Due the large volume of traffic that cuts through this state from Interstate 80 there is no doubt in the minds of Iowa drivers that they need auto insurance protection sufficient enough to meet the high traffic needs on the highways. This coverage must be equality sufficient to cover the damage that Iowa winters can do to their car as well as damage from collisions they may cause to others. The good thing is that Iowa auto insurance rates are the third lowest in the USA.  Within one year between 2006 and 2007, Iowa auto insurance rates dropped down from $1496 to $1394 reflecting a total of 7.4% decrease.

Iowa Auto Insurance Requirements

Iowa State requires its drivers to carry a basic amount of insurance against bodily injury and property damage to another vehicle should they cause an accident while traveling on the Iowa roads.  This minimum coverage is set at the amount of 20/40/15 and is broken down as follows:

• Bodily Injury Insurance – The minimum amount for Iowa auto insurance for bodily injury coverage is set at $20,000 and covers an individual’s medical expenses should you be the at fault driver.
• A total of $40,000 is set side to cover more than one insured passenger.
• Property Damage Liability – Property Damage Liability in Iowa is set at a minimum of $15,000 and this amount can be used by the at fault driver to pay costs for the other driver’s car repairs, and damage to public and private property in the event of a collision.

This minimum coverage will hardly cover most major accidents today. Therefore, the State of Iowa recommends purchasing additional coverage along with Comprehensive and Collision Coverage.  With Comprehensive and Collision the at fault driver, will be able to obtain funds to pay for damages to his or her own car even though he or she was deemed to be the at fault driver.  Comprehensive and collision coverage will also protect any Iowa driver from natural events such as damage to their vehicle from hail or snowstorms, and encounters with wildlife.

Even though minimum coverage is the law there will always be drivers in and out of state that will not have sufficient coverage or any coverage at all for damages they have caused to your vehicle.  For that reason the recommendations for Iowa auto insurance carriers is to include Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist protection. With UM protection Iowa drivers will have funds to cover hit and run driver damage as well.