Iowa doesn’t suffer from that many natural disasters, but with its location near Tornado Alley and the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, damage from heavy winds and flooding isn’t uncommon. For that reason, Iowa residents should consider a solid home insurance policy and additional flood protection.
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Iowa is $1,686 per year or $141 a month. This is comparable to the national average of $1,754 per year, making Iowa a relatively affordable state for home insurance.
Methodology & why you can trust our rates
Policygenius has analyzed home insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services in March 2022 for ZIP codes in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., for a 40-year-old female homeowner with no claim history, good credit, a $1,000 deductible, and the following coverage limits:
Dwelling: $300,000
Other structures: $30,000
Personal property: $150,000
Loss of use: $60,000
Liability: $300,000
Medical: $1,000
All rates based on the above coverage limits except where otherwise noted.
Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.
Compare the best homeowners insurance companies in Iowa
According to our analysis, Auto-Owners, State Farm, Nationwide, American Family, and Farmers are the best homeowners insurance companies in Iowa.
Policygenius analyzed thousands of quotes across the state to find the average cost of homeowners insurance from each company. We then looked at J.D. Power customer satisfaction scores and compared that with the coverage needs of the state's residents to find the best homeowners insurance in Iowa.
Company | Average monthly cost | Policygenius rating |
|---|---|---|
$119 | 5.0 out of 5 | |
$197 | 4.8 out of 5 | |
$168 | 4.5 out of 5 | |
$100 | 4.5 out of 5 | |
$101 | 4.5 out of 5 |
2023 Policygenius award winner
Auto-Owners Insurance
5.0
Bundle home & auto
Offers extended replacement cost
Offers flood insurance
Why we chose it
Auto-Owners Insurance is the best homeowners insurance company in Iowa thanks to its extensive policy and coverage options, its high marks for financial strength, and its customer experience ratings.
Pros and cons
Pros
Offers a slew of extra coverage add-ons
Rates are cheaper than average in Iowa
Flood insurance through the NFIP
Cons
Not able to get quotes or file claims online
More details
Why Auto-Owners Insurance is our pick for best overall company
Auto-Owners Insurance is one of the best home insurance companies in Iowa, especially if you want to add more protection to a basic policy. Auto-Owners offers endorsements like guaranteed replacement cost coverage, water backup protection, inland flood coverage, and more.
In Iowa, Auto-Owners' rates are cheaper than average. Plus, Auto-Owners offers more than a dozen discounts, including many that are easy to qualify for, like signing up for automatic payments and paperless billing.
How much does Auto-Owners home insurance cost in Iowa?
The average cost of Auto-Owners home insurance in Iowa is $1,425 per year, which is 15% cheaper than the statewide average.
How to get quotes
To get a homeowners insurance quote, you’ll have to call a local Auto-Owners Insurance agent.
2023 Policygenius award winner
State Farm
4.8
Bundle home & auto
Offers extended replacement cost
Offers flood insurance
Offers earthquake insurance
Wind/hail deductible
Offers wildfire insurance
Why we chose it
State Farm is one of the best home insurance companies in Iowa thanks to its large selection of policy options, high customer service marks, and industry-best financial stability ratings.
Pros and cons
Pros
Top-tier coverage add-ons, including extended replacement cost coverage
High customer satisfaction and financial strength ratings
Big discount for bundling home and auto coverage
Cons
No discounts for first-time homebuyers
Rates are more expensive than average in Iowa
More details
Why we chose State Farm
State Farm is one of our picks for the best home insurance in Iowa, especially if you want to add protection to a basic policy. With State Farm homeowners can get extended replacement cost coverage for their homes, replacement cost coverage for their personal property, water backup protection, and more.
State Farm's customer service is highly rated, too. The company has received high ratings from policyholders, according to J.D. Power’s 2022 customer satisfaction, claims, and digital experience surveys. It has also received the highest rating possible from A.M. Best for financial strength and stability.
How do State Farm home insurance rates compare to the Iowa average?
The average cost of home insurance from State Farm in Iowa is $2,367 per year, which is 40% more expensive than the statewide average.
How to get a quote
Online through State Farm or by contacting your local State Farm agent.
2023 Policygenius award winner
Nationwide
4.5
Bundle home & auto
Mobile app
New homebuyer discount
Offers extended replacement cost
Why we chose it
Nationwide is one of the best home insurance companies in Iowa for its top-rated customer service. Nationwide also offers a range of add-ons that you can use to personalize your coverage, though its rates are more expensive than average.
Pros and cons
Pros
Receives fewer complaints than average
Multiple high-quality coverage options
Cons
Below-average digital experience ratings
Rates are more expensive than average in Iowa
More details
Why we chose Nationwide
Nationwide is one of the best home insurance companies in Iowa for its great customer service. Nationwide ranks fifth on J.D. Power's Property Claims Satisfaction Study from 2022 and receives far fewer complaints than other insurers, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
We also like Nationwide's many coverage options, including guaranteed and extended replacement cost coverages, better roof replacement, new belongings coverage, water backup protection, and equipment breakdown coverage.
How do Nationwide home insurance rates compare to the Iowa average?
The average cost of Nationwide home insurance in Iowa is $2,018 per year, which is 20% more expensive than the annual statewide average.
How to get a quote
Online through Policygenius or Nationwide
2023 Policygenius award winner
American Family
4.6
Offers extended replacement cost
Offers flood insurance
Bundle home & auto
Why we chose it
American Family is one of the best home insurance companies in Iowa, especially for people who want to add coverage to a basic policy. AmFam also has high customer service ratings and several discounts.
Pros and cons
Pros
Several one-of-its-kind coverage endorsements and policy perks
High customer satisfaction and digital shopping satisfaction scores with J.D. Power
Rates are cheaper than average in Iowa
Cons
Requires you to work with an agent to purchase a policy
More details
Why we chose American Family
American Family is one of the top home insurance companies in Iowa. You can customize your American Family policy with up to 15 additional coverage options — including inland flood, equipment breakdown, and service line coverage.
American Family is cheaper than average in Iowa, plus with AmFam's many discounts (including paying your premiums all at once, opting for paperless billing, and signing up for automatic payments) your premiums may be even cheaper.
How do American Family home insurance rates compare to the Iowa average?
The average annual cost of American Family home insurance in Iowa is $1,199 per year, which is 29% cheaper than the statewide average.
How to get a quote
Online with American Family or by contacting a local agent
2023 Policygenius award winner
Farmers
4.5
Offers extended replacement cost
Bundle home & auto
Smart home discounts
Why we chose it
Farmers is one of the best home insurance companies in Iowa for those who want to add coverage to their policies. Farmers also has a range of discounts, cheaper-than-average rates, and high claims satisfaction scores.
Pros and cons
Pros
Optional extended or guaranteed replacement cost dwelling coverage
Receives few complaints from policyholders and has a high claims satisfaction score
Cheaper than average in Iowa
Cons
Below-average scores on J.D. Power’s overall customer satisfaction and digital experience surveys
More details
Why we chose Farmers
Farmers is one of the best home insurance companies in Iowa, especially if you want to add coverage to a basic policy. Optional coverages from Farmers include guaranteed or extended replacement cost coverage, water backup protection, and a personal articles floater.
Farmers also earned a high score in J.D. Power’s 2022 claims satisfaction study (though it scored below average on J.D. Power’s overall customer satisfaction and digital experience surveys). Plus, Farmers receives fewer complaints than average, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
How do Farmers home insurance rates compare to the average in Iowa?
The average cost of Farmers home insurance in Iowa is $1,206 per year, which is 28% cheaper than the state's average annual premium.
How to get a quote
Online through Farmers
How much is homeowners insurance in Iowa?
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Iowa is $1,686 per year, or $141 a month, for an insurance policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage. This means insurance in Iowa is 4% cheaper than the national average per year.
Iowa homeowners insurance rates by city
We calculated the cost of home insurance in Iowa largest cities and found that Ankeny is the cheapest big city for homeowners insurance in the state, while Council Bluffs is the most expensive.
Here’s a look at the average cost of home insurance in the 20 largest cities in Iowa.
City | Average monthly cost | Average annual cost | Difference from state average (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
Des Moines | $136 | $1,633 | -3% |
Cedar Rapids | $135 | $1,616 | -4% |
Davenport | $132 | $1,588 | -6% |
Sioux City | $145 | $1,736 | 3% |
Iowa City | $133 | $1,592 | -6% |
Ankeny | $126 | $1,512 | -10% |
West Des Moines | $129 | $1,547 | -8% |
Ames | $135 | $1,623 | -4% |
Waterloo | $145 | $1,734 | 3% |
Council Bluffs | $162 | $1,948 | 16% |
Dubuque | $133 | $1,599 | -5% |
Urbandale | $132 | $1,578 | -6% |
Marion | $133 | $1,594 | -5% |
Cedar Falls | $133 | $1,591 | -6% |
Bettendorf | $132 | $1,582 | -6% |
Waukee | $134 | $1,604 | -5% |
Marshalltown | $136 | $1,628 | -3% |
Mason City | $144 | $1,727 | 2% |
Ottumwa | $145 | $1,738 | 3% |
Fort Dodge | $145 | $1,745 | 3% |
Iowa homeowners insurance rates by coverage amount
The table below highlights the average annual premium in Iowa for five different levels of dwelling coverage, which is the part of your policy that covers structural damage to your home.
Generally speaking, more dwelling coverage means higher homeowners insurance rates, as shown in the table below.
Cheapest homeowners insurance companies in Iowa
After analyzing home insurance rates in all of the state's ZIP codes, we found that the cheapest home insurance companies in Iowa are West Bend Mutual, Westfield, American Family, Farmers, and Pekin Insurance.
City | Average monthly cost | Average annual cost | Difference from state average (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
Des Moines | $136 | $1,633 | -3% |
Cedar Rapids | $135 | $1,616 | -4% |
Davenport | $132 | $1,588 | -6% |
Sioux City | $145 | $1,736 | 3% |
Iowa City | $133 | $1,592 | -6% |
Ankeny | $126 | $1,512 | -10% |
West Des Moines | $129 | $1,547 | -8% |
Ames | $135 | $1,623 | -4% |
Waterloo | $145 | $1,734 | 3% |
Council Bluffs | $162 | $1,948 | 16% |
Dubuque | $133 | $1,599 | -5% |
Urbandale | $132 | $1,578 | -6% |
Marion | $133 | $1,594 | -5% |
Cedar Falls | $133 | $1,591 | -6% |
Bettendorf | $132 | $1,582 | -6% |
Waukee | $134 | $1,604 | -5% |
Marshalltown | $136 | $1,628 | -3% |
Mason City | $144 | $1,727 | 2% |
Ottumwa | $145 | $1,738 | 3% |
Fort Dodge | $145 | $1,745 | 3% |
Cheapest Iowa homeowners insurance if you have poor credit
Poor credit can be bad news when it comes to home insurance rates. Insurance companies consider a bad credit score to be an indicator of risky behavior and an increased risk of filing an insurance claim.
With an average rate of $1,442 per year, Pekin Insurance has the cheapest home insurance rates in Iowa for a homeowner with poor credit.
Company | Average annual cost |
|---|---|
Pekin Insurance | $1,442 |
West Bend Mutual Insurance | $1,634 |
American Family | $1,989 |
Westfield Insurance | $1,990 |
IMT Insurance | $2,314 |
USAA | $2,386 |
Shelter Insurance | $2,480 |
Farmers | $2,551 |
Nationwide | $2,563 |
Allstate | $2,662 |
Farm Bureau Insurance | $3,571 |
Encova Insurance | $3,748 |
State Farm | $4,069 |
Celina Insurance | $8,518 |
Auto-Owners Insurance | $14,004 |
Cheapest Iowa homeowners insurance if you have an older home
It can cost a lot to insure older homes. That's because they're more prone to structural damage than new homes. Older homes are also often constructed out of materials and with features that would be expensive to replace if they were damaged.
With an average annual premium of $1,158, Westfield Insurance offers the cheapest home insurance rates in Iowa for an older home.
Company | Average annual cost |
|---|---|
Westfield Insurance | $1,158 |
West Bend Mutual Insurance | $1,219 |
Farmers | $1,222 |
Pekin Insurance | $1,252 |
American Family | $1,313 |
Auto-Owners Insurance | $1,343 |
IMT Insurance | $1,428 |
USAA | $1,776 |
Allstate | $2,024 |
Shelter Insurance | $2,049 |
Nationwide | $2,096 |
Encova Insurance | $2,308 |
State Farm | $2,367 |
Farm Bureau Insurance | $2,387 |
Celina Insurance | $3,886 |
Cheapest Iowa homeowners insurance if you have a history of claims
If you have multiple claims on your record, you'll typically pay more for home insurance, as insurers will consider you more likely to file future claims than a homeowner with a spotless claims history.
With an average annual premium of $1,307, Westfield Insurance offers the cheapest home insurance rates in Iowa if you've filed three claims within a five-year period.
Company | Average annual cost |
|---|---|
Westfield Insurance | $1,307 |
Auto-Owners Insurance | $1,425 |
Pekin Insurance | $1,550 |
West Bend Mutual Insurance | $1,655 |
Farmers | $1,841 |
American Family | $2,091 |
IMT Insurance | $2,093 |
USAA | $2,313 |
State Farm | $2,367 |
Encova Insurance | $2,565 |
Shelter Insurance | $3,236 |
Nationwide | $3,237 |
Allstate | $3,247 |
Farm Bureau Insurance | $4,344 |
Celina Insurance | $5,717 |
Coverage options in Iowa
In addition to looking at how much each insurance company charges for different coverage levels and risks, you should also know what your policy does and doesn’t cover.
When buying homeowners insurance in Iowa, you may need additional insurance to protect yourself against strong winds and floods.
Windstorm insurance
Storms in Iowa can bring strong winds and even tornadoes. Even though homeowners insurance usually covers damage from wind and tornadoes, it's more complicated in Iowa, where tornadoes are more common than other parts of the country.
Some home insurance companies in the state may charge a separate wind deductible, while others won't cover wind damage at all. If you're not covered, you would need to get a separate windstorm policy or find a company that covers wind damage.
Hail insurance
Iowa's storms can bring hail with strong wind and rain. Most home insurance policies cover hail damage, along with other falling objects that can damage your property.
There are some exceptions in states like Iowa that experience lots of hailstorms. Some home insurance companies may charge a separate hail deductible — or may exclude coverage altogether.
Flood insurance
Homeowners insurance policies don’t cover flood damage. If you live in a part of Iowa experiences flooding, you should consider flood insurance along with your regular home insurance.
In addition to comparing home insurance quotes, homeowners in Iowa can also compare private flood insurance rates with Policygenius, or choose a policy through a government entity like the National Flood Insurance Program.
How to buy homeowners insurance in Iowa
One of the best ways to buy home insurance in Iowa is by comparing quotes online. But how do you know which insurer to choose? We’ve included our favorite tips in the list below to help you find the best coverage solutions at the best price.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average home insurance cost in Iowa?
The average home insurance rate in Iowa is about $153 a month for $300,000 in dwelling coverage. That’s almost comparable to the national average of $158 a month, meaning homeowners in Iowa are getting their home insurance at a relatively affordable price.
Is it required for me to have home insurance in Iowa?
It is not legally required to have home insurance in Iowa, but many mortgage lenders require it before extending a home loan to protect their investment. Even though you don’t have a loan on your home, without a home insurance plan, any damage to your home will come out of your pocket.
How can I pay less for my homeowners insurance in Iowa?
One of the easiest ways to lower your homeowners insurance in Iowa is by asking about available discounts with your insurance company. For savings up to 25% with some insurers, consider bundling your home and auto policies into one plan and choose autopay and e-billing for further discounts. Comparing online quotes can save you even more money when you’re ready to search for a new insurance provider.
