Key Takeaways
- Bristol West, Dairyland and The General offer some of the cheapest car insurance in South Dakota.
- The average cost of minimum coverage in South Dakota is around $100 per month.
- Compare quotes from multiple insurers to find cheap car insurance in South Dakota.
You may find cheap car insurance in South Dakota from insurers like Bristol West, Dairyland and The General. These companies were among the cheapest options in the state, according to real quotes for Jerry customers.
Here are more affordable insurers in South Dakota for both minimum and full coverage, plus by age, driving history and credit score.
To find the best car insurance in South Dakota, compare car insurance quotes from multiple insurers.
Cheap liability car insurance in South Dakota
South Dakota residents who want to avoid high insurance costs often rely on minimum liability coverage to stay compliant with the law. This basic plan pays for damage or injury you may cause to others but doesn’t cover your own losses. It’s ideal for careful drivers or those with older vehicles they can afford to repair or replace.
Below are examples of the cheapest auto insurance companies in South Dakota for minimum coverage, based on recent quotes for real Jerry customers. By gathering multiple quotes, South Dakota drivers can secure effective coverage at a lower price.
Insurance Company
|
Monthly Quote
|
Age
|
Date of Policy
|
---|---|---|---|
The General | $42 | 66 | March 28, 2025 |
The General | $45 | 60 | February 8, 2024 |
The General | $46 | 30 | January 25, 2025 |
The General | $47 | 39 | May 30, 2024 |
Bristol West | $47 | 37 | May 10, 2025 |
Minimum car insurance requirements in South Dakota
South Dakota’s car insurance requirements are:
- $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person.
- $50,000 in bodily injury liability per accident.
- $25,000 in property damage liability per accident.
- $25,000 in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person.
- $50,000 in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident.
Cheap full coverage car insurance in South Dakota
Looking for affordable full coverage auto insurance in South Dakota means choosing a plan that accounts for the region’s risks. Full coverage usually combines liability, collision and comprehensive protection, helping with repairs after accidents, hailstorms, wildlife collisions or theft. Full coverage will cover damage to your own car and others up to the policy limits.
These are the cheapest car insurance companies in South Dakota for full coverage, according to Jerry’s data.
Insurance Company
|
Avg Monthly Quote
|
Avg Annual Quote
|
---|---|---|
Safeco | $184 | $2,208 |
Assurance America | $240 | $2,884 |
Aspire Advantage | $309 | $3,703 |
The General | $310 | $3,714 |
Dairyland | $340 | $4,080 |
If you have a loan or lease on your vehicle, the lender will require
Average car insurance costs for young drivers in South Dakota
South Dakota’s young drivers are considered high risk by insurers due to limited road familiarity and increased accident probability. Higher premiums tend to persist until drivers demonstrate consistent safe habits. However, young South Dakotans can save money by joining family plans or completing driver improvement courses.
Below are the average costs of car insurance in South Dakota for drivers between 18 and 24.
Age Group
|
Avg Monthly Quote
|
Avg Annual Quote
|
---|---|---|
18-20 | $310 | $3,718 |
21-24 | $267 | $3,204 |
Cheap full coverage in South Dakota for a 20-year-old
A 20-year-old in South Dakota might consider full coverage essential for protecting against travel incidents and wildlife collisions. The open roads can lead to expensive accidents if not covered properly and this type of insurance gives them financial protection they wouldn’t have with liability only coverage.
These are the cheapest car insurance companies in South Dakota for 20-year-olds with full coverage, according to Jerry’s data.
Insurance Company
|
Avg Monthly Quote
|
Avg Annual Quote
|
---|---|---|
Bristol West | $161 | $1,937 |
Dairyland | $501 | $6,006 |
The General | $589 | $7,067 |
AAA | $656 | $7,874 |
Average auto insurance costs for mature drivers in South Dakota (25-54)
In South Dakota, drivers with extensive experience often receive a lower premium due to their demonstrated ability to handle diverse driving conditions over time. Insurance providers respond with competitive pricing as time-tested drivers are often the ones who pse the least risk in terms of claims and potential payouts.
Below are the average costs of car insurance for drivers in South Dakota between the ages of 25 to 54.
Age Group
|
Avg Monthly Quote
|
Avg Annual Quote
|
---|---|---|
25-34 | $280 | $3,362 |
35-44 | $180 | $2,166 |
45-54 | $134 | $1,613 |
Average car insurance costs for older drivers in South Dakota (55+)
Older drivers in South Dakota might see rising insurance premiums due simply to their age. As reflexes and vision naturally change, the risk of accidents or delayed responses grows and insurance companies take these factors seriously when setting rates. Premium shifts are a reflection of forward-looking risk management.
Below are the average costs of car insurance for drivers in South Dakota 55 and older.
Age Group
|
Avg Monthly Quote
|
Avg Annual Quote
|
---|---|---|
55-64 | $121 | $1,448 |
65+ | $116 | $1,390 |
Cheapest car insurance in South Dakota by driving history
In South Dakota, your driving record is closely evaluated by insurance companies. Frequent incidents or citations may signal risky driving habits and this influences both your premiums and the availability of certain policies. Insurers use your history to forecast future outcomes.
Cheap car insurance for drivers with clean records in South Dakota
Maintaining a clean record in South Dakota often makes insurance more accessible and affordable. It demonstrates careful and law-abiding driving so insurers are more willing to extend better coverage options to such drivers. Your record becomes your strongest reference when it comes to securing good policy rates.
Here are the most affordable insurers in South Dakota for those with clean driving records, according to real car insurance quotes for Jerry customers.
Insurance Company
|
Avg Monthly Quote
|
Avg Annual Quote
|
---|---|---|
Clearcover | $101 | $1,210 |
The General | $137 | $1,648 |
Progressive | $159 | $1,914 |
Bristol West | $162 | $1,942 |
Electric | $166 | $1,986 |
Cheapest car insurance with a speeding ticket in South Dakota
Speeding tickets in South Dakota can affect your insurance rates as they reflect moments where driving laws were not followed. Even a single ticket may influence how insurers set your rates and these violations are logged and considered during renewals.
Here are the most affordable insurers in South Dakota for those with a speeding ticket, according to real quotes for Jerry customers.
Insurance Company
|
Avg Monthly Quote
|
Avg Annual Quote
|
---|---|---|
Dairyland | $281 | $3,378 |
Bristol West | $337 | $4,039 |
The General | $379 | $4,548 |
Gainsco | $557 | $6,678 |
Progressive | $857 | $10,279 |
Cheapest car insurance after an at-fault accident with no injury in South Dakota
An at-fault accident without injuries in South Dakota still impacts your insurance profile. Damage to vehicles and property is enough to warrant attention and insurers may adjust your rates accordingly.
These are the cheapest car insurance companies in South Dakota for drivers with an at-fault accident with no injury, according to Jerry’s data.
Insurance Company
|
Avg Monthly Quote
|
Avg Annual Quote
|
---|---|---|
Safeco | $225 | $2,698 |
Bristol West | $226 | $2,707 |
The General | $232 | $2,779 |
Dairyland | $296 | $3,547 |
Cheapest car insurance with a DUI in South Dakota
Injury-related accidents where you’re at fault in South Dakota carry serious insurance implications. They suggest increased liability and higher claim costs and these events often lead to policy changes. Insurers monitor them closely for future evaluations of you as s driver.
Below are the cheapest auto insurers in South Dakota for people with a DUI on their driving record.
Insurance Company
|
Avg Monthly Quote
|
Avg Annual Quote
|
---|---|---|
The General | $95 | $1,143 |
Bristol West | $165 | $1,982 |
Dairyland | $170 | $2,039 |
Average auto insurance costs for South Dakota drivers with other violations
Other traffic offenses in South Dakota, such as unsafe passing or driving without insurance, affect your insurance options as well. These violations suggest unreliability and insurers use this information to evaluate your risk level. Multiple offenses make it harder to access favorable policy terms.
Below are average car insurance costs in South Dakota for other driving violations.
Violation Summary
|
Avg Monthly Quote
|
Avg Annual Quote
|
---|---|---|
Driving on Sus. License | $309 | $3,706 |
Eluding Police | $269 | $3,230 |
Failure to Obey Traffic Sign | $261 | $3,135 |
Improper Passing | $135 | $1,625 |
Other | $195 | $2,344 |
Cheapest auto insurance for low credit scores in South Dakota
South Dakota insurance companies may use credit information to better understand a driver’s overall responsibility. A poor score could raise concerns about risk and this might lead to increased costs or stricter coverage terms. Financial habits are part of the review process.
These are the cheapest car insurance companies in South Dakota for drivers with a credit score below 550.
Insurance Company
|
Avg Monthly Quote
|
Avg Annual Quote
|
---|---|---|
Dairyland | $183 | $2,198 |
The General | $202 | $2,427 |
Assurance America | $240 | $2,884 |
Bristol West | $264 | $3,162 |
Gainsco | $557 | $6,678 |
Learn more: How a credit-based insurance score works
How to find cheap car insurance in South Dakota
Auto insurance shopping with multiple insurers can help you find the cheapest car insurance policy. Your current insurer may have been the most affordable when you bought your policy, but you can’t be certain unless you compare rates at least once a year.
You can also try these tips to lower your auto insurance costs:
- Ask your insurer about discounts you qualify for.
- Install a telematics app on your phone.
- Improve your credit score.
- Pay your policy in full.
- Bundle your home and car insurance policies with the same company.
Learn more: Best car insurance companies
Factors that affect car insurance costs in South Dakota
How much you pay for coverage depends on a variety of factors, including your:
- ZIP code.
- Driving history.
- Vehicle’s year, make, and model.
- Claims history.
- Car usage and miles driven.
- Deductible amount.
Learn more: How car insurance rates are calculated
Methodology
Data included in this analysis comes from policies that Jerry has quoted within the last 18 months. Jerry services 48 states and offers a range of insurance companies to choose from.

Ben Moore is a writer and editor at Jerry and an auto insurance expert. He previously worked as a writer, editor and content strategist on NerdWallet’s auto insurance team for five years. His work has been published in The Associated Press, Washington Post, Chicago Sun-Times, MarketWatch, Nasdaq and Yahoo News. He also served as a NerdWallet spokesperson, with appearances on local broadcast television and quotes in Martha Stewart and Real Simple magazine.
Ben has an extensive background in digital marketing, working on affiliate and programmatic advertising campaigns for brands like Cabela’s, H&R Block and Sears. He holds a bachelors degree in marketing from Olivet Nazarene University.

Annie is a writer and editor at Jerry with more than a decade of experience writing and editing digital content. Before joining Jerry, she was an assistant assigning editor at NerdWallet. Her past work has appeared in the Associated Press, USA Today and The Washington Post. Her work has been cited by NorthWestern University and Harvard Kennedy School. Annie served as a spokesperson for NerdWallet during her time at NerdWallet and has been featured in New York Magazine, MarketWatch and on local television and radio stations.
Previously, she worked at USAA and newspapers in Minnesota, North Dakota, California and Texas. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota.