The Best Home Insurance in Iowa for 2024

Auto-Owners and State Farm are among the best home insurance companies in Iowa.

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Updated · 4 min read
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Written by Kayda Norman
Lead Writer
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Assistant Assigning Editor
Fact Checked
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Co-written by Sarah Schlichter
Lead Writer

The average cost of homeowners insurance in Iowa is $2,215 per year, or about $185 per month, according to a NerdWallet analysis. For comparison, the national average is $1,915 per year.

NerdWallet analyzed data from numerous insurance companies to help you find the best home insurance in Iowa in the following categories:

The rates in our analysis are estimates based on many factors, so your rate may differ.

Note: Some insurance companies included in this article may have made changes in their underwriting practices and no longer issue new policies in your state. Even if an insurer serves your state, it may not write policies for all homes in all areas.

Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our writing and data analyses. You can trust the prices we show you because our data analysts take rigorous measures to eliminate inaccuracies in pricing data and may update rates for accuracy as new information becomes available.

We include rates from every locale in the country where coverage is offered and data is available. When comparing rates for different coverage amounts and backgrounds, we change only one variable at a time, so you can easily see how each factor affects pricing.

Our sample homeowner had good credit, $300,000 of dwelling coverage, $300,000 of liability coverage and a $1,000 deductible.

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Best affordable homeowners insurance in Iowa: Auto-Owners

insurance-product-card-logo

Auto-Owners

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Auto-Owners offers plenty of ways to customize your policy and save money on home insurance.

Coverage options

About average

Discounts

Great set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected

Auto-Owners

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Auto-Owners offers plenty of ways to customize your policy and save money on home insurance.

Coverage options

About average

Discounts

Great set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected

In Iowa, the average annual premium for Auto-Owners is $1,680, which is well below the state average of $2,215.

Auto-Owners has been in business for more than a century. Its homeowners policies include all the basics, but you can also add coverage for things like identity theft or the failure of major appliances. Guaranteed replacement cost coverage is another optional add-on, enabling you to rebuild your home after a total loss even if your dwelling coverage limit is too low.

Auto-Owners sells homeowners insurance through independent agents.


Best homeowners insurance in Iowa for coverage: State Farm

insurance-product-card-logo

State Farm

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Well-established insurer with a lengthy list of coverage options.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected

State Farm

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Well-established insurer with a lengthy list of coverage options.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected

As America’s largest insurer, State Farm stands out for its long list of coverage options. Its policies generally include extra dwelling coverage in case it costs more than expected to rebuild your home after a covered disaster. You may also be able to add coverage for things like identity theft, damage from backed-up drains and personal injury liability.

State Farm offers a free Ting device as a perk for home insurance policyholders. Ting is a smart plug that monitors your home’s electrical network to help prevent fires.


Best homeowners insurance in Iowa for consumer experience: American Family and Nationwide

insurance-product-card-logo

American Family

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Customizable coverage and discounts for smart-home devices.

Coverage options

About average

Discounts

Great set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected

American Family

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Customizable coverage and discounts for smart-home devices.

Coverage options

About average

Discounts

Great set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected

American Family receives fewer consumer complaints than expected for a company of its size. Its user-friendly website offers features such as bill payments, claim reporting, online quotes and general insurance information.

Homeowners may be able to save on their premiums by installing smart-home devices, bundling multiple policies or setting up automatic payments.

Get more information in our American Family homeowners insurance review.

insurance-product-card-logo

Nationwide

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
For shoppers seeking a broad range of coverage options, Nationwide may fit the bill.

Coverage options

About average

Discounts

Great set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected

Nationwide

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
For shoppers seeking a broad range of coverage options, Nationwide may fit the bill.

Coverage options

About average

Discounts

Great set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected

Nationwide offers a robust digital experience for its customers, including a website that makes it easy to manage policies, file and track claims, and set up automatic billing. It also has a highly rated app for Android and iOS that allows customers to file and track claims, review policy documents, and set up autopay.

In addition, Nationwide’s customers have several ways to get assistance, such as reaching out to their agent or calling the company’s customer service hotline. Outside of business hours, they can use the Nationwide website to get proof of insurance, pay bills and schedule callbacks. A chatbot is also available to answer basic questions.


Full list of the best homeowners insurance in Iowa

NerdWallet analyzed home insurance companies across the state to find the best home insurance in Iowa. Here are all of the insurers that received a NerdWallet star rating of 4.5 or higher:

Company

NerdWallet star rating

Average annual rate

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

Not available

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

Not available

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

Not available

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

$2,015

Auto Club Group (AAA)

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

Not available

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

$1,680

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

Not available

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

$3,055

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

$2,215

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

$2,295

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

$2,205

*USAA homeowners policies are available only to active military, veterans and their families.


How much does homeowners insurance cost in Iowa?

The average annual cost of home insurance in Iowa is $2,215. That's 16% more than the national average of $1,915.

In most U.S. states, including Iowa, many insurers use your credit-based insurance score to help set rates. Your insurance score is similar but not identical to your traditional credit score.

In Iowa, those with poor credit pay an average of $4,100 per year for homeowners insurance, according to NerdWallet’s rate analysis. That’s 85% more than what those with good credit pay.

Average cost of homeowners insurance in Iowa by city

How much you pay for homeowners insurance in Iowa depends on where you live. For instance, the average cost of home insurance in Des Moines is $2,215 per year, while homeowners in Sioux City pay $2,355 per year, on average.

City

Average annual rate

Average monthly rate

Ames

$2,210

$184

Ankeny

$2,210

$184

Bettendorf

$1,995

$166

Burlington

$2,155

$180

Cedar Falls

$2,105

$175

Cedar Rapids

$2,215

$185

Clinton

$2,055

$171

Coralville

$2,145

$179

Council Bluffs

$2,455

$205

Davenport

$2,060

$172

Des Moines

$2,215

$185

Dubuque

$2,025

$169

Fort Dodge

$2,370

$198

Iowa City

$2,205

$184

Johnston

$2,270

$189

Marion

$2,230

$186

Marshalltown

$2,210

$184

Mason City

$2,215

$185

Muscatine

$2,100

$175

Ottumwa

$2,070

$173

Sioux City

$2,355

$196

Urbandale

$2,215

$185

Waterloo

$2,185

$182

Waukee

$2,215

$185

West Des Moines

$2,215

$185

The cheapest home insurance in Iowa

Here are the insurers we found with average annual rates below the Iowa average of $2,215.

Company

NerdWallet star rating

Average annual rate

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

$1,680

Pekin

Not rated

$1,945

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

$2,015

Shelter

4.0

NerdWallet rating 

$2,030

IMT

Not rated

$2,060

Integrity

Not rated

$2,120

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

$2,205

*USAA homeowners policies are available only to active military, veterans and their families.

What to know about Iowa homeowners insurance

You may face certain risks when living in Iowa. Here are a few of the most common, along with steps you can take to insure your home properly against them.

Tornadoes and derechos

Standard home insurance policies will cover wind damage from tornadoes and derechos. However, your policy may have a separate wind and hail deductible, typically between 1% to 5%. If your house has $250,000 worth of dwelling coverage and a 1% deductible for wind claims, you’d have to pay for the first $2,500 of wind damage yourself.

There also may be limits to how much your insurer will pay for debris removal. Review your policy carefully and reach out to your insurance agent with questions.

Flooding

Standard homeowners insurance typically doesn't cover flooding. Homeowners in flood-prone areas may need to purchase separate flood insurance.

To find out your risk, check out the Federal Emergency Management Agency's flood maps and RiskFactor.com, a website from the nonprofit First Street Foundation. Even if your property is deemed low risk, it may be worthwhile to purchase flood insurance for extra peace of mind.

Remember that while you can purchase flood coverage at any time, there’s typically a 30-day waiting period before the insurance takes effect. Here’s more information about flood insurance and waiting periods.

Winter weather

Homeowners insurance generally covers winter storm-related damage, but some types of winter weather damage may require extra coverage. For instance, you’ll typically need a separate flood insurance policy to cover flood damage caused by snowmelt.

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Iowa insurance department

The Iowa Insurance Department regulates the insurance industry for the state and provides consumer resources. The department oversees licensing for insurers and is a resource if you have a dispute with your insurer.

If you need to file a complaint, a simple flowchart will direct you to the online complaint form. You can also print the form and file it via email, fax or mail. Questions? Reach out to the Insurance Consumer Advocate at 515-654-6538.

Frequently asked questions

Home insurance is not required by Iowa state law. However, your lender may require you to purchase home insurance. For more information, read Is Homeowners Insurance Required?

Standard home insurance in Iowa should cover the damage caused by derechos. Still, you’ll want to confirm the details in your policy, as you may be responsible for a wind deductible.

Here are some ways to save money on home insurance in Iowa:

  • Shop around to make sure you’re getting the best rate.

  • Choose a higher deductible. In case of any claims, you’ll pay more out of pocket, but your premiums will be lower.

  • Bundle your home and auto insurance for a lower overall rate. See the best home and auto insurance bundles.

  • Ask your insurer if you qualify for any home insurance discounts.

Amanda Shapland contributed to this story.

Methodology

NerdWallet calculated median rates for 40-year-old homeowners from various insurance companies in every ZIP code across the state. All rates are rounded to the nearest $5.

Sample homeowners were nonsmokers with good credit living in a single-family, two-story home built in 1984. They had a $1,000 deductible and the following coverage limits:

  • $300,000 in dwelling coverage.

  • $30,000 in other structures coverage.

  • $150,000 in personal property coverage.

  • $60,000 in loss of use coverage.

  • $300,000 in liability coverage.

  • $1,000 in medical payments coverage.

We made minor changes to the sample policy in cases where rates for the above coverage limits or deductibles weren’t available.

We changed the credit tier from “good” to “poor,” as reported to the insurer, to see rates for homeowners with poor credit.

These are sample rates generated through Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different.

Star rating methodology

NerdWallet’s homeowners insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, consumer complaints, coverages, discounts and online experience. These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our full homeowners insurance rating methodology.

Complaint methodology

NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2020-2022. To assess how insurers compare with one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, NerdWallet calculated a similar index for each insurer, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary, over the three-year period. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. Ratios are determined separately for auto, home (including renters and condo) and life insurance.

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