Motorcycle Insurance In Iowa

Motorcycle insurance is a must have if you own a motorcycle in Iowa. What coverage do you need? What can you expect to pay in your area? What are the state requirements in Iowa? Let’s find out!

State Liability Requirements

Required Liability Coverage:
$20,000 bodily injury liability per person
$40,000 bodily injury liability per accident
$15,000 property damage liability per accident

Motorcycle Insurance in Iowa: State Requirements

The liability requirement in Iowa must be met on each motorcycle insurance policy.

These limits are 25,000 for death, or bodily injury per person, 40,000 for death, or bodily injury to all persons per one accident, and 15,000 for property damage.

Of course, you are permitted to carry higher limits than are required for your state. Raising the limits to higher than what the state requires can be ideal because it offers much more protection, and generally is not too much more expensive than than the state minimum limits.

It is important to understand that liability coverage alone on your policy will not cover yourself or your motorcycle damages.

Motorcycle Insurance in Iowa: Important Laws

Motorcycle insurance is definitely required in the state of Iowa. You must show proof of insurance before you can register your bike in Iowa as well. If you take the chance and drive uninsured, this could result in fines, license suspension and higher insurance rates for you. Better to protect yourself before you wreck yourself.

Is it cheaper to insure a motorcycle than a car?

When considering motorcycle insurance in Iowa, you may wonder if it’s more cost-effective than insuring a car. Generally, motorcycle insurance tends to be less expensive than car insurance due to several factors. Motorcycles are typically less expensive to repair or replace than cars, resulting in lower insurance premiums. Additionally, motorcycles are often used for recreational purposes and have lower average mileage compared to cars, reducing the risk of accidents. However, insurance rates can vary based on factors such as your driving record, age, and the type of motorcycle you own. To illustrate, here’s a comparison of average annual premiums for motorcycle and car insurance in Iowa:

Type of InsuranceAverage Annual Premium
Motorcycle$500
Car$800

List of Factors Affecting Insurance Rates:

  • Driving record
  • Age
  • Type of vehicle owned

Which companies offers Motorcycle insurance in Iowa?

There are many insurance companies that offer motorcycle insurance. There are the top contenders with the best rates, best ratings, and best customer service. Just to name a few, Nationwide, Dairyland, Progressive, USAA, and Geico insurance.

It would be a great idea to get quotes from all these different carriers to weigh the best, most affordable option for you!

Motorcycle Insurance in Iowa: Safety Tips

Iowa’s climate consists of hot summers and pretty cold winters. The state is also known for its amount of thunderstorms, tornadoes, and floods. These factors can definitely affect your driving.

During the hot summer the frequent thunderstorms could hinder your sight, and the overall condition of the roads.

Winters being so cold in Iowa means not only low temps, but snow as well. Let’s be honest, who is a pro driving in the snow?

It would behoove you to check the weather each time you plan on driving your bike. As a precaution wear protective gear from all the possible elements. Always stay at a safe distance from other motor vehicles, and be as observant as a hawk!

Rating factors for Motorcycle insurance in Iowa

There are several rating factors that go into making your motorcycle insurance rates. Like most insurance rates, your location makes up a big part of how much your premium will be.

Drivers that live in colder states, have a shorter riding season, which creates less chance for accidents, and claims.

Drivers in warmer climates have a longer riding season, which creates more of a risk for accidents, and claims. Your age and your riding experience level will play a large role in your rates as well.

Your driving history including tickets, accidents, and claims will impact how much your motorcycle insurance costs. If you purchase a newer bike and need more coverage that just the state minimum requires for your state, you will pay more than the average premium.

Motorcycle Insurance Rating Factors
location
occupation. Credit
Type of bike (engine size
year make model)
marital status
rider age
coverages
riding frequency
rider experience

Coverage options for motorcycle insurance in Iowa

We already learned the liability requirement in Iowa. Let’s see what other coverages are available to you in Iowa. There are optional coverages offered by the state, such as medical payments, and uninsured motorist coverage.

If you finance your motorcycle you will need full coverage, comprehensive and collision coverage added to your policy as well. In addition, there is roadside assistance, carried content coverage, accessory coverage, transport trailer coverage, and safety riding apparel coverage available with most insurance companies.

I think we all understand what roadside assistance is, what about carried content coverage? Carried content coverage will help pay for personal belongings if they are damaged, stolen or lost. If you upgraded, or made modifications to your bike, accessory coverage would protect these investments you have made.

Transport trailer coverage will provide up to $10,000 worth of coverage for a trailer transporting your motorcycle. Safety riding apparel would cover things like your helmet, jacket, motorcycle clothing, and other protective equipment.

Motorcycle Insurance In Iowa: Potential Discounts

Discounts make everything just a little bit sweeter. Motorcycle insurance discounts make having this bill a bit easier to afford! Bundling your motorcycle policy with another policy such as auto, or home insurance is a great discount!

If you own multiple bikes, you could qualify for the multi vehicle discount. Some smaller discounts include advance quote, autopay, homeowner, paid in full, anti-theft, rider experience, loyalty, safety course, and motorcycle endorsement discounts. Keep in mind, these discounts will vary based on each company.

Motorcycle Insurance in Iowa: How to get a Motorcycle License

There are requirements in order to operate your motorcycle in Iowa. You will need a motorcycle instruction permit, a motorcycle endorsement, or a motorcycle license.

You must be 18 years old, or older to obtain a motorcycle license for Iowa. To get a motorcycle license, you have to pass the motorcycle knowledge test, operator knowledge test, pass a skills driving test, and complete a vision screening. After passing these tests, and completing 15 hours of core instruction, you will be able to obtain your license.

Full coverage rates in Iowa

If you need motorcycle insurance in Iowa, but you want more than just the basic coverage, you might want to get a quote for full coverage if you want more protection for your bike. If you are financing your bike, you will be required to carry full coverage by your lienholder.

Full coverage motorcycle insurance will cover things like fire, theft, vandalism, breakage of glass, impact with an animal. Collision insurance covers impact with another vehicle, or an object. Rates will vary based on deductibles you choose, the company you are dealing with, and the type of bike you are insuring.

If you have full coverage insurance, you must also carry liability only on your vehicle as well to be legal for the state of Iowa. Without carrying liability coverage, you would be liable to pay medical bills, and damages from your own pocket.

CityPrice
Bettendorf$217
West Des Moines$200
Keokuk$184
Sioux Center$208
Boone$183
Newton$211
Davenport$202
Council Bluffs$176
Knoxville$234
Decorah$199
Marion$232
Urbandale$199
Des Moines$217
Cedar Rapids$185
North Liberty$175
Storm Lake$223
Winterset$183
Pleasant Hill$232
Asbury$182
Dubuque$238
Clive$180
Denison$234
Pella$203
Sioux City$191
Clinton$202
Hiawatha$206
Indianola$205
Waterloo$217
Orange City$236
Waukee$175
Independence$229
Coralville$239
Webster City$180
Ottumwa$224
Ames$207
Bondurant$183
Mount Pleasant$185
Estherville$178
DeWitt$216
Fort Dodge$204
Burlington$183
Atlantic$218
Spencer$192
Carroll$192
Grinnell$233
Iowa City$224
Perry$191
Eldridge$201
Clarinda$205
Nevada$233

Cost for Motorcycle Insurance in Iowa: Liability Only Rates

The cheapest motorcycle insurance policy in Iowa would be just purchasing the minimum liability insurance only. The state minimum liability would only cover the other driver if you cause an accident. There would be no bike coverage to fix your damages under just this type of coverage. Although this is the cheapest option, this obviously does not provide a lot of protection for your property.

If full coverage insurance is just too much to afford, you could get a quote for just comprehensive coverage without collision.

This would give you more protection, but not as much money burning a whole through your wallet. If your bike is not worth much, you could obtain the optional coverage, medical payment and uninsured motorist. These coverages would protect you against uninsured drivers for bodily injury, and property damage. Medical payments coverage would help cover medical expenses on a per person type basis for you, and your passengers.

CityPrice
Charles City$127.00
Clive$108.00
Carroll$116.00
Ames$127.00
Johnston$128.00
Winterset$119.00
Estherville$100.00
Waverly$131.00
Cedar Falls$117.00
Algona$110.00
Urbandale$132.00
Des Moines$108.00
Norwalk$133.00
Altoona$133.00
Fort Madison$132.00
Nevada$117.00
Centerville$117.00
Clinton$98.00
Knoxville$101.00
Waterloo$129.00
Grimes$133.00
Clear Lake$106.00
Boone$131.00
Creston$104.00
Hiawatha$122.00
Eldridge$112.00
West Des Moines$106.00
Decorah$96.00
Mason City$104.00
Oelwein$124.00
Sioux City$119.00
Burlington$101.00
Mount Pleasant$130.00
Sioux Center$100.00
Marion$112.00
DeWitt$109.00
Fort Dodge$121.00
Perry$121.00
Washington$109.00
Bettendorf$100.00
Coralville$97.00
Oskaloosa$114.00
Clarinda$117.00
Waukee$115.00
Independence$101.00
Red Oak$111.00
Le Mars$110.00
Keokuk$113.00
Newton$111.00
Anamosa$103.00
Spencer$109.00
Bondurant$134.00
North Liberty$116.00
Maquoketa$120.00

Best Home and Auto Insurance Policies for New Homeowners

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Motorcycle Insurance in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions

What company has the cheapest motorcycle insurance?

Some of the cheapest companies for motorcycle insurance in Iowa is Progressive, Allstate, and USAA.

Is insurance cheaper on a motorcycle? 

Motorcycles are cheaper to insure than your typical motor vehicles. 

What insurance do motorcycles need?

If you own your motorcycle outright , you would just need liability only insurance on your bike. If you finance your bike, you would need to carry full coverage to protect your motorcycle. 

Is motorcycle insurance required? 

Yes motorcycle insurance is required in Iowa. Riders must carry at least the state minimum liability limits for Iowa.

How can I lower the cost of my motorcycle insurance?

You can lower the cost of your insurance by joining a motorcycle group or organization, obtain a motorcycle endorsement, and by taking a motorcycle driver safety course. 

Does motorcycle insurance cover passengers?

Passengers would be covered under your medical payments coverage, an optional coverage offered by the state of Iowa liability limits for Iowa.

Motorcycle Insurance In Iowa
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Last Updated on by Marlon Moss

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