Technically, if you live in Iowa and have a perfect driving record and own your car outright, you don't have to buy car insurance. The problem is that if you are in an accident and don't have insurance, you must be able to show that you have enough money to pay for all injuries and damage caused by the accident. If you can't do that, you could lose your right to drive.
Most people think it makes sense to buy cheap car insurance so they don't run the risk of not being able to pay for an accident out of their own pockets if they need to. Also, if you're paying for your car with a loan, your lender will almost certainly require you to buy car insurance.
So, the real question is: How can I save money and get cheaper car insurance in Iowa? Lucky for Iowa drivers, there are a few easy things they can do to help keep insurance costs down.
Start with how you drive yourself. Don't drive too fast and don't be careless. If you get a ticket for speeding, your car insurance rates will start to go up.
If you get a DUI or DWI (Driving Under the Influence or Driving While Intoxicated), your car insurance rates could go through the roof and stay there for at least three years, if not longer. If you have been convicted of DWI or DUI more than once, you may have to pay a lot of money for high-risk insurance.
If you're under 25 and you have the choice, you should stay in school and get at least a 3.0 GPA. This should get you a discount for being a good student, saving you at least 5 percent on your monthly premiums.
In the same way, drivers over 55 may be able to take a special course to brush up on their driving skills. If you pass this kind of course, you could save 10 percent or more on your monthly premium. Talk to your agent about this, though, because not all insurance companies offer this option.
Talk to your agent about getting a limited-mileage policy if you only drive a small number of miles each week. This can save you thousands of dollars each year.
If you drive an old car or a "junker" with no real value, you should probably cancel any collision or comprehensive coverage you have since your insurance company won't pay off on the car even if you pay for the insurance.
How much you pay each month for car insurance depends a lot on how much your deductible is. Find out how much you can realistically pay out of your own pocket if you get into an accident. The higher your deductible, or how much you can afford to pay yourself, the less you will have to pay each month for your insurance.
Okay, it's time to go online, compare car insurance policies from different companies, save money, and get cheaper car insurance in Iowa. It can be done, and you now have the information you need to do it. Just remember that if you really want to find the best price for your insurance, you should compare prices on at least three different websites before making your final decision.
