Cheap Car Insurance in Ames, IA

Home to Iowa State University and just 30 miles north of Des Moines, the city of Ames has got all the charm of a quaint college town. Of its 66,422 residents, 42% are university students, with many enrolled in agriculture, design, engineering, and veterinary medicine programs — all among the top offered in the U.S.

The U.S. Department of Energy has its national laboratory on the university campus in Ames. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has several centers here, too.

All this growth has made Ames the ninth largest city in Iowa — not bad for a city that got its start as a station stop on the Cedar Rapids and Missouri railway line in 1864.

Under Iowa state law, every driver in Ames needs to have some form of auto insurance coverage. If you’re caught driving without proof of insurance, you could face fines and fees and even have your license suspended. Keep reading to learn more about car insurance in Iowa, including the average monthly rates based on age and zip code and the minimum state-mandated coverage requirements.

On average, Ames drivers pay a premium of around $23 every month for state-required minimum liability auto insurance. That’s $4 more than the Iowa state average of $19 and $29 less than the U.S. national average of $52.

Ames drivers pay around $160 a month for full auto coverage, which is $50 more than the state average of $110 and $8 less than the national average of $168.

What Does it Mean if Iowa Is an At-Fault State?

Iowa is an at-fault state, which means a driver who causes a crash is financially responsible for all the losses and damages they cause. The driver must pay to medically treat anyone who was hurt in the crash. They are also accountable for crash-related deaths and property damage.

How Many Fatal Accidents Happen in Ames?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the city of Ames averages around one fatal accident per year. NHTSA statistics show that Ames has not had a fatal crash resulting in two or more deaths since 2011.

How Are the Road Infrastructure and Bridges in Ames?

The City of Ames Public Works Department has an engineering division that oversees roads and bridges. This division also designs, contracts, and supervises capital improvement projects involving city streets, paths, and sidewalks. It also manages transportation systems throughout the city.

If an Ames police officer stops you and you do not have proof of insurance, you’ll be subject to penalties under Iowa state law. These penalties may include a $250 fine and the suspension of your vehicle registration and driver’s license for up to a year. Be aware that, depending on the circumstances, you may also face jail time.

Reinstating your driving privileges involves filing an SR-22 — or a Certification of Financial Responsibility form, which serves as proof of financial responsibility. You must also pay a $15 administrative fee, a $2,000 civil penalty, and a $20 license renewal fee.

Your citation will be waived 30 days later after the SR-22 is filed. You will have to complete a vision screening, written test, and driving exam to have your license and registration reinstated.

If all of that wasn’t enough, you can expect your monthly premium to spike, too. That’s because a driver who is required to file an SR-22 is considered a high risk on the road. The new rate will remain high for at least three years, which is when your driving record will clear.

Auto coverage rates for teenagers tend to be highest in Ames, with a monthly cost of around $311 for full coverage and around $91 for minimum liability insurance. Because teen drivers are the least experienced behind the wheel, they tend to be the most risky — and this is what makes them the most expensive to ensure, no matter where you live in the U.S.

Age brings wisdom and know-how on the road but also increases risk. Insurers follow statistics in determining premiums, and statistics have shown that many drivers in their 70s don’t react as quickly on the road as younger ones do. This lag in response increases the risk of crashes among these drivers, so they’re expected to pay a bit more in premiums — though never as much as teen drivers. In Ames, a 75-year-old adult pays monthly premiums of around $98 for full coverage and $28 for minimum liability insurance.

Auto insurance discounts help drivers save money, and if you live and drive in Ames, you’re likely eligible for more than one.

Some of the more popular discounts available to drivers in Ames include:

Bundling your policies is another great way to save money on auto insurance. This is when you buy more than one type of coverage from the same company, like auto and renters insurance.