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.
Mark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications
Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
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 there.[1] The average monthly cost of full-coverage auto insurance is $173, compared to the national average of $213, according to Insurify data.
Drivers in the Coyote 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
The average premium for liability-only coverage is $63 per month, compared to the national average of $104.
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.
3 of the cheapest 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.
Insurance Company
IQ Score
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.
Full Coverage
Liability Only
Best For
Safeco
3.8
$113
N/A
Full-coverage insurance
Dairyland
3.3
$185
$62
High-risk drivers
Bristol West
2.2
$202
$76
Liability-only coverage
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.
Our editorial team spent 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. Criteria are weighted by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.
We rate each company on a 1 to 5 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. We update ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
Third-party financial ratings: We use data from AM Best, S&P, Moody's, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 20,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also considered third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the United States, as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
Availability and reach: Insurify identified the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share to score availability and reach.
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.
808
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.
$107/mo
On average, Safeco, a Liberty Mutual company, 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
Very low customer satisfaction ranking in J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study
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.
$63/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.
$193/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.
Consider going somewhere other than Dairyland. Their demands for insurance coverage are outrageous.
Melvin - April 11, 2024
Verified
Expensive Rates!
I'm not a policy holder, but my partner/spouse is a policy holder with Dairyland. I think the way they handle their financial end of things, particularly with monthly billing, could be improved. They don't seem to be very savvy in helping their customers save money on their policies. I know there are other car insurance companies out there that offer much lower monthly rates. Additionally, this company doesn't seem to comply very well with reporting to the DMV, as we keep receiving letters threatening to suspend our driver's license if we don't pay the premiums. However, we have been paying, as reflected in our bank statements. I believe Dairyland needs to listen more to their customers' needs and be clearer in their policy motives.
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.
$76/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.
$204/mo
Part of the Farmers Insurance Group, 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 their motor vehicle record.
Pros
Reputation for working with high-risk drivers
Ample coverage options
Cons
Higher-than average number of complaints, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners
It's been a terrible experience. I paid both my policies in full, yet they decided to charge my bank account and then cancel my policy without notifying me. This has really messed up my finances for the past year. My car insurance has climbed from 116 when I first signed up with them to 183 now.
Mitchell - March 29, 2024
Verified
Difficulties
I've been having difficulties with the mobile app and I can't remove an old policy from my account.
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 numerous 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 collision or comprehensive 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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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]
On average, drivers living in South Dakota pay $63 per month for liability-only policies. You can find the cheapest car insurance options for liability coverage in South Dakota below.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, April 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
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.
Most 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. South Dakota drivers pay a monthly average of $173 for full coverage.
The table below lists the cheapest rates for full-coverage car insurance in South Dakota.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, April 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
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 with another vehicle or if you hit an object like a tree or light pole, collision coverage kicks in to help you pay to repair or replace your vehicle. It also covers rollover accidents and pothole damage.
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, theft, cracked windshields, 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
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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 for three to five years. The frequency and severity of any recorded tickets can also influence specific increases.
For South Dakota-based drivers with a speeding ticket on their record, liability only and full coverage policies cost a monthly average of $106 and $292, respectively. Here are the cheapest average monthly quotes for South Dakota drivers with a speeding ticket.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, April 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
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 for three to five years. But accident forgiveness coverage can help keep your rate from increasing after an accident, provided you bought it before something happened.
Drivers in South Dakota with an at-fault accident on their record pay a monthly average of $103 for liability-only policies and $283 for full-coverage insurance. 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: Monday, April 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
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. A DUI may even cause your insurer to cancel your policy mid-term, or choose not to renew it at the end of your current term.
South Dakota drivers with a DUI violation pay an average of $115 for liability coverage and $317 for full-coverage car insurance, per month. 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: Monday, April 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
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 25, but average rates start to increase a bit for people around the age of 70. Senior drivers may face increased rates due to higher risk of accidents.[6]
South Dakota senior drivers pay a monthly average of $38 for liability-only insurance and $106 for full coverage.
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: Monday, April 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
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 and higher accident rates. 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] If you're younger than 18, you won't be able to buy your own policy without the written consent of a parent or guardian.
For teen drivers in South Dakota, liability-only coverage costs a monthly average of $104, while full-coverage car insurance costs an average of $284 per month. 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: Monday, April 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
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.
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?
South Dakota drivers pay, on average, $173 per month for full-coverage car insurance, and $63 monthly for liability-only coverage. Your rates may be more or less than the state average, depending on many factors, including your age, gender, driving record, and vehicle.
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?
Average South Dakota car insurance costs are cheaper than national averages. Rates are also lower than in neighboring states like Minnesota and Nebraska, where full coverage costs $204 per month, and $213, 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.
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.
Mark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications
Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
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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