Iowa: rules and deadlines at a glance

Every 14 topic we track for Iowa on one page. Open a topic for the details, the law it comes from and how Iowa compares.

Compare Iowa with another state →

Car insurance by state · Claim deadlines · Small claims limits · Total loss rules · Shared fault rules · Accident reporting rules · Lemon law rules · Sales tax rates · Phone-while-driving laws · Motorcycle helmet laws · Gas tax · Uninsured drivers · Marijuana laws

General information only, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Not affiliated with any government agency. Exceptions can apply; open a topic for the details.

Filing deadlines (statute of limitations)

Personal injury	2 years
Property damage	5 years

Car insurance by state

Minimum liability	$20,000 / $40,000 / $15,000
Fault system	At-fault (the driver who caused it pays)
Shared-fault rule	Modified comparative: barred at 51% fault or more

Claim deadlines

Acknowledge	15 days
Accept or deny	30 days after proof of loss
Pay	30 days after the claim is accepted

Small claims limits Single detailed source

Dollar limit	$6,500
Filing fee	$115
Lawyers	Allowed

Total loss rules

Total loss rule	70% of actual cash value

Shared fault rules

Rule	Modified comparative negligence (51% bar)
When you are barred	Barred if you are 51% or more at fault

Accident reporting rules

Report required if	Death, injury, or $1,500+ damage, unless police investigated
Deadline	3 days (if required)

Lemon law rules Single detailed source

Repair attempts or days	1 for a serious defect; 3 attempts plus a final attempt; or 30 calendar days
Coverage period	2 years or 24,000 miles, whichever first

Sales tax rates Single detailed source

State rate	6.00%
Combined average	6.94%

Phone-while-driving laws Single detailed source

Handheld ban	Yes, all drivers (primary; tickets from 2026)
Texting ban	Yes, primary

Motorcycle helmet laws Single detailed source

Law type	None
Who must wear one	No helmet law

Gas tax Single detailed source

Gasoline	30.0¢ per gallon
Diesel	32.5¢ per gallon

Uninsured drivers Single detailed source

Drivers uninsured	11.4%
UM/UIM coverage	Not required (insurers must offer it)

Marijuana laws Single detailed source

Legal status	CBD / low-THC only