Updated December 26, 2025

How to Find the Best Car Insurance in South Dakota

South Dakota cheapest insurance

How to Find the Best Car Insurance in South Dakota

Jerry helps you get quotes from up to 8 different insurance companies in the Mount Rushmore State, and over the past year we’ve helped 1,049 South Dakota drivers find their best car insurance at competitive prices and switch their coverage.

Every driver has unique needs, and since we’ve helped thousands of SD drivers just like you, we truly understand what’s most important. Jerry can show you real policies purchased by real people, and explain just how other drivers in South Dakota are choosing from top car insurance coverage options.

Here’s what we’ve noticed:

  • Bristol West is the single most-chosen insurer among Jerry customers in South Dakota.

  • Progressive and The General come in second and third place, with about half of the total market share.

  • The rest of our customers are spread across strong carriers like Dairyland, Safeco, among others.

All of this really drives home that there isn’t just one “best” company for every single driver. But there is a best fit for you, based on your own driving profile, coverage needs and risk tolerance.

Most popular insurers in South Dakota
InsurerShare of Jerry driversJerry customer rating
Bristol West28%No Rating
Progressive51%No Rating
The General19%No Rating
Dairyland9%No Rating
Safeco1%No Rating

Based on the most frequently chosen carriers by Jerry customers in this state. Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers in this state.

Quick picks: Best South Dakota car insurance by driver profile

Here are the categories we chose when selecting our best insurance companies for South Dakota drivers, and why. Use this as a starting point, then let Jerry personalize the results for your exact details.

Select your driver type

Driver categoryMost popular in SD
Most driversBristol West, Progressive, The General
Homeowners who bundleGEICO, The General, Bristol West
Budget-focused driversProgressive, The General, GEICO
Families with teen driversProgressive, The General, Bristol West
College studentsProgressive, Bristol West, The General
Drivers with violationsBristol West, Progressive, GEICO
Military driversUSAA, GEICO, Armed Forces Insurance
Senior driversGEICO, Progressive
Honda1

Jerry pulls up to 20 quotes from top rated carriers.

How Jerry helps South Dakota drivers find their best insurance

Jerry isn’t a price-only ranking tool. For South Dakota drivers, we focus on the coverage that actually holds up when you need it:

  • Use real data from 1,049 recent South Dakota quotes to best compare your coverage options.

  • Analyze 8 top insurers against our quality criteria and your specific needs.

  • Show you highly-rated options that balance coverage, claims and cost.

  • Explain why each option makes sense for your situation.

  • Handle all the paperwork — including cancellation and refund requests — and help you switch, so you never have a coverage gap.

  • Continue monitoring market rates so you always know when it’s time to shop for better pricing.

What does that mean for SD drivers? An average annual savings of $156 and high satisfaction rates among drivers who switch with Jerry.

Bottom line: You answer a few quick questions, we do the comparison work and you get coverage you can feel good about in minutes.

Best car insurance for most SD drivers

South Dakota drivers have many different insurance companies to choose from when shopping for coverage through Jerry. Each carrier brings a different mix of coverages, features, benefits and pricing to the table, so customers can compare real options and land on the best balance of price and protection.

Here are some of the most recent quotes that drivers have received in the state:

Recent quotes in South Dakota

Last Updated Dec. 25, 2025

In general, good drivers in South Dakota are looking for full coverage at a fair price with strong claims support if and when they need it. For this category of drivers, three companies consistently stand out as customer favorites: Bristol West, Progressive and The General. Jerry can help you compare them (and more) side-by-side in just minutes, so you can see which one truly fits your needs.

Here’s a look at what they each offer and why customers say they’re a top pick.

1. Bristol West

3.6

Jerry Score

No

Customer Rating

28%

of Jerry drivers in SD chose this insurer

Recent quotes for SD drivers

Last Updated Dec. 25, 2025

Based on Jerry customers with clean driving records who found savings in the past 12 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.

Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers in this state.

  • Why we recommend Bristol West:

2. Progressive

4.6

Jerry Score

No

Customer Rating

51%

of Jerry drivers in SD chose this insurer

Recent quotes for SD drivers

Last Updated Dec. 25, 2025

Based on Jerry customers with clean driving records who found savings in the past 12 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.

Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers in this state.

  • Why we recommend Progressive:

3. The General

3.9

Jerry Score

No

Customer Rating

19%

of Jerry drivers in SD chose this insurer

Recent quotes for SD drivers

Last Updated Dec. 25, 2025

Based on Jerry customers with clean driving records who found savings in the past 12 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.

Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers in this state.

  • Why we recommend The General:
Lifestyle14

Get SD quotes in as little as 2 minutes.

Best SD car insurance for bundling home and auto

If you’re a homeowner, your insurance decisions usually shift from “cheapest” to “best fit.” Your auto policy needs to match the life you’ve built, including the property, savings and people who depend on you.

Many drivers start with bundling auto and home insurance because it’s an easy way to simplify policy management and qualify for discounts. But even without bundling, homeownership can still work in your favor. Some carriers offer homeowner-specific discounts or higher coverage limits that better reflect what you’re protecting.

In South Dakota, Jerry sees most home-owning customers choosing GEICO, The General and Bristol West for their auto coverage, with or without bundling those policies. Here’s what each top carrier offers and why Jerry customers pick them most often.

1. GEICO

4.6

Jerry Score

4.7

Customer Rating

30%

of Jerry drivers in SD chose this insurer

Recent quotes for homeowners

Last Updated Dec. 25, 2025

Based on Jerry customers with clean driving records, who own a home and found savings in the past 12 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.

Customer rating based average rating by Jerry customers that are homeowners in the past 12 months.

  • Why we recommend GEICO:

2. The General

3.9

Jerry Score

4.5

Customer Rating

26%

of Jerry drivers in SD chose this insurer

Recent quotes for homeowners

Last Updated Dec. 25, 2025

Based on Jerry customers with clean driving records, who own a home and found savings in the past 12 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.

Customer rating based average rating by Jerry customers that are homeowners in the past 12 months.

  • Why we recommend The General:

3. Bristol West

3.6

Jerry Score

4.8

Customer Rating

22%

of Jerry drivers in SD chose this insurer

Recent quotes for homeowners

Last Updated Dec. 25, 2025

Based on Jerry customers with clean driving records, who own a home and found savings in the past 12 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.

Customer rating based average rating by Jerry customers that are homeowners in the past 12 months.

  • Why we recommend Bristol West:
Lifestyle4

Jerry helps you bundle home and auto for less in just minutes.

Best value for budget-focused SD drivers

Budget-friendly shouldn’t mean “good luck out there.” If you want to stay under control on price but still keep real coverage in South Dakota, you’ll usually get better results by switching carriers than by cutting limits. Our data show Progressive, The General and GEICO frequently land in the sweet spot for Jerry drivers, offering strong protection for a reasonable monthly cost. The goal isn’t just the cheapest insurance in South Dakota. It’s value: price plus protection that holds up.

Over the past 12 months, Jerry has helped 280 South Dakota drivers find coverage under $100/month, without dropping to bare-minimum limits.

Here’s a look at what each top carrier offers and why Jerry customers say they’re a top pick.

1. Progressive

4.6

Jerry Score

4.7

Customer Rating

36%

of Jerry drivers in SD chose this insurer

Recent price-friendly quotes

Last Updated Dec. 25, 2025

Based on Jerry customers with clean driving records who found savings in the past 12 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.

Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers with below-average credit profiles in the past 12 months.

  • Why we recommend Progressive:

2. The General

3.9

Jerry Score

4.8

Customer Rating

29%

of Jerry drivers in SD chose this insurer

Recent price-friendly quotes

Last Updated Dec. 25, 2025

Based on Jerry customers with clean driving records who found savings in the past 12 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.

Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers with below-average credit profiles in the past 12 months.

  • Why we recommend The General:

3. GEICO

4.6

Jerry Score

4.7

Customer Rating

24%

of Jerry drivers in SD chose this insurer

Recent price-friendly quotes

Last Updated Dec. 25, 2025

Based on Jerry customers with clean driving records who found savings in the past 12 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.

Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers with below-average credit profiles in the past 12 months.

  • Why we recommend GEICO:
CTA1 1

Jerry helps you save on car insurance fast.

Best car insurance for SD families with teen drivers

The day your teen gets their license is exciting. The first insurance bill after that? A bit less so.

In South Dakota, adding a teen driver to your policy can push premiums up quickly, and the increase often catches families off guard because it doesn’t always reflect your own history as a safe driver. But you can help mitigate this increase by shopping around and comparing all of your coverage options.

Jerry has helped SD families with teen drivers save an average of annually, most often with Progressive, The General and Bristol West.

1. Progressive

4.6

Jerry Score

4.7

Customer Rating

50%

of Jerry drivers in SD chose this insurer

Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers that have children of driving age in the past 12 months.

  • Why we recommend Progressive:

2. The General

3.9

Jerry Score

5.0

Customer Rating

33%

of Jerry drivers in SD chose this insurer

Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers that have children of driving age in the past 12 months.

  • Why we recommend The General:

3. Bristol West

3.6

Jerry Score

5.0

Customer Rating

17%

of Jerry drivers in SD chose this insurer

Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers that have children of driving age in the past 12 months.

  • Why we recommend Bristol West:
JERRY EXPERT INSIGHT
The cheapest teen car insurance isn't always the best one. It's better to compare options from multiple trusted carriers; that way, you know you're protected from claims and other situations that can get expensive fast.
Mitchell Mccray
Mitchell Mccray
General Lines Agent (Georgia Property & Casualty)

Best car insurance for SD college students

College life involves a lot of things, but “predictable driving habits” usually isn’t one of them. Students may go weeks without touching the car, then suddenly drive home for a weekend or road trip out of town. That stop-start pattern can make it surprisingly easy to end up with the wrong setup or pay for coverage you don’t really need.

Jerry has helped 118 college students in South Dakota find affordable coverage that still protects them on and off campus. Progressive, Bristol West and The General are the most common choices for college students buying auto insurance through Jerry. Here’s why.

1. Progressive

4.6

Jerry Score

4.7

Customer Rating

29%

of Jerry drivers in SD chose this insurer

Recent college driver quotes

Last Updated Dec. 25, 2025

Based on Jerry customers with clean driving records, between ages 17-24, who found savings in the past 12 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.

Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers that have children of driving age in the past 12 months.

  • Why we recommend Progressive:

2. Bristol West

3.6

Jerry Score

5.0

Customer Rating

24%

of Jerry drivers in SD chose this insurer

Recent college driver quotes

Last Updated Dec. 25, 2025

Based on Jerry customers with clean driving records, between ages 17-24, who found savings in the past 12 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.

Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers that have children of driving age in the past 12 months.

  • Why we recommend Bristol West:

3. The General

3.9

Jerry Score

5.0

Customer Rating

38%

of Jerry drivers in SD chose this insurer

Recent college driver quotes

Last Updated Dec. 25, 2025

Based on Jerry customers with clean driving records, between ages 17-24, who found savings in the past 12 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.

Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers that have children of driving age in the past 12 months.

  • Why we recommend The General:
Audi2

Fast track your SD insurance with Jerry.

Best SD car insurance for drivers with violations

If you’ve got a ticket, at-fault accident or DUI, you’ve probably already felt the insurance penalty. Insurers often treat violations as an instant high-risk label, which can drive up premiums and shrink your coverage choices. But high-risk doesn’t mean “no good options.”

Jerry has helped 1,169 South Dakota drivers with violations find coverage this past year at affordable prices, and we keep an eye on your rates so you’ll know when it makes sense to shop again after violations fall off your record and you can potentially save even more.

For many Jerry drivers with violations, the most common coverage wins come from Bristol West, Progressive and GEICO — carriers that tend to be more open to South Dakota drivers with dings on their record.

1. Bristol West

3.6

Jerry Score

4.9

Customer Rating

39%

of Jerry drivers in SD chose this insurer

Recent quotes post-violation

Last Updated Dec. 26, 2025

Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers with violations in the past 12 months.

  • Why we recommend Bristol West:

2. Progressive

4.6

Jerry Score

4.7

Customer Rating

23%

of Jerry drivers in SD chose this insurer

Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers with violations in the past 12 months.

  • Why we recommend Progressive:

3. GEICO

4.6

Jerry Score

4.7

Customer Rating

22%

of Jerry drivers in SD chose this insurer

Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers with violations in the past 12 months.

  • Why we recommend GEICO:
JERRY EXPERT INSIGHT
Buying just minimum coverage can be tempting after a ticket or accident, but it’s rarely a smart move in the long-term. Instead, price out a few different coverage levels, adjust your deductible and compare the options.
Rebekah Bahruth
Rebekah Bahruth
General Lines Agent (Florida Property & Casualty)

Car insurance options for SD military families

Whether you’re active-duty, reserve, guard or veteran, military life shapes how you drive, where you keep your car and how often you move. Jerry has helped South Dakota military families find coverage that can keep up with deployments, PCS moves and everything in between.

If you qualify for military-focused insurers, they should always be on your shortlist. At the same time, many standard insurers offer solid military discounts and flexible policies that Jerry can quote and compare for you.

Here’s how to think about your options.

A few companies are built specifically for military households, including USAA, Navy Federal, Armed Forces Insurance and similar providers.

If you’re eligible, start by including them on your shortlist. These insurers are structured for deployments, PCS orders and frequent relocations, and often include storage or reduced-use options when your car is parked on base or at home during deployment. Their support teams also tend to be fluent in military pay, orders and timing, which can make the process smoother.

Because these insurers run differently, Jerry can’t always provide live quotes or internal ratings for them. If you qualify, a practical approach is:

1. Use Jerry to compare strong standard-insurer options, then
2. Request a direct quote from one or more military-only insurers and compare.

This keeps the decision grounded in real numbers, not assumptions.

Military-only providers are not the only option. Several national insurers offer military discounts, handle deployments and out-of-state moves well and are already tightly integrated with Jerry’s quote and switch flow.

For many SD military families, GEICO, State Farm and Progressive are common contenders.

1. GEICO

Best for: Deployment flexibility with strong discount potential

Why it often works well for service members:

  • Military discounts plus options to adjust coverage when you deploy or drive less.

  • 24/7 support that’s practical for OCONUS and rotating schedules.

  • Fast app access for proof of insurance, claims and policy changes.

2. State Farm

Best for: Base-to-base moves with in-person help

Why it often works well:

  • Extensive agent network that can travel with you across states.

  • Strong local presence in many military communities.

  • Simple bundling when you add home or condo protection.

3. Progressive

Best for: Changing routines and digital management

Why it could be a good fit:

  • Competitive pricing across many profiles, including frequent movers.

  • Self-serve tools to update address, mileage and garaging.

  • Popular add-ons like rental and roadside for times when you’re away from home support.

Jerry can’t claim to “rank” USAA or Navy Federal against these carriers, but we can show you in minutes how GEICO, State Farm, Progressive and other standard insurers price your situation in South Dakota.

lifestyle2

Get personalized car insurance rates now.

Best car insurance for senior drivers in South Dakota

For many South Dakota drivers over 65, the best policy is the one that feels boring in the best way: it works, it’s clear, and it’s backed by a carrier that’s easy to deal with. Jerry recommends GEICO, Progressive and for seniors who care about service, stability and long-term value.

In the last 12 months, we’ve helped 83 South Dakota seniors find coverage that aligns with how they drive now and the protection they want.

1. GEICO

4.6

Jerry Score

4.5

Customer Rating

60%

of Jerry drivers in SD chose this insurer

Recent senior driver quotes

Last Updated Dec. 25, 2025

Based on Jerry customers 65+ with clean driving records who found savings in the past 12 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.

Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers of age 65+ in the past 12 months.

  • Why we recommend GEICO:

2. Progressive

4.6

Jerry Score

4.8

Customer Rating

40%

of Jerry drivers in SD chose this insurer

Recent senior driver quotes

Last Updated Dec. 25, 2025

Based on Jerry customers 65+ with clean driving records who found savings in the past 12 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.

Customer rating based on average rating by Jerry customers of age 65+ in the past 12 months.

  • Why we recommend Progressive:
Lifestyle9

See coverage options for your car.

How Jerry picks the best insurers in South Dakota

Most sites just sort companies by price. Jerry does more. 

No one wants to overpay for insurance, but Jerry knows that other factors matter, too. We use our own proprietary Jerry Score to grade each insurance company. Built from real South Dakota driver data, this score evaluates insurers on:

Customer satisfaction

What customers say after they’ve filed a claim or made changes, not just when they first buy.

Value for your money

The best balance of price and protection, not just the lowest premium on the page.

Claims experience

How quickly and fairly claims get paid, especially after real crashes and storm damage.

Financial strength

Whether the company has the backing to pay out when major events hit.

Quality of coverage

How easy it is to get high liability limits, comprehensive and collision, and useful add-ons like rental reimbursement and roadside.

Product availability

Where coverage is offered, the protections available and what sort of add-ons customers can choose from to truly customize their policy.

The result? We show you a short list of options tailored to how you actually drive and what you actually own.

Lifestyle1

Drivers who switch with Jerry save an average of $54/mo on car insurance.

Expert-driven. Built for you.
Our experts
meet-experts-thumbnail
Stephanie Colestock

Stephanie Colestock is a professional writer, CFEI®, and licensed insurance agent specializing in personal finance. With over 14 years of experience, she crafts insightful and accessible content on a wide range of financial topics, including insurance, loans, credit/debt, investing, retirement planning, and banking.

Her bylines appear in top-tier publications such as TIME, Fortune, MSN, Business Insider, USA Today, Money, Fox Business, and CBS. Stephanie’s deep understanding of complex financial concepts and her ability to communicate them clearly have made her a trusted voice in the industry.

When she’s not writing, Stephanie enjoys SCUBA diving, reading a good book, and traveling the world with her family.

Over the past 12 months, 25% of drivers who switched with Jerry paid $89 or less per month. Not all customers find savings. Savings depend on state, policy features, coverage, driving history and other factors.
Editorial Note: This article was written by a paid member of Jerry’s editorial team. Statements in this article do not constitute advice or recommendations. You should consult with an insurance professional about your specific circumstances and needs before making any insurance decisions.
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