Getting cheap car insurance in South Dakota is easy here, all you have to do is enter your five digit zip code at the top of the page and you are on your way to comparing top insurers in your area.
You can find savings of more than thirty percent if you are diligent enough. In the meanwhile you can read on, find the basic coverage, what the common driver gets, and any penalties you may incur in the state if you are driving without insurance.
South Dakota’s Auto Insurance Minimum Requirement
Table of Contents
- 1 South Dakota’s Auto Insurance Minimum Requirement
- 1.1 Bodily Injury Liability
- 1.2 Property Damage Liability
- 1.3 Average Auto Insurance Rate by City
- 1.4 Auto Insurance Companies Rate by Age & Comparison
- 1.5 Best Insurance Carriers by Consumer Rating, Complaints, & Rate Change
- 1.6 Common amount of coverage in South Dakota:
- 1.7 Fines and Penalties for driving without insurance in South Dakota
- 1.8 Sioux Falls, SD
- 1.9 Aberdeen, SD
- 1.10 Brookings, SD
- 1.11 Watertown, SD
- 1.12 Rapid City, SD
- 1.13 Final Thoughts
| Coverage | South Dakota Minimum Liability Coverage | Recommended Auto Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily Injury Protection | $25,000 / $50,000 | $100,000 / $300,000 |
| Property Damage | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Uninsured Motorist Coverage | $25,000 / $50,000 | $25,000 / $50,000 |
| Underinsured Motorist | $25,000 / $50,000 | $25,000 / $50,000 |
| Comprehensive Coverage | Optional | $250 - $1,000 deductible |
| Collision Coverage | Optional | $250 - $1,000 deductible |
Bodily Injury Liability
Bodily injury liability protection pays the doctor’s expenses of the other driver and their passengers when the insured individual is revealed to be at-fault during the car accident.
Under the minimum coverage, the insurance firm will pay up to $25,000 for a single person and up to $50,000 for multiple passengers which may be injured during the accident.
Property Damage Liability
To cover damages to the other driver’s automobile, personal property, and public property, such as traffic signs or guard rails, at least $25,000 of property damage liability cover must be maintained by each resident of the state of SD for each automobile they own.
The state also requires a minimum of 25,000/50,000 of uninsured motorist protection (UM) for each vehicle on the policy. UM is going to cover the amount in the event you are concerned in an accident with another driver who does not have insurance.
Since the number of uninsured motorists has increased over the years South Dakota requires this coverage.
Average Auto Insurance Rate by City
| City | Avg Rate | Population | City | Avg Rate | City | Avg Rate | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen | $1,233 | 28,415 | Hartford | $1,261 | 3,140 | Rapid City | $1,333 | 74,048 |
| Belle Fourche | $1,154 | 5,655 | Huron | $1,199 | 13,117 | Sioux Falls | $1,341 | 174,360 |
| Brandon | $1,176 | 9,923 | Madison | $1,076 | 7,425 | Spearfish | $1,279 | 11,531 |
| Brookings | $1,198 | 23,895 | Milbank | $1,105 | 3,203 | Sturgis | $1,205 | 6,832 |
| Centerville | $1,277 | 879 | Mitchell | $1,267 | 15,729 | Vermillion | $1,303 | 10,844 |
| Dell Rapids | $1,190 | 3,705 | North Sioux City | $1,366 | 2,731 | Watertown | $1,194 | 22,172 |
| Harrisburg | $1,247 | 5,734 | Pierre | $1,303 | 14,008 | Yankton | $1,211 | 14,566 |
Carrying the minimum coverage will give you the basic coverage to be legal to drive, however, you may want to look at other optional coverages which are available in South Dakota to be sure your assets are fully protected.
Image Credit: Insurance.com
SD is a state following the tort system, therefore, if you are in car accident and the expenses are higher than the minimum cover you could be held accountable to pay what the insurance company is not going to cover.
Before committing to an insurance plan you want to be sure you are well informed of the laws in the state of SD to make sure you are able to get the most cost-effective car insurance rates available without losing cover.
Auto Insurance Companies Rate by Age & Comparison
| Rank | South Dakota Auto Insurance Company | Average Annual Rate for 25 Y/O Driver | Average Annual Rate for 30 Y/O Driver | Average Annual Rate for 35 Y/O Driver | Average Annual Rate for 40 Y/O Driver | Average Annual Rate for 45 Y/O Driver | Average Annual Rate for 55 Y/O Driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | State Farm | $1,211 | $1,099 | $933 | $855 | $767 | $611 |
| 2 | GEICO | $1,265 | $1,132 | $945 | $867 | $787 | $614 |
| 3 | Buckyeye | $1,287 | $1,167 | $987 | $879 | $798 | $615 |
| 4 | Progressive | $1,387 | $1,199 | $967 | $903 | $784 | $609 |
| 5 | Farmers Mutual | $1,389 | $1,292 | $1,005 | $908 | $799 | $623 |
| 6 | Allied | $1,405 | $1,299 | $1,021 | $909 | $800 | $645 |
| 7 | MetLife | $1,443 | $1,307 | $1,054 | $912 | $799 | $678 |
| 8 | Amica | $1,578 | $1,309 | $1,087 | $915 | $812 | $689 |
| 9 | Nationwide | $1,578 | $1,347 | $1,099 | $954 | $821 | $703 |
| 10 | Western National | $1,598 | $1,376 | $1,132 | $967 | $843 | $701 |
| 11 | 21st Century | $1,576 | $1,389 | $1,143 | $980 | $865 | $709 |
| 12 | Allstate | $1,599 | $1,402 | $1,154 | $995 | $867 | $699 |
| 13 | Liberty Mutual | $1,600 | $1,405 | $1,198 | $1,005 | $898 | $743 |
| 14 | Esurance | $1,623 | $1,409 | $1,200 | $1,032 | $904 | $765 |
| 15 | Farm Bureau | $1,634 | $1,409 | $1,204 | $1,054 | $898 | $785 |
| 16 | American Family | $1,655 | $1,432 | $1,234 | $1,067 | $909 | $723 |
| 17 | North Star | $1,689 | $1,465 | $1,201 | $1,087 | $910 | $765 |
Best Insurance Carriers by Consumer Rating, Complaints, & Rate Change
| South Dakota Auto Insurance Company | Premiums | Rate Change > 18 Months | # of Complaints | Consumer Rating out of 5 Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm | 43,659,344 | +1.8% | 17 | 4.5 |
| GEICO | 6,783,594 | +2.7% | 7 | 4.5 |
| Buckyeye | 1,976,015 | +3.8% | 2 | 3.9 |
| Progressive | 34,275,206 | +2.8% | 14 | 4.6 |
| Farmers | 19,702,542 | +2.6% | 12 | 4.3 |
| Allied | 5,972,410 | +3.3% | 6 | 4.0 |
| MetLife | 3,765,043 | +4.1% | 2 | 4.0 |
| Nationwide | $7,158,600 | +4.6% | 2 | 4.2 |
| Allstate | 13,720,689 | +3.8% | 4 | 4.5 |
| Farm Bureau | 9,788,138 | +3.9% | 12 | 4.1 |
| American Family | 20,715,033 | +1.9% | 15 | 3.8 |
| North Star | 4,707,901 | +3.1% | 1 | 3.8 |
Common amount of coverage in South Dakota:
-
Bodily Injury Liability – 100,000/300,000
-
Property Damage Liability -100,000
-
Uninsured Motorist Protection – 100,000/300,000
-
Medical Payments Coverage – $5,000
-
Collision Coverage – $500 deductible
-
Comprehensive Coverage – $250 deductible
Fines and Penalties for driving without insurance in South Dakota
-
First Offense – $100 fine and/or 30 days in jail
-
Second Offense – $500 fine and/or 60 days in jail
-
Third Offense – $1000 fine and 180 days in jail
-
All offenders are required to file a SR-22 form which is on file for three years
It is important to note, once the SR-22 is on file your auto insurance rates are likely to double than what they would be if you did not have a SR-22 on file.
Department of Transportation & DMV
| Department of Insurance | Department of Transportation | Department of Motor Vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| 124 S Euclid Ave, Pierre, SD 57501 (605) 773-3563 | 2131 34th Ave, Brookings, SD 57006 (605) 688-5001 | 2501 W Russell St, Sioux Falls, SD 57104 (800) 952-3696 |
| Website | Website | Website |
Sioux Falls, SD
The largest city in South Dakota, Sioux Falls was founded in 1856 and is located next to the spectacular falls on the Big Sioux River. There are numerous activities to enjoy arts and culture in Sioux Falls. The cultural type can enjoy Washington Pavilion, Old Courthouse Museum; while the outdoor enthusiast can enjoy Falls or Terrace Park. A popular site for tourists and residents is St. Joseph’s Cathedral.
Residents in the biggest city in South Dakota can find cheaper auto insurance rates by getting quotes from GEICO, State Farm, and Buckeye. GEICO is $140 cheaper than Buckeye at $1,143.
The average “mean” insurance rate for Sioux Falls is $1,341. All insurance firms illustrated are 10% below the average rate. An older driver would do well by getting quotes from GEICO, State Farm, Buckeye, and Progressive. All which are below the $1,000 per year range.
| Sioux Falls Auto Insurance Company | Average Annual Rate for 30 Y/O Driver | Average Annual Rate for 45 Y/O Driver |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $1,009 | $812 |
| State Farm | $1,076 | $865 |
| Buckyeye | $1,143 | $909 |
| Progressive | $1,265 | $987 |
| Farmers Mutual | $1,288 | $1,043 |
| Allied | $1,299 | $1,076 |
Aberdeen, SD
| Aberdeen Auto Insurance Company | Average Annual Rate for 30 Y/O Driver | Average Annual Rate for 45 Y/O Driver |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $987 | $765 |
| Buckyeye | $1,032 | $789 |
| Allied | $1,054 | $800 |
| GEICO | $1,143 | $812 |
| Progressive | $1,198 | $854 |
| Farmers Mutual | $1,203 | $976 |
White settlers first arrived in the early 1800’s when fur trading posts were founded in the area. Aberdeen was founded by Charles Prior on January 3, 1881. The Milwaukee Railroad reached the area on July 6, 1881. The city was named after Aberdeen, Scotland. Cultural and outdoor activities include, the Mina Lake Recreation Area, Dacotah Prairie Museum, and Lee Park Golf Course.
The average rate for resident of Aberdeen is $1,233. All five car insurance companies we queried are below this rate. The cheapest insurers for a 30 year old are State Farm, Buckeye, and Allied. With State Farm landing at $987. More than 23% below the “mean” rate.
A 45 year old driver can find rates just under $800 with State Farm and Buckeye. It would be wise to get quotes from all insurers illustrated to optimize coverage and maximize savings.
Brookings, SD
With a population of nearly 25,000 residents and a plethora of parks, Brookings is fascinating place to visit. Some of the parks include the Pioneer Park, Sexauer Park and Hillcrest Park. Shoppers love to go to The Brookings and University Mall.
The South Dakota Art and the State Agricultural Heritage Museum are popular local destinations as well. Popular family destination include the Lake Poinsett Recreation Area or the Oakwood Lakes State Park. Local festivals include the Harvest Festival and Hobo Days which attract 100’s of visitors each year.
Residents of Brookings can find affordable auto insurance with State Farm, Buckeye and Progressive. Each at $1,008, $1,043, $1,098 respectfully. Western National and GEICO would be worth getting quotes from since below are below the average rate. The only insurer in the table provided above the “mean” rate was Farmers Mutual. However, it would be smart to get quotes from Farmers Mutual too.
| Brookings Auto Insurance Company | Average Annual Rate for 30 Y/O Driver | Average Annual Rate for 45 Y/O Driver |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $1,008 | $813 |
| Buckyeye | $1,043 | $814 |
| Progressive | $1,098 | $876 |
| Western National | $1,165 | $932 |
| GEICO | $1,187 | $987 |
| Farmers Mutual | $1,208 | $980 |
Watertown, SD
Watertown, SD is named after Watertown, New York. The city has nearly 25,000 residents and the average rate and quotes are similar to Brookings, SD. Popluar cultural and outdoor activities include the Kampeska Heritage Museum, Bramble Park Zoo, Oakwood Lakes State Park, Lake Area Zoological Society, and the Redlin Art Center. The summer skyline in Watertown is breathtaking.
Residents of Watertown can find inexpensive car insurance by getting quotes from State Farm, Buckeye, and GEICO. Each of them clustered at the $1,000 range. This is more than 12% below the “mean” rate of $1,194 per year. A family of 4 would be wise to get quotes from all insurers since Progressive and Farmers Mutual have been know to give lower rates when you are married.
| Watertown Auto Insurance Company | Average Annual Rate for 30 Y/O Driver | Average Annual Rate for 45 Y/O Driver |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $967 | $799 |
| Buckyeye | $987 | $798 |
| GEICO | $1,008 | $843 |
| Progressive | $1,076 | $865 |
| Farmers Mutual | $1,143 | $890 |
| Western National | $1,176 | $909 |
Rapid City, SD
Rapid City has a population of nearly 75,000 residents. Over half of them are college educated. High School educated folks do well earning nearly as much as their college educated counterparts.
Rapid City offers a wide variety of opportunities for recreation, in the form of the Badlands National Park, Reptile Gardens, Rushmore Waterslide Park, Dinosaur Park and the Ranch Amusement Park. Local celebrations include the Black Hills Bluegrass Festival, the Dakota Polka Festival, and the West Boulevard Summer Festival which attracts hundreds of people each year.
Getting low rates in Rapid City is easy if you start with Buckeye, State Farm and GEICO. All of the insurers illustrated are more than 13% below the average rate of $1,333. A 30 & 45 year old driver should start with Buckeye and State Farm. Each at $1,054 and $1,056 for a 30 year old driver and $809 and $811 for a 45 year old driver.
| Rapid City Auto Insurance Company | Average Annual Rate for 30 Y/O Driver | Average Annual Rate for 45 Y/O Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Buckyeye | $1,054 | $811 |
| State Farm | $1,056 | $809 |
| GEICO | $1,098 | $854 |
| Progressive | $1,132 | $921 |
| Allied | $1,156 | $954 |
| Western National | $1,187 | $987 |
Final Thoughts
At Autoinsuresavings you are able to find auto insurance rates which will fit within your budget without losing the necessary cover.
Using the advance tool at the top of the page you can compare quotes, chat with a broker online, or request them to call you back at your convenience.
It is important to comparison shop since each insurer weighs determining factors, such as age, driver history, marital status, and credit scores, differently.
Related articles
