In a Nutshell
Looking for cheap car insurance in South Dakota? The cost of insurance varies based on things like your age, driving history, credit and vehicle. We looked at estimated rates for basic coverage for several South Dakota driver profiles and found some of the lowest-cost insurers for those in the Mount Rushmore State.Note from our editor: Maybe you’re searching for car insurance for the first time or want to do some insurance shopping to help lower your monthly premium? This article can serve as a starting point for your car insurance research. There are a lot of factors when it comes to the cost of car insurance, so while you may not see the exact premiums we’ve researched, they can give you an idea of some of the insurers offering the cheapest rates in your state.
From Mount Rushmore to the Badlands, South Dakota is a great place to let your tires kick up some dirt.
But could you be saving money on car insurance? We looked at estimated car insurance rates for several South Dakota driver profiles and calculated the average cost of car insurance and which insurers offer the cheapest estimated rates.
We based our calculations on a relatively neutral driver profile — for example, a driver with no accidents, tickets or claims — to evenly compare and get a baseline view of insurers’ rates for minimum coverage (see our full methodology). Your rates may be higher or lower given your driving history and other factors that affect car insurance, like your coverage options, vehicle type, mileage and even your age.
Read on to learn about South Dakota’s average car insurance rates and our findings for the cheapest options for basic coverage.
- Cost of car insurance in South Dakota
- 5 cheapest car insurance companies in South Dakota
- Cheapest state-minimum car insurance in South Dakota
- Cheapest car insurance for good credit in South Dakota
- Cheapest car insurance for poor credit in South Dakota
- Cheapest car insurance for drivers with multiple claims in South Dakota
- Cheapest car insurance for young drivers in South Dakota
- South Dakota auto insurance requirements
- Is usage-based insurance available in South Dakota?
- FAQs about the cheapest car insurance rates in South Dakota
- Methodology
Cost of car insurance in South Dakota
Average monthly premiums for basic car insurance in South Dakota range from just under $30 up to around $55, depending on the type of coverage and driver profile.
Average monthly auto insurance premiums in South Dakota
| Driver or coverage | Avg. monthly cost |
|---|---|
| State-minimum car insurance in South Dakota | $25.09 |
| Drivers with poor credit in South Dakota | $47.26 |
| Drivers with multiple claims in South Dakota | $49.58 |
| Young drivers in South Dakota | $38.90 |
5 cheapest car insurance companies in South Dakota
We found that Farmers Mutual of Nebraska offered the lowest minimum-coverage rates for several different driver profiles in South Dakota. Remember, we’ve calculated the following rates based on a specific South Dakota driver profile, as detailed in our methodology, to assess insurers equally and get the best sense of average costs for drivers. Unless otherwise noted, driver characteristics include a credit score between 680 and 719, a car value between $20,000 and $30,000, a 36- to 45-year-old driver, and no tickets or coverage gaps. Your rates could be different depending on your circumstances.
1. Farmers Mutual of Nebraska
Founded in 1891, Farmers Mutual of Nebraska offers coverage in a handful of midwestern states. Choose from optional add-on coverages like medical payments, collision, comprehensive and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and see if you qualify for discounts for bundling, being a good driver and going through a driver safety course..
2. USAA
USAA is available to military members and their families. USAA auto insurance is available nationwide with various discount opportunities, including unique savings for deployed military members. The USAA app allows members to manage their policy from their mobile devices. USAA offers standard and optional coverage options. Read reviews of USAA to learn more.
Read reviews of USAA auto insurance.3. North Star
North Star offers insurance through independent agents, mostly in Midwest states. In addition to personal vehicles, North Star can cover antique and classic cars, motor homes, travel trailers, motorcycles, snowmobiles and more. Standard car insurance coverage is available, as are optional add-ons like collision, comprehensive, uninsured/underinsured motorist, rental reimbursement, towing, customization, and safety glass coverages.
4. Geico
Geico offers a wide range of coverage options and many opportunities to save money for safe driving habits, safety equipment and customer loyalty. Its mobile app allows users to manage their policies, pay bills, request roadside assistance and more. Read reviews of Geico to learn more.
Check out reviews of Geico auto insurance.5. Auto-Owners Insurance
Auto Owners was founded in 1916 and offers various insurance products, including car insurance. Auto Owners isn’t available in all states, and prospective customers must contact a local agent to get a quote. Auto Owners offers insurance for many types of vehicles, and you could save money on your premium by bundling. Read reviews of Auto Owners to learn more.
Check out reviews of Auto-Owners auto insurance.Cheapest state-minimum car insurance in South Dakota
Most states require a mandatory minimum amount of liability insurance. South Dakota drivers must carry 25/50/25 insurance, which is likely the cheapest and least robust coverage option.
Here are the five cheapest car insurance companies for South Dakota drivers looking for state-minimum coverage.
5 cheapest car insurance companies in South Dakota for state-minimum coverage
| 1 | Farmers Mutual of Nebraska | $20.67/month |
| 2 | USAA | $21.39/month |
| 3 | North Star | $22.17/month |
| 4 | Geico | $23.14/month |
| 5 | Auto-Owners Insurance | $24.13/month |
Cheapest car insurance for good credit in South Dakota
One of the things insurance companies look at when determining the cost of car insurance is your credit. In general, drivers with higher credit scores pay less for car insurance.
The following companies may offer the cheapest basic-coverage insurance for drivers with good credit.
5 cheapest car insurance companies in South Dakota for those with good credit
| 1 | Auto-Owners Insurance | $17.48/month |
| 2 | USAA | $18.20/month |
| 3 | Western National | $18.89/month |
| 4 | North Star | $19.17/month |
| 5 | Farmers Mutual of Nebraska | $19.44/month |
Cheapest car insurance for poor credit in South Dakota
Drivers with lower credit scores will likely have higher car insurance premiums. But luckily, other factors like a safe driving history can help lower your premiums.
The following companies have the lowest estimated rates for minimum coverage for drivers with credit that’s considered poor.
5 cheapest car insurance companies in South Dakota for those with poor credit
| 1 | Geico | $28.00/month |
| 2 | Farmers Mutual of Nebraska | $29.83/month |
| 3 | North Star | $35.25/month |
| 4 | USAA | $38.40/month |
| 5 | Nationwide | $41.17/month |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with multiple claims in South Dakota
Another factor that determines the cost of car insurance is your driving history. Generally, drivers with multiple claims pay more for car insurance than those with clean records.
Here are the five companies that we found to offer the cheapest basic-coverage car insurance for South Dakota drivers with multiple claims.
5 cheapest car insurance companies in South Dakota for multiple claims
| 1 | Western National | $28.67/month |
| 2 | North Star | $38.17/month |
| 3 | Auto-Owners Insurance | $40.48/month |
| 4 | Farmers Mutual of Nebraska | $42.50/month |
| 5 | Geico | $47.24/month |
Cheapest car insurance for young drivers in South Dakota
Finally, your age could have an impact on how much you pay for car insurance, with younger drivers typically being more expensive to insure.
The following companies have the lowest estimated rates for basic coverage for drivers between the ages of 18 and 21.
5 cheapest car insurance companies in South Dakota for young drivers
| 1 | North Star | $38.00/month |
| 2 | Farm Bureau Mutual (IA Group) | $38.42/month |
| 3 | Geico | $39.31/month |
| 3 | Farmers Mutual of Nebraska | $40.17/month |
| 5 | Farmers | $47.93/month |
South Dakota auto insurance requirements
In South Dakota, drivers must carry liability insurance that covers at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage. Uninsured motorist coverage is also required. If you have a car loan or lease, your coverage responsibilities may be more robust.
Is usage-based insurance available in South Dakota?
Usage-based insurance is a type of vehicle insurance that allows customers to pay premiums based on their driving behavior. South Dakota drivers may be able to take advantage of their insurers’ UBI program to save money by tracking their safe driving behavior.
FAQs about the cheapest car insurance rates in South Dakota
South Dakota requires a minimum 25/50/25 liability insurance, plus uninsured motorist coverage.
Driving without insurance in South Dakota could land you up to a $100 fine, imprisonment for up to 30 days, or suspension of your license and/or registration.
The insurance Information Institute classifies South Dakota as an add-on state, which means drivers can receive compensation from their insurance company in the event of an accident, as they do in no-fault states, but there are no lawsuit restrictions. First-party benefits, also called personal injury protection, or PIP, is optional, not mandatory, in South Dakota.
Methodology
This article’s estimated rates are the lowest for basic coverage based on the profile of a driver aged 36 to 45 living in South Dakota. Unless otherwise noted, the rates displayed assume a single driver on the insurance policy with no tickets on their driving record and no claims or coverage lapses. The vehicle used in this estimate is valued between $20,000 and $30,000 and has annual mileage of 12,000 to 15,000. Estimated rates for insurance for good credit apply to scores of 720 or higher. Estimated rates for insurance for poor credit apply to scores from 350 to 579. Estimated rates for young drivers include those aged 18 to 21. Estimated rates for those with multiple claims are calculated based on two claims.
Note that the rates are provided every six months by Quadrant Information Services. Quadrant Information Services doesn’t include all insurance companies in its rate data. These are estimated rates meant only to provide a frame of reference and comparison. Your rates may vary depending on various factors, such as your age, vehicle driving habits and history.
The average monthly premium for full coverage car insurance includes bodily injury, property damage, uninsured motorist, personal injury protection, collision and comprehensive coverages. The average monthly premium for state-minimum car insurance includes a South Dakota-mandated 25/50/25 insurance policy.