Cheapest Car Insurance in South Dakota (Nov 2024)

Written by R.E. Fulton and 2 others
Nov 22, 2024
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Cheapest Car Insurance in South Dakota (Nov 2024)

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How to find the cheapest car insurance quotes in South Dakota

There’s not a single car insurance provider that consistently offers everyone the lowest rates—and that’s why it’s in consumers’ best interest to find and compare multiple quotes before choosing an auto insurance policy.

Fortunately, Jerry makes shopping for car insurance from top providers quick and easy. When you find the right coverage at the right price, Jerry can even help you transition to your new policy.

Insurance Company
Premium (monthly)
Customer
Car
Insurance Coverage
Has Full Coverage
The General $269 Gavin, 41, Rapid City, SD Hyundai Sonata Sport State Minimum Yes
Bristol West $85 Pearl, 36, Sioux Falls, SD Pontiac G8 State Minimum No
Bristol West $181 Marcus, 53, Faith, SD Gmc Sierra K1500 Slt State Minimum Yes
The General $198 Zachary, 44, Aberdeen, SD Buick Century Custom State Minimum No
Bristol West $71 Lola, 42, Spearfish, SD Dodge Grand Caravan Sxt State Minimum No
Last Updated Nov, 2024

Cheapest South Dakota car insurance for good drivers

Insurance rates are calculated based on your driving record, age, zip code, past claims, and vehicle type. While the majority of these factors aren’t in your control—you can be a good driver and keep your driving record clean.

Good drivers in South Dakota can save up to 40% on their insurance, and with Jerry’s DriveShield™, you can track your driving and unlock discounts for safe driving habits. Discover how other drivers are using DriveShield™ to save on their insurance below.

CustomerDriving ScoreInsurance SavingsHas ViolationsInsurance Coverage
Riley, 25
Sioux Falls, SD
9032%NoState Minimum Liability
Comp/Collision
Michael, 34
Sioux Falls, SD
8026%No100/300
Comp/Collision
Dominic, 44
Rapid City, SD
9739%No50/100
Comp/Collision
Ralph, 54
Edgemont, SD
8427%No50/100
Comp/Collision
Ernest, 64
Batesland, SD
9437%No100/300
Comp/Collision

Cheapest car insurance companies in South Dakota

To find the cheapest car insurance providers in South Dakota, we conducted the largest insurance shopping survey in the country.

What we found: There really isn’t a car insurance company that’s “best” or “cheapest” for every person. The best car insurance company for your friend in Sioux Falls may not be the cheapest insurance option for you in Vermillion or Rapid City, for instance.

This is largely because different providers use different methodologies to determine the cost of your premium. To find the cheapest South Dakota car insurance for you, you’ll likely need to do some shopping around.

But great customer service is just as important as finding a great rate. Here’s what Jerry users have to say about their own providers.

Insurance CompanyDateCost rating (out of 5)What our customer said:
AAAOctober 27, 20245“I like teh service provide with AAA, I didn’t have no problem so far with them”
-Steve
ProgressiveOctober 26, 20244“They were the only one to give me chance to get auto insurance and a Reasonable price when I was young so I do recomm…(read more)”
-Kevin
State FarmOctober 26, 20244“I’m very pleased with GEICO they were by far the cheapest insurance I could find and with the coverages I needed “
-Bruce
The GeneralOctober 19, 20245“Grateful for the opportunity to be with such an helpful insurance company. No hassles, and always understanding of b…(read more)”
-Adelaide
State FarmOctober 18, 20243“As customer service goes, they should be through and through with every payment and be a call away. When they say sta…(read more)”
-Caroline
  • How’d we get these scores?Jerry’s experts conducted one of the largest car insurance surveys in the United States. We surveyed 15,000 policyholders, in all 50 states, over the span of 18 months. These policyholders hold insurance policies with 87 different insurance companies. We surveyed policyholders to gauge their satisfaction with their insurance carriers in: policy cost, customer service, buying and renewal experience, as well as claim experience. These scores were all reported by real customers of the insurance companies.

The easiest way to find the best rate your next car insurance policy: Use a car insurance comparison app or website like Jerry to compare quotes from top providers, all in one place.

Jerry is a licensed insurance broker, which means that with the help of our team of 100+ licensed insurance agents, we can even help you set up your new policy and cancel your old one.

Minimum liability and full coverage

Like the majority of states, South Dakota requires drivers to have a minimum amount of liability insurance. However, many drivers will also benefit from full coverage, which will cover damages to your own vehicle.

Cheapest minimum liability coverage car insurance quotes in South Dakota

South Dakota’s car insurance laws set forth the following minimum auto insurance requirements:

  • Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
  • Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident
  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident

Do you need more than minimum coverage in South Dakota?

In the majority of cases, it’s beneficial for South Dakota drivers to carry more than minimum liability coverage.

While minimum liability coverage will give you the cheapest car insurance rates, it runs the risk of leaving you underinsured. It’s important to note that liability insurance won’t cover damage to your vehicle at all—only damages and medical bills for the other parties involved.

South Dakota’s legally required minimum coverage limits can easily be exceeded in more severe accidents, and if you’re found at fault for the collision, you could be responsible for paying any remaining expenses for damages and injuries yourself.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance quotes in South Dakota

Full coverage car insurance, which includes comprehensive and collision coverage, will cover damage to your own vehicle. Collision coverage pays for damage after a vehicle accident, while comprehensive coverage covers damage that results after a range of other types of incidents, like vandalism, theft, or severe weather.

Your car loan lender might require full coverage: While not required by law, if you’re financing a car purchase with a loan, most lenders will require that you carry full coverage for the duration of the loan.

Here’s what some South Dakota drivers have paid for full coverage auto insurance policies they found with Jerry.

Insurance Coverage
Has Full Coverage
Insurance Company
Premium (monthly)
Customer
Car
State Minimum Yes The General $269 Gavin, 41, Rapid City, SD Hyundai Sonata Sport
State Minimum No Bristol West $85 Pearl, 36, Sioux Falls, SD Pontiac G8
State Minimum Yes Bristol West $181 Marcus, 53, Faith, SD Gmc Sierra K1500 Slt
State Minimum No The General $198 Zachary, 44, Aberdeen, SD Buick Century Custom
State Minimum No Bristol West $71 Lola, 42, Spearfish, SD Dodge Grand Caravan Sxt
Last Updated Nov, 2024

Average rates for state minimum liability coverage and full coverage

Jerry’s survey found that policyholders in South Dakota paid an average of $116 per month or $1,389 per year for minimum liability coverage. For full coverage, the average cost for an annual premium was $2,454, which comes out to about $204 per month.

Keep in mind: Reviewing average costs can be a helpful start when insurance shopping, but your actual premium cost will depend on numerous factors. Many of them will be specific to your unique driver profile—like your location, demographics, driving record, and the type of vehicle you drive.

South Dakota car insurance: Additional coverages

In addition to comprehensive and collision coverage, you can also choose other coverage options such as:

  • Towing and labor coverage
  • Rental reimbursement coverage
  • Medical payments coverage

If you have a car loan: Consider gap insurance, which can pay off your auto loan if your vehicle is totaled or stolen and the balance of your loan exceeds the car’s value.

If you don’t own a car but borrow someone else’s: Consider a non-owner car insurance policy. This will give you liability coverage that’s legally required, and you can often add optional coverage types to your policy. However, a non-owner policy won’t include collision or comprehensive coverage since the vehicle owner will need to have these on their own policy.

Car insurance premium by rating factors

South Dakota car insurance providers will use different methodologies to determine your car insurance rate, but they’ll consider many of the same factors, like:

  • Where you live: The ZIP code where you keep your car will have a significant say in your car insurance costs due to factors like crime rates, accident rates, severe weather trends, and more.
  • Your driving record: Good drivers with clean driving records will often qualify for some of the cheapest rates.
  • Your claims history: Policyholders who have filed insurance claims in the past are considered more likely to file them again in the future, which can affect your insurance costs.
  • What kind of vehicle you drive: A full coverage policy will usually cost more for luxury or high-value vehicles.
  • How you use your car: A vehicle you drive to commute to work every day will typically cost more to insure than a secondary vehicle you drive more occasionally.
  • Your credit score: Good credit can help you secure lower car insurance rates.

Cheapest South Dakota car Insurance after a driving violation

Insurers will look at your South Dakota driving record to determine your level of risk as a policyholder. If you have multiple or severe violations on your record, expect a more expensive premium.

Cheapest car insurance for South Dakota drivers with a speeding ticket

A speeding ticket for 20 mph over the speed limit may not have the same impact as a speeding ticket for only 5 mph over the speed limit.

Even with a speeding violation, shopping around can help you find the most affordable policy for you. Here’s what rates other South Dakota drivers with speeding tickets have found with Jerry.

Speeding Type
Insurance Company
Premium (monthly)
Customer
Liability Limits
Has Full Coverage
Speeding Violation-Minor Bristol West $85 Pearl, 36, Sioux Falls, SD State Minimum No
Speeding Violation-Major The General $602 Etta, 33, Sioux Falls, SD No Coverage Yes
Speeding Violation-Minor Dairyland $643 Clayton, 24, Rapid City, SD State Minimum Yes
Speeding Violation-Major Dairyland $66 Gilbert, 62, Brookings, SD State Minimum No
Speeding Violation-Major Dairyland $124 Connor, 26, Rapid City, SD State Minimum No
Last Updated Nov, 2024

Cheapest auto insurance in South Dakota after a DUI

South Dakota DUI violations come with some of the steepest car insurance rate increases—but shopping around for quotes can help you find more affordable options.

South Dakota SR-22 insurance

Serious traffic violations, like reckless driving or a DUI, might mean you need to file a South Dakota SR-22 for a certain period of time to confirm you have adequate car insurance coverage.

Keep in mind: While some providers may not offer policies to drivers with SR-22 requirements, others specialize in insuring high-risk drivers, so shopping around can still help you find more affordable options for your situation.

Cheapest South Dakota auto Insurance after an at-fault accident

At-fault accidents will often result in a significant car insurance rate increase. When this happens, it can be a good time to shop around for new rates to minimize the impact on your budget.

Jerry has helped South Dakota drivers save, even after at-fault accidents.

Accident Type
Insurance Company
Premium (monthly)
Customer
Insurance Coverage
Has Full Coverage
At Fault With No Injury Bristol West $181 Marcus, 53, Faith, SD State Minimum Yes
At Fault With No Injury The General $198 Zachary, 44, Aberdeen, SD State Minimum No
At Fault With No Injury Bristol West $56 Luella, 38, Brookings, SD State Minimum No
Not At Fault Trexis $357 Hulda, 22, Rapid City, SD State Minimum Yes
At Fault With No Injury Safeco $287 Effie, 35, Tea, SD 50/100 Yes
Last Updated Nov, 2024

FAQ

  • Is South Dakota a no-fault state?

Cheapest auto insurance after other violations in South Dakota

How much a traffic violation will affect your car insurance costs in South Dakota will vary depending on your provider and the severity of the offense.

Take a look at what South Dakota drivers have paid for policies they found with Jerry after various types of traffic violations.

Violation
Insurance Company
Premium (monthly)
Customer
Liability Limits
Has Full Coverage
Eluding Police The General $269 Gavin, 41, Rapid City, SD State Minimum Yes
Failure to Stop The General $198 Zachary, 44, Aberdeen, SD State Minimum No
DUI Bristol West $56 Luella, 38, Brookings, SD State Minimum No
Following too Closely The General $134 Josephine, 23, Sioux Falls, SD State Minimum Yes
Driving on Sus. License The General $213 Madge, 54, Sioux Falls, SD State Minimum Yes
Last Updated Nov, 2024

Cheapest South Dakota auto insurance based on insurance history

South Dakota auto insurance companies will typically look at your insurance history when calculating your rate. If you had a lapse in insurance coverage, you might be deemed a higher risk and end up paying more for coverage.

Good news: Since Jerry knows that making on-time payments is essential for keeping your policy in good standing, we can send customers payment reminders and even late payment warnings.

Whether you’ve had a coverage lapse or not: Gathering multiple car insurance quotes will allow you to compare your options and find the right price for the coverage level you need. But even if you have experienced a coverage lapse, you might still be able to find savings by shopping around.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with poor credit

Your credit score can still have an impact on your car insurance costs. This is largely because policyholders with poor credit history are considered more likely to file claims.

Drivers who are struggling with bad credit can take steps where possible to build credit and qualify for lower car insurance rates in the future. In the meantime, shopping around can still help you find a more affordable policy.

Take a look at what South Dakota drivers with varying credit scores have paid for car insurance.

Credit Range
Insurance Company
Premium (monthly)
Customer
Car
Liability Limits
Has Full Coverage
550-659 The General $269 Gavin, 41, Rapid City, SD Hyundai Sonata Sport State Minimum Yes
550-659 Bristol West $85 Pearl, 36, Sioux Falls, SD Pontiac G8 State Minimum No
660-750 Bristol West $181 Marcus, 53, Faith, SD Gmc Sierra K1500 Slt State Minimum Yes
<550 The General $198 Zachary, 44, Aberdeen, SD Buick Century Custom State Minimum No
550-659 Bristol West $71 Lola, 42, Spearfish, SD Dodge Grand Caravan Sxt State Minimum No
Last Updated Nov, 2024

Cheapest South Dakota car insurance by age

Your age will have a significant impact on what you pay for car insurance in South Dakota.

Generally speaking, young drivers have the highest car insurance rates. After your teen years, car insurance will typically get less expensive over time until it begins to rise again once you reach your mid-seventies.

Cheapest South Dakota car insurance for young drivers

Insurance rates for teen drivers are some of the highest in South Dakota.

This is largely because they’re still new to driving and have significantly higher risks of getting into accidents.

For this reason, it’s a good idea to consider full coverage for vehicles used by teen drivers—especially if they’re newer or more valuable.

Cheapest South Dakota car insurance for senior drivers

Car insurance rates generally start to rise again as drivers reach their mid-seventies.

This is largely due to:

  • Increased accident risk
  • Risk of more severe injuries after a collision

Shopping around for quotes can still help you ensure you find the lowest possible insurance rates for seniors.

What you drive has a notable impact on your South Dakota auto insurance rate. Your insurance company will consider the vehicle’s safety, value, and potential repair and replacement costs to determine your rate.

These are some of South Dakota’s most popular vehicles:

  • Ford F-150
  • GMC Sierra 1500
  • Honda Civic
  • Toyota RAV4
  • Jeep Cherokee
  • Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  • Nissan Sentra
Popular Car
Insurance Company
Premium (monthly)
Customer
Insurance Coverage
Has Full Coverage
Honda Civic Lx The General $134 Josephine, 23, Sioux Falls, SD State Minimum Yes
Ford F-150 The General $194 Tommy, 21, Aberdeen, SD State Minimum Yes
Honda Civic Lx The General $78 Alvin, 33, Sioux Falls, SD State Minimum No
Honda Civic Ex The General $191 Ina, 45, Rapid City, SD State Minimum Yes
Nissan Sentra 2.0 Dairyland $111 Augusta, 39, Rapid City, SD State Minimum No
Last Updated Nov, 2024

Is it cheaper to insure a new car or a used car?

New cars usually cost more to insure than older ones.

Jerry’s data shows that full coverage insurance cost for a car older than 10 years is $1,454 per year in South Dakota. When the vehicle is less than 4 years old, that cost rises to $1,799 a year.

South Dakota cheapest car insurance by location

Your location has a major impact on your car insurance premium due to the risk factors it may or may not present. You might even find that different parts of your city may see different rates.

Insurers will consider your area’s:

  • Population density
  • Accident rates
  • Crime rates
  • Weather trends

Additionally, you can usually expect your car insurance costs to be lower if you’re able to keep your vehicle in a secure garage where it can be kept safe from tampering or inclement weather.

Here’s a look at how car insurance rates can vary for different drivers across South Dakota.

City
Customer
Insurance Company
Premium (monthly)
Car
Insurance Coverage
Has Full Coverage
Rapid City, SD Gavin The General $269 Hyundai Sonata Sport State Minimum Yes
Sioux Falls, SD Pearl Bristol West $85 Pontiac G8 State Minimum No
Faith, SD Marcus Bristol West $181 Gmc Sierra K1500 Slt State Minimum Yes
Aberdeen, SD Zachary The General $198 Buick Century Custom State Minimum No
Spearfish, SD Lola Bristol West $71 Dodge Grand Caravan Sxt State Minimum No
Last Updated Nov, 2024

How to lower the cost of car insurance in South Dakota

If you’re looking for cheap auto insurance in South Dakota, here are some tips from Jerry’s team of licensed insurance agents that could save you even more cash:

  1. Compare quotes from multiple insurance providers.
  2. Find out what car insurance discounts you are eligible for—like safe driver discounts, low mileage discounts, responsible payer discounts, and so on.
  3. Bundle your car insurance with other insurance products, like your homeowners insurance or renters insurance policy.
  4. Raise your comprehensive and collision coverage deductibles (if the out-of-pocket cost makes sense for you).
  5. Take steps to improve your credit score.
  6. Take an approved defensive driving course if your provider offers a discount.
  7. Consider dropping collision and comprehensive coverage if it costs more than your vehicle’s actual value.

Learn more: 11 Ways to lower car insurance


Why is car insurance so expensive in South Dakota?

While car insurance in South Dakota can often cost less when compared to the national average, here are some reasons you might see higher car insurance costs:

  • Your city’s population density
  • Your city’s accident and crime rates
  • Uninsured drivers
  • Healthcare costs
  • Rising repair costs
  • Rising vehicle costs
  • Severe weather risks

FAQ

  • How much is car insurance in South Dakota?
  • What is the average cost of car insurance in South Dakota?
  • Is car insurance cheaper in South Dakota?
  • Who has the cheapest car insurance in South Dakota?
  • What are the minimum car insurance requirements in South Dakota?
  • What is the lowest form of insurance in South Dakota?
  • Does insurance follow the car or driver in South Dakota?
  • What are the best insurance companies in South Dakota?
  • Do you need insurance to register a car in South Dakota?
  • Do you need personal injury protection (PIP) in South Dakota?
  • Is it illegal not to have car insurance in South Dakota?
MEET OUR EXPERTS
meet-experts-thumbnail
R.E. Fulton
  • Licensed Insurance Agent

R.E. Fulton is an expert insurance writer specializing in car ownership topics from car shopping and loan advice to insurance and repair guides. R.E.’s mission is to create unique and accessible content that helps readers to become more successful and independent car owners. R.E. has written and edited over 900 high-performing articles for Jerry, with an average of 1 million+ views. As a senior writer on Jerry’s editorial team, R.E. draws on over 10 years of experience as a professional writer and digital publishing specialist. Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2021, R.E. worked as a writing coach at Columbia University, the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), and the University of Rochester. They serve as a managing editor for peer-reviewed history publication Nursing Clio, where their work has appeared regularly since 2015.

meet-experts-thumbnail
Lina Zhang

Lina Zhang is co-founder and vice president of operations at Jerry, where she leads a global team responsible for operations, talent acquisition, content, legal, and compliance. Lina’s operational excellence was a critical enabler of Jerry’s 10x growth in its first year of operation.

Prior to Jerry, Lina and her Jerry co-founders, Art Agrawal and Musawir Shah, led YourMechanic, the largest on-demand car repair services provider. In one year, Lina built and scaled YourMechanic operations from five markets to more than 50. The trio left YourMechanic to incubate Jerry at Y Combinator in 2017.

Lina’s previous roles include intellectual property attorney at Morrison & Foerster LLP and a biomedical researcher at Stanford University.

Lina holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Nanjing University, a doctorate in biochemistry from Dartmouth College, and a juris doctorate from the University of California Berkeley School of Law. She’s a member of the State Bar of California and a licensed property and casualty insurance producer in all 50 states.

meet-experts-thumbnail
Josh Damico

As Vice President of Insurance Operations at Jerry, Josh Damico leads teams across product development, operations and carrier relations, integrating Jerry’s smart and fast car insurance customer experience with that of traditional carriers to help customers find savings and coverage. Josh’s nearly 20 years of insurance-industry experience and knowledge generate partnerships with more than 55 name-brand and specialty insurance partners that enable Jerry to serve customers with all types of vehicle and policy needs.

Previously, Josh held executive roles at Geico, where he had vast regional oversight and leadership opportunities. In his most recent role as director of sales, servicing, and underwriting, Josh developed and executed profit and growth strategy for the New England states and New Jersey.

Josh holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Medaille College.

Methodology

The Insurance Research Team analyzes insurance products and services to drive insights and help consumers make informed purchase decisions.

Insurance research

We analyzed over 25 million car insurance quotes; conducted the largest insurance shopping survey (over 15,000 customers surveyed and 85 carriers reviewed in the past 18 months).

We surveyed insurance policyholders for their experience with their insurers in the following areas: (1) insurance cost (2) customer service (3) insurance buying experience (4) insurance renewal experience (5) claim experience. In addition, we asked people what they like about their insurers and what areas in which their insurers could improve. The driver characteristics used in calculating average rates for auto insurance include: single driver, single car, currently insured, clean driving record.

For the quotes and sold policies included in this article, please note that personal information has been hidden. Not all customers find savings.

Team

The team consists of licensed insurance agents, insurance industry veterans, and data scientists.

For illustrative purposes only, results may vary

Editorial Note: This article was written by a paid member of Jerry’s editorial team. Statements in this article represent the author’s personal opinions and do not constitute advice or recommendations. You should consult with an insurance professional about your specific circumstances and needs before making any insurance decisions.