Iowa Car Insurance (IA)

Car Insurance Requirements in Iowa

Iowa auto insurance requirements are confined to liability coverage that pays the other driver's expenses should you be involved in an accident where you are at fault.  The minimum bodily injury liability requirement is $20,000 for an individual and $40,000 for any one incident.  What this means is that your insurance company will pay up to $20,000 in injury-related costs for a single person in the other car and a maximum of $40,000 for all passengers in the vehicle.  Also required is a minimum of $15,000 in property damage liability, to pay for repairs to the other car.

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Car Insurance Options in Iowa

To fill out your policy and achieve adequate protection, you should consider several options.  Insurance companies licensed to operate in Iowa are required to make all of these options available.

One important optional insurance component is coverage for uninsured and underinsured drivers.  This insurance is meant to cover your costs in the case of a collision with a driver who is uninsured or whose insurance is insufficient to pay all of your expenses.  In a serious accident, it is very likely that if the responsible driver is carrying the minimum legal coverage his insurance will not cover your expenses.

You can purchase two types of coverage that will pay for repairs to your vehicle.  The first is collision insurance, which covers your repair costs resulting from an accident in which you are at fault.  The other is comprehensive insurance, which pays for damage to your car from non-accident occurrences such as storms, fires, theft, break-ins or vandalism. 

Both of these clauses will have deductible payments attached to them. The state often sets a statutory ceiling on what is legally acceptable.  Regardless, it makes sense to opt for the highest deductible that you think you can afford financially in case of an accident.  Higher deductibles will lower your insurance premiums substantially.

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Additional Car Insurance Options in Iowa (IA)

Another option that deserves serious consideration is medical payments insurance.  This coverage is meant to pay injury-related expenses for you and your passengers, regardless of who is at fault.  This clause could come into play if you do not have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, or it might provide coverage for expenses beyond the immediate medical charges such as lost wages, rehabilitation, etc.

You can also buy coverage for towing charges resulting from an accident.  For completely thorough coverage, you may opt for insurance that pays for a rental car while yours is in the shop for repair.

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