Major Requirements for Car Insurance in Iowa

The state of Iowa does not have a mandatory minimum car insurance requirement like other states do. There are no compulsory insurance laws that motorist have to adhere to. While the laws of Iowa have no obvious stance on a minimum auto insurance requirement, it takes a clear stance in the event of an accident. The Financial & Safety Responsibility Act specifically states that:

* The license and registration privileges of any driver who is involved in an accident, and is unable to show immediate proof of financial responsibility will be suspended.

* Drivers whose license was suspended or revoked for particular reasons such as a violation of the OWI law, a conviction or an unsatisfied judgment is obligated by law to provide proof of financial responsibility before his license and registration can be returned to him.

This leaves it to the discretion of an Iowa motorist to insure his vehicle, but any motorist who delays to do so, and is involved in an accident runs the risk of losing his license and registration. If this happens, that motorist will need to establish financial responsibility before he can get back his license and registration. Establishing responsibility in Iowa can be done in several ways. These include:

* Paying cash or post cashier's check, bank draft, postal money order made payable to the Office Driver Services or a certified check that will cover all the expense associated with the accident.

* Enter into an agreement with injured parties or individuals whose property was damaged to make payments in installments.

* Get an official financial release from all the parties involved in the accident.

* Give up the right to defend one's self by making a warrant for confession of judgment and make a schedule to pay for damage.

* Submit a copy of civil damage action. This would indicate that you be relieved of all liability for the expenses resulting from the accident.

* Submit documents bearing a full settlement of all the damages and injuries that resulted from the accident.

Car owners can simply be proactive and take out an Iowa car insurance policy that will prevent the loss of license and registration. This is the most common and easiest way to avoid the embarrassment and legal ramifications associated with not being covered. Drivers can opt to use an Iowa liability insurance policy that will meet the minimum requirement coverage. The minimum coverage is:

Bodily injury liability per person: $20,000.

Bodily injury liability for more than one person: $40,000.

Property damage liability: $15,000.

This insurance only provides coverage for accidents where the driver is at fault. This allows the driver to make payments to the party he offended, but he will have to pay his medical and vehicle damage cost on his own. In order to gain coverage for his vehicle he would have to get added protection. Collision and comprehensive policies would be suitable as additional coverage.

The Importance of Added Auto Insurance in Iowa

Added insurance in any state makes sense, and is of tremendous help to motorists involved in an accident or had their car stolen. Collision and comprehensive insurance provides that extra protection for motorists so they can make a claim and receive money to replace their stolen motor vehicle or take care of the damages to their property.

Motor vehicle theft is a big issue in many states including Iowa. Cars that are stolen regularly have a higher insurance rate. It is best to buy a brand and model car that does not appear on the states most stolen car list. Iowa cheap auto insurance providers will be willing to supply a list of cars that would attract a high premium, and advise against purchasing it.

Most Stolen cars in Iowa

1. 1995 Ford F150 Pickup.

2. 1997 Ford Taurus.

3. 2001 Dodge Ram Pickup.

4. 1997Chevrolet Cavalier.

5. 1999 Pontiac Grand Am.

6. 1993 Chevrolet Lumina.

7. 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix.

8. 2001 Ford Explorer.

9. 1998 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee.

10. 2000 4x4 Pickup

Iowa Car Insurance Rates

Car owners can easily go online to keep abreast of Iowa auto insurance rating trends. They should consider collecting Iowa car insurance quotes from various insurance providers. Those quotes would help them to inform themselves about the Iowa auto insurance ratings, and the average monthly premiums before they settle with any one company. This will allow them to quickly pick up on any significant disparity between the premiums the various providers they are interested in will be charging. The insurance companies are monitored by the Iowa Insurance Division. Motorist can check with their state agent to verify rating charges, and the legitmacy of the companies they are interested in doing business with.

The lack of a mandatory Iowa auto insurance requirement in the state may be a contributory factor, but as auto insurance quotes Iowa will reveal, the cost of insuring a vehicle in Iowa is relatively affordable in comparison to what is available nationwide. The average premium in 2008 was approximately $580, but in recent years has increased by approximately $100. Accidents have played a major role in the increased Iowa auto insurance rates. The year 2010 saw a significant increase in premiums in the areas of Aimes and Des Moines. This increase was once again the result of the number of accidents from the previous year.

Young drivers account for a significant number of accidents in Iowa. Drivers between the ages of 14 to 24 represent 17 percent of the states drivers, and they account for 40 percent of serious road accidents.

Rating factors used to determine the Iowa auto insurance ratings are:

Age.

How often and how far the motorist drives.

Location.

Credit card report.

The larger cities will entail larger insurance costs, but it is possible to find Iowa cheap car insurance providers. A 2010 drivers report on the government site indicated that of the 2.1 million drivers in the state of Iowa, 1.1 million where females while the remaining 1.073 were males.

Seat Belt Usage Laws in Iowa

Seat belt laws in Iowa specify that children under one year old weighing less than 20 pounds must be properly restrained in a rear-facing car seat. Children under six years old should be secured in a car seat or a booster seat. Children of this age are not permitted to use a seat belt alone. Understandably, they are too small for the seat belt. Seat belts can be used for children ages 6 to 11, otherwise, a child restraint system should be used to secure them in the car's seat.

All individuals operating or traveling in a vehicle are required to use a seat belt. A 2011 seat belt usage survey that was conducted by officers of the Iowa State Patrol indicated that in April of that year seat belt usage was at 92.69 percent. Usage saw a further increase in July of the same year when it rose to 93.45 percent. Previously Iowa had recorded its highest seat belt usage of 93.1 percent in 2009. The state's seat belt campaign was dubbed "Curb It-Click It!" It is said that three out of four occupants are thrown from a vehicle during an accident will die.

While the state establishes laws and regulatory measures to ensure the safety of its citizens on the state's roads, they cannot monitor everything at all times. Motorists should be responsible and drive safely. Speeding generally plays a major role in car accidents. Motorist in Iowa should be especially careful when the road conditions are not favorable for driving. This includes snowy and slick road conditions. Observing the laws and insuring their vehicle will save time, help prevent accidents and relieve financial burden. Motorists can be more responsible on state roads and lessen their insurance costs, and continue to access Iowa cheap auto insurance.