Iowa Auto Insurance Quotes

Are you in search of the most accurate and reliable information with regards to Iowa auto insurance? Scouting for plenty of information about Iowa auto insurance quotes is important but one must also understand what the auto insurance regulations in the state are. You will also find information on what the penalties are, for not carrying requisite financial responsibility and the right auto insurance required as per law in Iowa.

Iowa Liability Coverage Minimums

Iowa is one of many states that require all drivers to carry liability insurance on any vehicle registered in the state.  Liability insurance will cover medical expenses or property damage expenses in the event of an automobile accident.  Iowa's minimum coverage requirements are $20,000 for bodily injuries for one person in one accident; $40,000 for all bodily injuries in one accident, and $15,000 for property damage.  Some states require that drivers add uninsured motorist and personal injury protection to their policies.  These types of coverage are not required in Iowa, but they can be added to your auto insurance policy for an additional fee.  If you are interested in purchasing personal injury protection or uninsured motorist coverage, speak to an insurance agent who can assist you in choosing the right coverage amounts.

Financial Responsibility After an Accident

After an automobile accident, medical and property damage expenses must be paid.  In order to determine who is responsible for paying these expenses, two systems are used in the United States.  Under the no-fault system, it doesn't matter who was responsible for causing an accident.  Each motorist's insurance company is responsible for paying their expenses.  Under the tort system, blame for an accident has to be assigned to a driver.  That driver is then responsible for paying the expenses of others involved in the accident.  Additionally, the responsible driver can also be sued in civil court so that accident victims can recover compensation for their lost work time or other consequences of the accident.  Iowa operates under the tort system of determining who is responsible for paying accident expenses.

Compliance with Iowa Auto Insurance Laws

Iowa's insurance laws differ from those of other states.  There is no compulsory auto insurance requirement.  Instead, the penalties for driving without insurance fall under the Financial and Safety Responsibility Act.  If you are unable to show immediate financial responsibility following an accident, your driver's license and vehicle registration will be suspended.  In order to avoid suspension, you have several options.  You can get written releases from anyone who was injured or whose property was damaged in the accident.  You can provide proof of a court decision that relieves you of liability for the accident.  Filing an agreement to pay for the damages in installments can also prevent the suspension of your license and vehicle registration.  Another way to avoid suspension is by posting cash, money order, or cashier's check to the Office of Driver Services.  If you are not sued for the accident, the money will be returned to you.

Is Liability Auto Insurance Enough in Iowa?

Iowa has consistently been amongst the cheapest states as far as cost of auto insurance was concerned. Although there has been a marked rise in 2011, compared to 2010, the average is still low and close to $500, which is quite a substantial amount lower than the national auto insurance average. This means that car owners can take advantage of the relative cheapness of the auto insurance and go for more than just liability insurance. Although liability insurance is the only protection that is mandated by law, it isn't sensible to not carry any other protection, when you are driving your car. One should go for other types of insurance coverage based on the circumstances.

For example, you might need personal injury protection, if you drive recklessly, or if you drive in a place which is usually crowded. Similarly, you will need PIP coverage if you commute regularly to office. Comprehensive and collision insurance are usually recommended for all car owners too. This is because they offer compensation when there are damages caused by the most common factors, which are natural disasters and unfortunate accidents. Comprehensive coverage also offers protection for fires, theft and vandalism, all of which are quite possible. There are special scenarios like a heavy loan amount due, which calls for No-Gap insurance. When your car is totaled, the insurance company only pays you compensation for the market price of the car, based on the mileage it had notched up and the condition it was in. However, this could be lower than your pending loan amount and that is where No-Gap insurance would come handy.

Tips for getting cheap insurance in Iowa

One of the most sensible things to do, to get cheap insurance even by Iowa standards is to shop for insurance a month prior to its expiry instead of blindly renewing the policy. You can also avail discounts for lower mileage, good credit history, excellent grades at school, or for taking certified driving courses.

Getting cheap insurance in Iowa or for that matter in any state is about the effort you put to lowering your premium rates. If you shop a lot, at least a month prior to the expiry date of the policy, you are less likely to accept a policy that isn't satisfactory. You will have more time to request for quotes and then inspect and compare them with your preferred auto insurance providers. So, looking for low auto insurance premiums is something that you should start doing well in advance.

In fact, when you are someone who hates paying high auto insurance premiums or has tight budgets, you should make it a constant practice to follow the right habits that will get you discounts at the end of the year. For example a whole year without traffic violations or speeding tickets, or even insurance claims will make you deserving of a better premium the next year. Similarly, a whole year of maintaining good credit score and timely payment of insurance premiums will make you a preferred customer for auto insurance providers the following year. Therefore auto insurance premium can be lowered by taking adequate steps throughout the year instead of hunting for discounts in the last minute.