Sarah Ingles, REALTOR® SRES® CPCU® | Smart Move Des Moines

Iowa homeowners insurance rates are projected to jump 19% by the end of 2025 — nearly double the national average. If you own a home in Des Moines, especially one built before 2000, what you don't know about home insurance risks in Des Moines could cost you thousands in 2026. After spending over 10 years in property insurance before becoming a REALTOR®, I catch the insurability issues that most agents never think to look for.

Whether you're preparing your home for sale, buying in Des Moines, or helping a parent downsize, this guide covers the insurance risks most Realtors® miss — and exactly what to do about them before 2026 changes take effect.

Why Iowa Homeowners Insurance Costs Are Surging Into 2026

How much does homeowners insurance cost in Iowa in 2026? By late 2025, the average Iowa homeowners insurance premium is projected to reach $2,416 per year — roughly $300 more than in 2024. Nationally, premiums are expected to average $3,520 by 2026, but Iowa's rate of increase is outpacing most states. Three factors are driving this spike.

More Severe Storms and Hail in Central Iowa

Central Iowa is seeing more frequent, more damaging storms — especially hail. Hail events increased 133% from 2022 to 2023. In 2022 alone, State Farm paid $131 million in Iowa hail claims. Communities across the Des Moines metro — from Grimes to Ankeny — are seeing the effects on premiums.

Rising Construction and Replacement Costs

Rebuilding a damaged home costs far more today than it did even two years ago. Material shortages, labor increases, and supply chain delays have pushed replacement costs well above what most policies were originally written for. Many Des Moines homeowners are underinsured without realizing it.

Iowa's Older Housing Stock

Iowa homes are older than the national average. Older systems — wiring, plumbing, roofing, foundations — lead to more claims, which means higher premiums for everyone. The Iowa Insurance Division has acknowledged that carriers are passing these losses on to consumers to stay financially sound.

The 5 Insurance Blind Spots Most Buyers and Realtors® Overlook

What insurance issues do most real estate agents miss? After 10+ years in property insurance, I've seen firsthand what catches people off guard. Most buyers — and most Realtors® — never look at these five things until it's too late.

1. Roof Age and Missing Documentation

Can you get homeowners insurance with an old roof in Iowa? A roof's age doesn't just affect price — it determines whether a home can even be insured. Most Iowa insurers limit or deny full replacement-cost coverage once a roof passes the 15- to 20-year mark. Without documentation showing the install date, material type, and condition verification, you risk coverage denial or being placed on an ACV-only policy (actual cash value — which means depreciation is deducted and you pay far more out of pocket for any claim).

Here's how roof age typically breaks down for Iowa carriers:

• Under 15 years: Full replacement coverage available with most carriers

• 15–19 years: May still qualify, but expect scrutiny and higher premiums

• 20+ years: ACV-only policies or outright denial — even if the shingles have life left

Iowa's hailstorms are trending upward. A roof that's borderline today could become uninsurable next year. If you're planning to sell, a roof that limits a buyer's insurance options also limits your pool of qualified buyers.

2. CLUE Reports and Claims History

What is a CLUE report and why does it matter when buying a home? A CLUE report (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) tracks seven years of insurance claims filed on a property — not just by you, but by previous owners too. Most Realtors® never check this before a transaction. A property with multiple claims — even from a previous owner — can face higher premiums or outright coverage denial.

Here's the opportunity: claims from Iowa's 2020 derecho finally roll off CLUE reports in 2026 and 2027. If your home was affected, this creates a prime window to shop for better rates. You can request your property's CLUE report through LexisNexis.

3. Older Home Systems That Trigger Denials

What home systems cause insurance denials in Iowa? Homes in established Des Moines neighborhoods — places like Beaverdale, Urbandale, and West Des Moines — often have original systems that carriers consider red flags:

• Knob-and-tube wiring — common in pre-1950s homes, many carriers will deny coverage outright

• Cast-iron or polybutylene plumbing — prone to failure and expensive water damage claims

• Foundation settlement — creates structural concerns that complicate underwriting

• Federal Pacific or Zinsco electrical panels — known fire hazards that carriers flag immediately

4. Hidden Water Damage Exclusions

Does homeowners insurance cover water damage in Iowa? Most standard homeowners policies do not cover seepage or slow leaks, sump pump or drain backup (requires a separate endorsement), or flooding (requires a separate NFIP flood policy). Many Des Moines homeowners don't discover these gaps until they file a claim — and by then, it's too late. If your home is in or near a flood zone, verify your zone designation at FEMA.gov before assuming you're covered.

5. Credit-Based Insurance Scores

In Iowa, your credit history directly affects your insurance pricing. Lower credit can mean significantly higher premiums — or outright denial. Most buyers have no idea this factor matters when they're shopping for financing and coverage at the same time. Pull your credit before shopping for coverage so there are no surprises.

Why Seniors and Older Homes Face the Biggest 2026 Risks

What insurance problems do seniors face when selling a home in Des Moines? Many Iowa seniors live in homes they've owned for 20, 30, even 40 years. That history creates a unique set of insurance risks that can quietly derail a sale or transition.

Let's say a senior homeowner in Johnston is ready to sell and downsize. The home has been well-loved, but the roof is 22 years old, the furnace is original, and the plumbing has never been updated. When their adult daughter starts the listing process, they discover the buyer's lender requires a current insurance binder — and no carrier will write full replacement coverage because of the roof age. Suddenly, a simple downsize becomes a $15,000–$25,000 roofing decision before the home can even go on the market.

That's not an edge case. It's happening across the Des Moines metro right now.

Common risk factors in senior-owned homes include:

• Roofs older than 15 years with no recent inspection documentation

• Original wiring or outdated electrical panels

• Aging plumbing lines (especially polybutylene or cast iron)

• Higher liability exposures from deferred maintenance

• Coverage gaps during a transition or move

If you're helping a parent plan a move, reviewing insurance early — not after you've listed — is one of the most important steps you can take. For seniors 65 and older, it's worth reviewing Iowa property tax benefits at the same time.

Your Smart Move Insurance Checklist: Before You Buy or Sell

I created this checklist based on the most common underwriting surprises I've seen across hundreds of transactions. Review every item before you list or make an offer:

• Roof documentation — Get the install date, material type, and most recent inspection in writing

• CLUE report — Request one for your property (and any property you're considering buying) at LexisNexis

• Electrical system — Check for knob-and-tube wiring, Federal Pacific or Zinsco panels

• Plumbing type and age — Identify whether it's PEX, copper, cast iron, or polybutylene

• Flood zone status — Verify your zone designation at FEMA.gov; flood coverage isn't included in standard policies

• Credit and insurance score — Pull your credit before shopping for coverage so there are no surprises

This simple review prevents the most common last-minute deal killers in the Des Moines housing market.

How to Avoid Insurance Underwriting Denials in 2026

How do you prevent an insurance denial when selling a home? Denials happen more often than most people realize — and they're almost always preventable. Here are four steps that protect your transaction.

Disclose everything. Carriers cancel policies for misrepresentation — even accidental omissions. If you know about a past claim, a repair, or a system issue, disclose it upfront. Honesty protects your coverage.

Keep documentation ready. Roof paperwork, inspection reports, contractor invoices, and permit records should all be organized and accessible. If you're getting ready to list, having this packet prepared makes underwriting smoother for your buyer's carrier.

Fix red flags before you list. Address wiring, plumbing, or roofing issues before the home hits the market. The cost of proactive repairs is almost always less than the cost of a deal falling apart — or a buyer walking away because they can't get insured.

Shop multiple carriers. Not all carriers underwrite the same way. This is especially important for older homes, estate properties, and multi-generational households where risk profiles are more complex.

Upgrades That Lower Premiums and Increase Your Home's Value

What home upgrades lower insurance premiums in Iowa? The right improvements don't just reduce your insurance costs — they also make your home more attractive to buyers and easier to insure. These deliver the highest ROI in Iowa's current insurance environment:

• Replace an aging roof — Metal roofs last 40–70 years, resist hail, wind, and fire. For homeowners planning to sell in the next 2–5 years, this upgrade is a real differentiator that improves insurability, lowers premiums, and increases buyer confidence

• Upgrade electrical — Modern panels and wiring eliminate a top denial trigger

• Replace aging plumbing — Switching from cast iron or polybutylene to PEX or copper reduces water damage risk

• Install smart home security — Many carriers offer 5–15% discounts for monitored alarm systems

• Maintain gutters, drainage, and grading — Proper water management prevents the slow leaks that standard policies don't cover

Want to see how upgrades affect your home's current value? Try the online home value tool or explore our real estate calculators.

For Seniors and Adult Children: What to Review During a Transition

What insurance gaps should families watch for during a senior move? When families are navigating a senior transition — whether that's downsizing, moving to assisted living, or merging households — insurance gaps often get overlooked in the chaos of the move itself. Here's what to review before, during, and after a housing transition:

• Liability risks — Are caregivers, visitors, or contractors regularly on the property?

• Coverage gaps during the move — There's often a window where neither the old policy nor the new one fully protects personal property in transit

• Roof age vs. policy type — If the home is being sold, will the current roof support a buyer's insurance application?

• Personal property limits — Valuables, furniture, and belongings in storage may need a separate floater or inland marine policy

• Future needs at the new home — Condos, townhomes, and senior living communities often require different insurance structures than single-family homes

Most families miss at least one of these — and it costs them later. If you're coordinating a move for a parent, the guide to selling your parents' home covers the full process, and scheduling a consultation lets us review everything together before a decision is made.

2026 Des Moines Market Outlook: What Insurance Means for Buyers and Sellers

The Des Moines market is uniquely vulnerable heading into 2026 because of the combination of older housing stock, increasing hail exposure, and a shrinking pool of carriers willing to write policies in high-risk areas.

If you're selling: Proactive documentation and pre-listing inspections will separate your home from the competition. Buyers and their lenders will increasingly require insurance confirmation before closing. The home sale readiness calculator helps you estimate your net proceeds after factoring in pre-sale repairs.

If you're buying: Don't wait until after your offer is accepted to check insurability. Search Central Iowa homes with insurance in mind — ask about roof age, systems, and CLUE history upfront. The Smart Move Des Moines app gives you MLS access 24–48 hours faster than Zillow so you can evaluate properties before competing buyers even see them.

If you're a senior or helping a parent: Start the insurance review process months before you plan to list or move. The earlier you identify issues, the more options you have to address them affordably. The senior move calculator helps map out realistic timelines and costs.

For a broader view of where prices and inventory are heading, visit the Des Moines market trends page.

Frequently Asked Questions About Home Insurance in Des Moines

How much does homeowners insurance cost in Des Moines in 2026?

The average Iowa homeowners insurance premium is projected to reach $2,416 per year by late 2025, roughly $300 more than in 2024. Nationally, premiums are expected to average $3,520 by 2026. Iowa's rate of increase — 19% — is nearly double the national average, driven by increasing hail severity, rising construction costs, and Iowa's older housing stock. Premiums vary significantly by property: homes with newer roofs, updated systems, and no claims history pay substantially less than those with deferred maintenance.

Can you get homeowners insurance on an older home in Iowa?

Yes, but it depends on the home's condition — especially the roof, electrical, and plumbing systems. Most Iowa carriers limit or deny full replacement-cost coverage once a roof passes the 15- to 20-year mark. Homes with knob-and-tube wiring, Federal Pacific panels, or polybutylene plumbing may face outright denial from standard carriers. Specialty or surplus lines carriers may still write coverage, but at significantly higher premiums. Proactively updating these systems before listing or buying is the most cost-effective approach.

What is a CLUE report and should I check it before buying a home?

A CLUE report (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) tracks seven years of insurance claims filed on a property — including claims from previous owners. A property with multiple prior claims can face higher premiums or coverage denial even if the current owner has a clean record. Buyers should request a CLUE report through LexisNexis before finalizing any purchase. Sellers benefit from reviewing their CLUE report before listing to identify any surprises that could derail a transaction.

What home improvements lower insurance premiums in Iowa?

The most impactful upgrades for Iowa homeowners are replacing an aging roof (especially with impact-resistant or metal materials), upgrading outdated electrical panels and wiring, replacing cast iron or polybutylene plumbing with PEX or copper, and installing a monitored security system. Metal roofs last 40–70 years and resist hail, wind, and fire — making them particularly valuable in Iowa's climate. Many carriers offer 5–15% discounts for monitored alarm systems and newer roofing materials.

How does Iowa's 2020 derecho affect my insurance in 2026?

Claims from the August 2020 derecho — which caused over $11 billion in damage across Iowa — will begin rolling off CLUE reports in 2026 and 2027 (CLUE tracks seven years of claims history). If your property had derecho-related claims, this creates a prime window to shop for better rates as those claims age off your record. Review your CLUE report to confirm when specific claims expire and plan your rate shopping accordingly.

Should I get an insurance review before selling my home in Des Moines?

Yes — and ideally months before you list. Insurance issues are one of the most common reasons transactions fall apart in the Des Moines metro. A pre-listing insurance review identifies roof age problems, system red flags, CLUE claims history, and documentation gaps that could cause a buyer's carrier to deny coverage. Addressing these issues before going to market protects your timeline, your price, and your buyer pool. My 10+ years of property insurance experience means I evaluate every listing for insurability before we go live — it's one of the core differences of working with Smart Move Des Moines.

Your Next Step

If you're planning to buy, sell, or transition in the next 12 months, now is the ideal time to reassess your insurance position. Waiting until you're under contract — or worse, waiting for a denial — limits your options and your leverage.

• Get a free insurance risk review:Schedule a consultation or call me directly at (563) 513-8771

• Search homes with insurance in mind:Browse Central Iowa listings

• Estimate your net proceeds:Use the home sale readiness calculator

From First Keys to Final Chapters — let's make a smart move.

About Sarah Ingles

Sarah Ingles is a REALTOR®, Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®), and Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU®) who foundedSmart Move Des Moines, brokered by Fathom Realty. With over 10 years of property insurance expertise, Sarah helps families across the Des Moines metro navigate the emotional and logistical details of selling a parent's home, handling estate and probate properties, and coordinating senior transitions with patience and clarity.

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Serving Urbandale, West Des Moines, Waukee, Ankeny, Johnston, Grimes, and the greater Des Moines metro. See what families say about working with Smart Move Des Moines →