Reviews.com knows that many Iowa homeowners want to find home insurance coverage that fits their needs and budget. Our review takes the guesswork out of finding the best homeowners insurance in Iowa by compiling a list of our picks for the top providers in the area. We evaluated each insurance provider for their pricing, customer service, coverage options, available discounts, and financial strength to find the best options for Iowa residents. There are a number of top-quality insurance providers in the area that could offer the solutions you need.
The 5 Best Homeowners Insurance Companies in Iowa
- USAA: Best for Military-Centric Options
- Allstate: Best Coverage Options
- American Family: Best 24/7 Service
- Farmers: Best for Savings
- Nationwide: Best for Unique Discounts
Compare the Best Homeowners Insurance Companies in Iowa
We began our research into the best homeowners insurance companies in Iowa by analyzing 2021 quoted premium data from Bankrate.com. We also looked at J.D. Power’s customer satisfaction scores, AM Best financial strength scores, coverage options and discounts. Our investigation revealed that USAA, Allstate, American Family, Farmers, and Nationwide are among the top insurance providers in Iowa for home coverage.
| Company | Average Annual Premium* | AM Best Financial Strength | J.D. Power Overall Customer Satisfaction |
| USAA** | $1,159 | A++ | 882/1,000 |
| Allstate | $1,268 | A+ | 829/1,000 |
| American Family | $1,344 | A | 831/1,000 |
| Farmers | $1,845 | A- | 813/1,000 |
| Nationwide | $1,004 | A+ | 812/1,000 |
Information current as of January 2022
*Data from Bankrate.com for $250,000 in dwelling coverage.
**Not officially ranked by J.D. Power due to eligibility restrictions.
USAA
USAA makes the top of our list for best homeowners insurance providers in Iowa for its excellent customer service and superior financial strength. However, service is only available to qualifying current and former military members and qualifying family members.
Best for Military-Centric Options
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Why we chose it
Pros
- Highest J.D. Power Score of any brand**
- Superior financial strength according to AM Best
- Helpful online tools
Cons
- Limited eligibility
- Few physical office spaces
- Fewer discounts than other carriers
STANDOUT DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
- Bundle & save
- Claims-free
- Protective devices
OTHER POLICIES OFFERED
- Auto insurance
- Renters insurance
- Landlord insurance
- Life insurance
- Health insurance
- Annuities
**USAA is not officially ranked by J.D. power due to eligibility restrictions.
Allstate
Allstate is another contender for the best homeowners insurance in Iowa for its above-average customer satisfaction and breadth of coverage. Not only does it provide customizable coverage options, but the company also offers several discounts to help you lower your premium.
Best Coverage Options
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Why we chose it
Pros
- Superior financial strength according to AM Best
- Many coverage options and potential discounts
- Helpful online resources
Cons
- Higher-than-average NAIC complaint index
- J.D. Power customer satisfaction score is above average, but lower than many competitors
- Below-average J.D. Power claims satisfaction score
STANDOUT DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
- Easy Pay Plan
- Early signing discount
- Welcome & loyalty
OTHER POLICIES OFFERED
- Auto insurance
- Renters insurance
- Condo insurance
- Motorcycle insurance
- Business insurance
- Life insurance
American Family
American Family (also referred to as AmFam) is a trusted homeowners insurance provider in Iowa, known for its round-the-clock customer service and helpful mobile tools. The company also features a wide range of coverage options, which may account for it’s higher-than-average premium.
Best 24/7 Service
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Why we chose it
Pros
- 24/7 customer service
- Helpful mobile tools
- Natural disaster coverage
Cons
- Higher-than-average rates in Iowa
- Higher-than-average overall NAIC complaint index
- Lower financial strength rating from AM Best compared to some competitors
STANDOUT DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
- Safe, Secure, Smart Home
- Generational discount
- Renovated home discount
OTHER POLICIES OFFERED
- Auto insurance
- Pet insurance
- Umbrella insurance
- Life insurance
- RV & camper insurance
- Travel insurance
Farmers
Farmers uniquely offers three levels of home insurance coverage — Standard, Enhanced, and Premier — to allow you to choose the level that best suits your needs. You can then add optional coverages to personalize your coverage, and you might be able to take advantage of numerous discounts.
Best for Savings
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Why we chose it
Pros
- Three-tier plans
- Numerous discounts available
- Local agents across the state
Cons
- Lower financial strength rating from AM Best than other companies
- Lower-than-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction score
- Digital experience is rated below-average with J.D. Power
STANDOUT DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
- Non-smoker
- New home
- Green certifications
OTHER POLICIES OFFERED
- Auto insurance
- RV insurance
- Life insurance
- Business insurance
- Pet insurance
- Collectible auto insurance
Nationwide
Nationwide rounds out our list of best homeowners insurance providers in Iowa for its unique discounts. While the company has below-average customer satisfaction scores from J.D. Power, Nationwide’s policies and affordability may make up for what it lacks in customer service ratings.
Best for Unique Discounts
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Why we chose it
Pros
- Wide range of coverage options
- Lower-than-average premiums in Iowa
- Unique discounts
Cons
- Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction score
- Higher-than-average NAIC complaint index
- No coverage for mobile or manufactured homes
STANDOUT DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
- Gated community
- Smart home
- Home renovation
OTHER POLICIES OFFERED
- Auto insurance
- Snowmobile insurance
- Boat insurance
- Pet insurance
- Dental insurance
- Umbrella insurance
Average Cost of Homeowners Insurance in Iowa
According to 2021 premium data from Bankrate.com, the average cost of home insurance in Iowa is $1,289 per year for $250,000 in dwelling coverage. To put this in perspective, the national average cost of homeowners insurance in the United States is $1,312 per year, so Iowa homeowners pay roughly the same as the national average. While we took the average cost from each home insurance company into account in our analysis, we also reviewed coverage offerings, discounts, and third-party scores to determine our top companies.
Top 3 Cheapest Homeowners Insurance Companies in Iowa
| Home Insurance Company | Average Annual Premium* |
| West Bend | $676 |
| Pekin | $698 |
| IMT | $881 |
*Data from Bankrate.com for $250,000 in dwelling coverage.
Top 3 Most Expensive Homeowners Insurance Companies in Iowa
| Home Insurance Company | Average Annual Premium* |
| Motorists | $1,870 |
| Farmers | $1,845 |
| Celina | $1,810 |
*Data from Bankrate.com for $250,000 in dwelling coverage.
Key Things to Know about Homeowners Insurance in Iowa
Home insurance needs are different depending on where you live, and Iowa is no exception. Iowa homeowners may want to get familiar with the common types of damage in their area to better understand what coverage types they should consider purchasing. Additionally, researching local customer service ratings and even getting opinions from friends and family insured with a company could help you determine if a carrier is right for you.
Home Insurance Coverage Options
In addition to the standard coverage options offered through homeowners insurance providers, homeowners may want to seek out additional options that will further protect them financially. The coverages you buy heavily depend on the risks in your state. In Iowa, for example, some common risks are:
- Tornadoes: Iowa recorded 51 tornadoes in 2021. Wind coverage is generally included on home insurance policies, but confirming with your agent could be a good step to take.
- Water damage: Whether from heavy rains, sewer backup, or flooding, Iowa homeowners are no strangers to water damage. Some types of water damage may be automatically covered on a standard home policy, but others — like sewer backup — require an endorsement. Still others, like flood damage, are not covered by home insurance and require a separate policy.
- Snow and ice damage: As hot as Iowa summers are, the winters can also be brutal. Snow can cause just as much water damage as rain can, and ice can cause power outages and downed limbs. Damage to your home from ice or snow is generally included on a standard home policy, but coverage for food spoilage if your power goes out may not be. Talk to your agent about endorsements you may want to add.
Keep in mind that endorsements to your home policy stack on top of the coverage that you already have. Most standard home policies will provide coverage for your dwelling, personal property, outbuildings, and liability exposure from a variety of perils. Endorsements can add additional coverage.
Homeowners Insurance FAQ
Methodology
We evaluated the companies based on their third-party agency ratings for customer experience, financial stability, as well as coverage options to determine which might be the best providers.
To compare home insurance companies across the board, we considered the following factors:
- Customer Ratings — Customer ratings are an indication of satisfaction with the process of filing a claim. We measured this using 2021 J.D. Power Home Insurance Study ratings.
- Coverage — As there isn’t one company to fit everyone’s needs, we evaluated companies by the amount of coverage options and add-ons available.
- Confidence — It is extremely important for insurance companies to fulfill customers’ claims. Companies with sound financial strength ratings indicate a positive history of being able to pay out claims. We measured this using AM Best ratings.
- Customer Experience — The amount of complaints a company receives is an indicator of the overall customer experience as it expresses dissatisfaction. We have based this measure on the National Association of Insurance Companies National Complaint Index.
Rates are based on quoted annual premiums from Bankrate.com. These are sample rates and should be used for comparative purposes only. Your quotes may be different.
The coverage limits for home insurance rates reflect the following coverage and limits:
- Coverage A, Dwelling: $250,000
- Coverage B, Other Structures: $25,000
- Coverage C, Personal Property: $125,000
- Coverage D, Loss of Use: $50,000
- Coverage E, Liability: $300,000
- Coverage F, Medical Payments: $1,000
The homeowners also have a $1,000 deductible and a separate wind and hail deductible (if required).
About the Authors
Cate Deventer is a writer and licensed insurance agent. She has a Bachelor’s degree in theatre and is currently pursuing a degree in English with a concentration in professional and technical writing from Indiana University East. Her work has been featured on Reviews.com and Bankrate.com, and she’s passionate about helping people take charge of their finances. In her free time, she likes to read thrillers and sci-fi novels, garden, and toss tennis balls for her dog.
