The Best Homeowners Insurance in Iowa [2023]
Find a top-ranked Homeowners Insurance Agency in your area
The Hawkeye State is known for its corn and pork production and its official kickoff of the presidential election cycle with the first primary contest. Fortunately for homeowners in the state, it is also home to lower-than-average homeowners insurance rates.
Expertise.com knows hunting for the best deal for homeowners insurance is time-consuming and complicated, so we’ve done all the research for you. Read on to find out everything you need to learn about homeowners insurance in Iowa so you can make the best choice for you and your wallet.
Average Cost of Homeowners Insurance in Iowa
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Iowa is $1,642 per year for $300,000 in dwelling coverage, an additional $300,000 in liability coverage, and a $1,000 deductible. That’s about $100 less than the national average of $1,784, according to NerdWallet.
Iowa’s main threats for home damage are tornados, flooding, and blizzards. Tornadoes can cause damage to your roof and siding, and flooding can cause costly water damage. Blizzards and accompanying cold temperatures are a common winter threat in Iowa. Heavy snow can collapse roofs, and frigid temperatures can lead to frozen and burst pipes. Rapidly melting snow can cause flooding.
In addition to Iowa’s weather, there are several other factors that can impact your insurance rate:
How old your home is: Like everything else in life, older homes experience wear and tear over time. This wear and tear makes damage during a storm or other natural disaster more likely, which leads to a higher-than-average insurance rate.
Side of the home: Larger homes sustain more damage than smaller homes, which means repairs will cost more.
Building materials: Recent technological advances have created better quality building materials that are more resistant to damage. For example, metal roofs can better withstand the weight of heavy snow than traditional roofing materials.
Building costs: Building material costs vary by both your location and the state of the supply chain. If you live in an area with higher building costs, your insurance premium may be higher.
Location of the home: Owning a home in a high-risk area, especially a flood risk, can increase your homeowners insurance rate since you are more likely to file a claim.
Additional features of the home: While pools, decks, and trampolines are fun, they also increase your annual premiums because they represent additional risks. Some dog breeds can also increase your annual premium.
Your deductible: One of the biggest impacts on your home insurance rate is your deductible, but fortunately that’s something you have the most control over. A larger deductible lowers your annual premium, but keep in mind that if you file a claim, you’ll end up paying more out-of-pocket before your insurance company takes over repairs.
Your claims history: If you’ve filed a claim before, you present a higher risk for insurance companies, so you might pay more for your homeowners insurance. If you’ve never filed a claim, you may qualify for a discount from your insurance company.
Iowa Homeowners Insurance Rates by City
The cost of home insurance in Iowa varies depending on where you live, just as in any other state.
To help you better understand what to anticipate in your area, we have compiled the average yearly cost of homeowners insurance by city:
The Best Homeowners Insurance in Iowa
Consider the following companies in your search for high-quality, comprehensive homeowners insurance coverage in Iowa:
American Family
Average Annual Rate: ~ $1,298
Notes: Earn $100 toward your deductible when you don’t file a claim in a year
Auto-Owners
Average Annual Rate: ~ $909
Notes: Flood insurance covers what’s in your basement, which most policies don’t
Farm Bureau
Average Annual Rate: ~ $1,337
Notes: Only available to members, but great quality and service
State Farm
Average Annual Rate: ~ $1,300
Notes: Reliable and largest home insurance carrier in the U.S., but fewer discount options
Allstate
Average Annual Rate: ~ $1,714
Notes: Offers a wide variety of discounts and great online features
Cheapest Homeowners Insurance in Iowa
Auto-Owners is Iowa’s cheapest homeowners insurance coverage option at $909 a year according to bankrate.com.
While price is a legitimate consideration when choosing your homeowners insurance company, keep in mind that you might need more coverage than the cheapest option to fully protect your home.
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FAQs
We’ve addressed the most frequently asked questions about Iowa homeowners insurance below.
How to Reduce Homeowners Insurance Costs in Iowa
Fortunately, there are methods to lower your insurance premiums in Iowa:
Increase your deductible. Consider upping your deductible if you want a cheaper annual rate. The more you have to pay out of pocket for losses before your insurance policy kicks in, the higher your deductible will be. For instance, if your deductible is $1,000, you would be responsible for covering the first $1,000 of any damages before your provider would cover the rest.
Search for discounts. Insurance companies provide policy discounts for a variety of reasons, such as being a first-time home buyer or having a claim-free history. Inquire about any possible savings from your representative when comparing home insurance quotes.
Combine your homeowner's and auto insurance. If you combine your home and auto insurance in Iowa, you can save an average of 15% according to insurance.com. By acquiring additional plans, such as motorbike and boat insurance, you can also save money.
Investigate your choices. To ensure you get the greatest rate available, experts advise that you shop around for new coverage every few years.
Prepare for the worst. Reduce your annual rates by making your home as secure as you can. Consider:
Removing features like pools or trampolines that could be unsafe.
Putting a metal roof in place of your old one to increase durability.
Upgrading windows.
Installing a security system.
Adding new sprinklers or smoke detectors.
Maintain or raise your credit. When assembling your insurance package, insurance providers are legally permitted to check your credit. Poor credit may result in a higher premium.
Because no two insurance situations and policies are alike, compare your home insurance quotes carefully.
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Iowa Insurance Options in Your City
Expertise.com is aware that finding the perfect homeowners insurance plan that meets your needs can be challenging, and we think all Iowans should have access to the ideal insurance policy to safeguard their homes and themselves.
Review our list of the 15 best homeowners insurance agencies in Iowa, or explore the best home insurance companies in your area below:
Our methodology evaluates each provider based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.