Aberdeen, SD Auto Insurance Costs
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Aberdeen, SD? State minimum liability on average in Aberdeen, SD costs…
If you live in the Mount Rushmore State and own a car, there are certain requirements to meet before you can drive a one. You must have a valid license and register your car in the state. However, another important requirement is proof of financial responsibility.
This states that you can pay for damage in case you get into an accident. While there are other ways to prove this, such as a surety bond or a certificate of deposit for $50,000 with the state treasurer, for most people, this means getting auto liability insurance.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost on Average in South Dakota?
- In South Dakota state minimum liability on average costs $61 a month or $730 a year. Full coverage auto policies costs around $241 a month or $2,897 a year.
InsuranceQuotes cost rates are pulled from our real-time auto insurance database from recent quotes in South Dakota – Rates are based on a used car driver who is single, middle aged & has a clean driving record. Read on to learn about the cheapest local rates filtered by insurance providers, new cars, vehicle types and age.
Which Company Has the Cheapest Car Insurance in South Dakota?
- In South Dakota the cheapest car insurance companies on average are Farmers, Progressive and Mid-Century. State minimum liability car insurance starts at $25 a month or $295 a year with Farmers. The cheapest full coverage car insurance starts at $168 a month or $2,020 a year with a policy from American Family Ins. Company.
Here are the average policy rates from the cheapest local and national insurance providers in South Dakota across the state from our cost database of used-car drivers who are single, middle aged and have a clean driving record:
| Insurance Company: | State Minimum: | Monthly: | Full Coverage: | Monthly: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmers | $295 | $25 | $2,447 | $204 |
| Progressive | $481 | $40 | $4,286 | $357 |
| Mid Century | $549 | $46 | $2,967 | $247 |
| American Family Ins. | $555 | $46 | $2,020 | $168 |
| State Farm | $694 | $58 | $4,551 | $379 |
Average Cost for Car Insurance in South Dakota Cities
| South Dakota City: | State Minimum: | SM Monthly: | Full Coverage: | FC Monthly: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen | $525 | $44 | $2,805 | $234 |
| Brookings | $528 | $44 | $2,760 | $230 |
| Rapid City | $602 | $50 | $3,486 | $290 |
| Sioux Falls | $730 | $61 | $2,897 | $241 |
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How Credit Scores and DUIs Affect South Dakota Car Insurance Rates
A DUI conviction raises South Dakota car insurance rates by about 72% on average, adding as much as $660 per year, plus a mandatory SR-22 filing — SR-22 drivers pay around $58/month for minimum coverage versus $32/month for a clean record.
Credit history has an even bigger impact than a DUI in South Dakota. Drivers with poor credit pay about 143% more than drivers with good credit, and maintaining excellent credit saves the average South Dakota driver around $1,251 per year. Improving your credit score before you shop is one of the fastest ways to lower your premium here.
Car Insurance Costs in South Dakota by County
Here are the average prices of state minimum coverage in South Dakota for car insurance:
| Auto Insurance Costs by County: | Sedan: | SUV: | Coupe: | Truck: | Hybrid: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora | $817 | $626 | $880 | $653 | $804 |
| Beadle | $817 | $626 | $828 | $653 | $804 |
| Bennett | $1,002 | $769 | $1,067 | $802 | $988 |
| Bon Homme | $817 | $626 | $803 | $653 | $804 |
| Brookings | $817 | $626 | $801 | $653 | $804 |
| Brown | $817 | $626 | $818 | $653 | $804 |
| Brule | $817 | $626 | $880 | $653 | $804 |
| Buffalo | $817 | $626 | $880 | $653 | $804 |
| Butte | $914 | $744 | $819 | $802 | $988 |
| Campbell | $817 | $626 | $880 | $653 | $804 |
Finding Auto Insurance Resources in South Dakota
South Dakota has its own division of insurance, which is under the state’s Department of Labor and Regulation. You can get more information about regulations, companies and almost anything about insurance on this site, including auto insurance. You can also find out the latest auto insurance news, as well as information on coverage, rates and state laws at insuranceQuotes.com.
If you are searching for information about vehicle registration and licenses, then the South Dakota Division of Motor Vehicles is the place to go. You can visit the nearest MVD office to get information or simply look at it from the website.
What You Need to Know About South Dakota Auto Insurance
South Dakota is a “fault” state when it comes to auto insurance. That means the party at fault for the accident must pay for damage. For example, if you get into a collision and it was your fault, then you (or rather, your insurance) must pay for all the damage.
That said, you might want to get additional coverage aside from the minimum. Unlike many other states, South Dakota doesn’t require you to get personal injury protection (PIP), but this is coverage you should consider getting.
South Dakota Auto Insurance Requirements
If you don’t have any other proof of financial responsibility, then you need auto insurance. In South Dakota, drivers must meet the following minimum coverage for auto insurance:
- $25,000 to over injury or death to one person and $50,000 for multiple people
- $25,000 for property damage
You face fines and penalties if caught driving without insurance. The state may suspend your license for a year and require that you file proof of insurance for three years once you get your license back.
Moving to South Dakota: Important Information
If you’re moving to South Dakota from another state, then there are a few things you must do. First, you have to obtain your in-state license within 90 days of arrival. To do this, surrender your out-of -state license, show proof of ID and residence, and bring your Social Security card. After passing a vision test, you will get your new license.
You must register your out-of-state car. To do this, fill out the correct forms and bring the bill of sale (or other type of proof of purchase) and valid ID, and pay the fees to the county treasurer.
Driving Laws in South Dakota
Driving laws are more or less the same from state to state, with minor variations. Before you begin driving in South Dakota, make sure you learn about the state’s specific traffic laws.
You should take care when you encounter “no-zones.” According to official South Dakota traffic tips, the no-zone is a bus or truck’s blind spot. There are certain rules you must follow when you pass a no-zone. First, do not stay in a truck’s no-zone area. If you can’t see the driver’s face in his or her side-view mirror, then the driver can’t see you either. Don’t tailgate large vehicles and don’t move in to the lane too quickly when you pass them.
Teens can start driving in South Dakota at the age of 14. People between the ages of 14 and 18 can get an instruction permit and then upgrade to a restricted minor’s permit. This allows the person to drive a car alone, with permission from the parent, between 6 am and 10 pm, and all other hours as long as there is a parent or guardian in the front seat.
How much is car insurance in South Dakota per month?
Car insurance in South Dakota averages approximately $32 per month for minimum coverage and $106 per month for full coverage in 2026, making South Dakota the third most affordable state in the country for minimum coverage. Progressive offers the cheapest minimum coverage in South Dakota at $22 per month ($269 per year). Farmers Mutual of Nebraska (FMNE Insurance) is the cheapest full coverage option at $1,194 per year ($100 per month) — a regional carrier rarely featured on national comparison tools. South Dakota’s affordable rates reflect its very rural character, low traffic density, and competitive insurance market.
Who has the cheapest car insurance in South Dakota?
Progressive offers the cheapest minimum coverage in South Dakota at $22 per month ($269 per year) — significantly below the state average. Farmers Mutual of Nebraska (FMNE Insurance) is the cheapest full coverage option at $1,194 per year ($100 per month) and is available through independent agents in South Dakota rather than online comparison tools. State Farm is the most accessible major carrier and competitive for most SD driver profiles. USAA is the best value for military families and veterans at Ellsworth Air Force Base near Rapid City. The rate gap between the cheapest and most expensive South Dakota carrier for identical full coverage can exceed $2,000 per year, making comparison shopping significantly impactful.
What are South Dakota’s minimum car insurance requirements?
South Dakota requires minimum liability coverage of 25/50/25 — $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability, plus $25,000 in property damage liability. South Dakota is a tort state with no mandatory PIP requirement. South Dakota does not require uninsured motorist coverage, though an estimated 7 to 10 percent of South Dakota drivers carry no insurance. South Dakota is one of the most affordable states for meeting minimum liability requirements, with Progressive offering this coverage from $22 per month.
Is comprehensive coverage important in South Dakota?
Yes — comprehensive coverage is particularly important for South Dakota drivers for three reasons. First, South Dakota has extraordinary wildlife collision risk: deer, pronghorn antelope, elk, and pheasants (South Dakota’s state bird) create frequent vehicle strikes on US-14, US-16, I-90, and US-385. Wildlife strikes are comprehensive claims only. Second, South Dakota recorded the largest hailstone ever documented in the United States — an 8-inch diameter stone that fell in Vivian on June 23, 2010 — and experiences frequent severe hailstorms that cause significant vehicle damage. Third, comprehensive covers tornado debris, which is relevant given South Dakota’s position on the northern edge of tornado activity. At $15 to $30 per month added, comprehensive is among the clearest insurance values for any South Dakota driver.
How does the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally affect car insurance in South Dakota?
The annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in August brings 500,000 or more visitors to the Sturgis, Black Hills, and Rapid City area over approximately 10 days — one of the largest single traffic events of any state in the country. During Rally week, accident frequency on I-90, US-14, and Highway 34 near Sturgis spikes dramatically due to the extraordinary concentration of motorcycles, visitor vehicles, and unfamiliar drivers on unfamiliar roads. South Dakota drivers who commute through the western part of the state during Rally week face significantly elevated accident risk during this period. The Sturgis Rally does not directly increase insurance premiums as a standalone factor, but South Dakota drivers should exercise extra caution during Rally week — any at-fault accident during this high-traffic period carries the same premium consequences as any other accident on your driving record.
How much does a DUI raise car insurance rates in South Dakota?
A DUI conviction raises South Dakota car insurance rates by about 72% on average, adding as much as $660 per year, plus a mandatory SR-22 filing — SR-22 drivers pay around $58/month for minimum coverage versus $32/month for a clean record.
How does credit score affect car insurance rates in South Dakota?
Significantly — even more than a DUI. South Dakota drivers with poor credit pay about 143% more than drivers with good credit, and maintaining excellent credit saves the average driver around $1,251 per year.
- About the Author
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Michael Giusti is a senior insurance analyst, business journalist, and university professor with over 20 years of experience. He serves as department chair at Loyola University New Orleans and contributes to Insurance Thought Leadership, U.S. News, and other leading financial outlets.
