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Anna Baluch is a Cleveland-based personal finance and insurance expert who’s written for Compare.com since 2023. With an MBA from Roosevelt University, she enjoys writing educational content that helps people make smart financial decisions.
Her work can be seen across the web in several notable publications, including Freedom Debt Relief, Credit Karma, RateGenius, and The Balance.
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Katie Powers is an insurance and personal finance editor for Compare.com. Katie loves using her extensive writing and editing experience to help readers make more informed decisions with their money. She's also a licensed insurance producer in the state of New York and has seen her work appear in several notable outlets, including the Boston Globe, Insurify, Penguin Random House, and more.
Katie earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in writing, literature, and publishing from Emerson College. She has been editing for Compare.com since 2025.
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John Leach is a licensed insurance agent who reviews and fact-checks articles for Compare.com. John has several years of experience reviewing and editing various insurance topics, and he also holds a valid personal lines producer license from the California Department of Insurance (NPN #20461358).
He’s also an alumnus of the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in linguistics.
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At Compare.com, it’s our mission to give you the tools to find the best (and most affordable) insurance for your unique needs and budget. We strive to provide information that’s helpful, clear, and unbiased, and we believe that comparing insurance companies should never put you at risk of spam. Our editorial team — which is made up of experienced writers, editors, insurance agents, and data analysts — has spent thousands of hours researching and creating the coverage overviews, side-by-side comparisons, and detailed reviews you see across our site.
While we make money through partnerships with some of the brands we discuss in our articles, our editorial team operates 100% independently, and these partners never influence or affect the topics, reviews, ratings, or recommendations we provide. We never guarantee favorable reviews or mentions in exchange for compensation from any brands or partners, and we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure our content is always independent, truthful, and unbiased.
Like nearly every state in the country, South Dakota requires all drivers to have car insurance. Drivers throughout the state pay a monthly average of $97 for car insurance, according to Compare.com data. Auto policies in South Dakota tend to be more affordable than in other states, possibly due to its lower population.[1]
But even with these relatively cheap rates, many car insurance companies in South Dakota offer policies for well below the state average, including big names like State Farm, USAA, and Farmers. Monthly liability insurance rates start as low as $36.
Below, we’ll dive deeper into South Dakota’s most affordable car insurance companies for different driver types and explain how to find the right company and save on car insurance.
The average cost of car insurance in South Dakota is $60 per month for liability insurance and $134 for full coverage.
Safeco, Bristol West, and Farmers are three of the best insurance companies for South Dakota drivers.
You have to purchase minimum liability insurance limits of 25/50/25 and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to legally drive in South Dakota.[2]
Regardless of the average car insurance costs in South Dakota, you can always find ways to save. Several insurance companies even have average rates that fall below the state average. It’s a good idea to compare quotes from multiple insurance companies before deciding on the right insurer for you.
Here’s a look at the cheapest auto insurance companies in South Dakota, according to Compare.com data.
Company  | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $43 |
| Farmers | $48 |
| Auto-Owners | $49 |
| American Family | $51 |
| USAA | $54 |
| Direct Auto | $60 |
| Bristol West | $64 |
| GEICO | $68 |
| Allstate | $71 |
| Safeco | $71 |
| Dairyland | $81 |
| Nationwide | $87 |
Keep reading for a breakdown of how car insurance costs vary by driver and coverage type in South Dakota.
When it comes to car insurance, every driver has their own unique budget, needs, and personal preferences. A number of factors, such as your ZIP code, age, gender, and driving history, will affect how much you pay for coverage.[3]
The following sections highlight the cheapest insurers in South Dakota for different backgrounds and coverages, according to our data.
Comparing quotes can save you up to $867.†
State-minimum car insurance in South Dakota includes liability insurance, which helps pay for the other driver’s property damage and injuries following an accident you cause. The Mount Rushmore State also requires uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
While liability insurance is the most affordable option, you should understand your car insurance needs to determine if you need to buy coverage beyond the state minimum.[4] The average monthly cost of minimum coverage in South Dakota is $60.
If you decide liability insurance is enough for you, here are five of the state’s cheapest car insurance companies, according to Compare.com data.
Full-coverage insurance typically comes with comprehensive and collision coverages, which can kick in after theft, vandalism, fire, at-fault accidents, and a number of other situations. If you want more protection on the road, these coverages are worth considering.
If you have a loan or lease your vehicle, your lender may require you to buy full-coverage insurance. In South Dakota, the average premium for full coverage is $134 per month. Despite the higher rates for this coverage type, several car insurers offer full coverage for close to the average price of liability-only policies in the Mount Rushmore State.
This chart highlights the cheapest full-coverage insurance companies in South Dakota, according to Compare.com data.
Compared to older, more experienced drivers, teens between the ages of 16 and 19 are more likely to get into car accidents, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).[5] That increased risk leads to teens facing the highest car insurance costs of any age group.
Teen drivers in South Dakota pay an average of $214 per month for car insurance, but it’s still possible to find affordable coverage if you’re a younger driver.
Here’s an overview of the cheapest car insurance companies in South Dakota for teens and young drivers, according to Compare.com data.
Seniors usually pay the cheapest car insurance coverage of any age group. This is due to decades of driving experience and commitment to responsible driving. An older adult in South Dakota pays an average of $88 per month for car insurance.
Even with these low average premiums, you still have a good chance of finding a better deal from a number of insurers. Here are five of the cheapest car insurance companies in South Dakota, according to Compare.com data.
A speeding ticket can increase your car insurance rates. When your policy renews, your insurance company will likely view you as a riskier driver and update your premiums. In fact, our research found that the average driver’s rate goes up by 37% after just a single ticket.
The average rate for South Dakota drivers with a ticket is $144 per month for car insurance, but several auto insurance companies offer cheaper coverage.
In this chart, we share the most affordable insurance companies in South Dakota for drivers with a recent ticket, according to Compare.com data.
If you cause a car accident, your premiums will likely go up. Our research shows that one at-fault accident increases premiums by 41%, on average. South Dakota drivers with a recent accident on their record pay a monthly average of $127, according to Compare.com data.
The good news is you can typically find a better deal with one of the five insurers in the chart below.
Having a DUI will significantly increase your car insurance rates. In fact, our research found that a DUI conviction increases average rates for drivers by 61%.
South Dakota residents with a DUI pay an average monthly premium of $128, according to Compare.com data.
This chart highlights the cheapest car insurance companies for South Dakota drivers with a DUI, according to our data.
In South Dakota, some car insurance companies use credit-based insurance scores to help determine rates. Research has shown that drivers with higher credit scores are less likely to file a claim. As a result, these drivers often pay cheaper premiums.[6]
Nationally, drivers with poor credit pay 20% more than those with excellent credit scores, according to our data. The average premium for South Dakota residents with poor credit is $116 per month, according to Compare.com data.
That said, not all insurers consider credit, and some offer cheap coverage regardless of your credit history. Here’s an overview of the five cheapest companies for drivers with poor credit in South Dakota.
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No single car insurance insurer is the best option for every driver. Factors like your age, ZIP code, driving history, and credit history all play a role in what you pay for coverage.
To help you with your search, we did the heavy lifting and uncovered the best car insurance companies in South Dakota for various driver profiles. We chose these companies based on average rates, coverage levels, customer reviews, financial strength ratings, and more.
| User Reviews | NR |
|---|---|
| Our Rating Compare.com's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The objective formula used in these reviews weighs several important factors to consider when choosing financial products and services, including customer satisfaction ratings, ease of use, and a number of other components. | NR |
Customers appreciate the accessible and friendly customer service but are unhappy with the significant and frequent price increases, especially for those with safe driving records.
Customers appreciate the accessible and friendly customer service but are unhappy with the significant and frequent price increases, especially for those with safe driving records.
Safeco offers standard car insurance coverages and a variety of add-ons, such as rental car reimbursement and 24-hour roadside assistance. Plus, if you don’t file any claims over six months, you’ll receive a check for 2.5% of your premium.
Independent agents in Brookings, Madison, Dell Rapids, and other parts of South Dakota can help you home in on the ideal coverage for your particular situation.
Online quotes available
Offers a diminishing deductible
RightTrack telematics program
Above-average number of customer complaints
Poor rating on Trustpilot
Must work with an agent to finalize coverage
| User Reviews | 3.1 |
|---|---|
| Our Rating Compare.com's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The objective formula used in these reviews weighs several important factors to consider when choosing financial products and services, including customer satisfaction ratings, ease of use, and a number of other components. | 3.4 /5 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $64/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $160/mo |
Customers appreciate the competitive pricing and overall service but dislike the inflexible payment schedule and poor customer service communication.
Customers appreciate the competitive pricing and overall service but dislike the inflexible payment schedule and poor customer service communication.
Bristol West advertises a variety of optional coverages in addition to liability insurance and other standard plans. With permissive use coverage, you can include another driver in your auto policy as long as you let them use your car.
The car insurance company also offers rental car reimbursement and physical damage coverage of up to $500 for trailers. You may download the mobile app or work with a local agent in South Dakota to learn more about coverage options and file claims.
Offers rideshare insurance
Flexible payment options
Files SR-22 forms for high-risk drivers
Limited discount opportunities
No telematics program
Higher premiums for drivers with clean records
| User Reviews | 4.2 |
|---|---|
| Our Rating Compare.com's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The objective formula used in these reviews weighs several important factors to consider when choosing financial products and services, including customer satisfaction ratings, ease of use, and a number of other components. | 4.3 /5 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $48/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $97/mo |
Customers appreciate the helpful staff and quality of coverage but dislike the frequent and unexplained premium increases.
Customers appreciate the helpful staff and quality of coverage but dislike the frequent and unexplained premium increases.
Farmers makes it easy for you to save on car insurance with its long list of discount opportunities, including homeowner, good student, anti-theft device, and affinity discounts. Plus, if you enroll in the FairMile pay-per-mile program or Signal telematics program and prove you’re a responsible driver, you can save even more on your coverage.
Offers accident forgiveness
Local agents in South Dakota
Advertises a glass deductible
Below-average customer satisfaction score
Doesn’t offer 24/7 customer service
Poor reviews on Trustpilot
Local rates start as low as $36 per month.
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South Dakota law requires all drivers to buy car insurance. To drive legally, you must have the following minimum car insurance coverage:
$25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability
$25,000 per accident in property damage liability
$25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Car insurance experts often recommend you buy coverage that exceeds the minimum limits in your state. For example, if you have $5,000 in damages to your vehicle from a car accident you caused, your insurer won’t pay for any of the damages if you have only liability coverage. For vehicle protection, you need to purchase collision and comprehensive coverage.
Below, you’ll find the answers to several common questions about car insurance policies in South Dakota.
The overall average cost of an auto policy in South Dakota is $97 per month, according to Compare.com data. On average, drivers in South Dakota pay $60 per month for a liability-only policy and $134 for full coverage.
A number of factors, including your address, ZIP code, age, and driving record, will determine your car insurance costs in South Dakota. But the average monthly car insurance rate in South Dakota is $97, which is lower than the national average rate of $143.
No. South Dakota is an at-fault state. This means you must pay for the property damage and injuries you cause to others if you’re at fault.
Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.
All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.
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Compare.com's #1 goal is to save you money. We publish resources that are based on hard-hitting data and years of industry experience to help you make more informed decisions with your wallet.
Learn more about us, our team, and what makes us tick.
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Anna Baluch is a Cleveland-based personal finance and insurance expert who’s written for Compare.com since 2023. With an MBA from Roosevelt University, she enjoys writing educational content that helps people make smart financial decisions.
Her work can be seen across the web in several notable publications, including Freedom Debt Relief, Credit Karma, RateGenius, and The Balance.
Katie Powers is an insurance and personal finance editor for Compare.com. Katie loves using her extensive writing and editing experience to help readers make more informed decisions with their money. She's also a licensed insurance producer in the state of New York and has seen her work appear in several notable outlets, including the Boston Globe, Insurify, Penguin Random House, and more.
Katie earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in writing, literature, and publishing from Emerson College. She has been editing for Compare.com since 2025.
John Leach is a licensed insurance agent who reviews and fact-checks articles for Compare.com. John has several years of experience reviewing and editing various insurance topics, and he also holds a valid personal lines producer license from the California Department of Insurance (NPN #20461358).
He’s also an alumnus of the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in linguistics.
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