South Dakota drivers pay around $2,289 a year for full coverage — about 15% under the national average. The state is at-fault but mandates uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on top of a 25/50/25 liability minimum. Here's the coverage you must carry, what residents pay, and how to find a cheaper rate.
South Dakota runs on an at-fault (tort) basis but mandates uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage alongside its 25/50/25 liability minimum. Full coverage averages roughly $2,289 a year, about 15% under the national average, with hail and severe storms as the main driver of comprehensive claims. Credit history is a permitted rating factor, and the minimum-coverage cost ranks among the cheapest anywhere.
The coverages below are the minimum a driver must legally carry in South Dakota. Source: Bankrate minimum-coverage requirements and state insurance department filings.
| Coverage | Minimum limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | $25k / $50k | Per injured person / per crash |
| Property damage liability | $25k | Mandatory |
| Uninsured / underinsured motorist | $25k / $50k | Compulsory in South Dakota |
| Personal injury protection | Not required | South Dakota follows an at-fault model |
Independent market estimates based on Bankrate's 2026 rate data and NAIC filings, shown against the U.S. average. Actual rates vary by ZIP, carrier, and individual profile.
| Coverage level | Est. annual premium | vs. U.S. avg. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full coverage | $2,289/yr | 15% below U.S. | Comprehensive and collision included |
| Minimum coverage | $374/yr | 56% below U.S. | Bundles the required UM/UIM |
Estimates apply national rate-increase multipliers to South Dakota's full-coverage average. Approximate (“~”) figures multiply the state average by a national factor and will vary by carrier.
| Driver profile | Est. annual premium | vs. state avg. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean record, 30–45 | ~$2,289/yr | Baseline | Statewide full-coverage average |
| One at-fault accident | ~$3,273/yr | +43% | 2,289 × 1.43 per Bankrate |
| Speeding ticket | ~$2,838/yr | +24% | 2,289 × 1.24 per Bankrate |
| DUI on record | ~$4,303/yr | +88% | 2,289 × 1.88 per Bankrate |
| Young driver (18–24) | ~$4,578/yr | ≈2× | About double per Bankrate |
| Poor credit score | ~$3,891/yr | +70% | 2,289 × 1.70 per Bankrate |
ⓘ Source: Bankrate 2026 rate data and NAIC filings. Figures are independent estimates, not quotes. Verify pricing with a licensed agent or carrier.
South Dakota delivers low premiums and required UM/UIM, so even its cheap minimum policy provides uninsured-driver protection. Hail makes comprehensive coverage valuable, and because full coverage costs only modestly more, most drivers should carry it. With credit and location still shaping rates, a quick carrier comparison keeps a South Dakota premium competitive.
South Dakota is an affordable state with required UM/UIM and among the cheapest minimum rates anywhere. Weighing carriers and keeping your credit healthy is the best way to secure a competitive South Dakota rate.
Disclaimer: RateWire is an independent lead generation and comparison service. Rate figures for South Dakota are independent market estimates compiled from publicly available Bankrate, NAIC, and state regulatory data — not quotes. Coverage requirements summarized here are for general information only and may change; always confirm current minimums with the South Dakota insurance department. By submitting your ZIP code, you may be connected with licensed insurance agents or carriers who will provide actual quotes based on your individual profile. Always verify coverage terms and pricing directly with a licensed agent before purchasing.