State Farm leads South Dakota's renters insurance market, earning the No. 1 rank in affordability categories with a MoneyGeek score of 4.9 out of 5. Auto-Owners follows closely with an overall score of 4.5, excelling in customer experience. Allstate, American Family and Farmers complete the top five.
Best Renters Insurance in South Dakota (2026)
Updated: March 9, 2026
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Key Takeaways: South Dakota Renters Insurance
State Farm tops South Dakota's best overall renters insurance company with a 4.9 out of 5 MoneyGeek score.
At $84 annually, State Farm provides the most affordable renters insurance premiums statewide.
Get quotes from several insurers to find competitive rates matching your specific coverage needs.
5 Best Renters Insurance Companies in South Dakota
| State Farm | 4.85 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance | 4.49 | 3 | 1 | 9 |
| Allstate | 4.45 | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| American Family | 4.41 | 6 | 4 | 5 |
| Farmers | 4.4 | 4 | 7 | 3 |
*Our ratings consider different combinations of coverage levels and renter details to identify the best overall options. Rankings may differ based on your profile.
State Farm
Top Choice for South Dakota Renters
MoneyGeek Rating
4.9/ 5
5/5Affordability
4.9/5Customer Experience
3.8/5Coverage
Average Annual Premium
$84Based on our methodology's base profile of a policy with $20K in personal property coverage and $100K in liability coverage with a $500 deductibleAverage Monthly Premium
$7Based on our methodology's base profile of a policy with $20K in personal property coverage and $100K in liability coverage with a $500 deductibleJ.D. Power Renters Insurance Customer Satisfaction Score
685/1,000From the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Home Insurance Study, which examines customer satisfaction based on responses from 14,511 homeowners and renters. The average renters insurance score is 668/1,000.
Compare the Cheapest Renters Insurance Companies in South Dakota
State Farm charges South Dakota's cheapest renters insurance at $84 per year for $20,000 in personal property coverage, $41 below the state average of $125 annually. Allstate comes in second at $114 per year, while Auto-Owners costs $116 and is available statewide. All eight cheapest insurers charge below the state average, with rates from $84 to $143 per year. Cheapest renters insurance options help residents save significantly on coverage.
Average Cost of Renters Insurance in South Dakota
South Dakota renters pay $125 annually for renters insurance on average, $71 below the national average cost of renters insurance of $196. This reflects coverage with $20,000 in personal property protection, $100,000 in liability limits and a $500 deductible.
Your premium varies by coverage limits, deductible choice and where you live in the state.
| SD | $125 | $-71 |
Do You Need Renters Insurance in South Dakota?
Many landlords in South Dakota require renters insurance as part of your lease agreement, though your landlord can require coverage even when state law doesn't mandate it. Property managers often mandate this protection to shield themselves from liability claims. These requirements include specific liability coverage levels of $100,000 or more. Review your lease agreement to determine if coverage is required before you move in.
HOW TO DETERMINE YOUR RENTERS INSURANCE COVERAGE NEEDS
Typical personal property coverage ranges from $20,000 to $50,000 for most renters' belongings. Go through your unit and add up replacement values for electronics, furniture, clothing and other items to calculate your personal property coverage. You'll also want to select at least $100,000 in liability coverage to protect yourself if someone gets injured in your apartment.
How to Find the Best Cheap Renters Insurance in South Dakota
The best home insurance in South Dakota comes down to comparing multiple providers while weighing your budget, coverage requirements and service expectations.
- 1Compare quotes from at least three companies
Premiums differ by $50 or more across companies for identical coverage in South Dakota. Get quotes from both national insurers and regional providers serving cities like Sioux Falls and Rapid City. Major carriers like GEICO, State Farm and Progressive have different rates. Regional companies offer competitive rates for South Dakota residents that national carriers can't match.
- 2Check customer satisfaction ratings and reviews
Low prices aren't worth much if your insurer has poor claims handling or customer service. Research J.D. Power ratings and review customer complaints filed with the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Division of Insurance before making your decision. Look for patterns in complaints about claim denials, slow response times or billing issues. A slightly higher premium often pays off when you need to file a claim.
- 3Bundle renters and auto insurance
Insurers give 10% to 25% off when you bundle policies with the same company. State Farm and Allstate offer some of the largest bundling discounts available to South Dakota residents. This strategy works well for renters in college towns like Brookings or urban areas like Aberdeen. Contact your current auto insurer first to see what renters insurance discounts they offer existing customers.
- 4Ask about available discounts
You can get discounts for alarm systems, smoke detectors and staying claims-free with most insurers. Additional savings may apply for being a good student, military service member or having multiple policies. Ask your agent to review all available discounts during your quote process. Some insurers offer loyalty discounts after your first year or discounts for paying your premium annually instead of monthly.
Best Cheap Renters Insurance in South Dakota: Bottom Line
State Farm, Auto-Owners, Allstate, American Family and Farmers are South Dakota's best renters insurance companies. Get quotes from several companies to find rates matching your needs. Try the calculator below for personalized quotes depending on your coverage, deductible and credit.
Personalized South Dakota Renters Insurance Rates
Get free renters insurance rate estimates for South Dakota based on your coverage needs. Rates reflect a profile of renters aged 21 to 64 with no prior claims.
Select Coverage Level
Select Deductible
Select Credit Score
Average Annual Premium—
Renters Insurance in South Dakota: FAQ
Common questions about South Dakota renters insurance:
Does renters insurance cover roommates in South Dakota?
Renters insurance covers only the policyholder and their relatives living in the unit. Your roommate needs their own policy to protect their belongings and get liability coverage. Each roommate should buy separate renters insurance with at least $20,000 in personal property coverage.
How much renters insurance do I need in South Dakota?
Most South Dakota renters need $20,000 to $50,000 in personal property coverage and $100,000 in liability protection. Add up replacement costs for your furniture, electronics, clothing and other belongings to calculate your needs. Your landlord may require specific coverage amounts, so check your lease before buying a policy.
How do I file a renters insurance claim in South Dakota?
Contact your insurer immediately after damage occurs or items get stolen. Document the damage with photos and videos before cleaning up. Provide a list of damaged or stolen items with purchase dates and estimated values. Your insurer will assign a claims adjuster to review your case. Most claims get processed within two to four weeks.
Does renters insurance cover hotel stays if my apartment becomes unlivable?
Renters insurance covers temporary housing costs through loss of use coverage if covered damage like fire makes your apartment unlivable. This pays for hotel rooms and restaurant meals while repairs happen. Most policies limit loss of use to 20% to 30% of your personal property coverage amount. Floods and earthquakes aren't covered.
How We Found the Best Cheap Renters Insurance Companies in South Dakota
We analyzed South Dakota renters insurance companies to identify insurers with low rates and reliable service.
We collected quotes for renters aged 26 to 64 with good credit and no claims history. The profile included $20,000 in personal property coverage, $100,000 in liability protection and a $500 deductible.
Affordability determined 50% of each company's score. Customer satisfaction from industry research made up 40%. Add-on coverage options contributed 10%. Companies with the highest combined scores across all factors made our list of South Dakota's best renters insurance providers.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in 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!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.