Iowa Homeowners Insurance Quotes

Iowa is a lovely state to live in and visit. It offers everything from quaint little villages that are like a step back in time to more cosmopolitan cities such as Des Moines that offer all the luxury and convenience that you would expect from a larger city.

Outdoor time in Iowa is something special. Regardless of whether you are hitting the Mississippi River in your boat, skiing in the winter or visiting one of our many zoo’s and museums, Iowa is a treasure trove of activities.

In terms of area, Iowa is the 26th largest state in the country. Its population of 3,046,355 people ranks it as the 30th most populous state.

Making the move to Iowa is always a great idea regardless of whether you are relocating to the capital city of Des Moines, Iowa City, or the always picturesque Dubuque.

Iowa Facts

The most recent census shows the population of Iowa is 3,046,355. This breaks down to roughly 1,716 households per zip code with an average of three people living in each house.

While the average household income, which is $34,463, is a bit below the national average, housing is very affordable in Iowa with the average house value coming in at $61,428.

Homeowners Insurance in Iowa

The Hawkeye State is a real bargain when it comes to insuring your home. The average cost of a HO-3 policy which is considered the industry standard, is extremely affordable at $832 a year. The national average is a much more expensive $1,034.

Despite the fact that homeowners insurance in Iowa is pretty cheap, there are steps you can take to lower your premium even more. Following are a few tips on driving your insurance costs down:

• Shop Around: Experts recommend that you shop your homeowners insurance at least once a year. Insurance companies rate risk differently and the difference between premiums can be dramatic. You should always make sure you're comparing apples to apples when it comes to coverage levels and deductibles.
• Discounts: Discounts can add up to real savings. All insurance companies offer discounts to make sure you're getting every discount you are entitled to receive. Discounts range from bundling to going paperless on your bills and policy.
• Upgrade Your House: Insurance companies love secure houses. Adding a security system, monitored fire alarm or upgrading your roof to wind resistant materials will all result in a discount.

Insurance Rates by Homeowners Insurance Type

Homeowners insurance comes in a variety of types and each one is specifically designed for the type of home that it insures. Following is a quick overview of the various types of homeowners insurance as well as the average premium for each type according to the NAIC.

Dwelling Fire: Fire Dwelling is a bare bones type of homeowners insurance and only offers a very narrow range of coverage. These policies can be much cheaper but they only cover fire and smoke damage. Some of these policies will also cover explosions, wind and damage from vandalism.

According to NAIC data, the average cost of a DF policy in Iowa is an extremely affordable $468 but only 0.7 percent of policies written in Iowa are DFs.

HO-2: This is another very basic homeowner policy type but it is a bit more robust than dwelling fire policy. These policies only cover perils that are specifically listed in the policy.

Only 1.4 percent of Iowa policies are HO-2s with the average premium coming in at $1,069.

HO-3: This is considered a standard homeowners policy and is the type of policy that the majority of Iowans carry. These policies offer protection from all perils except the ones that are specifically excluded in the policy wording. All standard homeowner policies exclude earthquake and flood damage

Data from the NAIC shows that the HO-3 is by far the most popular policy type with 65.8 percent of Iowa policies being HO-3s. The average premium for a HO-3 is $832.

HO-4: This is also called renters insurance as it is designed specially for apartment dwellers. It offers protection for your personal possessions as well as offering some limited liability coverage in the event a person is injured in your apartment.

These policies are fairly popular with 16 percent of policies being renters insurance.

HO-5: HO-5 polices are designed for newer, more upscale homes. This policy offers protection for your home as well as any additional structures on your property. It will also cover loss of use and your personal property is protected against all perils except those excluded on the policy. HO-5s are not available for older homes.

Roughly 11 percent of policies in Iowa are HO-5s and the average premium is $902.

H0-6: This policy type is for condos and co-ops. An HO-6 protects your personal property as well as the specific parts of the building that you own such as the internal walls in your unit. Coverage is limited to 16 specific perils.

In the great state of Iowa, roughly 4.7 percent of homeowner policies are HO-6s.

Factors to Consider in Iowa

Iowa is home to some severe weather regardless of the season. Tornados and severe thunderstorms can do major damage to a home in the summer. Hail can damage siding as well as your roof and a tornado can completely destroy a home.

The danger doesn’t stop in winter as freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall can result in ice dams, frozen pipes and even a collapsed roof.

While it is impossible to outsmart Mother Nature, you can take steps to help minimize the damage from these types of storms. Wind resistant roofing materials can help and adding storm shutters can also help minimize storm damage.

If you are making the move to Davenport, Council Bluffs, Cedar Rapids or any other of our beautiful Iowa towns or cities you will need to find a great policy for your new home. We can easily help you shop and compare up to 12 different Iowa home insurance premiums and apply all the available discounts and credits.

Get started today, contact us to get quick online quotes on your homeowners insurance in Iowa.