South Dakota car insurance costs about $1,269 per year for full coverage and $383 for minimum coverage, based on a 40-year-old driver with good credit and no driving violations. Rates vary depending on your unique profile.
Average Cost of Car Insurance in South Dakota
Updated: August 19, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Car insurance costs range from $336 to $3,480 per year depending on your chosen coverage, driving profile and location.
With rankings of third for minimum coverage and 18th for full coverage, South Dakota offers some of the most budget-friendly car insurance rates in the nation.
Find the cheapest car insurance in South Dakota by deciding on coverage beforehand, researching costs and companies, and comparing multiple quotes.
Average Car Insurance Cost In South Dakota
| Full Coverage | $106 | $1,269 |
| Minimum Coverage | $32 | $383 |
*Rates are for a 40-year-old driver with good credit and no driving violations who is insuring a 2012 Toyota Camry LE. Minimum coverage represents the minimum required liability coverage in the state while full coverage is representative of a 100/300/100 liability policy with a $1,000 deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage.
Average South Dakota Car Insurance Cost by Category
Car insurance varies widely depending on your unique characteristics, location and car. Here are average rates for common categories of drivers so you can see how pricing can vary.
| Young Drivers | $81 | $241 |
| Adult Drivers | $31 | $101 |
| Senior Drivers | $44 | $120 |
| Drivers With An Accident | $46 | $153 |
| Drivers With A DUI | $58 | $201 |
| Drivers With A Speeding Ticket | $38 | $125 |
| Drivers With Bad Credit | $120 | $290 |
| Drivers With Low Income | $74 | $176 |
| Drivers With Newer Cars | $45 | $153 |
| Drivers With Old Cars | $28 | $92 |
*We modified rates based on the same 40-year-old driver profile with these changes: young drivers (16 to 25), adults (26 to 64), seniors (65+), low income (fair credit), bad credit (poor credit), newer cars (2025 Toyota Camry LE), older cars (2007 Toyota Camry LE). Driving violation profiles include only that specific violation.
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Personalized Average South Dakota Car Insurance Costs
Our general driver categories show average rates, but your costs will be different. Use our filterable table below to see personalized rates based on your unique profile.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
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Coverage Level:100/300/100 Full Cov. w/$1,000 Ded.
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Age Group:Adult Drivers
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Gender:Female
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Credit Alignment:Below Fair
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Driving Record:At Fault Accident ($1000-$1999 Prop Dmg)
| 100/300/100 Full Cov. w/$1,000 Ded. | 335 | 4016 |
*Rates for the age groups are based on the following assumptions: young drivers (16 to 25), adults (26 to 64), seniors (65+).
Average South Dakota Car Insurance Cost by City
Your location in South Dakota creates big differences in car insurance costs. Full coverage rates range from $323 per year in Brookings to $1,615 in Glencross. Below you can compare both full and minimum coverage rates for your city and all other residential areas in the state.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
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City:Alachua
*Rates are based on a 40-year-old driver with good credit and a clean record driving a 2012 Toyota Camry LE. Minimum coverage means basic liability required by state law. Full coverage includes 100/300/100 liability limits plus comprehensive and collision with $1,000 deductibles.
Is South Dakota Car Insurance Expensive?
South Dakota ranks third for minimum coverage and 18th for full coverage affordability among the 50 states and Washington, D.C., making it one of the more budget-friendly states. This reflects statewide averages, and affordability rankings for your city differ from the rest of the United States.
Why Is Car Insurance More Expensive In South Dakota?
Below we'll explore the reasons for South Dakota's high car insurance rates:
Economic Factors and Credit Impact
South Dakota allows insurance companies to examine credit scores when determining rates, with drivers having bad credit paying more per year than those with good credit. The state's rural economy can impact residents' credit scores, affecting insurance rates. Economic fluctuations in agriculture and other industries influence the overall insurance risk profile.
Frequent Hail Storms and Severe Weather
South Dakota recorded the largest hailstone in U.S. history in Vivian on June 23, 2010, with a diameter of eight inches. The state faces regular severe thunderstorms with large hail as the main threat, causing car damage. Hail damage to cars is covered by comprehensive auto insurance policies, making this coverage important for South Dakota drivers.
Car Theft and Property Crime
Car theft rates are higher in populated cities like Sioux Falls and Rapid City compared to rural areas. Urban areas experience higher rates of theft and vandalism, contributing to increased insurance costs. However, the state's overall rural nature helps keep comprehensive coverage costs manageable.
Brutal Winter Conditions and Severe Weather
South Dakota experiences brutal winter conditions with temperatures hovering near 0°F. The state sees up to 38 inches of snow per year, with polar atmospheric air masses bringing cold, dry air that creates hazardous winter driving conditions. Black ice is common throughout the state, and strong winds can create whiteouts, making driving very dangerous during winter storms.
Second-Worst State for Drunk Driving
In 2024, South Dakota ranked as the second-worst state for drunk driving incidents, with intoxicated drivers accounting for over a third of traffic fatalities. The state has high numbers of DUI arrests per licensed drivers. South Dakota drivers with a DUI conviction pay more for car insurance than drivers with clean records.
Agricultural Equipment and Farm Car Accidents
South Dakota has thousands of operating farms totaling millions of acres, making farm equipment accidents more common. Farm-related injuries occur regularly, including tractor rollovers and auto collisions. Farm equipment crashes occur on high-speed roads and can involve unfamiliar drivers not expecting slow-moving agricultural equipment.
Limited Urban Areas and Emergency Services
South Dakota's sparse population density means limited emergency services coverage in rural areas. Large cities like Sioux Falls have higher car insurance rates than rural areas due to higher crime rates and accident frequencies. However, rural areas face challenges with longer emergency response times and limited medical facilities.
Wildlife Collision Risks
South Dakota's abundant wildlife population creates collision risks, particularly with deer and other large animals. The state's rural highways and farming areas increase encounters between cars and wildlife, especially during migration seasons. Comprehensive coverage is important for protecting against animal collision damage.
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Traffic Risks
The annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally presents unique challenges with thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts creating heightened traffic risks. The event increases traffic volume and presents elevated risks of alcohol-related accidents during festivities. The influx of visitors unfamiliar with local roads compounds accident risks during the rally period.
How To Lower Car Insurance Costs In South Dakota
Want to save even more on those already-low premiums? Here's how to lower your car insurance costs:
- 1
Decide on coverage needs beforehand
Deciding on your coverage needs is important so you're not oversold on too much coverage. Consider your financial situation, driving habits, car details and risk tolerance when making this decision.
- 2
Research costs and discounts
To save money for your profile, know the average costs for your preferred coverage level. Research car insurance discounts you may qualify for and look into the best home and auto insurance bundles for the most balanced perspective.
- 3
Look into company reputations and coverage options
Cost isn't everything. Consider add-on coverage options and customer experiences with different providers to help narrow down which companies you'd like to compare quotes from. Use resources like industry studies, review forums and public forums like Reddit.
- 4
Compare quotes through multiple means
Compare quotes from multiple companies to find the best deal possible. Use different methods of getting quotes, such as comparison sites and independent agents, since pricing varies widely by method.
Cost of Car Insurance in South Dakota: Bottom Line
South Dakota car insurance costs are among the most affordable in the United States, but smart shopping can still help you save even more. Decide on your coverage needs beforehand, do thorough research and compare quotes from the right insurers.
Cost of Car Insurance in South Dakota: FAQ
Below are answers to frequently asked questions about South Dakota car insurance costs:
How much is South Dakota car insurance per month?
South Dakota car insurance costs $32 for minimum coverage and $106 for full coverage policies. Rates range from $28 to $290 monthly depending on your unique driver profile and coverage choice.
What factors affect South Dakota car insurance costs?
Primary factors include driving history, age and location. Drivers with accidents, violations or those who are young face higher rates, while urban areas cost more than rural ones. Car type, coverage amounts, credit score and annual mileage also impact premiums, along with factors like gender and marital status in some states.
Why is South Dakota car insurance so expensive?
South Dakota experiences brutal winter conditions with up to 38 inches of snow annually and recorded the largest hailstone in U.S. history. The state ranks second-worst nationally for drunk driving incidents and has 81% of crash deaths occurring on rural roads. Despite these risks, South Dakota maintains competitive rates due to low population density, though agricultural equipment encounters create unique hazards.
How expensive is South Dakota car insurance?
With rankings of third for minimum coverage affordability and 18th for full coverage, South Dakota stands out as one of the more budget-friendly destinations for auto insurance across the U.S.
How We Determined South Dakota Car Insurance Costs
We used the following profile and modifications of this profile to determine South Dakota auto insurance costs across all available zip codes and cities in the state:
- 40-years-old
- Clean driving record
- Good credit
- 2012 Toyota Camry LE
Minimum coverage was defined as a state's minimum liability coverage and full coverage is a policy with 100/300/100 liability limits and a $1,000 deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.
sources
- National Severe Storms Laboratory . "Hail Basics ." Accessed August 25, 2025.