South Dakota Car Insurance Laws and Requirements (2023)

South Dakota law dictates the minimum requirements for insurance coverage that all drivers must carry. All drivers in South Dakota must hold 25/50/25 in liability insurance and 100/300 in uninsured motorist coverage. While personal injury protection isn’t required, it’s suggested for safety. Additionally, drivers can pick from a long list of additional coverages for added protection.

Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in South Dakota

The minimum car insurance requirements in South Dakota^[1] are:

• $25,000 for bodily injury liability per person

• $50,000 for bodily injury liability per accident

• $25,000 for property damage liability per accident

• $100,000 for uninsured motorist coverage per person

• $300,000 for uninsured motorist coverage per accident

Like every state, South Dakota has its own set of laws. Drivers should know that it is an at-fault state, meaning that if you’re found responsible for causing an accident, you and your insurance company have to cover the costs. Anyone found guilty of an at-fault accident needs to pay. For this reason, you might want to consider buying additional coverage to protect yourself.

Bodily Injury Liability

Bodily injury liability is part of your auto insurance policy’s liability car insurance coverage. If you cause an accident, this injury coverage will help cover the other party’s medical expenses. This type of coverage will not cover your own medical expenses for injuries sustained in a car accident you caused. Bodily injury liability coverage is required in South Dakota.

Property Damage Liability

Property damage liability is the other half of your liability car insurance. It covers repair costs and damage expenses to the other cars involved in an accident you caused. This coverage does not cover damage to your own car in an accident you were at fault for, so maybe consider getting more coverage options. Property damage liability coverage is required in South Dakota.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

If an uninsured (or underinsured) driver causes an accident and you suffer bodily injury, then having uninsured motorist coverage will cover your medical expenses. If the at-fault driver surpasses their bodily injury liability coverage limits, your underinsured motorist coverage will cover the rest of your medical expenses. It also helps in the case of hit-and-run accidents.

Is state minimum car insurance enough in South Dakota?

The minimum required car insurance coverage in South Dakota provides drivers with a solid foundation of auto insurance coverage, but it may not be enough for everyone. For example, if you’re found responsible for causing an auto accident and the other party has hospital bills that exceed the $25,000 liability limits for bodily injury, you might be stuck paying out of pocket.

On top of that, South Dakota doesn’t require drivers to carry coverage that would protect them in the case of an at-fault accident. For this reason, it could be worth considering getting medical payments (MedPay) coverage or personal injury protection. If your driving record shows that you’re more likely to get into accidents, getting coverage beyond the minimum limits could help.

Optional Car Insurance Coverage for South Dakota

South Dakota drivers who want to be protected in any situation should consider bolstering the minimum car insurance coverage with the following supplemental car insurance coverages:

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage covers damages to your car after a collision with another vehicle or object. If your vehicle is a total loss, collision coverage will reimburse you for the actual cash value of your vehicle. This is a great addition to the required property damage liability coverage in South Dakota, which applies only to the damages to the other driver’s vehicle.

Comprehensive Coverage

Complementing your collision coverage, comprehensive insurance covers damage to your vehicle that occurs during an event that is not a collision with another vehicle or object. This may apply in situations of vandalism, theft, weather damage, or a run-in with an animal. Adding comprehensive and collision coverage together creates a full-coverage car insurance policy.

Other Supplemental Coverage

No matter what the state’s minimum requirements are, know that you can add extra coverage to your auto insurance policy to tailor it to your exact needs. For example, if you need help paying for a rental car while yours is in the shop getting repaired after an accident, adding rental car reimbursement could help. While it may result in a higher premium, it could be worth it for you.

Or if you would prefer the peace of mind of knowing that you have support in case any car troubles strike, you could consider adding roadside assistance to your policy. This add-on has services that include an on-call tow truck, a flat tire change, jump-starting a dead battery, help if you lock yourself out of your car, and delivering gasoline to your car if you run out.

Penalties for Driving Uninsured in South Dakota

It is illegal to drive in South Dakota without the minimum car insurance coverage. Failing to show proof of insurance to a law enforcement officer when they ask could lead to significant penalties. Like your driver’s license, anyone who gets behind the wheel needs to carry a form of their insurance policy; otherwise, they could face fines, jail time, or even license suspension.

• A fine of $100

• 30 days of jail time

• A combination of both

• Potential license suspension for at least 30 days and up to one year

Minimum Requirements for High-Risk Drivers in South Dakota

Getting a DUI or DWI can really hurt your driving record and raise your auto insurance rates. If you do get your license or driving privileges revoked, state law will require high-risk drivers to show a few extra documents in order to get back on the road. Even getting caught driving without insurance requires drivers to show an SR-22 certificate.

More Information for High-Risk Drivers in South Dakota

DUI Insurance in South Dakota

SR-22 Insurance in South Dakota

Cheapest Minimum Car Insurance in South Dakota

Car insurance companies weigh different factors to determine what to quote drivers on their car insurance policies. Minimum coverage generally means lower car insurance rates. It also means low coverage limits, which may cost you if you’re ever involved in an accident. Here are the cheapest car insurance quotes for minimum coverage in South Dakota.

How to Find Cheap Car Insurance in South Dakota

Protecting yourself, your loved ones, and others on the road is a no brainer. Getting a quality car insurance policy that you can afford should be just as easy. Using Insurify to help you compare car insurance quotes is the best way to save on your monthly premium. Our tools sift through quotes from hundreds of insurance companies to make sure you’re getting the best deals.