To help you find the best car insurance in South Dakota that suits your preferences, MoneyGeek ranked the top car insurance companies in the state based on affordability, customer service, price and more. Factors such as driving record, location and age play an essential role in determining car insurance premiums. If you want the best rates for your auto insurance, comparing several quotes can land you the most affordable option for your needs. MoneyGeek's rankings reveal a potential savings of $453 when comparing car insurance costs from top-rated companies in South Dakota.
The Best Cheap Car Insurance in South Dakota for 2021
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Cheapest Car Insurance Companies and Quotes in South Dakota
Getting an affordable car insurance policy in this state depends on numerous individualized attributes such as age, driving history, marital status and vehicle type. MoneyGeek ranked companies that provide the cheapest car insurance in South Dakota regarding their average annual rates for comprehensive and collision coverage. Taking the time to compare car insurance quotes from different insurers helps you determine how much you will pay for your policy.
Average Comprehensive and Collision Rates in South Dakota
- CompanyAnnuallyMonthly
- 1. USAA$561$47
- 2. State Farm$675$56
- 3. Farmers Mutual of Nebraska$718$60
- 4. GEICO$751$63
- 5. Farmers$796$66
The premiums are approximate prices for the average driver. Each carrier utilizes factors like driving record, credit score, age and vehicle type to calculate their annual costs. Some companies offer larger discounts for students with good grades or senior citizens who have a clean driving record. That is why you need to shop around for the most affordable car insurance in South Dakota.
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Cheapest Liability Car Insurance in South Dakota
Liability-only car insurance may be a potential option for some drivers. This includes coverage for third-party damages and medical expenses if you are responsible for an accident. If you are still making payments on your car, it can be a good idea to get comprehensive and collision coverage. In most states, there is a mandatory minimum liability requirement for car insurance. Drivers can also opt for higher coverage levels for better protection in case of accidents. In South Dakota, Farmers Mutual of Nebraska offers the cheapest option for most drivers for both the state minimum and a higher 50/100/50 coverage option.
Average Cost for Liability Coverage
- CompanyAnnuallyMonthly
- 1. USAA$172$14
- 2. Farmers Mutual of Nebraska$257$21
- 3. GEICO$314$26
- 4. State Farm$319$27
- 5. Farmers$377$31
The Best Car Insurance Companies in South Dakota for 2021
MoneyGeek uses a specialized scoring system to identify the best car insurance companies. The scoring system comprises factors like affordability, customer satisfaction and financial strength.
To get the final ratings, MoneyGeek used a combination of unique pricing data, AM Best’s financial strength ratings and J.D. Power’s customer satisfaction study, which are industry standards for insurance company ratings. The overall scores are out of 100.
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2
Auto-Owners Insurance CoScore: 97.5
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9
American FamilyScore: 77.5
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While USAA scores highly in many areas, this provider is only available to military members, veterans and their families.
Market Share by Company
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners reported that State Farm was the largest insurer in South Dakota in 2019. The other biggest brands in the state are listed below.
- CompanyMarket Share
- 1. State Farm18.7%
- 2. Progressive14.9%
- 9.6%
- 4. Farmers Mutual of Nebraska5.2%
- 5. Farmers4.6%
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What Is the Average Cost of Car Insurance in South Dakota?
Car insurance costs differ from one company to another due to several unique factors. MoneyGeek’s average rates represent comprehensive and collision insurance costs for a 40-year-old male driver with a Toyota Camry and no accident history.
Your car insurance premium may vary from the state’s average costs based on your driving history, age, coverage level and location.
- Average Driver: $817
- DUI: $1,395
- Speeding Ticket: $941
- Poor Credit Score: $1,273
- Seniors: $821
- Students: $2,020
Cheapest Car Insurance for Drivers With a DUI in South Dakota
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2018, every 50 minutes, a fatal accident occurred due to drinking and driving. In South Dakota, the CDC reports that 2.7% of drivers reported driving after drinking too much in the last 30 days and 423 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes between 2009 and 2018.
A DUI can not only negatively impact your insurance rates but can result in jail time, even for first-time offenders. While every state is different, South Dakota takes DUIs very seriously. First offenders are charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor and all driving privileges are revoked for a minimum of 30 days. The punishment gets worse with repeat offenses. The following table provides an estimate of the insurance premium increase you can expect to see if you find yourself facing a DUI charge in South Dakota.
Average Car Insurance Rates With a DUI
- CompanyAnnuallyMonthly
- 1. State Farm$735$61
- $820$68
- 3. Farmers$1,100$92
- 4. USAA$1,130$94
- 5. Progressive$1,140$95
Getting a DUI doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be paying an arm and a leg for insurance for the rest of your life. Since your rates could increase for several years, it’s best to shop insurance quotes regularly, maintain a good driving record and follow all DUI conviction requirements set by your state. Once the DUI is off your record, you may want to apply with a new insurance company to get a lower rate.
Cheapest Car Insurance With Tickets in South Dakota
Distracted driving causes more than 100 fatalities a year in South Dakota, according to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA). A speeding or distracted driving ticket can lead to a large increase in insurance rates. If you’re penalized with a reckless driving ticket, your rates will rise. The following table provides the average cost of insurance per month for drivers in South Dakota who have a ticket on their record.
Average Car Insurance Rates With a Ticket
- CompanyAnnuallyMonthly
- 1. USAA$644$54
- 2. State Farm$735$61
- 3. Farmers Mutual of Nebraska$782$65
- $820$68
- 5. GEICO$877$73
There’s no blanket increase in the extra premium you’ll pay if you get a speeding or distracted driving ticket. There’s also not a one-size-fits-all answer to how long it will stay on your record. Often, insurance companies will allow first-time offenders to participate in an online driver’s school to remove points from a record. It’s best to get a complete understanding of the real costs of distracted driving and buckle down on being safe behind the wheel.
Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in South Dakota for Drivers With Bad Credit
You may be wondering how your credit score is linked to your insurance premiums. Insurance companies look at your score and see that it represents your ability to pay your insurance premium on time. South Dakota ranks highly when it comes to credit scores, tieing North Dakota for the second-highest average FICO score in the nation at 727. However, drivers with a poor credit score can expect estimates similar to the following rates.
Average Car Insurance Rates for Drivers With Bad Credit
Poor credit history has been linked to more insurance claims, which is why those with bad credit often get higher premiums — the insurance company sees you as a higher risk to insure. The good news is there is always room to improve your credit score. Once your credit score increases, you can shop for new auto insurance to lower your rates and save money.
Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in South Dakota for Seniors
According to the NHTSA, more than 17.7% of fatal South Dakota accidents in 2017 were caused by drivers over the age of 65. While South Dakota doesn’t have specific laws and regulations in place for senior drivers, they’re subject to the state’s general rules of having to renew their license every five years and pass a vision test with each renewal. The state may also impose driving restrictions on senior drivers. Such restrictions may include no driving at night or only driving within 50 miles of home. Below are a few examples of monthly costs for senior auto insurance rates in South Dakota.
Average Car Insurance Rates for Seniors
- CompanyAnnuallyMonthly
- 1. USAA$608$51
- 2. State Farm$648$54
- 3. Farmers Mutual of Nebraska$669$56
- 4. GEICO$702$59
- $830$69
Seniors’ auto insurance rates are affected by a variety of factors, such as driving history, claims history and overall health. Finding cheap car insurance for seniors in South Dakota just requires shopping a variety of quotes to find what fits your driving habits best.
Cheapest Car Insurance for Students in South Dakota
Like many states, South Dakota has implemented a graduated license plan for teens that has new young drivers following a strict licensing program before becoming fully licensed. Teens can get their first permit at age 14. Then, after 180 days, they can graduate to a Restricted Minor's Permit and then graduate into a full license six months later. Insurance is required from the instruction permit phase, but families can usually get a discount by adding a child to their existing policy.
Teens and student drivers in South Dakota can qualify for a variety of discounts offered to those with good grades, those in college and those who go to school at least 100 miles away from home and don’t regularly use their car.
The truth is that teen drivers simply lack the experience to be good drivers, which makes them a higher risk to insure. According to the Department of Public Safety, drivers under 19 years old account for 16% of drivers involved in crashes in South Dakota. Since parents are typically the ones covering these costs, it’s worth it to talk to your child about safe driving habits. In the meantime, the following table provides a look at the possible rate increases you can expect when you add a teen driver to your policy.
Average Car Insurance Rates for Students
- CompanyAnnuallyMonthly
- 1. Allstate$1,560$130
- 2. State Farm$1,984$165
- 3. Progressive$2,087$174
- 4. GEICO$2,115$176
- 5. Allied$2,365$197
Insurance Rate Information for Military Drivers and Veterans
More than 2,800 active-duty military members currently reside in South Dakota and those members, as well as veterans, qualify for a variety of military discounts on car insurance. While South Dakota requires all drivers to carry insurance, some companies will work exclusively with military and vets. The Department of Public Safety for South Dakota has a variety of resources available for military families to assist with their insurance needs.
Insurance companies in South Dakota will also work with the military who may need to suspend their insurance while on active duty or extend coverage out of state. The below table breaks down the average costs per month of insurance for military members in South Dakota.
Average Rates for South Dakota service members
25 years$1,280
50 years$930
50 years$930
25 years$1,164
50 years$925
50 years$925
Car Insurance in South Dakota: What You Need to Know
According to the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation, anyone who operates a vehicle must prove financial responsibility for that vehicle, usually in the form of auto insurance. Mandatory coverages include bodily injury liability, property damage liability and uninsured motorist coverage.
Proof of Insurance in South Dakota
If you have insurance, you need to carry your insurance card in the car at all times. The card should include your insurance company's name, your policy number and the dates of coverage.
You'll need to show it when:
- A law enforcement officer asks for it
- You register or renew your vehicle
- You are in an accident
If you don't want to carry a physical card, South Dakota allows drivers to carry proof of insurance on a smartphone.
Minimum Liability Insurance Requirements in South Dakota
South Dakota requires that you carry minimum auto coverage:
- $25,000 for injuries to one person
- $50,000 for injuries per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
- $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person
- $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident
Insurance industry experts and consumer groups recommend that if you can afford it, you should get more liability insurance than the state minimum mandates.
While most drivers purchase auto insurance to cover their car, the state allows the following options instead of insurance:
- Surety bond with the state
- Self-insurance (if you own 26 vehicles or more for business)
- $50,000 certificate of deposit
These alternatives require significant cash reserves. You can also lose that money with one accident, so most people elect insurance.
High-Risk Auto Insurance Program in South Dakota
If you are a high-risk driver due to DUIs or reckless driving tickets, then you may have a more difficult time obtaining insurance coverage in South Dakota. If you cannot purchase insurance because of your driving history, you can seek out the South Dakota Automobile Insurance Plan. As long as you meet the requirements, you can receive insurance under the program.
How Much Coverage Do You Need in South Dakota?
Even though South Dakota has a minimum insurance requirement, that coverage may not fully cover you in the event of an accident. The Insurance Information Institute advises that drivers carry liability coverage of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident, which is well above the state’s minimum.
South Dakota ranks fourth in the country for deer-related accidents, which may be reason enough to carry comprehensive insurance covering non-traffic events beyond your control.
South Dakota drivers may also want to consider collision insurance, which pays for auto repair or replacement if you're in an accident.
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sources
- AIPSO. "South Dakota Automobile Insurance Plan." Accessed March 7, 2020.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Sobering Facts: Alcohol-Impaired Driving State Fact Sheets." Accessed March 7, 2020.
- Department of Public Safety. "South Dakota Veteran & Active Duty Drivers." Accessed March 7, 2020.
- Division of Insurance Consumer Information. "Division of Insurance Consumer Information - Automobile Insurance." Accessed March 7, 2020.
- Experian. "2019 Consumer Credit Report." Accessed March 7, 2020.
- Governing. "Military Active-Duty Personnel, Civilians by State." Accessed March 7, 2020.
- Insurance Information Institute. "Facts + Statistics: Alcohol-impaired driving." Accessed March 7, 2020.
- Insurance Information Institute. "Facts + Statistics: Deer vehicle collisions." Accessed March 7, 2020.
- National Association of Insurance Companies. "2018 Market Share Reports for Property/Casualty Groups." Accessed March 7, 2020.
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "Traffic Safety Facts." Accessed March 7, 2020.
- NOLO. "South Dakota Driving Laws for Seniors and Older Drivers." Accessed March 7, 2020.
- South Dakota Department of Public Safety. "South Dakota Crash Analysis Tool." Accessed March 7, 2020.
- South Dakota Legislative Research Center. "Codified Law 32-23-2." Accessed March 7, 2020.