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.
Featured in
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.
Featured in
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.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
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.
Updated November 21, 2024
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Table of contents
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 $147, compared to the national average of $204, 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.
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-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Best For ▲▼ |
---|---|---|---|---|
Safeco | 8.3 | $113 | N/A | Full-coverage insurance |
Dairyland | 7.0 | $185 | $62 | High-risk drivers |
Bristol West | 5.2 | $202 | $76 | Liability-only coverage |
Our editorial team spent more than 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. The team weighted criteria 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 10 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
- Third-party financial ratings: Insurify uses 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 28,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also consider 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 U.S., 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 scores availability and reach by identifying the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share.
Best insurer for full-coverage insurance: Safeco
User Reviews | 4.5 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 8.3 /10 |
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. | $136/mo |
Drivers appreciate the polite and helpful customer service and fair pricing but dislike the significant rate increases and difficulty reaching agents.
Drivers appreciate the polite and helpful customer service and fair pricing but dislike the significant rate increases and difficulty reaching agents.
Sarah
November 10, 2024
Too Expensive
Bonnie
November 2, 2024
The Price of Car Insurance
Harris
October 31, 2024
Just Fine
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.
Cash back for claims-free periods
Wide range of car insurance products
Very low customer satisfaction ranking in J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study
Poor customer reviews
Best insurer for high-risk drivers: Dairyland
User Reviews | 3.6 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 7.0 /10 |
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. | $69/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. | $190/mo |
Drivers appreciate the low prices, honesty, and good customer service but dislike the frequent rate increases.
Drivers appreciate the low prices, honesty, and good customer service but dislike the frequent rate increases.
Oliver
November 5, 2024
Review Option
Stephen
November 5, 2024
Excellent
Pamela
November 4, 2024
Cheaper Coverage
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.
Good customer reviews
No SR-22 filing fee
Relatively high full-coverage premiums
No advertised discounts
Best insurer for liability-only coverage: Bristol West
User Reviews | 3.2 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 5.2 /10 |
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. | $70/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 |
Drivers appreciate the good rates and fast service but dislike the frequent price increases and difficulty in contacting customer support.
Drivers appreciate the good rates and fast service but dislike the frequent price increases and difficulty in contacting customer support.
Misty
November 18, 2024
Limited Budget, Perfect Driving Record Yet My Bill Went Up
Dwayne
November 7, 2024
Sudden increase in monthly payments
Reginald
November 4, 2024
Comparable to Well-Known Brands
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.
Reputation for working with high-risk drivers
Ample coverage options
Higher-than average number of complaints, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners
Limited selection of discounts
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.
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.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
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.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
Direct Auto | $48 |
CSAA | $64 |
Safeco | $68 |
Dairyland | $69 |
Bristol West | $70 |
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 $147 for full coverage.
The table below lists the cheapest rates for full-coverage car insurance in South Dakota.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
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.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
Direct Auto | $115 |
Safeco | $136 |
CSAA | $140 |
Bristol West | $179 |
Dairyland | $190 |
Cheapest recent rates in South Dakota
Drivers using Insurify have found quotes as cheap as $41/mo for liability only and $84/mo for full coverage in South Dakota.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 21, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 21, 2024. 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.
Coverage ▲▼ | Minimum Requirements ▲▼ |
---|---|
Bodily injury liability | $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident |
Property damage liability | $25,000 per accident |
Uninsured/underinsured motorist | $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident |
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
When you make a mistake on the road, the incident can have a big effect on your car insurance costs. Most drivers who have an incident on their driving record — including a speeding ticket, driving under the influence (DUI) charge, or an at-fault accident — tend to pay more for car insurance than drivers with a clean record.[5]
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 $100 and $234, respectively. Here are the cheapest average monthly quotes for South Dakota drivers with a speeding ticket.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
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.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With Speeding Ticket ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Direct Auto | $48 | $67 |
CSAA | $64 | $91 |
Safeco | $68 | $96 |
Dairyland | $69 | $96 |
Bristol West | $70 | $98 |
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 $107 for liability-only policies and $249 for full-coverage insurance. Here are the cheapest average monthly quotes for South Dakota drivers with an at-fault accident.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
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.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With Accident ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Direct Auto | $48 | $73 |
CSAA | $64 | $98 |
Safeco | $68 | $100 |
Dairyland | $69 | $102 |
Bristol West | $70 | $104 |
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 $119 for liability coverage and $279 for full-coverage car insurance, per month. You can find the cheapest average monthly quotes for South Dakota drivers with a DUI below.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
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.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With DUI ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Direct Auto | $48 | $85 |
CSAA | $64 | $103 |
Safeco | $68 | $112 |
Dairyland | $69 | $122 |
Bristol West | $70 | $124 |
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 $43 for liability-only insurance and $99 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.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
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.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Direct Auto | $81 | $34 |
CSAA | $96 | $44 |
Safeco | $106 | $53 |
Bristol West | $130 | $51 |
Dairyland | $137 | $50 |
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 $126, while full-coverage car insurance costs an average of $295 per month. You can begin your search for the cheapest rates by comparing the average monthly quotes for South Dakota teen drivers below.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
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.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Direct Auto | $228 | $95 |
CSAA | $246 | $113 |
Safeco | $283 | $141 |
Bristol West | $329 | $129 |
Dairyland | $335 | $122 |
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
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, $147 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 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 $201 per month, and $205, 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
- 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.
Related articles
More cities in South Dakota
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau. "Quick Facts South Dakota."
- South Dakota Office of Attorney General. "Credit Reporting."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Auto insurance basics—understanding your coverage."
- South Dakota Department of Labor & Regulation. "Automobile Insurance."
- Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Older Adult Drivers."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Auto insurance for teen drivers."
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.
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.
Featured in
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.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
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.