7+ years writing insurance and personal finance content
Contributor to top media, including USA Today
A passionate personal finance advocate, Sarah’s writing has graced the pages of many of the personal finance and insurance industries’ top web publications.
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
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South Dakota has an expansive landscape of hills, plateaus, plains, and mountains. Not a densely populated state, South Dakota has about 12 people per square mile, which may explain why car insurance is affordable.[1] The average monthly cost of auto insurance is $195 — 8% less than the national average of $212.
Drivers in the state can find the cheapest car insurance options through Safeco, Bristol West, and CSAA. Insurers look at a range of factors when determining your insurance premiums, including your age, marital status, and driving record.
Here’s what you should know about finding cheap coverage in South Dakota.
Quick Facts
Auto insurers in South Dakota can consider your credit history when determining your premium.[2]
Because South Dakota is an at-fault state, the driver who caused the accident is responsible for covering the other driver’s vehicle damage and bodily injury.
The average liability-only premium of $141 per month in South Dakota is higher than the average cost in neighboring North Dakota and Minnesota.
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Best car insurance companies in South Dakota
The right car insurance company for you will vary based on the factors of your unique situation. However, some of the best car insurance companies in South Dakota consistently offer affordable auto insurance rates to drivers.
Shopping around to compare quotes on your own is always a good idea. But consider starting your search by learning about some of the most affordable South Dakota car insurance companies.
Best insurer for liability-only coverage: Bristol West
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
2.2
A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$75/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$201/mo
Bristol West offers the lowest average minimum-coverage car insurance premiums to South Dakota drivers. The company commonly works with high-risk drivers, explicitly stating a willingness to work with drivers who have poor credit, no credit, or a DUI on record.
Pros
Reputation for working with high-risk drivers
Ample coverage options
Cons
Poor customer reviews
Limited selection of discounts
Too expensive.
Gregory - August 26, 2023
Verified
The agents are nice, but the price seems high.
Ashley - March 17, 2023
Verified
It’s a great company, but the renewal fee went up too much.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
3.7
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
825
A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$117/mo
On average, Safeco offers the most affordable full-coverage insurance premiums to South Dakota drivers. In addition to reasonable rates, safe drivers can earn cash back for claims-free periods. And if you do need to file a claim, Safeco will connect you via its Guaranteed Repair Network to get your vehicle repaired as soon as possible.
Pros
Cash back for claims-free periods
Wide range of car insurance products
Cons
Below-average ranking in J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study
Poor customer reviews
They are really patient over the phone, and anytime I can change something on my policy online.
Mildred - August 30, 2023
Verified
Concern-free claims processing.
Billy - August 26, 2023
Verified
My rates have risen twice since being with them with no notice. They also screwed up my account by using the wrong Vin number.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
3.3
A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A+
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$62/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$179/mo
Dairyland offers relatively affordable liability-only coverage premiums and regularly works with high-risk drivers. The company doesn’t advertise any discounts. Unlike many companies, Dairyland doesn’t typically charge high-risk drivers an SR-22 filing fee.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in South Dakota
Liability-only auto insurance covers property damage and bodily injury you cause to others during an accident. For example, after an at-fault accident your liability insurance policy might help you pay for the other driver’s repair costs or medical bills.
Since liability-only car insurance is the minimum amount of coverage you need to buy, it often comes with cheaper premiums. But after an at-fault accident, you’ll have to pay to repair your own vehicle if you don’t have additional coverage.[3]
You can find the cheapest car insurance options for liability coverage in South Dakota below.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in South Dakota
A full-coverage car insurance policy offers more financial protection than liability-only coverage. In addition to liability coverage, full-coverage policies also include comprehensive and collision insurance. After an accident or other type of incident, your insurer will help you cover repairs to your own vehicle.
Some drivers with an auto loan or lease might need to carry full coverage, per lender requirements. However, the increased coverage for your vehicle can offer financial security and vehicle protection for all drivers — especially people with new or high-value vehicles.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Car insurance requirements in South Dakota
South Dakota drivers must carry a minimum amount of car insurance. It’s illegal to operate your vehicle on public roadways without the necessary liability and underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage.[4] South Dakota is an at-fault state, which means drivers responsible for an accident must cover the costs of resulting damage and injury.
Below, you can find the specific minimum-coverage requirements based on state law.
If you want more protection than the bare minimum amount of coverage offered, consider the following common optional coverages:
Collision
After a car accident, collision coverage kicks in to help you pay to repair or replace your vehicle.
Comprehensive
This coverage helps you pay for damages to your vehicle from a non-collision incident. For example, it typically covers damage from fire, vandalism, or severe weather.
Medical payments
Following an auto accident, this coverage can pay for medical and funeral expenses for you and your passengers who experience bodily injury. This coverage applies regardless of fault.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket
When you get a speeding ticket, you’ll typically need to pay a fine. A speeding ticket on your driving record can also lead insurance companies to view you as a higher-risk driver than before. With that new red flag, most drivers with speeding tickets tend to pay higher auto rates. The frequency and severity of any recorded tickets can also influence specific increases.
Here are the cheapest average monthly quotes for South Dakota drivers with a speeding ticket.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident
An at-fault auto accident can represent a greater likelihood of having another accident and filing future claims. Insurance companies tend to account for this possibility by increasing auto insurance premiums for drivers with one or more recorded at-fault accidents.
Here are the cheapest average monthly quotes for South Dakota drivers with an at-fault accident.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI
Due to the severity of a moving violation like a DUI, drivers usually face significantly higher car insurance premiums. Not only do drivers with a DUI tend to pay more for insurance than drivers with a clean record, but they also typically pay more than drivers with less serious offenses like a speeding ticket or minor accident.
You can find the cheapest average monthly quotes for South Dakota drivers with a DUI below.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest car insurance for seniors
Most insurance companies take your age into account when determining your insurance premiums. Drivers typically benefit from decreasing car insurance rates after the age of 35, but average rates start to increase a bit for people around the age of 75. Older drivers may face increased rates due to higher fatal crash rates and new risks associated with aging.[6]
Taking the time to shop around for car insurance from multiple insurers can help you lock in the lowest rates. Here are some of the cheapest average monthly quotes for South Dakota senior drivers.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest car insurance for teens
Teenage drivers tend to face the highest car insurance costs by age group due to a lack of experience driving. Insurance companies usually compensate for this risk with higher auto premiums.
Though young drivers can expect relatively high rates, you can earn savings in a few ways. Consider cutting your insurance costs by choosing to drive a safe vehicle, increasing your insurance deductible, getting coverage from your parents’ insurance company, and maintaining good grades.[7]
You can begin your search for the cheapest rates by comparing the average monthly quotes for South Dakota teen drivers below.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
How to get the cheapest car insurance in South Dakota
Cheap car insurance is a top priority for most drivers. If you want to avoid overpaying for this necessary expense, implement the strategies below while searching for the right insurer.
Shop around. Every insurance company has a slightly different method of determining rates. You can find the lowest cost for you by shopping around for coverage from multiple insurers.
Ask for a discount. Many auto insurance companies offer discount options. Some common discounts reward loyal customers, safe drivers, military members, and good students. It never hurts to ask if you qualify for any insurance discounts.
Raise your deductible. A higher deductible tends to result in lower insurance premiums. Don’t increase your deductible unless you can afford to cover it unexpectedly.
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South Dakota car insurance quotes by credit tier
South Dakota insurance companies can use your credit history when determining premiums. Though other factors also affect your rates, drivers with an excellent or good credit score typically pay less for car insurance than drivers with a fair or poor credit score.
If you need to work on improving your credit score to pay less for car insurance, review your credit report for mistakes and make sure you pay all your bills on time.
Below, you can find the average monthly full-coverage car insurance premium by credit tier in South Dakota.
Rates by Credit Tier
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
South Dakota car insurance FAQs
You don’t need to feel overwhelmed when deciding how much coverage you need and what insurer to choose in South Dakota. The following information should help you navigate the process of buying auto coverage in the state.
How much is car insurance in South Dakota?
On average, car insurance in South Dakota is $195 per month. Drivers pay $249 per month for full-coverage insurance and $141 per month for liability-only coverage. Your specific premium will depend on your driving record, age, credit history, insurer, chosen coverage, and more.
What are the best car insurance companies in South Dakota?
The best car insurance company in South Dakota is State Auto, due to its Insurify Quality (IQ) Score of 3.8 out of 5 and a below-average number of customer complaints on the NAIC complaint index. Other top insurers in the state include Safeco and CSAA.
Is car insurance cheaper in South Dakota?
At $195 per month, car insurance in South Dakota is cheaper than the national average of $212 per month. Drivers nearby in Nebraska also pay $195 per month, but people in North Dakota and Minnesota pay lower average rates of $152 and $180 per month, respectively.
Is it illegal to drive without insurance in South Dakota?
Yes. Driving without insurance in South Dakota is illegal. South Dakota residents must purchase a minimum of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability, $25,000 per accident in property damage liability, and $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
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
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%
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 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%
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%
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%
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.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
No additional coverage
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Sarah Sharkey is a personal finance writer who enjoys helping people make savvy financial decisions. She covered insurance and personal finance topics. You can find her work on Business Insider, Money Under 30, Rocket Mortgage, Bankrate, and more. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
Edited byKatie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
Katie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Bristol West
Safeco
Dairyland
