If you're looking for flexibility, you might be interested in a temporary car insurance policy. However, short-term auto insurance contracts are rare for several reasons.
Some major insurance companies will not draw up policies shorter than six months. Since auto insurance is legally required in every state but one, it can be risky to hop between policies. You also risk having gaps in your insurance history by moving between policies frequently, which can lead to more expensive rates down the road.
Good news: auto insurance policies usually run only half of a year. This short duration allows insurance companies to re-rate — or re-price — your bill based on your updated driving record and demographic info.
The six-month mark also provides a great opportunity to improve your situation by considering other auto insurance companies. Getting quotes on the Internet costs nothing, and there isn't necessarily a penalty for changing auto insurance companies when your policy period ends — or even in the middle of your policy period, assuming you never let your coverage lapse.
The flexible nature of car insurance makes it relatively simple to acquire on short notice. If you require an insurance policy before you can drive a car off the lot, looking for coverage for a relatively long-term rental or searching for coverage on a vehicle you don't own but drive regularly, think about purchasing a six-month policy and cutting the term short as needed.
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Short-term auto insurance in Iowa
See below typical car insurance rates in Iowa, organized by popular companies and cities. If your premiums exceed the rates below, think about shopping around.
TEMPORARY CAR INSURANCE RATES IN IOWA — BY INSURANCE COMPANY
| Insurance Company | Average 6-Month Rate | Average Monthly Rate |
| Iowa State Average — All Companies | $553 | $92 |
| Farm Bureau Mutual | $418 | $70 |
| Partners Mutual Insurance | $502 | $84 |
| State Farm | $524 | $87 |
| Pekin Insurance | $525 | $88 |
| Nationwide | $533 | $89 |
The most affordable option for short-term auto insurance in Iowa is Farm Bureau Mutual, with whom you can save $14 each month, compared to the second-cheapest option, Partners Mutual Insurance. In Iowa, the average monthly cost of car insurance is $92, or $553 over a six-month term.
Where you live can have just as large an impact on your insurance premiums as the insurance company you choose. Car insurance companies take into account the number of local insurance claims when pricing policies by ZIP code. Take a look at insurance prices in Iowa's most populous cities and compare against what you’re paying.
SHORT-TERM CAR INSURANCE RATES IN IOWA — BY CITY
| City | Average 6-Month Rate | Average Monthly Rate |
| Des Moines | $544 | $91 |
| Cedar Rapids | $526 | $88 |
| Davenport | $552 | $92 |
| Sioux City | $564 | $88 |
| Waterloo | $569 | $95 |
Because of the myriad factors involved in setting insurance rates, your quotes may not match the totals displayed above. If your current rates don’t align with those listed above, consider taking a moment to compare quotes. The temporary duration of a car insurance policy enhances the importance of remaining informed and ready to shop.
Find out more about short-term auto insurance or use The Zebra to compare policies for free online.
Additional resources
- Discover more about weekend-only car insurance.
- Is it possible to get car insurance with no credit history?
- Find cheap auto insurance for new drivers.
- Check out the best car insurance options for teen drivers.
About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
- The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.