Auto-Owners, Nationwide, State Farm and Allstate are South Dakota’s best car insurance companies in 2024. This evaluation is based on a comprehensive analysis of the insurers’ annual car insurance rates, financial strength ratings and customer satisfaction scores.
Use our guide to determine which insurance company is best for your needs and budget. Learn how to navigate your insurance options in South Dakota with confidence and ease.
Our takeAuto-Owners stands out as the best overall car insurance company in South Dakota. With a strong financial rating (A++ from AM Best) and competitive rates, it offers an excellent balance of affordability and comprehensive coverage.
Auto-Owners’s average annual car insurance cost is $2,566. Additionally, It received a J.D. Power score of 829/1,000 and an overall rating of 3.46 out of 5, the highest among the companies surveyed.
It is worth noting that Nationwide has the lowest average car insurance premiums in our survey, at $1,526 a year.
Check out our experts’ recommendations for the best car insurance coverage
What are the best car insurance companies in South Dakota?
When it comes to protecting your vehicle, finding the right car insurance is important. South Dakota drivers have various top-rated insurers to choose from. Whether you prioritize the best overall experience, affordable rates or exceptional customer service, there’s an insurer to match your needs.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of South Dakota’s best auto insurance companies by category.
| Category | Company |
|---|---|
| Best overall | Auto-Owners |
| Most affordable | Nationwide |
| Highest customer satisfaction | State Farm |
| Best for teen | Auto-Owners |
| Best for young adults | Nationwide |
| Best for adults | Auto-Owners |
| Best for seniors | Auto-Owners |
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Compare the best auto insurance companies in South Dakota
Comparing car insurance companies is important in finding the best policy that suits your specific requirements. Insurance rates can vary significantly from one company to another based on how they assess risk.
By comparing quotes, you can find affordable rates and potentially save money on your premiums. To make it easier, we’ve analyzed the best car insurance companies in South Dakota. The table below shows the best auto insurance providers for South Dakota drivers.
| Company | Annual cost | AM Best | J.D. Power | NAIC | Overall score out of 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $2,566 | A++ | 829 | 0.50 | 3.46 |
| Nationwide | $1,526 | A+ | 792 | 0.64 | 3.40 |
| State Farm | $2,096 | A++ | 833 | 0.70 | 3.28 |
| Allstate | $2,070 | A+ | 806 | 0.65 | 3.12 |
| Geico | $2,384 | A++ | 819 | 0.91 | 2.90 |
| Farmers | $2,207 | A | 819 | 0.80 | 2.83 |
| Progressive | $3,163 | A+ | 803 | 0.65 | 2.52 |
Best car insurance companies by age group in South Dakota
Choosing the right car insurance company can be like picking the perfect pair of shoes—it must fit your unique needs and lifestyle. What works for a teenage driver might not be the best option for a senior driver. As drivers age, their driving habits and risk profiles change, impacting their car insurance rates and coverage.
Teen drivers are considered high-risk and require extensive coverage options and discounts, such as good student discounts. On the other hand, senior drivers prioritize coverage that includes medical payments and higher liability limits, discounts for low mileage and long-term loyalty and prefer personalized customer service and easy claims process.
Drivers can get the best coverage by choosing an insurance company that fits their age group, specific risks, budget and lifestyle. This helps them stay well-protected at every stage of their driving life.
Select your age group and coverage level below to see the list of best car insurance companies and their annual average rates.
| Company | Annual rates | Customer satisfaction rating |
|---|---|---|
- Full coverage: 100/300/100 liability with $500 comprehensive/collision deductible
- Liability only: 50/100/50 liability only
- State minimum: State minimum coverage
Check out our detailed guide on average car insurance rates by age group
Best for teen drivers in South Dakota
Teen drivers often face higher insurance premiums because of their increased risk and limited driving experience. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, teen drivers are more prone to misjudging or failing to notice risky situations compared to older drivers.
They are also more likely to make serious mistakes that can result in major accidents. In 2022, a report from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety revealed that 2,883 teenagers aged 13 to 19 lost their lives in car accidents.
Auto-Owners stands out for its affordable rates for teen drivers. It offers car insurance at $5,952 per year.
To determine the best car insurance companies for teen drivers, we considered several factors to ensure a thorough evaluation. Each company’s overall score is based on a weighted analysis of four primary factors:
- The average annual full-coverage car insurance cost (25%)
- J.D. Power score (30%)
- AM Best rating (25%)
- NAIC rating (20%)
Each factor is given a specific percentage weight according to how well the companies performed in each category.
Based on our analysis, here are some of the top choices for teens aged 16-19:
| Company | Annual cost | AM Best | J.D. Power | NAIC | Overall score out of 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $5,952 | A++ | 829 | 0.5 | 3.74 |
| State Farm | $4,973 | A++ | 833 | 0.7 | 3.5 |
| Nationwide | $4,562 | A+ | 792 | 0.64 | 3.4 |
| Geico | $6,341 | A++ | 819 | 0.91 | 3.01 |
| Allstate | $8,982 | A+ | 806 | 0.65 | 2.55 |
| Progressive | $9,057 | A+ | 803 | 0.65 | 2.52 |
| Farmers | $8,738 | A | 819 | 0.8 | 2.39 |
Best for young adults in South Dakota
Young drivers often face higher premiums due to their perceived risk, making it important to find the right insurance company. Based on an analysis by the National Safety Council, 7,300 drivers were involved in fatal crashes for the age group 20-24, accounting for 11.2% of the total drivers in such incidents.
Companies such as Nationwide and Auto-Owners offer more affordable rates for drivers aged 20-24.
To compile our list of the best car insurance companies for young adults in 2024, we evaluated four factors: average annual full coverage car insurance cost (25%), J.D. Power score (30%), AM Best rating (25%) and NAIC rating (20%). Each factor has been assigned a specific percentage weight to calculate overall performance.
| Company | Annual cost | AM Best | J.D. Power | NAIC | Overall score out of 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationwide | $2,392 | A+ | 792 | 0.64 | 3.40 |
| Auto-Owners | $3,993 | A++ | 829 | 0.50 | 3.37 |
| State Farm | $3,142 | A++ | 833 | 0.70 | 3.28 |
| Allstate | $3,249 | A+ | 806 | 0.65 | 3.06 |
| Farmers | $2,905 | A | 819 | 0.80 | 2.99 |
| Geico | $3,777 | A++ | 819 | 0.91 | 2.80 |
| Progressive | $4,555 | A+ | 803 | 0.65 | 2.52 |
Best for adult drivers in South Dakota
For those aged 25 to 60, choosing car insurance means weighing factors such as coverage options, customer service and premium costs. These factors are important in finding the best insurer.
In South Dakota, Auto-Owners stands out as the best car insurance provider for adult drivers. It offers full coverage at an average annual cost of $2,534 and boasts the highest overall rating of 3.47 among the companies analyzed.
Our list of the best car insurance companies for adult drivers is based on a thorough analysis of four main factors: average annual full coverage car insurance cost in South Dakota (25%), J.D. Power score (30%), AM Best rating (25%) and NAIC rating (20%).
Experienced drivers are usually seen as less risky than younger drivers because they have more experience on the road and as a result, they often pay lower insurance premiums.
Find below the list of the best car insurance companies in South Dakota and their average annual premiums for adult drivers aged 25-60.
| Company | Annual cost | AM Best | J.D. Power | NAIC | Overall score out of 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $2,534 | A++ | 829 | 0.50 | 3.47 |
| Nationwide | $1,478 | A+ | 792 | 0.64 | 3.40 |
| State Farm | $2,074 | A++ | 833 | 0.70 | 3.27 |
| Allstate | $2,038 | A+ | 806 | 0.65 | 3.12 |
| Geico | $2,320 | A++ | 819 | 0.91 | 2.92 |
| Farmers | $2,127 | A | 819 | 0.80 | 2.86 |
| Progressive | $3,161 | A+ | 803 | 0.65 | 2.52 |
Best for senior drivers in South Dakota
Auto-Owners provides the cheapest car insurance premiums among the companies analyzed at an average cost of $2,147 a year. It is an affordable option for senior drivers.
Finding the best car insurance companies for senior drivers requires a detailed analysis of various important factors. The overall score for each insurer is based on a weighted analysis of four different factors: the average annual full-coverage car insurance cost (25%), J.D. Power score (30%), AM Best rating (25%), and NAIC rating (20%). The percentage weight assigned to each factor corresponds to its importance in determining an insurance provider’s financial strength, affordability, customer experience and complaint ratio.
Below are the best auto insurance companies in South Dakota for senior drivers aged 65-75.
| Company | Monthly cost | AM Best | J.D. Power | NAIC | Overall score out of 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $179 | A++ | 829 | 0.50 | 3.49 |
| Nationwide | $104 | A+ | 792 | 0.64 | 3.40 |
| State Farm | $152 | A++ | 833 | 0.70 | 3.25 |
| Allstate | $164 | A+ | 806 | 0.65 | 2.99 |
| Farmers | $153 | A | 819 | 0.80 | 2.85 |
| Geico | $186 | A++ | 819 | 0.91 | 2.78 |
| Progressive | $229 | A+ | 803 | 0.65 | 2.52 |
Learn more about how to shop for car insurance for seniors
Best overall car insurance company in state
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The right insurance company for you is significantly influenced by your driver profile. Here’s how to choose the right insurer based on your specific needs:
For budget-conscious drivers in South Dakota
Look for companies that offer various car insurance discounts, such as safe driver discounts, multi-policy discounts, or discounts for automatic payments. These can significantly reduce your premiums. Some insurers offer flexible payment plans that can ease the financial burden, such as monthly, quarterly or bi-annual payments.
Find below the list of the best insurance companies and their annual rates for different coverage levels.
| Company | State-minimum | Liability-only | Full coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nationwide | $297 | $305 | $1,526 |
| Farmers Mutual of Nebraska | $237 | $260 | $1,989 |
| Allstate | $453 | $484 | $2,070 |
| State Farm | $285 | $329 | $2,096 |
| Farmers | $464 | $516 | $2,207 |
| Geico | $223 | $269 | $2,384 |
| Auto-Owners | $257 | $260 | $2,566 |
| Iowa Farm Bureau | $377 | $403 | $2,736 |
| North Star Mutual | $244 | $285 | $2,744 |
| Progressive | $335 | $372 | $3,163 |
| USAA | $193 | $229 | $1,780 |
Notes:
- Full coverage car insurance limit is 100/300/100 with a $500 deductible.
- Liability-only car insurance limit is 50/100/50.
- State minimum car insurance is 25/50/25.
For high-risk drivers in South Dakota
If you’re a high-risk driver or someone with multiple traffic violations or DUIs on their record, look for insurers that specialize in high-risk policies. Focus on improving your driving record by attending a defensive driving course. These steps can help reduce your rates over time.
High-risk status isn’t forever. Work toward earning a clean driving record, improving your risk profile and comparing insurance quotes to find better rates.
| Company | 6-month cost | Annual cost |
|---|---|---|
| Nationwide | $1,290 | $2,580 |
| Allstate | $1,395 | $2,789 |
| Farmers | $1,512 | $3,023 |
| State Farm | $1,656 | $3,311 |
| Geico | $1,883 | $3,766 |
| Progressive | $1,955 | $3,909 |
| Auto-Owners | $2,038 | $4,076 |
| USAA | $1,387 | $2,774 |
By understanding specific driver profiles and doing proper research, high-risk drivers can find an insurance company that meets their needs and provides the best value.
In conversation with experts
CarInsurance.com editors interviewed James Brau, Joel C. Peterson, professor of finance at Brigham Young University. See his responses below.
How important is customer service when deciding the right car insurance company?
Customer service is critical – it should be one of the top factors consumers consider. All else equal, meaning similar premiums, coverage, riders, etc., customer service is often the deciding factor. If a customer gets to speak to a cheerful human without 10 minutes of robot phone trees, especially when stressed out after a wreck or theft, it makes life a lot better.
What are the key factors that consumers should consider when selecting a car insurance company in their state?
Customers should do research pertaining to coverage, premiums, reputation, how many stars on reviews, etc. Make sure to compare apples to apples – that you’re getting the same coverage amounts, for example. Shop around – competition helps the consumer.
How often should policyholders review and adjust their car insurance policies?
Every six months is a good rule of thumb because most people pay in semi-annual installments. If you keep your company on its toes, they are more likely to stay competitive and offer special pricing, deals, incentives, etc.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average cost of car insurance in South Dakota?
The average annual cost of car insurance in South Dakota is $2,280. This rate can vary depending on factors such as the driver’s age, driving history and coverage limits
How much car insurance coverage do I need in South Dakota?
When assessing your car insurance needs in South Dakota, consider the state’s legal requirements. Typically, the minimum coverage required in South Dakota consists of $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 in property damage liability.
If you have valuable assets to safeguard, it’s wise to go beyond South Dakota’s minimum requirements and opt for higher liability limits. Experts suggest getting full coverage car insurance with limits of 100/300/100 and a $500 deductible for collision/comprehensive.
Here’s what it means:
- $100,000 in bodily injury liability per person pays for injuries you cause to others in an accident.
- $300,000 in bodily injury liability per accident will cover injuries per accident, covering costs if multiple people are injured.
- $100,000 in property damage liability per accident covers damage you cause to another driver’s property in an at-fault accident.
Opting for higher limits is advisable as they provide increased protection against financial losses. When choosing coverage limits, also take into account your driving habits, the value of your vehicle and your finances.
Which company has the best car insurance rates in South Dakota?
CarInsurance.com’s analysis shows that Nationwide offers the lowest car insurance rates for South Dakota drivers, with an average premium of $127 per month or $1,526 per year.
Resources & Methodology
Sources
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. “Fatality Facts 2022 Teenagers.” Accessed September 2024.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Risk Factors for Teen Drivers.” Accessed September 2024.
- National Safety Council. “Age of Driver.” Accessed September 2024.
Methodology
CarInsurance.com collected insurance rate data from Quadrant Information Services for South Dakota drivers. The rate data is for drivers of different age groups:
- Teens: Age 16-19
- Young adults: Age 20-24
- Adults: 25- 60
- Seniors: 60-75
The different coverage levels include:
- Annual full coverage car insurance with a coverage limit of $100,000 in bodily injury per person, $300,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident, $100,000 in property damage coverage per accident and a $500 collision/comprehensive deductible.
- A six-month car insurance policy with limits of 100/300/100-500 coll/comp deductible.
- Liability-only car insurance rates with a limit of 50/100/50.
- State minimum coverage limit of 25/50/25.
Car insurance rates are calculated by evaluating the sample profile of a 40-year-old male and female driver with the following incidents applied:
- 1 at-fault property damage accident over $2K
- 1 at-fault property damage accident under $2K
- At-fault bodily injury accident
- Poor credit
- DUI/DWI first offense
- Speeding 30+ over limit
- Speeding ticket 1-10 mph over limit
- Speeding ticket 11-29 mph over limit
The editors created a rating system to determine the best insurance companies in each sector. For auto insurers, we took the following and gave each a weight.
- Average annual cost: 25%
- J.D. Power score: 30%
- AM Best rating: 25%
Each insurer was awarded an overall rating of 0.5 to 5. No insurer in our overall rating received less than 1 rating and 5 was the most any insurer could receive.
To evaluate the rates, we have compared 51,088,003 insurance quotes from 167 national & regional insurance companies across 29,152 cities and 34,588 ZIP codes.
Note: USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
Ask the Insurance Expert
Laura Longero
Executive Editor
Laura Longero is an insurance expert and Executive Editor at CarInsurance.com, where she specializes in helping consumers navigate the complexities of the financial and insurance industries. She has 15 years of experience educating people about finance and car insurance. Prior to joining CarInsurance.com, she worked as a reporter and editor at the USA Today Network. Her expertise provides readers with practical guidance, helping them make informed choices about their financial and insurance needs.
Ask the Insurance Expert
John McCormick
Editorial Director
John is the editorial director for CarInsurance.com, Insurance.com and Insure.com. Before joining QuinStreet, John was a deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal and had been an editor and reporter at a number of other media outlets where he covered insurance, personal finance, and technology.
Ask the Insurance Expert
Leslie Kasperowicz
Executive Editor
Leslie Kasperowicz is an insurance educator and content creation professional with nearly two decades of experience first directly in the insurance industry at Farmers Insurance and then as a writer, researcher, and educator for insurance shoppers writing for sites like ExpertInsuranceReviews.com and InsuranceHotline.com and managing content, now at CarInsurance.com.
Ask the Insurance Expert
Nupur Gambhir
Managing Editor
Nupur Gambhir is a content editor and licensed life, health, and disability insurance expert. She has extensive experience bringing brands to life and has built award-nominated campaigns for travel and tech. Her insurance expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Financial Gym, and the end-of-life planning service.
Guide to car insurance (with rates) in cities of South Dakota