Minimum Car Insurance in Iowa
The liability limits Iowa requires, whether it is a no-fault state, and whether uninsured motorist or PIP coverage is required.
Short answer: Iowa requires minimum liability coverage of $20,000 for bodily injury or death of one person in any one accident, $40,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people in any one accident, and $15,000 for injury to or destruction of others' property in any one accident (20/40/15). Iowa Insurance Division, Auto Insurance; Iowa Code § 516A.1; Iowa DOT, Proof of Insurance After a Suspension (SR-22)
| Minimum coverage required | Iowa requires minimum liability coverage of $20,000 for bodily injury or death of one person in any one accident, $40,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people in any one accident, and $15,000 for injury to or destruction of others' property in any one accident (20/40/15). Auto liability policies must also include uninsured, hit-and-run and underinsured motorist coverage unless the named insured rejects it in writing. A person who must file proof of financial responsibility may, instead of an insurer's SR-22, file a surety bond, cash or securities totaling $55,000. UM/UIM statute: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/516A.1.pdf ; bond/deposit alternative: https://iowadot.gov/drivers-licenses-ids/suspensions-revocations/proof-insurance-after-suspension |
|---|---|
| At-fault or no-fault | Iowa is an at-fault (tort) state, not a no-fault state. The Alabama Department of Insurance's national list places Iowa among the "Tort States." |
| Uninsured motorist coverage | Every auto liability policy issued in Iowa for a vehicle registered or principally garaged in Iowa must include uninsured motorist (including hit-and-run) and underinsured motorist coverage for bodily injury or death, with limits at least equal to the state liability minimums ($20,000 per person / $40,000 per accident). The named insured may reject all of this coverage, or just the uninsured/hit-and-run part or just the underinsured part, by a signed written rejection; a rejection on an insurer's or agent's form must be on a separate sheet containing only the rejection. Once rejected, the same insurer need not add it to renewal policies. Source: Iowa Code § 516A.1 |
More Iowa car insurance & vehicle laws
- Driving Without Insurance in Iowa
- SR-22 Insurance in Iowa
- When a Car Is a Total Loss in Iowa
- Transferring a Car Title in Iowa
- All Iowa car insurance & vehicle laws rules
FAQ
What is the minimum car insurance required in Iowa?
Iowa requires minimum liability coverage of $20,000 for bodily injury or death of one person in any one accident, $40,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people in any one accident, and $15,000 for injury to or destruction of others' property in any one accident (20/40/15). Auto liability policies must also include uninsured, hit-and-run and underinsured motorist coverage unless the named insured rejects it in writing. A person who must file proof of financial responsibility may, instead of an insurer's SR-22, file a surety bond, cash or securities totaling $55,000.
Is Iowa a no-fault car insurance state?
Iowa is an at-fault (tort) state, not a no-fault state. The Alabama Department of Insurance's national list places Iowa among the "Tort States."
Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Iowa?
Every auto liability policy issued in Iowa for a vehicle registered or principally garaged in Iowa must include uninsured motorist (including hit-and-run) and underinsured motorist coverage for bodily injury or death, with limits at least equal to the state liability minimums ($20,000 per person / $40,000 per accident). The named insured may reject all of this coverage, or just the uninsured/hit-and-run part or just the underinsured part, by a signed written rejection; a rejection on an insurer's or agent's form must be on a separate sheet containing only the rejection. Once rejected, the same insurer need not add it to renewal policies.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.