Car insurance premiums start to climb for drivers at around age 65. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, older drivers have a higher rate of fatal crashes than those aged 35 to 54.
However, seniors in South Dakota can still find affordable car insurance. Our guide provides tips on securing the cheapest rates for seniors in South Dakota and helps save on auto insurance premiums.
- The average cost of car insurance for a 65-year-old driver in South Dakota is $1,950 per year for a full coverage policy.
- According to CarInsurance.com’s research, a 70-year-old driver in South Dakota pays almost the same for full coverage as more for full coverage than a 65-year-old driver.
- Finding the cheapest car insurance for seniors over 70 becomes more important as rates increases significantly. For instance, a 75-year-old driver in South Dakota pays 6% more more a full coverage policy than a 65-year-old driver.
- Reviewing and comparing car insurance quotes every six months or at renewal can help you find the most affordable rates.
Cheapest car insurance companies for seniors in South Dakota
Below are the cheapest, full-coverage car insurance rates in South Dakota for drivers at various ages:
- Overall cheapest car insurance for seniors over 60: Nationwide, $104 per month.
- Cheapest for seniors at age 65: Nationwide, $102 per month.
- Cheapest for seniors at age 70: Nationwide, $102 per month.
- Cheapest for seniors at age 75: Nationwide, $107 per month.
Compare cheap car insurance quotes for senior drivers in South Dakota
Below, find the cheapest car insurance rates in South Dakota from major insurers for three coverage levels: state minimum, liability-only with limits of 50/100/50 and full coverage with 100/300/100 limits.
Select your age and type of coverage below to see the average annual and monthly rates.
- Full coverage: 100/300/100 liability with $500 comprehensive/collision deductible
- Liability only: 50/100/50 liability only
- State minimum: State minimum coverage
State minimum car insurance refers to the least amount of coverage that a driver is legally required to have in a particular state. This typically includes liability insurance, which covers bodily injury and property damage to others if you are at fault in an accident. Each state sets its own minimum requirements for coverage limits.
Liability car insurance with limits of 50/100/50 means:
- $50,000 per person for bodily injury
- $100,000 per accident for bodily injury per accident
- $50,000 per accident for property damage
A liability policy covers expenses for injuries and damages you cause to others in an accident, but not your own injuries or vehicle damage.
Full coverage insurance with limits of 100/300/100 includes higher liability limits:
- $100,000 per person for bodily injury
- $300,000 per accident for bodily injury to multiple people
- $100,000 per accident for property damage
It also typically includes:
- Collision coverage: Pays for damages to your car from a collision.
- Comprehensive coverage: Covers damages to your car from non-collision events (e.g., theft, fire, vandalism).
Full coverage ensures you are covered for a wide range of incidents, both for your liability to others and for your own vehicle’s damage.
Why do car insurance rates increase for senior drivers in South Dakota?
As drivers age, car insurance typically becomes more expensive. This is largely because statistics reveal that seniors, on average, are more involved in accidents than younger drivers, excluding teenagers, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
While older drivers usually have decades of experience under their belt, they often suffer from age-related hearing or vision loss, slower reflexes, side effects from medicines and other health issues that can make driving more difficult.
The CDC reports that drivers older than 70 have a higher rate of crash fatalities per 1,000 crashes than those aged 35-54. NHTSA statistics reveal that in 2020, senior drivers 65 and older were involved in 13% of fatal accidents, up by 26% since 2011.
In addition, older drivers are more likely to need medical treatment even after a minor accident, and steep hospital expenses contribute to an overall increase in insurance rates.
“Unfortunately, as we move past middle age, the odds of being more severely injured or dying in a car crash increase significantly,” says Carole Walker, executive director at Rocky Mountain Insurance Association.
“Statistically, older drivers have a higher risk of causing a crash, but an even bigger factor adding to higher car insurance bills are common health problems that make them more prone to being hurt and incurring medical bills – even in low-speed or less serious crashes,” she says.
According to an analysis by CarInsurance.com, rates start to climb for most senior drivers in their mid-60s and continue to increase from then on.
In South Dakota, the average cost for a full coverage policy is $1,950 for a 65-year-old and $1,957 for a 70-year-old.
In South Dakota, 70-year-old drivers pay almost the same for full coverage as 65-year-olds and 75-year-olds pay 6% more for a full coverage policy, based on CarInsurance.com data.
Find below the annual average rate increases for senior drivers in South Dakota by age and different coverage limits.
| Age | State minimum | Liability only | Full coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65 | $284 | $313 | $1,950 |
| 70 | $305 | $335 | $1,957 |
| 75 | $344 | $378 | $2,074 |
Coverage types:
- Full coverage: 100/300/100 liability with $500 comp/coll deductible
- Liability only: 50/100/50 liability only
- State minimum: State minimum coverage only
Find out how much insurance costs for seniors
Cheapest car insurance for seniors with tickets in South Dakota
A speeding ticket or other moving violation will raise your insurance rates regardless of your age. Insurers love statistics, and data show that a driver with a ticket on their record is more likely to get in an accident that may result in a claim.
The rate increase will vary by insurance company, but South Dakota drivers can expect a 25% rise in their premiums after receiving a speeding ticket for going 1-29 mph over the limit.
Seniors who have a speeding ticket or minor moving violation can expect increased insurance costs. Based on our analysis, the best insurance providers for seniors with tickets are shown in the table below.
| Company | Annual rates with 1 speeding ticket | Monthly rates with 1 speeding ticket |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $1,848 | $154 |
| Allstate | $2,078 | $173 |
| Nationwide | $2,129 | $177 |
| Farmers | $2,338 | $195 |
| GEICO | $2,408 | $201 |
| Auto-Owners | $2,719 | $227 |
| Progressive | $3,218 | $268 |
| USAA* | $2,055 | $171 |
Compare senior car insurance rates in neighboring states
Cheapest car insurance for seniors with DUIs in South Dakota
A DUI is a serious offense and your insurance rates will skyrocket once it appears on your driving record. Typically, your insurance premium will double after a DUI. According to our data, in some states, the increase can be as high as 83% after your first DUI. If you get a second DUI, the insurance rates could increase by 206%.
After a DUI, finding affordable or any coverage can be difficult, but based on our data, these insurers are the best options for seniors with a DUI in South Dakota:
| Company | Annual rates with DUI first offense | Monthly rates with DUI first offense |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $1,848 | $154 |
| Farmers | $2,418 | $202 |
| Progressive | $2,851 | $238 |
| Nationwide | $2,965 | $247 |
| Allstate | $3,236 | $270 |
| Auto-Owners | $3,901 | $325 |
| GEICO | $7,182 | $599 |
| USAA* | $3,430 | $286 |
Cheapest car insurance for seniors after an accident in South Dakota
Much like a ticket or DUI, having an accident on your driving record will raise your insurance rates. While the increase varies by insurer, our data show that drivers can expect their premium to jump by 47% after one at-fault accident with property damage exceeding $2,000.
Typically, the premium increase remains for three to five years, making it essential to find an affordable insurer. According to our data, the following companies provide the cheapest car insurance for seniors in South Dakota after an accident.
| Company | Annual rates with 1 at-fault accident | Monthly rates with 1 at-fault accident |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $1,937 | $161 |
| Nationwide | $2,166 | $181 |
| Farmers | $2,533 | $211 |
| Allstate | $2,849 | $237 |
| Auto-Owners | $2,987 | $249 |
| Progressive | $3,539 | $295 |
| GEICO | $3,719 | $310 |
| USAA* | $2,466 | $206 |
How can seniors save on car insurance in South Dakota?
Auto insurance for seniors can be costly, but there are several ways to save. Here are some simple ways to lower your premiums:
- Shop around: Regularly comparing car insurance rates – every six months or annually when it’s time to renew – can help you secure the best deal.
- Raise your deductible: Raising your deductible from $500 to $1,000 can save you money each month, but ensure you have the funds available to cover the higher deductible if needed.
- Ask about discounts Bundling with homeowners insurance, loyalty discounts and discounts for years of being licensed are great ways to save on car insurance. Find more details on discounts below.
Editor’s Tip:Take a senior driving course: With an approved defensive driving course, seniors can save up to 4% on their car insurance in South Dakota. The American Automobile Association(AAA) and AARP offer defensive driving courses for senior drivers in South Dakota.
Car insurance discounts for senior drivers in South Dakota
Here are some car insurance discounts to help seniors reduce their insurance costs.
| Discount type | Potential annual savings |
|---|---|
| Anti-theft device | 4% |
| Daily commute | 11% |
| Days advanced purchase | 8% |
| Days per week driven | 13% |
| Defensive driver | 4% |
| Education | 6% |
| Electronic funds transfer | 4% |
| Homeowner | 3% |
| Lower annual mileage | 5% |
| Loyalty – years renewal with company | 10% |
| Marital status | 7% |
| Multi policy | 9% |
| Paperless/electronic documents | 5% |
| Payment type | 8% |
| Primary use | 14% |
| Profession | 14% |
| Safety devices | 3% |
| Telematics | 13% |
| Years insured | 20% |
| Years licensed | 24% |
Choosing the cheapest and best car insurance for seniors in South Dakota
Senior drivers generally pay higher premiums than younger adult drivers. If you want an affordable policy, carefully evaluate your needs and determine the coverage amount. When shopping for insurance, consider the price, customer service and available discounts.
Find the best auto insurance companies online to see which carrier provides affordable rates and easy-to-use websites or apps.
FAQ: Cheap car insurance for seniors in South Dakota
Who has the cheapest state minimum auto insurance for seniors in South Dakota?
Based on our data, $204 offers the lowest state minimum auto insurance rates for seniors in South Dakota, at $204 yearly. North Star Mutual and Farmers Mutual of Nebraska also provide affordable rates on state minimum coverage for seniors in South Dakota.
Which companies offer the cheapest liability car insurance for seniors in South Dakota?
According to CarInsurance.com, GEICO offers the cheapest liability car insurance for seniors in South Dakota at $248 per year. North Star Mutual and Farmers Mutual of Nebraska also offer inexpensive rates.
Does State Farm offer a senior discount in South Dakota?
State Farm doesn’t offer a specific senior discount in South Dakota, but it provides several discounts that seniors can use to reduce their insurance rates. These include discounts for completing a defensive driving course, safe driving, being a long-term customer, bundling policies and vehicle advanced safety features.
Bottom line
Nationwide is the cheapest for senior drivers in South Dakota. To find the best car insurance rates, seniors should shop around and compare quotes online from various insurers. They can also qualify for discounts by taking defensive driving courses or bundling their car insurance with other types of coverage.
Check out how to shop for car insurance for seniors
Resources & Methodology
Additional Resources
There are several resources available for older drivers who want to stay safe behind the wheel and save on their insurance premiums:
- American Automobile Association: AAA helps senior drivers to continue driving for as long and safely as possible.
- AARP (American Association of Retired Persons): AARP’s smart driver program helps senior drivers to learn proven driving techniques and save money on car insurance.
- National Institute on Aging: The NIA provides tips to senior drivers about health and driving and offers free publications to aging seniors to answer health-related queries.
- Fitness-to-Drive Screening Measure Online: This web-based tool helps family members identify at-risk drivers.
- Eldercare Locator: Helps senior drivers maintain their independence, and provides information about highway safety for aging drivers and services.
Sources:
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. “Older Adult Drivers.” Accessed July 2025.
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. “Fatality Facts 2021 Older People.” Accessed July 2025.
- National Safety Council. “Motor Vehicle: Age Group Comparisons.” Accessed July 2025.
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration “U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).” Accessed July 2025.
Behind the rates: How we analyzed cheapest costs for seniors in South Dakota
CarInsurance.com gathered car insurance rates for senior drivers from Quadrant Information Services. The rates are for a full coverage policy with limits 100/300/100 and a $500 comprehensive and collision deductible based on sample profiles of 65, 70 & 75 year old male and female drivers with clean driving records. We have compared 53,409,632 car insurance quotes across 34,588 ZIP codes from 170 national and regional car insurance companies.
To determine car insurance rates for senior drivers with a history of traffic violations, CarInsurance.com used a sample profile of a 65-year-old driver who owns a Honda Accord LX. We have compared 50,73,544 insurance quotes from 138 companies across 1,468 ZIP codes.
Car insurance rates are calculated by evaluating the sample profile of a 65-year-old male and female driver with the following incidents applied
- One at-fault property damage accident over $2K
- One at-fault property damage accident under $2K
- At-fault bodily injury accidents
- DUI/DWI first offense.
- Speeding ticket (1-10 MPH over the limit,11-29 MPH over the limit & 30+ over limit)
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparison purposes.
Note: USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
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