Iowa Property & Casualty Insurance License Exam Overview
The Iowa Property & Casualty Insurance License Exam is administered by Pearson VUE on behalf of the Iowa Insurance Division. Iowa's agricultural economy and Midwest location create unique insurance needs, particularly around severe weather and farm operations.
Passing this exam qualifies you to sell property insurance, auto insurance, liability coverage, and related products throughout Iowa—a state with over 3.2 million residents, significant agricultural operations, and severe weather exposure that create substantial P&C insurance demand.
Exam Format at a Glance
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 150 multiple-choice |
| Scored Questions | 150 |
| Time Limit | 2 hours |
| Passing Score | 70% (105 correct answers) |
| Testing Vendor | Pearson VUE |
| Exam Fee | $49-$69 |
| Pre-licensing Education | Not required (but recommended) |
Why Get P&C Licensed in Iowa?
- No pre-licensing requirement — Faster path to licensure
- Agricultural market — Farm and crop insurance opportunities
- Midwest hub — Des Moines is a major insurance industry center
- Severe weather — Tornado and hail create steady claims volume
- Growing economy — Strong job market and business growth
Start Your FREE Iowa P&C Exam Prep
Ready to begin studying? Our comprehensive, completely free Iowa P&C exam prep covers everything you need to pass.
Key Topics Covered on the Exam
1. Property Insurance (30%)
Homeowners Insurance:
- HO-2, HO-3, HO-4, HO-5, HO-6, HO-8 policy forms
- Coverage A (Dwelling), B (Other Structures), C (Personal Property)
- Coverage D (Loss of Use), E (Personal Liability)
- Dwelling fire policies
Iowa-Specific Property Topics:
- Iowa FAIR Plan (residual market)
- Tornado coverage (major Iowa exposure)
- Hail damage coverage
- Flood insurance requirements
- Wind and storm coverage
- Farm and agricultural property
Commercial Property:
- Building and personal property coverage forms
- Business income coverage
- Equipment breakdown
- Inland marine coverage
2. Liability Insurance (30%)
Personal Liability:
- Homeowners liability (Coverage E)
- Personal umbrella policies
- Medical payments coverage
Commercial Liability:
- Commercial General Liability (CGL)
- Products and completed operations
- Professional liability (E&O)
- Workers' compensation requirements
Iowa Workers' Compensation:
- Required for most employers
- Competitive state (private market)
- Self-insurance options available
- Iowa Workers' Compensation Commissioner
3. Auto Insurance (25%)
Iowa Auto Insurance Requirements:
| Coverage | Minimum Limit |
|---|---|
| Bodily Injury (per person) | $20,000 |
| Bodily Injury (per accident) | $40,000 |
| Property Damage | $15,000 |
Additional Auto Topics:
- Personal Auto Policy (PAP) coverage parts
- Iowa financial responsibility law
- Uninsured motorist coverage
- Underinsured motorist coverage
- SR-22 requirements
- Commercial auto insurance
- Farm vehicle coverage
4. Iowa Insurance Code and Regulations (10%)
Iowa Code Chapter 515 Key Provisions:
- Producer licensing requirements
- Unfair trade practices
- Unfair claims settlement practices
- Policy cancellation and nonrenewal rules
- Advertising guidelines
Licensing Requirements:
- Pre-licensing education: Not required
- Continuing education: 36 hours every 3 years
- Ethics requirement: 3 hours included in CE
- Background check required
5. Ethics and Professional Conduct (5%)
- Fiduciary duties to insureds
- Premium handling requirements
- Claims reporting obligations
- Privacy and confidentiality
Study Timeline for Success
| Week | Focus Area | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1-2 | Property insurance fundamentals | 12-14 |
| Week 2-3 | Liability insurance | 12-14 |
| Week 3-4 | Auto insurance and IA requirements | 12-14 |
| Week 4-5 | Iowa regulations (Iowa Code 515) | 8-10 |
| Week 5-6 | Practice exams and review | 12-14 |
Total recommended study time: 55-65 hours
Free Practice Questions Available
Test your knowledge with hundreds of free practice questions designed specifically for the Iowa P&C exam.
Iowa-Specific Exam Tips
1. Know Iowa Auto Minimums
Iowa requires 20/40/15 liability coverage:
- $20,000 per person bodily injury
- $40,000 per accident bodily injury
- $15,000 property damage
2. Master Tornado Coverage
Iowa's tornado exposure is significant:
- Tornado Alley — Iowa is in the heart of severe weather
- Wind damage — Primary claim type
- Shelter coverage — Safe room discounts
- Debris removal — Important coverage component
3. Understand Agricultural Insurance
Iowa's farm insurance needs:
- Farm owners policies
- Crop insurance
- Livestock coverage
- Farm equipment and machinery
- Farm liability
4. Key Numbers to Remember
| Topic | Iowa Requirement |
|---|---|
| Auto minimums | 20/40/15 |
| WC threshold | Most employers |
| Pre-licensing | Not required |
| CE requirement | 36 hours/3 years |
| Passing score | 70% |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming pre-licensing is required — Iowa does not require it
- Skipping tornado/wind coverage — Primary Iowa property risk
- Ignoring agricultural insurance — Major Iowa market segment
- Not knowing auto minimums — Iowa is 20/40/15
- Not practicing timed exams — 2 hours for 150 questions
- Cramming last minute — Spread study over 5-6 weeks
After Passing Your Exam
- Apply for license through Iowa Insurance Division portal
- Complete background check — Required for all applicants
- Pay license fee — Approximately $50 for 2-year license
- Affiliate with insurer — Get appointed by carrier
- Maintain CE compliance — 36 hours every 3 years
- Begin selling — Your license is valid for 2 years
2026 Iowa Updates
For 2026, be aware of:
- Tornado coverage rate changes
- Agricultural insurance updates
- Hail damage claim procedures
- Enhanced consumer protection regulations
Start Your Iowa P&C Insurance Career Today
The Iowa P&C license opens doors to the heartland insurance market with strong agricultural and commercial opportunities. With proper preparation, you can pass the exam on your first attempt.
Our free study materials include:
- Complete topic coverage
- Practice questions with explanations
- Iowa-specific regulations (Iowa Code Chapter 515)
- Study guides and summaries
- AI-powered study assistance
Don't pay for expensive prep courses when everything you need is available FREE.