Progressive earns South Dakota's top MoneyGeek score at 4.7/5, Farmers Mutual of Nebraska offers the cheapest rates for drivers with violations and young drivers, and Auto-Owners leads customer experience at 5/5. To get the cheapest car insurance in South Dakota, quote Farmers Mutual of Nebraska directly; it doesn't appear on most national comparison websites. Progressive scores highest and holds some of the cheapest rates while offering nine add-ons, an unusual combination in this market.
Best Car Insurance in South Dakota for 2026
Updated: April 26, 2026
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
Progressive earns South Dakota's top MoneyGeek score at 4.7/5, with a minimum coverage of $14 per month and nine coverage add-ons. It's one of the lowest minimum rates in my analysis across any state.
Farmers Mutual of Nebraska, a regional Midwest carrier, offers the lowest rates for drivers with violations, young drivers, bad credit and low-income profiles, as low as $11 per month for older cars.
Progressive leads the MoneyGeek score across all 10 of South Dakota's most populous cities, with rates from $27 per month in Brookings and Watertown to $44 per month in Rapid City.
HOW I DECIDED ON THE BEST CAR INSURANCE IN SOUTH DAKOTA
Mark Fitzpatrick, Licensed Insurance Producer
I analyzed quotes from five South Dakota insurers across every ZIP code in the state. South Dakota ranks among the cheapest states for auto insurance nationally, with low population density, few accidents per driver and regional carriers like Farmers Mutual of Nebraska keeping rates low. South Dakota requires both UM and UIM coverage, and insurers are permitted to use credit scoring in rate-setting.
- Affordability is weighted at 60%
- Customer experience accounts for 30%
- Coverage options make up the remaining 10%
Best Car Insurance Companies in South Dakota
| Progressive | 4.69 | $34 | 2 | 2 |
| Auto-Owners | 4.33 | $64 | 1 | 5 |
| Farmers Mutual Ins Co of NE | 4.24 | $38 | 8 | 7 |
| State Farm | 4.12 | $55 | 4 | 6 |
| Geico | 3.91 | $63 | 5 | 6 |
Best Overall and Best for Young Drivers or Those With a Violation
Progressive
Progressive earns the top score in my South Dakota analysis with some of the lowest rates I found across the entire 50-state series. At $13 per month minimum for a clean-record adult, it holds the lowest or near-lowest clean-record rate in the country, and that advantage extends to DUI-affected drivers ($18 per month and cheapest), seniors ($19 per month and cheapest) and old-car drivers ($12 per month). South Dakota’s low population density and relatively low traffic volume contribute to rates that are exceptional by national standards.
Progressive's nine add-ons, including gap insurance, accident forgiveness, a diminishing deductible and rideshare coverage, give it the broadest coverage menu in South Dakota. Progressive ranks second on customer experience among the five South Dakota insurers I analyzed, behind Auto-Owners. Its agent network earns above-average reviews in the region, though Progressive has drawn some consumer criticism for rate changes at renewal. South Dakota sits in the northern plains hail corridor, and gap insurance and new-car replacement options have real value for drivers whose vehicles are at seasonal risk.
- Affordability (60%): 5/5
- Customer Experience (30%): 4.1/5
- Coverage Options (10%): 4.8/5
Don't pick Progressive if customer experience is your top priority. Auto-Owners has a 5/5 customer experience score and ranks first for service quality in South Dakota, at $33 per month minimum, $20 more per month than Progressive for a clean-record adult. Drivers with bad credit or low income will find Auto-Owners wins the best MoneyGeek score for both profiles.
Best Cheap for Young Drivers or Those With a Violation
Farmers Mutual of Nebraska
Farmers Mutual of Nebraska is an entirely separate company from the national Farmers Insurance brand. The two share no corporate relationship, operate in different markets and price risk differently. Farmers Mutual of Nebraska is a regional Great Plains carrier serving Nebraska, South Dakota and neighboring states. The name overlap creates real confusion: the national Farmers brand is among the most expensive options for South Dakota drivers I analyzed.
Farmers Mutual of Nebraska has the cheapest rates in South Dakota for young drivers ($27 per month), speeding tickets ($19 per month), accidents ($23 per month), bad-credit drivers ($30 per month), low-income drivers ($21 per month) and drivers with older cars ($11 per month). That $11-per-month rate is the lowest I found for any profile in any state in this analysis. Farmers Mutual of Nebraska ranks eighth on customer experience among the five South Dakota insurers I analyzed; its regional footprint means limited national review volume, and its Google Business rating reflects minimal data. Service quality depends on relationships with local agents.
- Affordability (60%): 4.9/5
- Customer Experience (30%): 3.5/5
- Coverage Options (10%): 2.5/5
Don't pick Farmers Mutual of Nebraska if claims service reliability is a priority, and don't confuse it with the national Farmers brand. Auto-Owners holds a 5/5 customer experience score in South Dakota and earns the best MoneyGeek score for bad-credit and low-income drivers. For most South Dakota drivers, Progressive's nine add-ons and $13-per-month clean-record rate make it the stronger all-around pick.
Best for Drivers With Bad Credit or Low Income
Auto-Owners
Auto-Owners wins the bad credit and low-income categories in my South Dakota analysis, with a perfect customer experience score, the highest of any insurer I analyzed. At $128 per month for a bad-credit driver and $70 per month for a low-income driver, it's not the cheapest option for either profile. Farmers Mutual of Nebraska has lower rates for both. But Auto-Owners' perfect customer experience score, top U.S. News ranking and consistently positive consumer reviews point to an insurer whose claims handling is the most reliable in South Dakota.
Bad-credit and low-income drivers often have the least room to absorb a disputed or delayed claim, so the claims relationship matters more for them than for clean-record drivers who rarely file. Auto-Owners' add-on menu includes diminished value protection, and its local-agent model means South Dakota policyholders have a named contact during hail season when comprehensive claims are filed. At $33 per month minimum for a clean-record adult, it's $20 more per month than Progressive but the strongest service-backed option in the state.
- Affordability (60%): 4.2/5
- Customer Experience (30%): 5/5
- Coverage Options (10%): 3.4/5
Don’t pick Auto-Owners if the lowest monthly rate is the priority. Progressive’s $13 per month clean-record minimum and Farmers Mutual of Nebraska’s $30 per month bad-credit rate are both cheaper. Auto-Owners’ case is strongest for drivers who want the best service backing in South Dakota when claims come in.
WHAT IS MY VERDICT?
For most South Dakota drivers, Progressive is the pick. Its 4.7/5 MoneyGeek score, $14 minimum monthly rate, nine add-ons including gap insurance, and near-flat post-violation rates make it the strongest all-around option in one of the country's most affordable insurance markets. Quote Farmers Mutual of Nebraska directly if you have a violation, a young driver in the household or a bad credit profile. Its rates are the cheapest across all three, and it doesn't appear on most national comparison tools. Auto-Owners is the right choice for bad-credit and low-income drivers who put service first. Its perfect 5/5 customer experience score and top MoneyGeek scores for those profiles make it the strongest service-backed option, even at the higher $33 per month baseline.
MORE SOUTH DAKOTA CAR INSURANCE GUIDES
Best Car Insurance in South Dakota by Driver Profile
South Dakota produced the clearest affordability story in my analysis. Progressive earns the top score across nearly every driver profile; Farmers Mutual of Nebraska has the cheapest rates across nearly all the same profiles. The two carriers offer different strengths, and for most South Dakota drivers, quoting both is the single most valuable step. South Dakota requires both UM and UIM coverage, credit scoring is permitted and Farmers Mutual's $11/month older-car rate is the lowest found in the state.
Adult drivers (26 to 64), clean record | Progressive | $13 | $52 |
After a DUI | Progressive | $18 | $74 |
Senior drivers (65+) | Progressive | $19 | $57 |
After a speeding ticket | Progressive | $20 | $82 |
After an at-fault accident | Progressive | $25 | $95 |
Young drivers (16 to 25) | Progressive | $40 | $136 |
Low income | Auto-Owners | $70 | $151 |
Bad credit | Auto-Owners | $128 | $289 |
South Dakota requires both UM and UIM coverage, useful protection in a state with wide-open roads and long distances between towns. With those requirements included, South Dakota still ranks among the most affordable states for auto insurance in the country.
Best Car Insurance in South Dakota by City
Progressive leads the MoneyGeek score across all 10 of South Dakota's most populous cities. The same combination of affordability and coverage depth that drives Progressive's state-level ranking holds at the city level. Rapid City's $44 per month is the highest city average; Brookings and Watertown, at $27 per month, are the lowest. That spread reflects Rapid City's larger population and tourism-driven traffic volume.
Aberdeen | Progressive | 4.70 | $29 |
Brookings | Progressive | 4.70 | $27 |
Huron | Progressive | 4.70 | $31 |
Mitchell | Progressive | 4.70 | $30 |
Pierre | Progressive | 4.70 | $32 |
Rapid City | Progressive | 4.70 | $44 |
Progressive | 4.70 | $35 | |
Vermillion | Progressive | 4.70 | $30 |
Watertown | Progressive | 4.70 | $27 |
Yankton | Progressive | 4.70 | $30 |
Rates vary by ZIP code across South Dakota. Rapid City's higher population density and Black Hills tourism traffic push its average monthly premium above any other city in the state.
How to Find the Best Car Insurance in South Dakota
South Dakota ranks among the cheapest states for auto insurance in the country. The gap between Progressive at $14 per month and GEICO at $27 per month for minimum coverage is $156 per year. Comparison shopping is worthwhile even in an affordable market. Quote both Progressive and Farmers Mutual of Nebraska directly; Farmers Mutual doesn't appear on most national comparison platforms.
- 1
Know South Dakota's Minimum Coverage Requirements
South Dakota requires 25/50/25 liability coverage: $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident and $25,000 for property damage. The state also requires both uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. South Dakota is an at-fault state. PIP is not required but can be added as an optional coverage.
- 2
Quote Farmers Mutual of Nebraska Directly
Farmers Mutual of Nebraska is a regional carrier that doesn't appear on most national comparison tools. It has the cheapest rates across violations, young drivers, bad credit and low income profiles in South Dakota. A direct quote is the only way to access those rates.
- 3
Know That Credit Affects Your Rate
South Dakota permits credit scoring in rate-setting. Farmers Mutual of Nebraska's $30-per-month bad-credit rate is the cheapest available; Auto-Owners earns the best MoneyGeek score at $128 per month for that profile.
- 4
Progressive's Rate Advantage Is Genuine
At $14 per month for a clean-record adult, Progressive's minimum rate in South Dakota is among the lowest in my analysis. Its nine add-ons at that rate mean you're getting substantial coverage depth without paying extra.
- 5
Review Coverage When Violations Clear
South Dakota violations usually age off records after several years. Progressive's near-flat post-violation rates mean the rate drop when a violation clears is modest, but shopping annually captures any changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest car insurance in South Dakota?
Progressive offers the cheapest minimum coverage in South Dakota at $14 per month for a clean-record adult, one of the lowest rates found in any state in my analysis. Farmers Mutual of Nebraska has the cheapest rates for drivers with violations and young drivers, with rates as low as $11 per month for older cars.
How much is car insurance in South Dakota on average?
South Dakota ranks among the most affordable states for auto insurance nationally, with low population density, few accidents per driver and regional carriers keeping rates low. Progressive's minimum coverage starts at $14 per month; full coverage averages around $52 per month for a clean-record adult driver.
What car insurance is required in South Dakota?
South Dakota requires 25/50/25 liability coverage: $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident and $25,000 for property damage. The state also requires both uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. South Dakota is an at-fault state. PIP is not required but can be added as optional coverage.
Is South Dakota a no-fault state?
No. South Dakota is an at-fault state; the driver who causes an accident is financially responsible for the other party's costs. PIP is not required in South Dakota but can be added to your policy.
Does South Dakota allow insurers to use credit scores?
Yes. South Dakota permits auto insurers to use credit scores in rate-setting. Farmers Mutual of Nebraska has the cheapest bad-credit rate at $30 per month; Auto-Owners earns the best MoneyGeek score for that profile at $128 per month.
What is Farmers Mutual of Nebraska and why does it appear in South Dakota?
Farmers Mutual of Nebraska is a regional Midwest carrier that operates in South Dakota and surrounding states. It has the cheapest rates across multiple South Dakota profiles, violations, young drivers and bad credit, but doesn't appear on most national comparison websites. A direct quote is the only way to access its rates.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for almost a decade, first with LendingTree and now with MoneyGeek, conducting original research on hundreds of insurance companies and millions of insurance rates for insurance shoppers.
He writes about economics and insurance on MoneyGeek, breaking down complex topics so people can have confidence in their purchase. Like all MoneyGeek analysts, Mark collects and analyzes independent cost and consumer experience data on insurance companies to provide objective recommendations in our content that are independent of any of MoneyGeek's insurance company partnerships.
His insights on products ranging from car, home and renters insurance to health and life insurance have been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among others.
Mark holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He started his career working in financial risk management at State Street before transitioning to the analysis of the personal insurance market. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!