Another year almost gone, yet Iowa’s minimum car insurance requirements are still decades behind

By Accountable Iowa

October 22, 2026

Another year has nearly come and gone, yet Iowa drivers are still stuck with minimum car insurance requirements that haven’t changed since 1983. Apparently, four decades of rising costs still aren’t enough to get the job done.

But Iowans shouldn’t have to wait another 40 years for lawmakers to catch up.

Today, Iowa requires drivers to carry just $15,000 in property damage coverage. Meanwhile, the average used car costs more than $35,000. Even a minor crash can wipe out that coverage in a hurry, leaving innocent drivers stuck with the bill, their insurance deductible, or a hit to their savings.

And it’s not just vehicles. Everything costs more than it did in 1983, including medical care and repairs. When insurance falls short, families pay the price, and hospitals and taxpayers can end up footing part of the bill, too.

Last legislative session, lawmakers made real progress toward updating Iowa’s minimum car insurance requirements. But progress isn’t the finish line. The bill didn’t get across it, and another year has gone by without the protections Iowans need.

The good news? We don’t have to sit around waiting for another generation of lawmakers to figure it out.

Next legislative session, lawmakers will have another chance to pass a bipartisan bill that brings Iowa’s insurance requirements into the 21st century. It’s a common-sense way to protect families, support struggling hospitals across our state, and help ensure Iowans aren’t left paying out of pocket for damage caused by someone else.

Iowans deserve better than insurance requirements stuck in 1983. We deserve laws that reflect the costs of living, and driving, in 2026.