Find Out All You Need to Know About Cheap SR-22 Insurance In Iowa
When you want to find out about cheap SR-22 insurance in Iowa, CheapInsurance.com will provide you with all the answers you need.
In Iowa, you will find wide-open plains and miles of farmland for as far as the eye can see. The summers are warm—there are 200 sunny days per year—and the winters are snowy.
Precipitation in Iowa—including rain, snowfall, hail, and sleet—occurs, on average, 99 days per year. Snow cover seldom remains throughout the winter months; however, heavy snowfall does occur.
Taking a road trip through Iowa is enjoyable and safe. In the areas away from the towns, there is relatively low traffic density.
Whether you’re on holiday or a resident, however, accidents happen in an instant and when you least expect them. Many accidents can be attributed to careless driving.
After having committed one or more serious traffic offenses, you will be identified as a reckless or high-risk driver and you may need to obtain SR-22 insurance.
What Is SR-22 Insurance and What Does It Mean for You as a Driver in Iowa?
Although it’s sometimes referred to as ‘financial responsibility insurance’, SR-22 is not an insurance policy at all.
It’s a certificate that you will have to attach to your auto insurance policy if you are identified as a high-risk driver.
Your SR-22 certificate is a document that is registered with the Iowa Department of Transportation, which verifies that you have enough minimum auto liability coverage in place at any given time.
Key Point: Minimum Auto Liability Insurance Coverage Auto liability coverage is a type of insurance that helps to pay for any damage you may cause to property or the injury/death of a third party while driving. Each U.S. state has different minimum liability requirements, but there are always three key aspects that are included:
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The minimum auto liability requirements in Iowa, which are commonly stated as the 20/40/15 rule, are:
- $20,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person.
- $40,000 bodily injury liability coverage per accident.
- $15,000 property damage liability coverage per accident.
Key Point: Minimum Liability Insurance Is Mandatory It’s against the law in Iowa to drive a vehicle if you do not have the necessary minimum liability auto insurance coverage. |
Who Needs SR-22 Insurance in Iowa?
In Iowa, various factors contribute to the need for SR-22 insurance. You may even be required to carry an SR-22 certificate if you’ve committed a series of small violations within a short period of time.
Drivers in Iowa might need to obtain SR-22 insurance for the following reasons:
- Operating a vehicle while intoxicated. This is called a DUI or DWI in most states.
- Refusing to take a breathalyzer, blood alcohol, or urine test.
- Reckless driving.
- Driving with a revoked or suspended license.
- Legal judgment.
- Uninsured vehicle accidents or driving without insurance.
- Multiple driving offenses resulting in excessive points on your record.
- Child support or child neglect cases.
Driving while intoxicated or on drugs is a serious offense, for which you will definitely require an SR-22 certificate. Refusing to take a chemical breath, blood alcohol, or urine test results in the immediate suspension of your driver’s license.
Minor violations usually do not require SR-22 insurance in Iowa.
How to Apply for an SR-22 Form in Iowa
To apply for an SR-22 certificate, you will need to:
Look for a reliable insurer
Some insurance companies will not provide insurance to someone who needs to file an SR-22 form. Such drivers are considered to be high risk and more likely to file a claim.
However, there are insurers who will insure you, although you can expect to pay a higher premium. Shop around, compare prices, and make sure the car insurance company is legally operating in Iowa.
To get a free car insurance quote, you can head to the top of this page and enter your zip code.
Pay the fee
When an auto insurance company agrees to file the form on your behalf, pay the charge so the certificate can be processed and filed in a timely manner. In Iowa, filing charges are normally $25.
Bear in mind that insurance providers use diverse formulae in setting premiums; so you need to shop around to get the cheapest SR-22 car insurance.
Get minimum liability coverage
You will have to purchase liability coverage that meets or exceeds the state requirements for the insurance company to file the SR-22 certificate on your behalf.
Submit the form
After you’ve paid the fee, the insurance company will file the form with the state’s Department of Transportation (DOT). Once the form has been accepted, you will receive a letter from the insurance provider confirming this.
Key Point: What Types of SR-22 Insurance Are There? The insurance that you need and the SR-22 certificate that you apply for will depend on your circumstances. Non-owner SR-22 Insurance If you do not own a car but still drive a friend or family member’s car, you will need to file for non-owner car insurance. This is for drivers who:
Owner SR-22 Insurance An owner policy is required for anyone who owns the car they drive and holds insurance for that vehicle. The SR-22 is proof that you own your vehicle, and that it’s insured under your name. Owner SR-22 insurance is for drivers who:
Owner/Operator SR-22 Insurance If more than one car is registered in your name or you need to drive cars you do not own as part of your job, you will need to carry owner/operator SR-22 insurance. |
Which Is the Cheapest SR-22 Car Insurance in Iowa?
When you get an SR-22 certificate, your car insurance costs will likely increase as you are now considered a high-risk driver.
Instead of settling for the first auto insurance quote that you get, we recommend that you shop around and find the cheapest SR-22 car insurance.
Let’s take a look at one of the cheapest SR-22 car insurers in Iowa. Dairyland provides the cheapest SR-22 car insurance in Iowa, with average monthly premiums of just $144.
Cheapest SR-22 Car Insurance | ||||||
| Provider | Polk County | Linn County | Scott County | Johnson County | Black Hawk County | Average |
| Dairyland | $164 | $148 | $137 | $135 | $134 | $144 |
Besides shopping around for the cheapest SR-22 insurance, it’s best to get a completely personalized insurance quote.
Since we all have different needs and budgets, most good insurers will tailor your insurance quote to your needs.
To compare car and SR-22 insurance quotes, all you need to do is enter your zip code at the top of this page.
Key Point: What Affects the Cost of Car Insurance? Car insurance providers usually look at your driving record, past claims, and vehicle model when deciding on auto insurance rates. In Iowa, car insurance companies will also look at the following factors:
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How Does an SR-22 Impact Your Insurance in Iowa?
We’ve looked at the auto insurance rates offered by various insurers for low-risk drivers, to compare them to the rates they offer to drivers who have been convicted of driving-related offenses.
This is how much drivers in Iowa with a clean driving record can expect to pay for car insurance:
Cheapest Car Insurance for Good Drivers (Clean Driving Records) in Iowa | ||||||
| Provider | Polk County | Linn County | Scott County | Johnson County | Black Hawk County | Average |
| Dairyland | $142.00 | $142.00 | $131.00 | $131.00 | $128.00 | $134.80 |
| Progressive | $84.00 | $89.00 | $91.00 | $95.00 | $100.00 | $91.80 |
Here’s how much drivers in Iowa can expect to pay if they are considered high-risk drivers:
Cheap Auto Insurance for Bad Drivers in Iowa (DUI, Traffic Tickets) | ||||||
| Provider | Polk County | Linn County | Scott County | Johnson County | Black Hawk County | Average |
| Dairyland | $157.00 | $155.00 | $145.00 | $143.00 | $139.00 | $147.80 |
| The General | $228.00 | $224.00 | $247.00 | $285.00 | $294.00 | $255.60 |
Remember: Don’t settle for the first quote that you find for your car insurance—especially if you are a high-risk driver. Shop around to get a personalized quote that suits your needs.
How to Save Money on SR-22 Insurance in Iowa
Although you will end up paying higher rates as a high-risk driver with an SR-22 certificate in Iowa, you can still save money. Here’s how:
- Consider usage-based car insurance: If you don’t drive very often, choose an insurance policy with premiums that are based on how many miles you drive per month.
- Raise your deductibles: A deductible is the amount of money that you will need to first pay out of pocket before your insurance will kick in. If you are willing to pay more for expenses yourself, your insurer will lower your premiums.
- Bundle your car insurance with other policies: Choose insurers who can offer you great prices on your other insurance needs as well, and go with one company.
- Pay your premium in full instead of monthly payments: You could get a percentage discount when you pay your annual insurance premium in full instead of monthly.
Apart from SR-22 Insurance in Iowa, What Else Do You Need to Have?
Iowa law only requires minimum liability insurance coverage to drive legally in the state, but driving with this cover alone is not recommended.
If you are involved in an accident, the costs for repairs and medical attention tend to be much higher than the cover provided with minimum liability coverage.
Some of the common options for additional coverage include:
Comprehensive cover: This will pay out for vehicle damages caused in non-collision circumstances such as theft or weather-related events.
Collision: If you are involved in a collision, this cover will pay out whether the collision is with another vehicle or a stationary object.
Medical payments: If you are in an accident, this coverage will help pay toward the medical expenses for both you and those in your vehicle. This coverage is available regardless of fault.
Roadside assistance: This coverage helps if you need a tow, have a flat tire, have a dead battery, or if your car has broken down for any other reason.
FAQs about SR-22 Car Insurance in Iowa
To help you find cheap SR-22 car insurance in Iowa, we’ve rounded up the most frequently asked questions:
Do I need an SR-22 form in Iowa?
Drivers in Iowa who have their driver’s license suspended or revoked will require their car insurance provider to submit an SR-22 certificate on their behalf so that they can drive again lawfully. You will also need to carry an SR-22 for serious traffic violations.
Which Iowa insurance companies offer the cheapest SR-22 insurance?
If you’re looking for cheap SR-22 car insurance in Iowa, it’s best to compare policies because carriers offer varying rates.
Based on our research, Dairyland has the cheapest SR-22 insurance in Iowa with average monthly rates of $144.
Who needs SR-22 insurance in Iowa?
An SR-22 is not required for every driving violation you might commit. Minor infractions generally won’t necessitate an SR-22, although they may result in higher car insurance rates if you’re issued speeding tickets or are involved in a standard accident.
SR-22 insurance is required for drivers who have repeated driving violations or major driving violations logged against them, such as driving under the influence. Car insurance rates after having a DUI on your record may be significantly higher.
For how long do I need to carry SR-22 insurance?
Fortunately, SR-22 filing requirements have an expiration date. In Iowa, on average, SR-22 insurance is required to be maintained for two years after your conviction.
However, your mandatory filing period may be longer, depending on the severity of your violation.
When you are notified about your SR-22 requirement, you will also be informed about how long you must maintain it.
Once the expiration date has arrived, it is your responsibility to let your insurance company know you no longer need SR-22 insurance. They will cancel it and notify the Iowa DOT.
What happens if I allow my SR-22 insurance to lapse?
License suspension is the penalty for failing to maintain your SR-22. Violating your SR-22 maintenance period can occur when you fail to pay your insurance premiums and let your car insurance coverage lapse.
If you let your coverage lapse, your insurance company is required to notify the Iowa DOT, and they could decide to drop you as a policyholder. If you do not meet your insurance requirement the first time around, you will have to restart the filing period.
This will require you to find a new insurance provider to obtain the proper coverage and refile the SR-22 form.
How do you file SR-22 insurance in Iowa?
The company that handles your car insurance can file an SR-22 with the state at your request. Having an SR-22 added to your auto insurance policy in Iowa increases your annual premium, depending on the severity of your violation.
Since drivers requiring SR-22 insurance are considered high risk, some car insurance companies may choose not to cover you.
How much does it cost to file an SR-22 in Iowa?
When you inform your insurer about your SR-22 requirement, they will charge you about $25 to process the filing.
How do I find the right SR-22 insurance?
As with regular car insurance, it’s important to find the right policy and provider for your individual needs. SR-22 insurance is not provided by all insurance companies, and some have more expensive policies than others.
You can enter your zip code at the top of this page to find the right SR-22 and car insurance to match your needs.
Are You Looking for Cheap SR-22 Car Insurance in Iowa?
Trying to find the cheapest SR-22 car insurance to suit your requirements and your pocket is time-consuming and can be difficult. Why not let us do the hard work on your behalf?
CheapInsurance.com is here to help you find cheap SR-22 insurance. All you have to do is enter your zip code at the top of this page to get the process started.
