Cheapest Car Insurance in South Dakota (November 2025)

Car insurance in South Dakota runs $106 monthly for full coverage, sitting 13% below the national average. Minimum coverage costs $32 per month, which is 44% less than what drivers pay nationwide. The state ranks 18th for full coverage affordability and 3rd for minimum coverage among all states.

Progressive delivers the cheapest rates for both full and minimum coverage across the state in most major cities. Skipping full coverage means you'll pay for your own repairs if you cause an accident, so compare rates to find affordable coverage that works for your budget. MoneyGeek also ranked the best car insurance companies in South Dakota by analyzing rates, customer satisfaction and coverage options, and Progressive topped that list.

For drivers seeking the cheapest full coverage protection, Progressive offers coverage at $55 monthly or $662 annually in South Dakota. The remaining affordable providers include Farmers Mutual Ins Co of NE at $740 per year, followed by State Farm ($1,093 annually), Auto-Owners ($1,142 yearly) and GEICO ($1,186 per year).

Progressive delivers the most affordable minimum coverage car insurance in South Dakota at $14 monthly or $165 annually, helping drivers meet state requirements. South Dakota drivers can choose from several established carriers offering cheap liability-only coverage.

Farmers Mutual Ins Co of NE ranks second at $14 per month, followed by State Farm ($18), Geico ($27) and Auto-Owners ($33), rounding out the top five cheapest liability-only car insurance providers. These options give South Dakota drivers solid alternatives for maintaining legal coverage while keeping premiums low.

South Dakota mandates minimum liability insurance of $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage (25/50/25). These requirements help keep baseline premiums affordable but could leave drivers financially vulnerable during severe collisions. South Dakota's harsh winter conditions increase the risk of accidents throughout the year.

Progressive offers the lowest minimum coverage premiums in most of South Dakota’s largest cities based on MoneyGeek’s analysis, while Farmers Mutual Insurance Co. of Nebraska leads in the remaining markets.

Minimum coverage prices across South Dakota’s major cities range from $11 to $19 per month. Brookings and Watertown share the state’s lowest monthly rate at $11 through Progressive, while Rapid City drivers see the highest at $19 with Farmers Mutual Insurance Co. of Nebraska. Most mid-sized cities fall between $12 and $16 per month.

Young drivers aged 16 to 25 in South Dakota have high insurance costs, but choosing wisely can deliver major savings. Farmers Mutual Ins Co of NE offers the most affordable full coverage at $92 monthly, running 63% below the state average for this age bracket. Progressive comes in second at $136 per month, while State Farm rounds out the top three at $193 per month.

Adults between 26 and 64 will find Progressive leads the pack with full coverage at just $52 per month. Farmers Mutual Ins Co of NE stays competitive at $58 monthly, and GEICO provides solid coverage options at $90 per month.

Senior drivers aged 65 and older get their best value from Progressive at $57 monthly for full coverage, which sits 54% under South Dakota's senior driver average. Farmers Mutual Ins Co of NE takes second place at $62 per month, followed by GEICO at $92 per month for comprehensive protection.

Traffic violations and poor credit can raise car insurance costs for South Dakota drivers. Maintaining a spotless driving record helps keep premiums affordable, but violations such as speeding tickets, at-fault crashes, texting while driving or DUI convictions will push your rates much higher. 

Credit scores also play a major role in determining what you'll pay. Farmers Mutual Ins Co of NE provides the most affordable coverage for most high-risk situations, though Progressive beats them out for DUI offenses.

• Cheapest With a DUI: Progressive ($69 per month)
• Cheapest With a Speeding Ticket: Farmers Mutual Ins Co of NE ($69 per month)
• Cheapest With a Texting While Driving Violation: Farmers Mutual Ins Co of NE ($72 per month)
• Cheapest With an At-Fault Accident: Farmers Mutual Ins Co of NE ($78 per month)
• Cheapest for Bad Credit: Farmers Mutual Ins Co of NE ($105 per month)

Compare quotes from national and regional insurers to find the lowest rates in South Dakota. Smaller carriers often challenge big-name companies here, especially in rural and mid-sized towns. Bundling policies, improving your credit and asking about safe-driver discounts can also reduce your monthly insurance bill.

Buying minimum coverage is another way to save, but it comes with limits. South Dakota's 25/50/25 liability requirement meets state law but leaves you exposed if you cause a costly accident. Without collision coverage, you'll pay to fix your own vehicle. Comprehensive insurance helps with theft, storm damage and vandalism, which is important in a state that regularly ranks among the top 20 for auto theft rates.

In 2023, the typical bodily injury claim reached about $22,734, placing it within a few hundred dollars of South Dakota's $25,000 per-person minimum. That narrow margin shows how quickly expenses can exceed state limits.

Progressive is South Dakota's most affordable car insurance option for the majority of drivers. Choosing based solely on price can be risky; prioritize purchasing sufficient coverage within your budget to protect your financial assets in the event of an accident.

Our insurance experts tackle frequently asked questions about securing affordable car insurance in South Dakota.

South Dakota drivers juggle high traffic volume in Sioux Falls, weather risks and rates that run 13% below the national average for full coverage. We compared rates across South Dakota's metro areas, suburbs and rural communities to find the best value.

Our Research Approach

We pulled quotes from 12 insurers across every South Dakota ZIP code using data from the state's Division of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services. The numbers tell the story: rural drivers in small towns pay far less than Sioux Falls commuters stuck on I-29, and our statewide sweep catches all those pricing differences. Our analysis included more than 200 million rate comparisons to identify consistent patterns in pricing and coverage availability.

We started with a baseline driver profile that represents South Dakota's median demographic:

• 40-year-old male
• 2012 Toyota Camry LE
• Clean driving record
• 12,000 miles driven annually
• Good credit
• Valid license
• Currently insured
• No claims history
  

This profile serves as our control group. We then adjusted specific variables (age, driving violations, credit score) to analyze how South Dakota insurers price risk for different driver types. This approach reveals which companies specialize in certain demographics and which maintain competitive rates across all profiles. 

Coverage Levels We Compared

South Dakota requires minimum liability coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 per accident for property damage. We used these exact limits for minimum coverage comparisons since that's what most budget-conscious South Dakota drivers carry.

For full coverage analysis, we used higher liability limits that better protect drivers in serious accidents:

• $100,000 for bodily injury liability per person
• $300,000 for bodily injury liability per accident
• $100,000 for property damage liability

Comprehensive and collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible. Most insurance agents in South Dakota push these higher limits once you mention Rapid City winter conditions or Sioux Falls traffic. Multi-car accidents on I-90 during blizzards eat through that $25,000 state minimum fast. Go with the $1,000 deductible to cut your monthly bill, just make sure you've got a grand stashed away.