Cheap South Dakota car insurance

Here's what you need to know when driving in South Dakota

Across the Mount Rushmore State, there are 166,814 miles of road just waiting to be driven. We’ll get you prepped, then you take the wheel.

Cheap Car Insurance

Cheap Insurance for Good Drivers in South Dakota

Drivers with good driving records typically enjoy lower car insurance costs than drivers with histories of speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, or DUI citations. South Dakota drivers without a recent at-fault accident typically save 33% on their car insurance premiums — nearly matching the 32% US average. In addition to earning a cheaper premium for driving incident-free, you may qualify for a safe-driving bonus through your car insurance company. The amount of these discounts may vary, but they typically run between 5 and 10%.

Cheap Insurance for Young Drivers in South Dakota

Young drivers (those between the ages of 16 and 25) pay extraordinarily high auto insurance rates, with those aged 16-19 paying the most expensive premiums of all. Because of the risk presented by inexperienced drivers, teens pay more than three times the national average for car insurance. In South Dakota, the typical teen driver pays $4,158 annually — approximately $800 less than the national average for teens, but about three times as much as the average driver in South Dakota.

Cheap Car Insurance for Bad Drivers in South Dakota

If you have a clean driving record — no at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, or other recent citations — you'll probably enjoy relatively cheap car insurance rates. Conversely, a bad driving record will cause your costs to skyrocket: car insurance premiums typically increase by 33% after a DUI, 33% after an at-fault accident, and 15% after a speeding ticket in South Dakota. The post-citation penalties assessed by car insurance companies in South Dakota roughly align to nationwide averages. If you have a clean driving history, be sure to inquire about your insurance company's safe driver discount.

What are the Best Car Insurance Companies in South Dakota?

Each car insurance company brags about its low costs. But just like with any product, the most affordable auto insurance isn't always the best idea. Considering the financial stakes, it's worthwhile to do your due diligence to obtain an insurance policy that cover your vehicle completely after an accident. Be on the lookout for the best value, rather than settling for the cheapest auto insurance you can find.

Compare top insurers' financial strength and claims satisfaction ratings to better understand the level of service you can expect. Claims satisfaction — assigned by J.D. Power — is ranked on a scale of 2 to 5, with 5 being "among the best" and 2 being "the rest." Financial strength — calculated by A.M. Best and ranging from "Superior" to "Poor" — assesses an insurer's financial strength and ability to meet its policy and contractual obligations.

What is the Best Auto Insurance Coverage in South Dakota?

The minimum required insurance level in South Dakota is $25,000 Bodily Injury per person, $50,000 Bodily Injury per accident, and $25,000 Property Damage per accident.

For the legal minimum coverage in South Dakota, be prepared to pay a mean of $307 each year. This is more affordable than the national average by 53%. If you opt for better car insurance coverage, you can select a policy with comprehensive and collision coverage, which will protect against damages caused by car collisions, theft, or weather conditions. However, better car insurance has a price: in South Dakota, a comprehensive policy with a $1,000 deductible costs $1,027, 234% more than liability-only coverage. For comprehensive coverage with a $500 deductible, expect to pay 312% more than you would for a basic liability-only policy.

Compare average prices for basic and comprehensive insurance levels in the below table.

Car Insurance Laws

State minimum insurance requirements in South Dakota

In South Dakota, the state minimum coverage requirements are as follows:

Liability

• Bodily Injury $25,000 per person
• Bodily Injury $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage $25,000 per accident

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist

• Bodily Injury $25,000 per person
• Bodily Injury $50,000 per accident

Optional coverage in South Dakota (varies by carrier):

• Comprehensive
• Collision
• Loan/Lease Payoff
• Medical Payments
• Rental Car Reimbursement
• Roadside Assistance
• Accidental Death
• Total Disability

Liability coverage is legally required in South Dakota and pays for injury and lost wages that you cause to another driver or their passengers as well as damage to the other driver’s vehicle in the event that you are considered “at fault” in an accident. The coverage limits are determined by each individual state and normally split into three categories. In South Dakota, the minimum is listed as 25/50/25 and explained below:

• $25,000 bodily injury coverage per person. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for a single person that you injure in an auto accident.
• $50,000 bodily injury coverage per accident. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for all injuries that you cause in an accident if more than one person is hurt.
• $25,000 property damage per accident. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for damage that you cause in an accident.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is legally required in South Dakota and pays for injury and lost wages that you or your passengers may suffer in the event that you are hit by an uninsured/underinsured driver who is at fault. The coverage limits are determined by each individual state and normally split into two categories. In South Dakota, the minimum is listed as 25/50 and explained below:

• $25,000 bodily injury coverage per person. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for a single person injured in your vehicle by an uninsured/underinsured driver.
• $50,000 bodily injury coverage per accident. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for all injuries in your vehicle by an uninsured/underinsured driver if more than one person is hurt.

These numbers reflect the minimum limits required in South Dakota but higher coverage amounts are available with most companies.

South Dakota Car Insurance FAQs

Are digital insurance cards accepted in South Dakota?

Yes. If you happen to find yourself pulled over by a police officer in South Dakota you won't have to rifle through your glovebox wondering if you remembered to replace that expired insurance card last month. Instead, you can provide proof of coverage with your smartphone.

Should I carry uninsured motorist coverage in South Dakota?

8% of drivers are uninsured in South Dakota — less than the national average of 13%. It's still a good idea to carry uninsured motorist coverage in South Dakota to avoid extra costs if you're involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist.

Driving Laws

South Dakota Texting and Driving Laws

1. Ban on all cell phones for drivers with Learner or Intermediate Licenses
2. Ban on text messaging for all drivers

South Dakota DUI Laws

The DUI lookback period in South Dakota is 10 years. Multiple DUI offenses within this timeframe can lead to enhanced penalties.

In all cases, DUI offenders may be required to participate in a 24/7 sobriety program or install and use an ignition interlock device for a time period determined by the court. There may also be a requirement to undergo mandatory testing with law enforcement.

DUI offenders with a BAC of 0.17% or higher must also undergo an evaluation by a state-approved chemical dependency counselor at their own expense.

First-time DUI offenses in South Dakota lead to:

• Up to one year in jail
• Up to $2,000 in fines
• License revocation for 30 days to one year
• Restricted license for up to one year

How Do Citations Impact Auto Insurance Rates in South Dakota?

If you receive a ticket or citation, your auto insurance costs will probably rise. How much your rates rise depends on the severity of the violation, your insurance company's pricing strategy, and differing local insurance regulations and risks. That's why tickets may have a different impact on insurance in your state compared to the national average.

Below is a snapshot of typical auto insurance rates in South Dakota after some common violations.