The cost of car insurance in South Dakota varies significantly depending on the type and amount of insurance coverage you buy, your location, age and driving history. Nationwide offers the cheapest rates at $1,526 a year for full coverage.
This guide makes buying car insurance in South Dakota easy. We’ve done the hard work by researching and analyzing what different drivers might pay for insurance.
Keep reading to learn how car insurance works in South Dakota and how much you need.
- The average cost of car insurance in South Dakota is $2,280 a year or $190 per month, based on our data analysis.
- Minimum liability coverage in South Dakota costs around $307 annually for limits of 25/50/25, while liability-only coverage costs $338 per year for limits of 50/100/50.
- Nationwide provides the most affordable annual rates for full coverage car insurance in South Dakota, costing $1,526 per year.
- In South Dakota, driving incidents can significantly increase premiums, with a speeding ticket raising rates by up to 35%, a DUI raising rates by 85%, and an at-fault accident by up to 43%.
How much is car insurance in South Dakota?
According to CarInsurance.com data, drivers in South Dakota pay about $190 per month for full coverage car insurance.
Understanding the average insurance cost can help you plan your budget. Remember, car insurance rates vary widely, depending on the type of car you drive, your driving history and other personal factors.
See how rates change in South Dakota based on driver profile:
- Teen drivers in South Dakota pay the most — about $527 a month or $6,328 a year.
- Young drivers in their 20s pay an average of $281 monthly or $3,371 annually, for car insurance.
- Senior drivers pay around $166 monthly or $1,994 a year.
- A speeding ticket can increase your rates to $233 monthly or $2,799 annually.
- An at-fault accident increases car insurance rates to $266 a month or $3,189 a year.
- Poor credit drivers usually see their car insurance costs increase to $420 monthly or $5,043 annually.
Average cost of auto insurance in South Dakota by coverage level
In South Dakota, the cost of car insurance can vary depending on how much coverage you purchase. South Dakota drivers need at least the minimum insurance coverage limits of 25/50/25 to legally drive.
Liability-only insurance policies are the most affordable option and provide the minimum coverage required in South Dakota. However, they don’t offer much protection.
While liability insurance protects you from financial loss by covering legal defense and damages if you’re found responsible for causing injury or property damage to others, it doesn’t protect your vehicle or passengers.
On the other hand, full coverage car insurance is more expensive, but it offers extensive protection. It helps cover your vehicle in case of accidents, theft, natural disasters, and animal collisions. Full coverage can make you feel more secure, knowing you’re well-protected if something happens.
Full coverage car insurance comprises liability, comprehensive, collision and any other coverage required by your state.
Below, you will find the rates for car insurance in South Dakota for different coverage levels.
| Coverage Level | Avg. Monthly Cost | Avg. Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| State Minimum – Liability Only BI/PD | $26 | $307 |
| Liability Only – 50/100/50 BI/PD | $28 | $338 |
| Full Coverage – 100/300/100 Liability BI/PD with $500 Comp/Coll Deductible | $190 | $2,280 |
State minimum car insurance in South Dakota
South Dakota laws mandate that all drivers carry insurance with minimum liability limits of $25,000 for bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 for bodily injury liability per accident and $25,000 for property damage liability.
The state minimum car insurance cost in South Dakota is $307 a year. However, this basic coverage only offers limited protection. South Dakota drivers can choose to add more coverage, such as comprehensive and collision insurance, raise their liability limits and include personal injury protection or other insurance coverage, for better protection.
Drivers in South Dakota must be aware of the minimum insurance coverage requirements to stay compliant.
Liability-only car insurance in South Dakota
The average cost of liability-only insurance in South Dakota is $338 for the coverage limits of 50/100/50, based on a recent data analysis by CarInsurance.com.
Liability-only insurance helps cover the costs if you damage someone else’s car or injure someone in an accident. It’s more affordable than full coverage insurance, but remember, it doesn’t pay for repairs to your vehicle or cover injuries to your passengers.
Full coverage car insurance in South Dakota
On average, premiums for full coverage car insurance in South Dakota cost $2,280 per year for the limits of 100/300/100 – $100,000 in bodily injury coverage, $300,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident and $100,000 in property damage coverage.
Experts recommend that drivers purchase full coverage insurance with the highest liability limits they can afford to be financially protected. Full coverage car insurance policies include liability, comprehensive and collision coverage.
Calculate the cost of car insurance in South Dakota
Insurance costs can vary depending on where you live. An affordable policy for someone in one area might be more expensive for someone living elsewhere.
Insurance companies assess various factors, such as crime rates, traffic conditions, car theft incidents and population density, to evaluate the level of risk in different areas and determine car insurance premiums.
As a result, residents in higher-risk neighborhoods in South Dakota pay more for premiums than those in lower-risk areas.
Our tool lets you quickly obtain insurance quotes for different coverage limits specific to your ZIP code within minutes. Input your ZIP code to see how much you can save on premiums.
Calculate car insurance rates by ZIP code in South Dakota
Rates vary by location. Our tool helps you understand how your ZIP code impacts your premium.
For 30 year old Male ( Liability - Minimum)
Estimate car insurance in South Dakota by car model
Car insurers in South Dakota use the make and model of your car to determine your insurance rates. Cars deemed more expensive to repair, such as luxury cars and EVs, may raise your rates more than those that may cost less to fix.
For instance, luxury brands like Maserati, BMW, Porsche, and Audi usually have higher insurance costs. Cars like Subaru, Hyundai, Honda and Mazda are often cheaper to insure.
See how much you’ll pay for car insurance for your specific make and model in South Dakota.
Insurance rates by car model
Guide: How to estimate car insurance using our car insurance estimator tool
Car insurance rates by age group in South Dakota
Younger drivers and teenagers typically pay more for insurance than older, more experienced drivers. This is because teenagers are more likely to get into car accidents. In fact, teenagers are four times more likely to crash than drivers who are 20 or older, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Car insurance companies know teen drivers are less experienced and riskier to insure. South Dakota drivers aged 30 to 60 have the lowest average auto insurance rates at $2,190 annually.
Car insurance for drivers aged 16-19 costs $4,138 more annually than South Dakota drivers aged 30-60.
See the average rates by age group below:
- For teen drivers: Teens aged 16-19 can expect to pay $6,328 per year for a full coverage car insurance policy.
- For young adults: Drivers aged 20-25 can expect to pay $3,245 a year for a full coverage policy.
- For average-aged drivers: Drivers aged 30 to 60 can expect to pay $2,190 per year in South Dakota.
- For senior drivers: Drivers age 65 and older can expect to pay $1,994 per year.
Check out our detailed guide on average car insurance rates by age
Rates based on driver profile, history and habits in South Dakota
A history of DUI, speeding, or at-fault accidents often results in significant hikes in insurance premiums. In South Dakota, a DUI conviction lead to increased rates and you may see a rate hike of up to 85% as insurers categorize you as a high-risk driver.
If you get caught speeding in South Dakota, your car insurance rates will increase by 35% when you renew your policy. Typically, you’ll pay the increased premiums for three years. But how much your rates go up can vary depending on the laws in your state, the insurance company you’re with, and your driving history.
Find below how much your car insurance rate increases depending on driving incidents:
- Speeding ticket: Up to 35% increase
- DUI conviction: 85% increase
- At-fault accident (bodily injury and property damage): 43% increase
Even if you’ve received a traffic ticket, you can still save money by comparing insurance quotes.
Car insurance cost in South Dakota for high-risk drivers
High-risk drivers in South Dakota pay more for car insurance than other drivers because they are considered riskier. Factors like accident history, traffic violations and poor credit scores influence how much the policyholder will pay for insurance coverage.
High-risk drivers can lower their insurance premiums by comparing price quotes from different insurance companies. Each company offers different prices, so shopping around and finding the best deal that fits your needs is a good idea.
Use this tool to compare prices from different companies and find out which is cheaper for drivers with speeding tickets, DUI convictions or at-fault accidents.
Select your state and risk factor below to see the insurance company and its average annual full coverage rates.
Learn more: The 10 most important factors that affect car insurance rates
Explore car insurance costs in your neighboring states
Compare car insurance quotes in South Dakota
In South Dakota, drivers can save on their premiums by comparing insurance quotes from different carriers. The cost of car insurance can vary based on several factors, including your driving history and the model of your car. Comparing multiple options allows you to find the right policy at an affordable price.
Begin your search for the top car insurance policy in South Dakota by getting quotes from multiple insurance providers and comparing them.
Below is a breakdown of car insurance companies in South Dakota and their average annual premiums.
| Company | State Minimum | 50/100/50 | 100/300/100 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nationwide | $297 | $305 | $1,526 |
| Farmers Mut Ins Co of NE | $237 | $260 | $1,989 |
| Allstate | $453 | $484 | $2,070 |
| State Farm | $285 | $329 | $2,096 |
| Farmers | $464 | $516 | $2,207 |
| GEICO | $223 | $269 | $2,384 |
| Auto-Owners | $257 | $260 | $2,566 |
| Iowa Farm Bureau | $377 | $403 | $2,736 |
| North Star Mutual | $244 | $285 | $2,744 |
| Progressive | $335 | $372 | $3,163 |
| USAA | $193 | $229 | $1,780 |
Car insurance rates by city in South Dakota
Oglala is the priciest city in South Dakota for car insurance, costing an average of $2,871 annually. On the other hand, Brookings is the most affordable city, where drivers pay an average of $1,916 per year for car insurance.
Car insurance premiums differ across cities in South Dakota and are influenced by traffic conditions. Cities with heavier traffic often experience more frequent accidents and insurance claims, which results in higher insurance costs.
The number of uninsured drivers, crime rates, and the average cost of repairs and medical bills also influence car insurance rates.
The table below shows the average annual car insurance premiums for South Dakota’s largest cities.
Select your city below to see the insurance company and its average full coverage rates.
How much does car insurance cost in South Dakota per month?
The average cost of a full-coverage car insurance policy in South Dakota costs $190 monthly for coverage limits of 100/300/100.
For some people, it is better to pay car insurance monthly because it gives them more flexibility in their budget. They can spread the cost over a longer period of time and don’t have to worry about a large lump sum payment.
On the other hand, paying for car insurance in full at renewal time can often result in a discount. Ultimately, your best option will depend on your needs and circumstances.
| Coverage Level | Avg. Monthly Rates |
|---|---|
| State Minimum – Liability Only BI/PD | $26 |
| Liability Only – 50/100/50 BI/PD | $28 |
| Full Coverage – 100/300/100 Liability BI/PD with $500 Comp/Coll Deductible | $190 |
Final thoughts on choosing car insurance in South Dakota
There’s no one best car insurance for everyone. Some drivers are willing to pay a bit more for outstanding customer service, some want the lowest rates, others prefer carriers who can handle claims and payments through mobile apps and some prefer agents.
It’s really important to figure out what you need and find the best insurance policy for your car without breaking the bank while driving in South Dakota.
Resources & Methodology
Sources
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. “Teenagers.” Accessed September 2025.
- USAA. “How credit affects insurance premiums.” Accessed September 2025.
Methodology
CarInsurance.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to get car insurance rates in South Dakota. The average premiums are based on the sample profile of a 40-year-old male and female driving a Honda Accord LX with a good insurance score and a clean driving record.
The rates are for different coverage limits. It includes:
- Full coverage car insurance with a coverage limit of $100,000 in bodily injury per person, $300,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident, $100,000 in property damage coverage per accident and a $500 collision/comprehensive deductible.
- Liability-only car insurance rates with a limit of 50/100/50.
- State minimum coverage limit of 25/50/25.
To evaluate the rates, we have compared 53,409,632 insurance quotes from 75 company groups across 34,588 ZIP codes. The average premiums are for comparison purposes only; your exact rates may vary.
Note: USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
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