Driving in America’s Heartland: Iowa Auto Insurance
Every driver in the Hawkeye State, from the farmer who rarely takes his pick-up truck very far to the daily commuter in Des Moines, needs car insurance. The fact is, more and more people are on the road, and you should be prepared for bad drivers or the occasional lapse in concentration. Crops cover about 60% of the state, but that idyllic landscape doesn’t mean Iowa auto insurance is something you should consider a luxury. If you take the time to compare Iowa insurance quotes, you’ll find that the cost of insurance greatly outweighs the losses you can incur if you go without.
A Tricky Law
With a cursory glance, you might determine that you’re not required by law to purchase car insurance in Iowa. Technically, this is true; however, if you’re involved in an accident, state law does require to show proof of financial responsibility. The most common-and easiest-way to establish financial responsibility is to show proof of car insurance. If you do choose this route, the minimum required coverage amounts are a 20/40/15 policy: $20,000 for bodily injury liability for one person, $40,000 for bodily injury liability for more than one person, and $15,000 for property damage liability. This minimum policy will only cover you for an accident in which you were at fault. To protect yourself, your vehicle, and your passengers against other drivers, it’s wise to also consider uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Although your Iowa auto insurance quotes will be higher with this additional protection, you may very well find that it saves you money in the long run.
Multiple Drivers and More
Once you decide to purchase car insurance, keep in mind that there are many ways to lower your premiums. Let’s say a single 30-year-old woman in Des Moines faces this situation: she drives a 2006 Honda Accord to work daily, roughly 14 miles roundtrip. For the state minimum coverage, her Iowa auto insurance quotes average $985. If she gets married, and adds her husband’s 2008 Mitsubishi Galant to her policy, the total cost will be about $1700-a savings of more than $100 per person. She may also save money by letting her insurer know when the car is paid for, rather than financed. Or, if she begins to carpool, and her annual mileage declines, it makes sense to search for lower Iowa auto insurance quotes.
Staying Safe
Insurance companies want to know that you’re a low-risk driver. They’ll consider your credit history, profession, and education level, all of which factor into your Iowa auto insurance quotes. And they’ll review your driving history and insurance history. A 40-year-old man in Cedar Rapids might pay $617 per year for the state minimum to drive a 2005 Ford Explorer to work every day. However, if he received a speeding ticket about eight months before, he’s instead looking at a premium of almost $800. If he let his insurance lapse a month ago, his premium could increase by more than $200.
Shop, Shop, and Shop Some More
Comparing auto insurance quotes is the surest way to find the price that’s right for you. A free service like NetQuote.com will compare all the Iowa auto insurance quotes if you simply enter your information one time. You can investigate additional ways to save, such as combining your home and car insurance policies. Save the weekend for something more fun, like a Hawkeyes-Cyclones football game.
