Fact CheckedNerdy takeaways
Chubb is the top-rated insurer in Iowa, offering the best coverage for high-value homes.
Amica offers the best digital tools.
State Farm is the best option for most people.
Cincinnati Insurance draws one of the lowest rates of consumer complaints.
USAA is our top pick for military families.
Thanks to rising premiums, shopping for Iowa home insurance may be more challenging than it used to be. To help you find the best home insurance in Iowa, we analyzed data from insurance companies across the state. Below are the insurers that topped our list.
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.
The best home insurance companies in Iowa
Best coverage for high-value homes
Chubb
- Far fewer consumer complaints than expected for a company of its size.
- Standard coverage includes features that many companies offer only as extras.
- Perks to help you protect your home.
- Most consumers can't get a quote online and will instead need to contact a local agent.
Why it’s worth a look: Chubb serves owners of high-value homes with generous policies and high coverage limits. For example, you may be able to get up to $100 million of personal liability coverage in case someone sues you.
Standout feature: If you decide not to rebuild your home after it’s destroyed, Chubb offers a cash settlement option.
Average rates: Not available.
» READ MORE: Chubb homeowners insurance review
Best digital tools
Amica
- High customer satisfaction ratings and low consumer complaints.
- Platinum Choice package offers extra coverage.
- Dividend policies can return a portion of your premiums.
- You can start a quote online but may have to finish the buying process by phone.
Why it’s worth a look: You can use Amica’s website to file and track claims, pay bills, and upload documents. The company also offers plenty of information about its policies, including FAQs. Live chat representatives are available seven days a week.
Standout feature: If you want a little more coverage, consider the Platinum Choice Home package. It includes extra coverage for your home and valuable belongings.
Average rates: Not available.
» READ MORE: Amica homeowners insurance review
Best for most people
State Farm
- User-friendly website.
- Agents offer personalized service.
- Policies generally include extra coverage for your home’s structure.
- Below average for claim satisfaction in a recent J.D. Power study.
Why it’s worth a look: As America’s largest home insurer, State Farm covers a wide range of houses and offers many coverage options. Its policies generally include extra coverage in case it costs more than expected to rebuild your home.
Standout feature: Unlike many other home insurers, State Farm won’t ask what breed of dog you own when deciding whether to offer you a policy. Because homeowners policies cover liability claims related to dog bites, some companies won’t insure homes with breeds they consider dangerous. State Farm will insure any breed.
Average rates: Below are the average annual rates for a range of dwelling coverage limits.
Dwelling coverage amount | Average annual rate |
|---|---|
$200,000 | $2,485 |
$300,000 | $3,180 |
$400,000 | $3,770 |
$500,000 | $4,280 |
$600,000 | $4,735 |
» READ MORE: State Farm homeowners insurance review
Fewest complaints
Cincinnati Insurance
- Various coverage options.
- Far fewer complaints than expected for a company of its size.
- Coverage available for higher-value homes.
- No online quotes.
- Very little information on website.
Why it’s worth a look: Cincinnati Insurance had one of the lowest rates of consumer complaints among all the companies we review. The company sells policies through independent insurance agents, who can help you find the right coverage for your home.
Standout feature: Cincinnati policyholders can get a discount on water shutoff devices. This technology can save you the hassle of a claim by turning off your water if it detects a leak.
Average rates: Not available.
» READ MORE: Cincinnati homeowners insurance review
Best for military families
USAA
- Policies include standard coverage that often costs extra elsewhere.
- Fewer customer complaints to state regulators than expected for a company of its size.
- Perks for military homeowners.
- Available only to active military members, veterans, some federal employees and their families.
Why it’s worth a look: USAA sells homeowners insurance to active military, veterans, some federal workers and their families. The company serves this community with deductible-free coverage for military uniforms and equipment. If you rent out your home while you’re deployed, consider USAA’s home-sharing or landlord coverage.
Standout feature: USAA’s policies include identity theft coverage to help you recover after a cyber incident. Many companies charge extra for this coverage.
Average rates: Below are the average annual rates for a range of dwelling coverage limits.
Dwelling coverage amount | Average annual rate |
|---|---|
$200,000 | $1,515 |
$300,000 | $2,050 |
$400,000 | $2,505 |
$500,000 | $2,950 |
$600,000 | $3,380 |
*USAA homeowners policies are available only to active military, veterans, some federal workers and their families. | |
» READ MORE: USAA homeowners insurance review
Other top home insurance companies in Iowa
These home insurance providers are also worth a look.
Company | NerdWallet star rating | Average annual rate |
|---|---|---|
Not available | ||
$3,515 | ||
$2,815 |
How much does homeowners insurance cost in Iowa?
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Iowa is $3,765 per year, or about $314 per month. That's 51% more expensive than the national average of $2,490 per year for the same amount of coverage.
These rates are based on a sample home insurance policy with $400,000 in dwelling coverage, $300,000 in liability coverage, a $1,000 deductible and no recent claims.
Did you know...
The dwelling coverage limit on your policy should be the amount it would take to rebuild your home, based on the cost of labor and construction in your area. It won't necessarily be the price you paid for the house or how much you could sell it for now. Use our calculator to estimate your home's rebuilding cost.
The median rebuilding cost for Iowa homes is $358,248, according to data from First Street, a climate risk modeling firm.
Below are the average rates for policies with various dwelling coverage limits.
Dwelling coverage amount | Average annual rate |
|---|---|
$200,000 | $2,080 |
$300,000 | $2,970 |
$400,000 | $3,765 |
$500,000 | $4,350 |
$600,000 | $5,105 |
The rates above are for homeowners with good credit. In Iowa, policyholders with poor credit pay an average of $6,615 per year — an increase of 76%.
Average cost of homeowners insurance in Iowa by city
The amount you pay will depend on where you live in the state. For example, the average cost of homeowners insurance in Des Moines is $3,635 per year, while Council Bluffs homeowners pay $4,125 per year, on average.
City | Average annual rate | Average monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
Ames | $3,745 | $312 |
Ankeny | $3,695 | $308 |
Bettendorf | $3,385 | $282 |
Burlington | $3,745 | $312 |
Cedar Falls | $3,655 | $305 |
Cedar Rapids | $3,540 | $295 |
Clinton | $3,605 | $300 |
Coralville | $3,690 | $308 |
Council Bluffs | $4,125 | $344 |
Davenport | $3,490 | $291 |
Des Moines | $3,635 | $303 |
Dubuque | $3,525 | $294 |
Fort Dodge | $3,770 | $314 |
Iowa City | $3,610 | $301 |
Johnston | $3,790 | $316 |
Marion | $3,505 | $292 |
Marshalltown | $3,700 | $308 |
Mason City | $3,735 | $311 |
Muscatine | $3,510 | $293 |
Ottumwa | $3,780 | $315 |
Sioux City | $3,915 | $326 |
Urbandale | $3,740 | $312 |
Waterloo | $3,655 | $305 |
Waukee | $3,650 | $304 |
West Des Moines | $3,710 | $309 |
The cheapest home insurance in Iowa
Here are the insurers we found with the cheapest rates for a variety of dwelling coverage limits.
Company
NerdWallet star rating
Average annual rate
Integrity
Not rated
$1,610
$1,795
IMT
Not rated
$1,900
Shelter
Not rated
$1,990
$1,515
*USAA homeowners policies are available only to active military, veterans, some federal workers and their families.
Company
NerdWallet star rating
Average annual rate
Integrity
Not rated
$2,145
$2,305
$2,745
Shelter
Not rated
$2,870
$2,050
*USAA homeowners policies are available only to active military, veterans, some federal workers and their families.
Company
NerdWallet star rating
Average annual rate
Integrity
Not rated
$2,655
$2,815
$3,345
$3,515
$2,505
*USAA homeowners policies are available only to active military, veterans, some federal workers and their families.
Company
NerdWallet star rating
Average annual rate
Integrity
Not rated
$3,175
$3,255
$3,920
$4,055
$2,950
*USAA homeowners policies are available only to active military, veterans, some federal workers and their families.
Company
NerdWallet star rating
Average annual rate
$3,410
Integrity
Not rated
$3,770
$4,315
$4,725
$3,380
*USAA homeowners policies are available only to active military, veterans, some federal workers and their families.
Common discounts
Make sure to ask your home insurance company about any discounts you may be eligible for. Here are some of the most common:
Many insurers offer savings if you buy more than one policy, such as home and car insurance. See our picks for the best home and auto insurance bundles.
Got a burglar alarm, smoke detectors or a smart device that alerts you if you have a leak? Safety and security features like these could earn you a discount.
Sign up for paperless billing or set your premiums to autopay, and you could get a discount.
Many insurance companies give discounts to customers who’ve gone a certain number of years without filing a home insurance claim.
Some insurers offer discounts to new policyholders or reward those who’ve stuck around for a while.
Teachers, doctors, members of the military and others may be eligible for discounts from certain insurers.
Learn more about common home insurance discounts.
Common Iowa home insurance problems
Rising premiums. Homeowners insurance premiums in Iowa rose 273% between 2011 and 2025, according to a recent study. This is partly due to severe weather, which is becoming more common in Iowa. It's also tied to inflation, which has made it more expensive to repair and rebuild homes.
Tornadoes and derechos. Iowa gets about 50 tornadoes per year, on average, but some years the number tops 100. Derechos are less common but can also cause major destruction. Home insurance generally covers wind damage from both types of storms.
However, your policy may have a separate wind and hail deductible, typically between 1% and 5% of your dwelling coverage limit. If your house has $350,000 worth of dwelling coverage and a 1% deductible for wind claims, you’d have to pay for the first $3,500 of wind damage yourself.
Flooding. The type of heavy rainfall that causes flooding is becoming more common in Iowa. However, standard home insurance doesn't cover flood damage. Homeowners in flood-prone areas may need separate flood insurance. While you can buy the coverage at any time, there’s often a 30-day waiting period before it takes effect.
To check your flood risk, start with the federal government’s flood maps. However, these maps don’t always capture all types of flood risk. You may want to check another source such as First Street, a company that models climate hazards. Enter your address at the top of the page to see your home’s flood risk rating.
Winter weather. Snow and ice are a regular part of winter in Iowa, with annual snowfall totals of 18 to 42 inches across the state. Home insurance generally covers winter storm damage, but some issues may require extra coverage. For instance, you’ll typically need flood insurance to cover damage caused by snowmelt.
Common optional coverage
A standard homeowners policy can sometimes fall short, so it's worth looking for ways to make it more comprehensive. For example, we recommend asking if your insurer offers extended or guaranteed replacement cost coverage for your home. These add-ons give you extra dwelling coverage in case it costs more than you expect to rebuild your home after a disaster. Having this coverage can be a useful hedge against inflation.
Here are a few additional types of coverage you may want to buy.
Floods are the most common weather disaster in the U.S. and can happen anywhere, not just coastal areas. You can buy flood insurance through the federal government or from private companies. Learn whether you need flood insurance.
Homeowners policies generally won’t cover damage if a drain backs up into your home or your sump pump fails. Adding water backup coverage can help with these issues.
Homeowners policies may cover your stuff on an actual cash value or replacement cost basis. With actual cash value, the policy will pay less for older items that have lost value over time. To get enough of a claim payout to buy brand-new items, opt for replacement cost coverage.
If you have expensive jewelry, fine art or other valuables, you may need extra insurance for them. Learn more about scheduled personal property coverage.
Service line coverage pays to fix damaged water, gas, sewer or other underground lines on your property.
If your HVAC system or another major appliance fails, equipment breakdown coverage can help pay for repairs.
Iowa FAIR Plan Association
The Iowa FAIR Plan Association is the state’s insurer of last resort. Although it offers only basic coverage, it may be an option for homeowners who haven’t been able to get a policy from a private insurer.
You’ll have to present a denial, cancellation or non-renewal notice from a private insurer from within the last six months. Iowa’s FAIR Plan requires applicants to work with a licensed agent to get coverage.
Policies through the Iowa FAIR Plan provide coverage up to $300,000 on an actual cash value basis. This means you’ll be provided only what your dwelling or personal items are worth at the time of loss, not what it would cost to replace them. The Iowa FAIR Plan doesn’t offer personal liability coverage.
Many FAIR Plans, including Iowa’s, require a property inspection as part of the application process.
Get home insurance quotes in minutes
Answer a few questions to see custom quotes and find the right policy for you.Iowa Insurance Division
The Iowa Insurance Division regulates the insurance industry for the state, oversees agent licensing and can help if you have a dispute with your insurer.
If you need to file a complaint, you can do so on the department's website. Questions? Reach out to the consumer advocate at 515-654-6538.
How we review home insurance
Our editorial team considers these factors when rating homeowners insurance companies:
This part of our star rating is based largely on consumer complaints to state regulators, as reported by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. When available, we also include each company’s performance in the most recent J.D. Power Home Insurance Study. Other factors in our consumer experience score include customer-friendly features such as online claims filing and quotes.
We use AM Best and Demotech ratings to confirm each insurer’s long-term financial stability and ability to pay claims.
Companies score higher if they offer many common endorsements and include more comprehensive coverage in their standard plans. In particular, we look at features such as extended coverage for the structure of your home and replacement cost coverage for personal belongings.
We evaluate how many of the most common home insurance discounts each company offers.
See our complete homeowners insurance rating methodology.
Frequently asked questions
Home insurance isn't legally required in Iowa. But if you have a mortgage, your lender may require you to buy home insurance. For more information, read Is Homeowners Insurance Required?
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.
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines.
- 1.Common Sense Institute. Insuring Iowa's Future: Understanding the Role of Insurance and Natural Disasters in Iowa’s Economy. Accessed Mar 17, 2026.
- 2.KCCI Des Moines. Which Years Have the Most Tornadoes in Iowa History?. Accessed Mar 17, 2026.
- 3.Iowa Stormwater Education Partnership. Flooding and Rainfall. Accessed Mar 17, 2026.
- 4.Iowa State University Extension. When Does It Normally Snow in Iowa?. Accessed Mar 17, 2026.
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, coverage, discounts, claims process and website functionality. 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 or star ratings.
Here’s how we weighted each category to come up with our list of the best home insurance companies:
Consumer experience (40%).
Financial strength (30%).
Coverage (25%).
Discounts (5%).
Read our full home insurance ratings methodology for more details.
Homeowners insurance rates methodology
NerdWallet calculated median rates for 40-year-old homeowners from various insurance companies in ZIP codes across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. 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:
$400,000 in dwelling coverage.
$40,000 in other structures coverage.
$200,000 in personal property coverage.
$80,000 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.
In states where credit is a rating factor, we changed the credit tier from “good” to “poor,” as reported to the insurer, to see rates for homeowners with poor credit.
In select states, we added a single wind damage claim to see rates for homeowners with a claim on their record.
These are sample rates generated through Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different.
Complaint methodology
NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2022-2024. 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.
Rebuilding cost methodology
The median home rebuilding cost referenced above is based on 2025 replacement cost data from First Street, a climate risk modeling firm. Actual replacement costs may vary based on factors like location, square footage, construction materials, the age of your home and local labor costs.