Living in Des Moines means enjoying four distinct seasons, a thriving downtown, and a cost of living that makes homeownership accessible. But it also means dealing with Midwest weather that can turn severe without much warning. If you own a home in Des Moines, you're facing tornado risks, intense thunderstorms with damaging hail, and potential flooding from the Des Moines River. Your home insurance isn't just a lender requirement—it's the financial safety net that keeps a storm from wiping out your biggest investment.
Here's what you need to know about protecting your home in Iowa's capital city, from understanding what your policy actually covers to knowing when you need additional protection.
Why Des Moines Home Insurance Costs What It Does
The average Des Moines homeowner pays between $2,000 and $2,600 annually for home insurance. That's roughly in line with the Iowa state average, but it's not random. Insurance companies price your policy based on the likelihood they'll have to pay a claim, and in Des Moines, severe weather is the primary driver.
Iowa set a tornado record in 2024 with 125 confirmed tornadoes across the state. That broke the previous record of 120 tornadoes from 2004. These weren't all weak tornadoes either—the 2024 season resulted in six deaths and 44 injuries. Des Moines itself saw an EF1 tornado tear through the city on July 15, 2024, and additional tornadoes struck near Pleasant Hill on April 26. When insurers see this kind of tornado activity, it directly impacts what they charge for coverage.
Your specific rate depends on factors you can't control—like your home's proximity to flood zones—and factors you can, like your credit score and the age of your roof. A newer roof in good condition can significantly reduce your premium because it's less likely to sustain damage from hail. Similarly, upgrading old electrical or plumbing systems can lower your rate because you're reducing the fire and water damage risk.
What Your Home Insurance Actually Covers
A standard homeowners policy in Iowa includes six main coverage types, and understanding each one matters when you're filing a claim after a storm.
Coverage A protects your dwelling—the physical structure of your home. If a tornado rips off your roof or hail shatters your windows, this is what pays to repair or rebuild. Coverage B extends to other structures on your property like detached garages, sheds, or fences. Coverage C covers your personal property—your furniture, electronics, clothing, and appliances. If wind drives rain through a broken window and ruins your bedroom furniture, Coverage C handles the replacement.
Coverage D is loss of use, and this is the coverage people forget about until they need it. If a severe storm makes your home unlivable while repairs are underway, Coverage D pays for your hotel, restaurant meals, and other additional living expenses. Given Des Moines's tornado risk, this coverage can be critical—you could be displaced for weeks or months after major storm damage.
Coverage E is personal liability protection. If someone gets injured on your property or you accidentally damage someone else's property, this coverage protects you from lawsuits. It's not weather-related, but it's essential protection that comes bundled with your policy.
The Flood Insurance Gap You Need to Know About
Here's the critical thing most Des Moines homeowners don't realize until it's too late: standard home insurance does not cover flood damage. Not a drop. If the Des Moines River overflows and water enters your home, or if heavy rains cause street flooding that backs up into your basement, your regular homeowners policy won't pay a cent.
You need a separate flood insurance policy through FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program or a private insurer. In Polk County, where Des Moines is located, the average flood insurance cost is $1,407 annually—which is actually below Iowa's state average. That might sound like an additional expense you don't want, but consider this: the average flood insurance claim pays out $66,000, while federal disaster assistance after flooding averages just $3,000. That $60,000+ gap is the difference between rebuilding your home and facing financial ruin.
If you live near the Des Moines River, the Raccoon River, or in areas prone to flash flooding, flood insurance isn't optional. And don't wait until storms are forecasted—flood insurance has a 30-day waiting period before coverage kicks in. You need to buy it before you need it.
How to Get the Right Coverage at the Right Price
Iowa law doesn't require you to carry home insurance, but if you have a mortgage, your lender requires it. And honestly, even if you own your home outright, going without coverage in a city with Des Moines's tornado and storm risk would be financial suicide.
When shopping for coverage, focus on replacement cost coverage for both your dwelling and your personal property. Replacement cost pays to rebuild or replace at today's prices, while actual cash value deducts depreciation. If your 10-year-old roof gets destroyed, actual cash value might pay $5,000 for a roof that costs $15,000 to replace. Replacement cost pays the full $15,000.
Get quotes from multiple insurers. West Bend Mutual offers some of the most affordable coverage in Des Moines at around $1,478 annually, while American Family comes in around $1,924 per year. But the cheapest policy isn't always the best policy—compare coverage limits, deductibles, and what's actually included.
Consider raising your deductible to lower your premium, but only if you have enough savings to cover that deductible if a storm hits tomorrow. A $1,000 deductible might save you $200 a year compared to a $500 deductible, but you need to have that extra $500 available when you need to file a claim.
Taking Action Before the Next Storm
Des Moines sits in a region where severe weather isn't a matter of if, but when. May and June bring peak tornado season, and the central Iowa area typically sees 7 to 10 tornadoes annually just in the wider metro region. That's not counting the severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and hail that strike throughout spring and summer.
Review your current policy now, before storm season arrives. Make sure you have adequate dwelling coverage—with construction costs rising, your coverage limit from three years ago might not be enough to rebuild today. Verify you have replacement cost coverage, not actual cash value. If you're in a flood-prone area and don't have flood insurance, get quotes immediately and remember that 30-day waiting period.
Document your home and belongings with photos or video. Walk through every room, open every closet, and capture everything you own. Store this documentation off-site or in the cloud. When you're filing a claim after a tornado, you won't remember every item you lost, and having documentation makes the claims process dramatically easier.
Your home is likely your largest financial asset. In a city where tornadoes can appear with little warning and severe storms are a regular part of life, proper insurance coverage isn't paranoia—it's basic financial protection. Get the coverage you need now, while your home is still intact and you have time to make informed decisions rather than desperate ones.
