Iowa Laws

Unlike many other states, it is not mandatory in Iowa to obtain car insurance. However, you may have to prove financial responsibility as a driver/owner of a car.

There are several ways you can establish proof of responsibility:

1. Obtain a valid liability insurance policy. The minimum levels of a bodily injury and property damage liability policy required by law are $20,000 per person for bodily injury, $40,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 per accident for property. Proof of this liability insurance must be kept available in the vehicle at all times, including when registering a vehicle, renewing license plates, or anytime a police officer or the Department of Revenue asks you to show proof of insurance.

   
   

2. Personally handle all the documentation and financial payments associated with an accident immediately after the accident. A driver who can't show immediate proof of financial responsibility following an accident will have his/her license and registration privileges suspended.

• Iowa follows a Tort system. This means that the state of Iowa does not require its drivers to purchase Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage nor Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage (UN/UIM).

• The statute of limitations is the period for which you are eligible to file the insurance claim and lawsuit. If it expires, you lose the benefits that you deserve to obtain from the party responsible for causing the car accident. You can file a personal injury claim within 2 years of the car accident, and a property damage claim within 5 years.

• Delaware adopts a proportional comparative fault at 51 percent. This means that the party which is 51% or more responsible for causing the accident is not eligible to file the claim for damage.

Related Topics:

• Iowa Laws

• Process of Filing an Iowa Car Accident Claim

• Damages you can Recover

• Disputing a Claim

• Iowa Car Accident Facts