Iowa insurance laws
Insurance regulations, rate filing requirements, department info, and recent bulletins for Iowa. Updated Mar 31, 2026.
Department of Insurance
Iowa operates under a prior approval rate system for health insurance, with file and use provisions for other lines. The Iowa Insurance Division actively regulates all insurance business in the state and has recently enacted significant reforms in pharmacy benefit management, adjuster licensing, and short-term health insurance. The state allows credit scoring in personal insurance with extensive consumer protections.
Auto Insurance
Notable Laws
- Iowa Code § 321.20B - Financial liability coverage required for all motor vehicles; proof must be carried in vehicle
- Iowa Code § 516A.1 - Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage must be offered but can be rejected in writing
- Iowa Code § 321A - Motor vehicle financial responsibility law; SR-22 required for 2 years after suspension
- Iowa Code § 515.103 - Credit scoring allowed in auto insurance with extensive consumer protections
- Iowa Code § 321A.32 - Driving while suspended/revoked: $250-$1,500 fine plus misdemeanor charges
Homeowners Insurance
Notable Laws
- Iowa Code § 518.23 - Homeowners cancellation requires 30 days notice; nonrenewal requires 60 days notice
- Iowa Code § 515F.39 - Insurer must notify insureds of FAIR Plan eligibility upon cancellation/nonrenewal
- Iowa Code § 515.103 - Credit scoring allowed with consumer protections; insurers must recalculate every 36 months
- Iowa Code § 515.125-515.128 - Cancellation and nonrenewal standards for property insurance
- Iowa Admin. Code 191-20.80 - Notice requirements for cancellation, nonrenewal, or termination of property insurance
Recent Bulletins
New Licensing and Reporting System for Preneed Sellers and Sales Agents
Launch of New Licensing System for Preneed Sellers and Sales Agents and Implementation of the New Submission Method for Annual Reports Related to Prearranged Funeral Agreements
View bulletinFinancial Responsibility Requirements of SF 619 under Iowa Code § 522C.7
Guidance on financial responsibility requirements for adjusters, appraisers, and umpires under SF 619
View bulletinRecission of Bulletin 24-01
Due to federal changes relating to enforcement of short-term limited duration plans, Bulletin 24-01 is rescinded
View bulletinProhibited Use of Deceptive and Unfair Practices and Implementation of SF 383
Guidance on prohibited deceptive and unfair practices by pharmacy benefit managers and implementation of SF 383 PBM reform legislation
View bulletinFederal Changes to the Enforcement of Short-Term Limited Duration Plans
Federal changes allow STLD insurance plans for up to 3 years duration, consistent with Iowa regulations providing important consumer protections
View bulletinRecent Law Changes
HMO Premium Tax Increase
Increases premium tax on health maintenance organizations from 0.925% to 3.5% from January 1 to September 30, 2026, then returns to lower rate in October 2026 to address Medicaid funding shortfall
HMOs face temporary tax increase to generate additional Medicaid funding; rate increase retroactive to January 1, 2026
Effective: 2026-01-01
Life Insurance Permissible Third Parties and Financial Exploitation
Establishes protections against financial exploitation of eligible adults in life insurance transactions and clarifies permissible third-party designations
Protects vulnerable adults from financial exploitation in life insurance transactions; defines permissible third parties
Effective: 2026-07-01
Pharmacy Benefit Manager Comprehensive Regulation
Comprehensive regulation of pharmacy benefits managers including transparency requirements, prohibited practices, and oversight provisions to increase fairness in prescription drug markets
PBMs must comply with new transparency and fairness requirements; prohibited from certain deceptive practices affecting pharmacies and patients
Effective: 2025-07-01
Adjuster, Appraiser, and Umpire Licensing and Assignment of Benefits
Creates new licensing requirements for independent adjusters, staff adjusters, appraisers, and umpires; regulates post-loss assignment of benefits; addresses natural hazard mitigation financing
Public adjusters, appraisers, and umpires must obtain state licenses; new consumer protections for assignment of benefits after property losses
Effective: 2025-07-01
Autism Spectrum Disorder Coverage Expansion
Expands insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorder treatment by removing age limit of 21 years and eliminating $36,000 annual benefit cap
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder receive unlimited coverage regardless of age; eliminates previous $36,000 annual cap
Effective: 2026-01-01
Health Insurance
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