The best car insurance in South Dakota

Ed Zuccarelli

Published November 15, 2021

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The average cost of full coverage car insurance in South Dakota is $1,618, but costs vary widely depending on where in the state you live. Average rates in Watertown are just $1,366 per year, while drivers in Rapid City pay an average of $1,765 a year for the same coverage.

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No matter where in South Dakota you live, the key to finding your best car insurance rates is shopping around. Policygenius can help you see quotes from top car insurance companies so you can find the coverage you need at an affordable rate.

Key Takeaways

Kemper Insurance is the cheapest car insurance company in South Dakota, at an average rate of $1,128 a year for a full coverage policy
South Dakota requires at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage and $25,000 in property damage liability coverage
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is also required in South Dakota
Comparing coverage options from several companies will help you get the best price

Cheapest car insurance companies in South Dakota

Insurance companies use a variety of factors when setting rates. Some of these, like your driving record, age, your credit score, and the type of car you drive can change over time.

Some companies charge less for coverage than others, but no matter who you are, comparing rates across companies is the easiest way to find your best rates.

Kemper

$1,128

State Farm

$1,148

881

Farmers Mutual of Nebraska

$1,199

GEICO

$1,221

871

USAA

$1,275

890

Cheapest car insurance companies by age in South Dakota

One of the most significant factors in setting a driver’s car insurance rate is their age. Young and inexperienced drivers pay the most for coverage, since they’re more likely to have an accident and need to file a claim.

State Farm

$3,297

Kemper

$2,315

State Farm

$1,837

State Farm

$1,321

Kemper

$1,149

Kemper

$1,133

Kemper

$1,102

Kemper

$1,001

Choosing the right car insurance company in South Dakota

Everyone is different, which means there’s no one best company for every driver. Whether you’re a newly-licensed driver or you’ve been driving for decades and have a spotless record, the only way to find the right car insurance company for you is to shop around and compare quotes before you buy. Policygenius can help you see options from top companies so you can choose the one that’s best for your needs.

Car insurance rates for drivers with driving violations in South Dakota

Any recent accidents or moving violations on your driving record will mean higher rates, and the more serious the violation, the more you’ll pay for car insurance.

While being a safe and careful driver is the best way to keep your rates low, drivers with a less than perfect driving record can compare quotes and still get the best deal possible.

At-fault Accident

$2,098

$1,304

$1,740

$2,095

$1,804

DUI

$4,717

$1,242

$2,649

$3,949

$2,822

Driving with a suspended license

$4,717

$1,242

$1,329

$1,401

$2,683

Driving with an open container

$1,595

$1,242

$1,329

$1,401

$1,971

Driving with expired registration

$1,595

$1,242

$1,329

$1,266

$1,631

Driving without Lights

$1,595

$1,242

$1,329

$1,401

$1,631

Failure to show documents

$1,595

$1,242

$1,329

$1,266

$1,631

Failure to stop at a red light

$1,595

$1,242

$1,329

$1,401

$1,631

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in South Dakota

Generally, car insurance companies charge higher rates to drivers with poor credit scores. Not all states allow this practice, but South Dakota does, and working to improve your credit and shopping around to find your best rates are both good ideas, no matter your credit score.

Kemper

$1,369

GEICO

$1,634

Farmers Mutual of Nebraska

$1,924

Nationwide

$2,037

American Family

$2,310

Car insurance costs in South Dakota cities

Because companies consider local factors like density, accident rates, the number of claims filed, and reports of car theft and vandalism, car insurance rates vary widely by location. Below are the average car insurance rates for the ten largest cities in South Dakota, based on population size:

Sioux Falls: $1,410
Rapid City: $1,765
Aberdeen: $1,389
Brookings: $1,353
Watertown: $1,366
Mitchell: $1,450
Yankton: $1,481
Pierre: $1,613
Huron: $1,468
Vermillion: $1,374

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Buying car insurance in South Dakota

South Dakota requires all drivers to have at least a minimum amount of car insurance, although most drivers need well over the state minimum amounts in order to be fully protected in case of an at-fault accident. The minimum required coverage amounts in South Dakota are:

Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000
Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: $25,000 per person; $50,000 person incident

South Dakota is an at-fault state: That means that the driver responsible for causing an accident must pay for the property damage and injuries to the other party. That’s what your liability insurance is for — and that’s also why it’s smart to get well over the amount of liability car insurance coverage required by law.

How to get cheap car insurance in South Dakota

Compare rates between different companies to make sure you aren’t missing out on a better deal
Car insurance companies offer discounts for things like safe driving, paying your entire premium up front as opposed to monthly billing, and for earning good grades if you’re in school, so see which ones you qualify for
Bundle more than one policy with the same insurance company, like auto and homeowners or renters insurance.
Re-shop for quotes yearly, even if it might mean changing companies to get a better rate

Frequently asked questions

What are collision and comprehensive coverage, and do I need them too?

Collision coverage covers the cost of repairs to your own car if it’s damaged in an accident, even if you were the one at fault. Comprehensive coverage covers the kind of damage that isn’t caused by a collision, like weather damage, theft, fires, vandalism, or animal damage.

Is car insurance mandatory in South Dakota?

Yes. In South Dakota driving without proof of insurance is considered a Class 2 misdemeanor and is punishable by 30 days in jail, a $100 fine, or both. Make sure you have at least the minimum amount of insurance required by law, and always keep proof of insurance with you when you’re driving.

I have more than one car, does that increase my insurance?

Many companies offer a multi-car discount for insuring more than one car under the same policy. How much you pay for insuring multiple cars depends on lots of factors, including the makes and models of your vehicles.

Methodology

Policygenius has analyzed car insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services for every ZIP code in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. For full coverage policies, the following coverage limits were used:

Bodily injury liability: 50/100
Property damage liability: $50,000
Uninsured/underinsured motorist: 50/100
Comprehensive: $500 deductible
Collision: $500 deductible

In some cases, additional coverages were added where required by state or insurer.

Rates for overall average rate, rates by ZIP code, and cheapest companies determined using averages for single drivers ages 30, 35, and 45. Our sample vehicle was a 2017 Toyota Camry LE driven 10,000 miles/year.

Rates for driving violations and “Poor” credit determined using average rates for a single male 30-year-old driver with a credit score under 578.

Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.

Ed Zuccarelli

Freelance contributor

Ed Zuccarelli is a freelance writer and former police officer whose law enforcement experience made him an expert in motor vehicle law and the car insurance industry.