The Cheapest Car Insurance in South Dakota for 2022

Farmers Mutual of Nebraska offers South Dakota residents the most affordable auto insurance policies. However, additional factors such as driving history, age, coverage level and credit score can all affect premiums.

State Farm is the cheapest option for a driver seeking additional coverage, along with individuals who have a DUI on their driving record. While USAA offers the most affordable liability-only and full-coverage policies, only current and former military personnel qualify for the company's coverage.

For those looking for an even more local solution, we also broke down the cheapest companies by city, as well as the best car insurance companies in South Dakota for those looking to balance quality service and cost.

To find out how MoneyGeek calculated the cheapest car insurance in South Dakota, read our methodology.

cheapestauto insuranceSouth Dakota2022

The Cheapest Car Insurance in South Dakota

Cheapest for minimum liability - Farmers Mutual of Nebraska

Cheapest for full coverage - State Farm

Cheapest for drivers with a DUI - State Farm

Cheapest after an accident - USAA

Cheapest for drivers with a ticket - State Farm

Cheapest for drivers with bad credit - Farmers Mutual of Nebraska

Cheapest for senior drivers - State Farm

Cheapest for student drivers - Allstate

Drivers looking for the cheapest car insurance in South Dakota should consider a liability-only policy. It has basic coverage that meets the state minimum car insurance requirements.

Based on MoneyGeek’s study, the cheapest car insurance companies for South Dakota drivers with minimum coverage are:

• Farmers Mutual of Nebraska: $257 per year
• GEICO: $314 per year

USAA has an even cheaper average annual rate of $172 but its policies are exclusively available to current and former military members and their families. The most expensive car insurance for minimum coverage is from American Family, which has an average annual rate of $461.

Cheapest Minimum Car Insurance in South Dakota

These prices are only estimates based on rates for an average South Dakota driver and should not be used to compare insurance prices.

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Full coverage policies with higher liability limits and comprehensive and collision insurance provide protection against most road and non-road accidents in South Dakota. They cost more than minimum coverage but offer protection for damages to your car. If you want to find the best car insurance policy, compare quotes from multiple auto insurers.

Based on average rates, the cheapest full coverage car insurance companies in South Dakota are:

• State Farm: $675 per year
• Farmers Mutual of Nebraska: $718 per year

If you or a family member are in the military, USAA's average annual rate of $561 is the most affordable option for full coverage. Progressive, which has an average rate of $1,014 per year, is the most expensive carrier for a full coverage policy.

Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance in South Dakota

Individual premiums depend on the circumstances and needs of the driver and will be different from the examples provided. These rates are based on a policy with comprehensive and collision insurance that covers up to $100,000 for bodily injury per person, $300,000 for bodily injury per accident and $100,000 for property damage per accident.

It is important to get personalized quotes from multiple carriers in South Dakota. Most of the largest auto insurance companies in the state allow interested drivers to get a reasonably accurate quote on their website.

• Make sure you use a consistent coverage level and limit when comparing quotes. If you ask one company for a quote for a comprehensive and collision insurance policy with a $500 deductible, use similar requirements with other insurers.
• Most of South Dakota's insurance providers offer online quotes. MoneyGeek’s auto insurance calculator compares costs for an average driver. For a more personalized quote, you'll need to provide specific details relating to your driver profile. You can also check MoneyGeek’s price data and use them to determine which company’s website to visit.
• USAA, Farmers Mutual of Nebraska and GEICO have the cheapest car insurance rates for the average driver. You can start your search by getting quotes from these carriers.

Auto Insurance Calculator

State

South Dakota

Age

30-65

Driving Record

Clean

Credit Score

Excellent

Vehicle Type

Compact

Vehicle Year

2020

Liability Coverage

State Min

Comprehensive and Collision Insurance

None

Gender

Female

Add Student Driver

Average Annual Auto Insurance Rates

Click the section of the wheel in your price range to see options.

low end

on average

high end

Click your preferred price range to see company options.

Click an insurer below to visit their review page or continue to your personalized quote.

Company

Average Annual Rates

1.

USAA

$183

2.

Farmers Mutual of Nebraska

$261

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A serious driving violation like a DUI will increase a driver’s car insurance rates in South Dakota. A DUI might also require a South Dakota driver to file an SR-22.The average cost of auto insurance for a driver with a clean record is $817 per year. That rate increases to an average of $1,395 for drivers with a DUI.

The cheapest auto insurance carriers in South Dakota for drivers with a DUI and full coverage are:

• State Farm: $735 per year
• American Family: $820 per year

Meanwhile, GEICO has the most expensive coverage for a driver with a DUI, averaging $2,422 annually.

Average Car Insurance Rates With a DUI

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 above 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.

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.

Insurance rates in South Dakota will likely increase if a provider deems you "at fault" in an accident. On average, a driver with an at-fault accident on their record pays $1,092 annually in the state.

For drivers with a history of at-fault accidents in South Dakota, these two insurance companies offer the most affordable rates, on average:

• State Farm: $796 per year
• American Family: $820 per year

USAA offers the lowest average quote in the state for this category, at $746 per year. However, their policies are only available to active and retired military personnel, along with their families.

Cheapest Car Insurance With an At-Fault Accident

Even minor driving violations, such as tickets, can increase your car insurance rates in South Dakota. The average cost of auto insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket is $941 per year, which is $124 more than the average annual rate for those with clean driving records.

The cheapest car insurance company in South Dakota for drivers with a speeding ticket are:

• State Farm: $735 per year
• Farmers Mutual of Nebraska: $782 per year

For military members and their families, USAA's $644 average annual rate for South Dakota drivers with tickets is likely the cheapest option.

Average Car Insurance Rates With a Ticket

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 above table provides the average cost of insurance per month for drivers in South Dakota who have a ticket on their record.

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.

South Dakota car insurers tend to charge drivers with poor credit scores higher rates. The average auto insurance price for drivers with bad credit is $1,273 per year. Drivers with healthy credit scores pay an average of $817 per year.

The cheapest car insurance companies for South Dakota drivers with poor credit and full coverage are:

• Farmers Mutual of Nebraska: $1,012 per year
• GEICO: $1,177 per year

South Dakota drivers who have a military affiliation can purchase coverage from USAA, which provides policies for drivers with bad credit for roughly $1,005 per year.

Average Car Insurance Rates 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 above rates.

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.

Seniors tend to have higher auto insurance rates than young adults and middle-aged drivers in South Dakota. The average rate for seniors is $821 per year. That is $4 more than the average annual rate for the average adult driver.

The cheapest car insurance companies in South Dakota for a senior driver with full coverage are:

• State Farm: $648 per year
• Farmers Mutual of Nebraska: $669 per year

For South Dakota seniors who are current or former military members, USAA's $608 average annual rate is the most affordable.

Average Car Insurance Rates 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. Above are a few examples of monthly costs for senior auto insurance rates in South Dakota.

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.

Young drivers, due to their lack of driving experience, are considered high-risk motorists by insurers, who typically charge them higher premiums. In South Dakota, a 16-year-old driver's auto insurance costs an average of $2,097 per year, while a 25-year-old driver pays a $924 average annual rate.

Allstate is the cheapest auto insurance provider in South Dakota for drivers between the ages of 16 and 25. However, on average, State Farm offers the most affordable car insurance quotes for students and young drivers within the age groups in that range.

Annual Car Insurance In South Dakota for Young Drivers

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• Age
  Average Cost
  Cheapest Company
  Company Cost
• 16
  $2,097
  Allstate
  $1,725
• 17
  $1,996
  Allstate
  $1,543
• 18
  $1,821
  Allstate
  $1,413
• 19
  $2,075
  State Farm
  $1,568
• 20
  $1,773
  State Farm
  $1,376
• 21
  $1,438
  State Farm
  $1,181
• 22
  $1,354
  State Farm
  $1,131
• 23
  $1,127
  GEICO
  $908
• 24
  $1,051
  GEICO
  $886
• 25
  $924
  GEICO
  $724

Show more

The truth is that teen drivers simply lack the experience to be good drivers, which makes them a higher risk to insure. 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 above table provides a look at the possible rate increases you can expect when you add a teen driver to your policy.

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

25 years$1,164
50 years$925

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.

When shopping for auto insurance in South Dakota, drivers may want answers to questions about pricing and which companies are the best. Here are some frequently asked questions.

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About the Author

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Sara East is a freelance writer and content marketing professional based in Reno, NV. She has more than 10 years marketing experience in public relations, content and digital marketing. Sara has been a published writer for more than 10 years having written articles about finance, business, entrepreneurship, education, travel, real estate, insurance, healthy living, social media, travel and study abroad.

Sara's writing has been published in national news sites including Mashable, The Muse and The Next Web as well as on a variety of blogs. When she's not writing, Sara enjoys spending time with her fur kids exploring the mountains of Reno/Tahoe and enjoying the outdoors.

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