Ames, IA Car Insurance

The average monthly cost for car insurance in Ames is about $49. Learn more in our handy guide below.
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How do rates in Ames measure up compared to neighboring areas, including Iowa as a whole? How much can residents of Ames expect to pay for their car insurance? Find the average cost breakdowns and determining factors in the charts and writeups below:

How much is car insurance in Ames?

Area Average Monthly Car Insurance Premium
Ames$49
IA$56
United States$81

Auto insurance coverage in Ames is about $7 cheaper than it is in the rest of Iowa.

Similarly, car insurance rates in Ames are often favorable when viewed against the rest of the country. It's about $32 cheaper to insure your vehicle in Ames compared to the average rate for the U.S. as a whole.

While these numbers are the average rates for auto insurance in Ames, that doesn't mean it's what you'll pay. Insurance companies take in a number of factors when deciding what amount to charge you for insuring your vehicle. Age, gender, vehicle make and model, driving record, and in some cases, your credit score, are all factored into assessing the final dollar amount you'll be asked to pay each month.

Don't worry, we've done the work for you and broken down average rates for Ames to help you get a more accurate idea of what you'll be charged for your policy. And if you're not certain that you're paying the lowest option, simply enter your ZIP below and find out in just minutes!


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Average Car Insurance Rates by Age

Age Range Average Premium
Under 18Not Enough Data
18-24$61
25-34$40
35-44$40
45-54$58
55-64$31
65+$41

More time behind the wheel makes you a more experienced driver. That experience can really work in your favor when it comes to auto insurance. As you can see, 18-24-year-olds pay someone who is retirement aged.

You can expect to see your monthly premium drop every 10 years or so. As you get closer to retirement, however, you may see your rates begin to go back up in Ames.

Average Car Insurance Rates by Gender

Gender Average
Male$50
Female$49

In general, car insurance rates for women are usually cheaper than they are for men. In Ames, however, the difference in the monthly cost of coverage is minimal.

Average Auto Insurance Rates by Driving Record

Infractions Average Monthly Premium
1 Accident$55
Multiple Accidents$48
1 Ticket$48
Multiple Tickets$54

Depending on your driving record, your rates can vary wildly. Those with clean records will obviously pay significantly less than those with infractions. Drivers in Ames with one accident will pay around $55 a month. Likewise, drivers with one ticket will be looking at a rate of around $48 a month on average.

When it comes to your monthly premium, accidents, tickets, and other driving infractions can really take a toll. That's why it's important to drive safely and keep your record clean so you can keep your rates as low as possible.

Average Insurance Rates by Vehicle

Vehicle Age Average Monthly Premium
Less Than 1 Year$24
2-3 Years$47
4-5 Years$65
6-7 Years$41
8-10 Years$49
11-14 Years$50
15 Years or Older$49

In terms of affordable coverage, the cheapest vehicles to insure in Ames are usually SUVs, at $41 per month.

Cars, trucks, and vans, however, all cost about the same to insure their vehicle -- around $51 a month.

Depending on the age of your vehicle, you can also expect to see slightly different rates. Generally, newer vehicles are going to be the most expensive to insure. However, once your car is close to 5 years old, you may start to see your monthly premium drop back down. In Ames, the most expensive vehicles to insure are vehicles four-to-five years old.

Average Car Insurance Rates by Relationship Status

Relationship Average Monthly Premium
Single (never married)$51
Married$47
Divorced$37

Overall, car insurance is slightly cheaper for married policyholders. This occurs because insurance companies commonly extend special discounts to policyholders with multiple vehicles that are on the same policy.

On a national scale, married drivers typically pay less than single drivers for auto insurance. Ames is no exception, with the difference totaling to around $4 a month.

Average Car Insurance Rates by Housing Situation

Housing Status Average Monthly Premium
Own$43
Rent$53
Live with parents$173

Your housing status is another component of how insurance companies calculate your monthly rate. Homeowners in Ames can expect to pay around $10 a month less than those who rent. But those who live at home with their parents can expect to pay significantly more.

If you bundle your home or rental insurance and auto insurance policies, you can oftentimes reduce your car insurance premiums, depending on your insurance company.

Car Insurance Companies in Ames, IA

Since average rates are constantly changing, it's a smart move to research the local trends in your area before choosing when and where to shop.

In Ames, car insurance rates had been decreasing from 2017-2018, when they reached a low of $45. This trend leveled out in 2019, when they began to increase, and have continued moving in that direction through the present, where car insurance rates finished at $69 per month.

How does Ames compare to neighboring areas?

Why are car insurance rates in Ames different from other areas?

Car insurance companies will take into account a number of factors when they're deciding how much to charge for a policy. While we've discussed the ones that affect your personal policy, others are based around where you call home. These include things like:

  • Total amount of drivers in the community
  • Availability of off-street parking
  • Regional regulations
  • Area crime rates
  • Road Safety (total number of local car accidents)

You can't change these factors yourself, but they're something to take into consideration when shopping for a new policy or looking to move into an area. Different cities and towns will each have different rates, so guides like these are a handy way to learn more.

How can I find the cheapest car insurance in Ames?

Equipping yourself with information about the average costs for drivers in your area will better prepare you for the real deal. The only way to know for sure what your rate will be is by asking for a quote from car insurance companies.

Good news! Compare.com does all of that work for you. Put in your ZIP Code below, answer a few questions, and you'll be comparing the cheapest quotes from dozens of car insurance companies providing policies in Ames.


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Ames Insurance FAQs

What factors affect car insurance quotes in Ames?

Auto insurance companies take a wide array of factors into consideration when calculating your monthly payment. These include things like your vehicle's year, make and model, your age and gender, as well as your credit score, address, marital status and driving record.

Why is the cost of car insurance in Ames different from other neighboring cities?

Parking situations, local laws, and crime rates -- all of which can change from city to city -- play a large role in the rates that car insurance companies may charge for coverage.

Which car insurance company will offer me the cheapest rate in Ames?

Since the factors that car insurance companies take into consideration when calculating the rate you might pay differ from person to person, there is no one insurance company that will offer the cheapest rate to everybody. Things like your driving record, the number of drivers on the policy, and vehicle make and model, plus a number of others, are all taken into account. Because of this, it's a good idea to use sites like Compare.com to compare multiple quotes at once.

Do I need to change my insurance if I move to Ames?

Whenever you relocate or experience another major life event, such as finding a new job or getting married, you should consider revisiting your current insurance policy. Using services like Compare.com to compare quotes from multiple companies at once is a great way to make sure you're getting the cheapest rate for your new location.

Do I need to wait for my policy to expire to switch to a different car insurance company?

No, you can switch companies at any point, no matter how much time is left on your current policy. If you're thinking about moving to Ames or are wondering if you're paying the best rate for your current area, take 10 minutes and visit Compare.com to find out for sure.

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