Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance Rates in Des Moines?
The population of the city of Des Moines is large; the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that it contains around 214,200+ people. As with most large cities in the US, most families living in the city rely on vehicles for the majority of their transportation. Those vehicles have to be insured by state law—there are only a couple states that do not require car insurance and Iowa is not one of them.
Many factors affect the cost of insurance premiums including anything that increases risk for the insurer. The mean travel time for commuters in Des Moines is 19 minutes for all workers age 16 and older. People going to work, going back home, doing the shopping, or any other task requiring driving increase their risk of getting into accidents the longer they spend on the road. And, if one driver doesn’t have insurance, they are going to have to pay out money they may not have anticipated needing. That’s the whole point of insurance.
In 2018, residents of Des Moines experienced 1,766 vehicular thefts. This put that year’s rate at 269.45 per 10,000 vehicles and its rank of all US cities at #105. It isn’t only accidents or ‘acts of God’ that lead to vehicle owners having to file insurance claims; they must also do so if their vehicle is stolen. If the cars are found damaged after the theft, they may have to have the vehicle totaled. Sometimes, the stolen vehicle never surfaces, in which case, the owner has to file a claim for theft and non-recovery. This is another instance in which the chance of theft in the area in which you live can affect your insurance premiums even if you never have your vehicle stolen; it’s a risk factor.
What is Required for Des Moines Drivers?
Living in a large, midwestern city, you may find you need more insurance rather than less. You may find your vehicle damaged by weather, an accident, theft. It may be damaged if a large tree limb falls on it, or even a full-sized tree during a tornado or other significant weather event.
You should shop around with the different vehicle insurance companies with offices in Iowa. When you find a company whose plans you like, interview the agent and find out how much you may pay for an annual premium. Ask specifically for the annual amount because you need to know how much of your budget to commit to auto insurance, and don’t automatically opt for the least expensive plan. If you buy a more expensive plan, you’ll pay more now and, in the unfortunate event of an accident, theft, or act of God you won’t have to cough up money that you may not have.
Iowa requires all drivers to hold liability insurance, at the minimum. This insurance provides $20,000 of coverage for injury to a single person in an accident, $40,000 of coverage for multiple injuries, and $15,000 in property damage coverage.
Most Expensive and Least Expensive Insurance Rates by Zip Code
Cheap Car Insurance in Des Moines by Insurer
You really should consider buying additional coverage. It will be more expensive, but it will also protect your assets more fully in case of a catastrophic accident. In addition to liability coverage, you can add collision and comprehensive insurance, as well as various addons if you believe they will prove useful. This way, you and others are fully protected.
However, if you find yourself in a tough spot financially, here you can find some of the less expensive insurance on the market. Just make sure you check the company’s customer service ratings and reviews as well.
Low Cost Auto Insurance for Bad Credit in Des Moines
Iowa is not one of the few states that block insurance companies from using your credit score to decide your annual insurance premium. Unfortunately, that means that, if you have a poor credit score, you will likely end up paying more for your insurance. However, there are some companies that weight your credit score in such a way that it does not greatly affect the price of insurance as long as all your other risk factors are relatively low. Here are some companies offering decent costs for those without stellar credit in Iowa.
Find out how your car insurance rates are impacted with bad credit.
What is the Difference Between Full Coverage and Liability?
Liability Only Insurance Coverage
Liability-only coverage is the cheapest option for automobile insurance. This coverage level only covers vehicles that are not at fault in an accident. Thus, if you carry liability-only coverage and cause an accident, the other driver will be covered by your policy. Any damage done to your car must be covered out of pocket, if at all.
Another way to think of liability insurance is that it protects you from claims made by another driver. Without the protection of insurance, you might be sued if you were to collide with another vehicle.
Why You May Want Full Coverage Car Insurance
Full Coverage is a commonly used term which covers more than just the damage you might cause in an accident, or the coverage you are liable for. If your policy covers your liability to another vehicle, the damage done to your vehicle (collision insurance), and any incidental damage done to your car by any non-auto elements (comprehensive coverage), then you have a policy that is indeed full coverage. If you have a new car, you may wish to cover it with such a policy, as you might want the peace of mind that any damage will be covered by insurance.
What is the Difference Between the Two Types of Car Insurance?
The main difference between having liability and full coverage insurance is that liability insurance will only pay for injuries to others and their damages that resulted from an accident where you were at fault, where full coverage will not only pay for the damages and injuries done to others but will also cover your injuries and auto damages that resulted from an accident that you caused as well.
Average Annual Car Insurance Rates in Iowa by City
Utilize These Auto Insurance Discounts to Get a Lower Rate
Find additional ways to save on your Des Moines car insurance premiums with these insurance discounts:
-
Raise your deductible
If you are willing to pay more money for a deductible, in the event of an accident, then you can lower your insurance rates substantially. You can lower your premium to around 10% just by raising your deductible to around $1,000.
-
Drop Collision Coverage on Old Cars
Dropping collision coverage on older cars can really help save you a lot, especially for cars that are more than ten years old and only worth four or five thousand dollars. Think about it, if you have an accident while driving an older car, are you really going to pay to repair it or just buy a new car?
-
Check Insurance Rates for Your Car’s Make and Model
The make and model of your car can make a big difference in how much you pay for auto insurance. Therefore, before purchasing a new car, be sure and check the insurance rates for it as some can be much higher than others.
-
Shop Around to Check Rates from Numerous Insurance Companies
The chart in this article should be enough proof to know that there can be a big difference in what various insurance companies charge for auto insurance. That is why it is a good idea to check rates from a number of insurance companies before deciding which plan to choose.
-
Drive Fewer Miles
One of the questions asked when applying for auto insurance rates, is how many miles you drive regularly. This is because the more miles you drive, the more risk you are to the insurance company and the higher your insurance cost will be. Try to drive fewer miles, if possible, to save more money on your premiums.
-
Maintain a Good driving record
Being a safe driver can not only save your life, but it can also save you a lot of money, too. There is a big difference in how much people with accidents on their record have to pay, and what those without any accidents pay. Therefore, always drive safely.
-
Live in a less populated area
Your location matters when it comes to auto insurance rates. If you live in a highly populated area, your rates will be higher than if you live in a lower-population area. The Jefferson and New Orleans areas have some of the highest rates in Louisiana, but if you live just 30 minutes outside of the city, you can expect your rates to go down.
Not sure which discounts you may qualify for, consult this guide to learn more.
Reasons that Affect Your Automobile Insurance Rates in Des Moines
Des Moines drivers are likely to see their insurance rates change over time. There can be many factors, both positive and negative, that impact your regular premiums. One key thing that all drivers face is aging. As you mature as a person and as a driver, your insurance rates are likely to fall. Typically, older drivers are safer drivers. They are less likely to drink and drive, speed, or take unnecessary risks on the road.
Your rates are also dependent, in part, on the type of car you drive. Drivers who love high-powered sports cars will likely spend more for automobile insurance than those who drive less-exciting SUVs and sedans.
Rates are also tied to the deductible on the policy. If you carry collision or comprehensive (full) coverage and opt for a higher deductible, your premiums could be lower. That is, if a tree hits your car, you will pay more up front for the damage to offset the lower premiums you’ve been paying over time.
Use this guide to find low cost rates with accidents from the top insurance companies.
Check Out Car Insurance Companies in Des Moines and Reviews
Helpful Des Moines, Iowa Vehicle Resources:
Live Traffic and Accidents
https://www.kcci.com/traffic
DMV (Find Locations, Vehicle Registration, Titles and Insurance Info)
https://iowadot.gov/mvd/driverslicense/driverslicense/dlsites/burlington