, requires no personal information and we won't send you any spam.
Rates updated:
Nov 21, 2024
Although MoneyGeek partners with some of the companies we recommend, our content is written and reviewed by an independent team of writers, editors and licensed agents. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Insurance companies in the voluntary auto insurance market have the right to select which drivers to cover and which ones to reject. Fortunately, there are alternative ways to get coverage even if you’re considered too risky to insure.
The insurance industry created the auto insurance residual market as a solution for drivers denied coverage in the traditional marketplace. Within the residual market, the Automobile Insurance Plan Service Office (AIPSO) is the preferred network by the insurance industry. It has provided high-risk drivers access to car insurance plans for almost 50 years.
The Iowa Automobile Insurance Plan (IAAIP) is AIPSO’s residual market plan designed to cater to the coverage needs of high-risk drivers who cannot purchase a plan in the traditional insurance market.
To be eligible for IAAIP coverage, drivers must present a certification showing that they have been unable to secure a policy from the voluntary market in the preceding 60 days of their IAAIP application and that they couldn’t purchase a plan at reasonable rates.
Office Hours
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. CT
iaaip@aipso.com
Phone
(888) 706-6100
Fax
(800) 827-6260
Mailing Address
Central Region, P.O. Box 6530, Providence, RI 02940-6530
Getting car insurance can be complicated, especially for high-risk drivers. Read MoneyGeek’s answers to the most frequently asked questions about high-risk car insurance in Iowa to jumpstart your search for the best plan that fits your situation.
Based on MoneyGeek’s analysis, GEICO offers the best auto insurance for high-risk drivers in Iowa, with a standard policy priced at $734 per year on average.
The following are average rates depending on the type of high-risk driver:
Teenage drivers and those with an at-fault accident, tickets and serious violations on their record, such as a DUI conviction, are typically classified by most insurers as high-risk.
The Iowa Automobile Insurance Plan (IAAIP), AIPSO’s residual market plan, is the best option for drivers who are refused coverage within the voluntary market. You may contact IAAIP from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT, by calling (888) 706-6100 or by emailing iaaip@aipso.com.
MoneyGeek calculated average rates using full coverage car insurance policies with 100/300/100 liability insurance and comprehensive and collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible. Minimum coverage car insurance policy rates were calculated based on each state’s minimum car insurance requirement.
To calculate rates for high-risk drivers, MoneyGeek averaged the premiums insurance companies charge for three of the most common driving violations: speeding, at-fault accident and DUI.
To determine the best car insurance company for high-risk drivers, MoneyGeek scored companies based on affordability, customer satisfaction and complaints — obtained from J.D. Power surveys and NAIC complaint scores — and financial strength ratings as calculated by AM Best. Affordability received the greatest weighting in our calculations.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
