Ranked #35 of 51 by Cost
2026 South Dakota Car Insurance Calculator
Estimate your monthly premium based on The Mount Rushmore State averages
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Local insurance tip
South Dakota has no state income tax and relatively low insurance rates, but it also has one of the highest deer collision rates in the country. Comprehensive coverage, which pays for deer strikes, hail and other non-collision damage — is not required by law but is essentially a necessity for any driver who regularly travels rural state highways, particularly at dawn and dusk.
Cost Breakdown
| Coverage | Monthly | Description |
|---|---|---|
| SD minimum | $84 | Legal bare minimum (liability only) |
| Standard liability | $134 | High Liability, no physical damage |
| Full coverage | $179 | Comprehensive ($500 ded.) |
| Premium protection | $243 | Max liability ($250 ded.) |
| Age | Risk | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| 16-19 | Very high | $528 |
| 20-24 | High | $295 |
| 25-54 | Standard | $179 |
| 55-69 | Low | $170 |
| 70+ | Moderate | $224 |
| Violation | Risk | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Clean | Standard | $179 |
| Speeding Ticket | Moderate | $218 |
| At-Fault Accident | High | $265 |
| DUI / DWI | Very high | $510 |
South Dakota Snapshot · June 2026
$179/mo
State avg (-27% US AVG)
#35
National Rank
52%
County Spread
Rate by Neighboring States (7)
State Insight
South Dakota sits in the mid-tier among its neighbors. Wyoming is dramatically cheaper, the most affordable state in the country and the starkest contrast among South Dakota's neighbors. Iowa and Nebraska are the closest in cost. Minnesota and Montana are both modestly above South Dakota. North Dakota is nearly identical, the two states forming a consistently affordable pair on the northern plains.
Rate by Cities (Top 10)
Compared to SD avg ($179)
City Insight
Sioux Falls is the most affordable major city despite being the state's largest. Its eastern location and lower claim frequency keeping rates well below the state average. Rapid City leads the state among cities, its Black Hills tourism traffic and higher commercial vehicle exposure pushing it above what eastern South Dakota pays. Spearfish follows closely, its position along I-90 near the Wyoming border adding to its elevated rate.
Rate by Counties (66)
Compared to SD avg ($179)
County Insight
The western counties — Jackson, Bennett, Shannon and Haakon — lead the state by a significant margin, reflecting higher uninsured driver exposure on reservation lands and more remote road conditions. The eastern agricultural counties anchored by Sioux Falls are the most affordable, forming a consistent low-rate tier that reflects the state's stable farming communities and lower claim frequency.
What Every South Dakota Driver Needs To Know
What are the minimum car insurance requirements in SD for 2026?
South Dakota requires 25/50/25 minimums: $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident and $25,000 for property damage. South Dakota also mandates Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage at the same 25/50 minimums, making it one of the more protective minimum requirement sets in the upper Midwest.
Does South Dakota require Uninsured Motorist coverage?
Yes, South Dakota mandates both Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage at 25/50 minimums. This is notably more protective than neighboring Nebraska and Iowa, which do not require UM at all. The mandate ensures that South Dakota drivers have a baseline of protection against the state's uninsured and minimally insured drivers, which is particularly important on remote rural highways.
How serious is the deer collision risk in South Dakota?
South Dakota consistently ranks in the top five states nationally for deer-vehicle collisions per mile driven. The risk peaks in October and November during deer rut season but remains elevated year-round on rural highways. A deer strike is a comprehensive claim, not a collision claim, so drivers who drop comprehensive to save money are fully exposed to one of the state's most common and costly vehicle damage events.
What are the penalties for driving uninsured in South Dakota?
Driving without insurance in South Dakota results in a fine and license suspension. Reinstatement requires proof of current insurance and an SR-22 filing for one year. South Dakota uses an electronic verification system that cross-references insurance records with vehicle registrations, so lapses are typically flagged at renewal even without a traffic stop or accident triggering a check.
Sources: South Dakota DOT