Cheap Auto Insurance in South Dakota (2023)

South Dakota residents as young as 14 can apply for a learner’s permit in the Mount Rushmore State — which may help explain why the sparsely populated state has comparatively high car insurance costs.

South Dakota drivers pay an average of $208 per month for car insurance, making it the 26th most-expensive state for car insurance. But with a population of just about 895,000 spread across 75,811 square miles, you might expect car insurance costs to be lower.^[1]

If you’re looking for an affordable policy, comparing quotes from multiple providers in your area is the easiest way to find cheap car insurance options that fit your needs and budget.

Best cheap car insurance in South Dakota: State Farm

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State Farm

Best Cheap Car Insurance South Dakota

Car insurance costs vary based on how each car insurance company determines your risk as a driver. A few important factors include your driving history and vehicle type. State Farm offers South Dakota drivers the lowest rates on average, at $68 per month. Other affordable providers include Farmers and American Family. See quotes from top insurers below.

Minimum car insurance requirements in South Dakota

All motor vehicles operated or parked on South Dakota roadways are required to be insured. You must carry proof of insurance in your car at all times and have it available when:

• Requested by law enforcement

• Renewing vehicle registration

• The vehicle is involved in a car accident

The minimum liability insurance requirements for private passenger vehicles in South Dakota are:^[2]

• $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury: As a major part of your liability insurance, bodily injury coverage covers medical bills for people other than the policyholder who are injured during an accident. South Dakota is an at-fault state, meaning the driver who is responsible for the collision is also responsible for paying for any resulting expenses, either through their car insurance provider or out of pocket.

• $25,000 per accident for property damage: If it’s determined that an insured driver is at fault for an accident, this coverage pays for repairs to the property of the other involved parties. Additionally, property damage coverage can cover legal costs if the insured driver is involved in a lawsuit following the accident.

• $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury and $25,000 per accident for uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage: Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage pays for costs caused by a driver with little or no insurance after a car accident. In South Dakota, drivers are required to purchase this coverage for bodily injuries and property damage.

South Dakota DMV information

Headquartered in Pierre, the South Dakota DMV offers teen driver permits, driver’s licenses, vehicle registration and titles, motorcycle and commercial licenses, accident records, and other crucial services that keep South Dakota drivers insured, licensed, informed, and safe.^[3]

Public transportation in South Dakota

South Dakota contracts with transit providers to offer transportation in various regions throughout the state. Aberdeen, Rapid City, Mitchell, Sioux Falls, and a handful of other hubs have their own city transit. Rosebud and Standing Rock operate bus systems as well.

Tips for getting cheap car insurance in South Dakota

Car insurance is an unavoidable expense for people who own vehicles, which makes finding cheap coverage crucial. Comparing car insurance quotes from multiple insurers can help you find the cheapest insurance policy for your insurance needs. Other ways to decrease costs include bundling two or more policies, utilizing discounts, and purchasing liability-only coverage.

Liability-only vs. full-coverage insurance in South Dakota

If you live in South Dakota, you can opt to carry liability-only auto insurance, which pays for expenses related to injuries and damage to the other party and their car if you cause an accident. Each state sets its own minimums for how much liability insurance it requires drivers to carry. Liability-only insurance can make sense if:

• You have a low-value vehicle.

• You can afford to repair or replace your car out of your own pocket.

• Getting the cheapest insurance possible is your top priority.

For a higher level of protection, you can choose full-coverage insurance, which includes liability plus collision and comprehensive coverage. Collision coverage pays for damages to your car, even if you’re at fault for an accident. Comprehensive coverage pays for damages caused by events out of your control, like vandalism, weather, and animals. Auto lenders and leasing companies typically require drivers to carry full coverage on a car they’ve financed.

You may also opt for full coverage if:

• You have a high-value vehicle.

• You wouldn’t be able to afford to repair or replace your car out of pocket.

• Your car’s actual cash value (the payout you’d likely get if your car is totaled) exceeds your annual premium to carry full coverage.

Here’s a look at the average monthly quotes for the cheapest auto insurance in South Dakota by policy type.

How your driving history affects South Dakota car insurance rates

Your driving history is the factor that most influences your car insurance costs. Good drivers — whose records are free of serious traffic violations like speeding tickets or reckless driving — tend to get the best car insurance rates in South Dakota. But infractions like driving under the influence or at-fault accidents can significantly increase insurance costs.

Here’s a look at average monthly quotes for the cheapest car insurance in South Dakota based on driving and accident history.

SR-22 insurance in South Dakota

If your driver’s license is suspended in South Dakota after a DUI or another serious offense, you’ll likely need an insurance company to file an SR-22 form on your behalf. An SR-22 is required for high-risk drivers to prove their financial responsibility to the state.^[4] Some of the auto insurers offering this insurance for high-risk drivers in South Dakota are listed below.

How credit scores affect South Dakota car insurance quotes

The state of South Dakota allows insurers to consider a driver’s credit score when setting rates. Generally, people with excellent or good credit scores qualify for lower car insurance premiums than people with average or poor credit scores. Check out the table below to see the average car insurance rate associated with each credit tier.

How your city affects South Dakota insurance quotes

Where you live in South Dakota greatly affects how much you pay for car insurance. People in bigger cities with more drivers on the road and higher crime rates typically pay more for auto coverage than those living in more suburban areas or small towns. Check out the table below to see what drivers are paying on average across South Dakota.

How your age affects your South Dakota car insurance rates

Because insurers generally equate age with experience level, your age will significantly affect how much you pay for car insurance. New drivers, who tend to be teens or people in their early 20s, typically pay more for insurance than drivers 25 and older.

The following table gives a high-level view of how age can affect insurance rates in South Dakota.

Quotes for younger drivers

Drivers younger than 25, and especially teenagers, typically have the highest car insurance rates, regardless of where they live. Their relative inexperience behind the wheel contributes to higher accident rates than any other age group. Add in a driving infraction, and rates can climb significantly for teen drivers.

The following table provides insight into average monthly quotes for teen drivers with a driving infraction on their records in South Dakota.

Quotes for middle-aged drivers

As drivers age and gain more experience on the road, insurance rates typically decline. However, while middle-aged drivers typically pay less than teens for insurance, infractions like at-fault accidents, DUIs, and speeding tickets can increase car insurance rates. Check out the table below to see the impact of driving infractions on car insurance quotes for middle-aged drivers in South Dakota.

Quotes for senior drivers

Seniors typically have the lowest car insurance premiums due to their years of driving experience and the likelihood they’ll drive fewer miles than younger drivers who commute to jobs. The table below shows full-coverage car insurance quotes for senior drivers in South Dakota, along with quotes for senior drivers with an accident or a DUI on their records.

South Dakota car insurance FAQs

Insurify Insights

How South Dakota Drivers Measure Up

While most drivers know that car insurance quotes are determined in part by your personal driving history, many may be unaware that rates are also impacted by the average risk of the drivers around you as well. Check out Insurify's latest analysis of driving records in South Dakota below:

Methodology

Drawing from an internal database of over 4 million car insurance applications, the research team at Insurify analyzes patterns in car ownership and driver behavior - including how South Dakota drivers measure up to their fellow motorists across the United States in areas including speeding, DUIs, and more.
Insurify Insights publishes data-driven articles, trend analyses, and national rankings each week on all factors related to cars and those who drive them.

Ford F-Series Pickup

Most Popular Car in South Dakota

#27

State with the Most Speeding Tickets Rank

#25

State with the Moving Violations Rank

#4

State with the Most DUIs Rank

#6

State with the most Suspended Licenses

• Accidents in South Dakota

  While car accidents are a sadly unavoidable feature of time spent on the road, rates of accidents do vary from city to city and from state to state. South Dakota is the #29 state in the country for drivers with an at-fault accident on their driving record.

  • Rank among states: #29
  • Percent of drivers in South Dakota with an accident: 8.3%
• DUIs in South Dakota

  While driving while intoxicated is never acceptable, it’s a more common offense than many assume. South Dakota is the #4 state in the country for drivers with a prior drunk driving conviction.

  • Rank among states: #4
  • Percent of drivers in South Dakota with a DUI: 2.7%
• Reckless Driving in South Dakota

  Reckless driving refers to a specific traffic violation: when drivers willfully act dangerously in spite of the risks they’re imposing on both themselves and others. South Dakota is the #19 state in the country for drivers with a reckless driving offense on record.

  • Rank among states: #19
  • Percent of drivers in South Dakota with a reckless driving offense: 1.4%
• Rude Driving in South Dakota

  The Insurify team classifies rude drivers as those who commit one or more of the following driving offenses: failure to yield or failure to stop, improper backing, passing where prohibited, tailgating, street racing, or hit-and-run. South Dakota is the #19 state in the country for drivers with a rude driving violation on record.

  • Rank among states: #19
  • Percent of drivers in South Dakota with a rude driving violation: 1.7%
• Speeding in South Dakota

  Exceeding the speed limit can endanger others and have a serious impact on your insurance costs. South Dakota is the #27 state in the country for drivers with a speeding ticket on record.

  • Rank among states: #27
  • Percent of drivers in South Dakota with a speeding ticket: 8.3%
• Failure to Yield Rates in South Dakota

  Failing to yield the right of way isn’t just frustrating for other drivers; it’s dangerous, too. South Dakota is the #8 state in the country for drivers with a failure to yield violation on record.

  • Rank among states: #8
  • Percent of drivers in South Dakota with a failure to yield violation: 0.3%

Insurify Insights

Insurify's team of data scientists and content specialists presents Insurify Insights, a series of automotive, home, and health studies focusing on the topics that impact us all. through expert analysis of over 4 million car insurance applications and an array of top data sources, the Insurify Insights team produces new data-driven articles, trend analyses, regional superlatives, and national rankings every week. See Insurify Insights as featured in Forbes, Fox News, USA Today, NPR, and more.