Almost every state requires its licensed drivers to have a minimum amount of insurance coverage. The required insurance generally includes bodily injury liability coverage and property damage liability coverage in certain minimum amounts.

You are required to show proof of the minimum insurance coverage to a police officer when you are stopped for a moving traffic violation or involved in a traffic accident—and you may receive a citation if you are not able to show proof of insurance. And in some states you are required to show proof of insurance to register your car. In those states, the failure to register your car may result in an additional citation.

In Iowa, drivers are mandated by law to have a minimum amount of auto insurance coverage. This includes bodily injury liability coverage, with a minimum of $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident, and property damage liability coverage, with a minimum of $15,000. Iowa law also requires drivers to carry uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage with the same minimums as bodily injury liability. When stopped for a traffic violation or involved in an accident, drivers must provide proof of this insurance to law enforcement officers. Failure to provide proof of insurance can result in a citation. Additionally, proof of financial responsibility is required to register a vehicle in Iowa. If a driver fails to maintain insurance, they may face penalties including fines, license suspension, and vehicle registration suspension.