South Dakota car insurance laws and requirements: What is changing in 2025

Q: Is it mandatory to have car insurance in South Dakota?

Yes , South Dakota requires that you carry at least the minimum mandatory coverage. Necessary coverage includes UIMBI and UMBI 25/50 .

Q: Will my bare minimum car insurance cover me in another state?

Yes , your car insurance covers claims in another state, even if the minimums are higher in the other state.

South Dakota car insurance laws

South Dakota requires that drivers carry at least 25/50/25.

These limits are in place to ease the financial burden for drivers who cause an accident and for the victims. The at-fault driver knows their insurer will cover medical expenses and property damage up to a certain amount, and victims can more readily access funds to pay for accident costs.

However, coverage limits are very low and will not cover expenses from a serious accident. To be better protected, South Dakota drivers should consider increasing liability limits and adding coverage, such as collision and comprehensive.

South Dakota car insurance requirements

South Dakota requires the following coverage:

Liability. There are two parts to liability coverage. First, bodily injury liability pays medical costs associated with an accident, such as doctor visits, surgery, and prescriptions. Second, property damage liability covers repairing or replacing items such as vehicles, fences, or buildings.

South Dakota liability minimums are 25/50/25.

Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM). Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverageAn auto insurance coverage that pays for injuries or damage if you're in an accident with a driver who has no insurance or not enough insurance. helps pay for your medical costs and property damage if the at-fault driver has little or no car insurance. Your insurer would cover expenses up to your limits in addition to any payments from the other insurer.

South Dakota requires uninsured motorist coverage of 25/50.

The average cost of a minimum coverage policy is $307. However, Geico has the lowest minimum car insurance rates, averaging $223.

The table below shows the top insurers' average rates for minimum coverage in South Dakota.

Company	Average annual premium	Average monthly premium
Geico	$223	$19
Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$237	$20
North Star Mutual	$244	$20
Auto-Owners	$257	$21
State Farm	$285	$24
Nationwide	$297	$25
Progressive	$335	$28
Iowa Farm Bureau	$377	$31
Allstate	$453	$38
Farmers	$464	$39
USAA	$193	$16

Read our methodology

South Dakota car insurance cost for minimum coverage limits

On average, state minimum car insurance costs $307. Car insurance rates for minimum coverage vary by company and driver. The table below shows average rates for drivers with minimum coverage in South Dakota.

The cheapest company for minimum coverage in South Dakota is Geico at an average rate of $223 annually.

State minimum coverage limit	25/50/25
Average annual premium	$307
Average monthly premium	$26

Read our methodology

Are the South Dakota minimum coverage requirements changing in 2025?

South Dakota car insurance requirements will not change in 2025. You do not need to make any changes if you have minimum coverage. If mandatory coverage changes in the future, your insurer will inform you, along with any rate changes.

Why do limits change?

"Several states have minimum requirements of property damage of $10,000-$25,000," says Zack Pope, agency manager at David Pope Insurance in Missouri. "[Given] the current values of vehicles, that's extremely antiquated values of coverage and a main reason that I personally do not offer less than 100/300/100 to customers. It is significantly easier to see a car on the road that is valued at $100,000 than it has been in the past."

What does minimum car insurance cover in South Dakota?

South Dakota requires drivers to carry at least a minimum amount of car insurance to help offset accident costs.

South Dakota drivers are required to carry liability coverage. Bodily injury liability helps pay for injuries you cause to others in an accident. Property damage liability covers items damaged in an accident, such as another vehicle, fence, or other property.

South Dakota is a no-fault state, meaning your insurer pays for your injuries and damages regardless of who caused the accident. The law requires you to carry personal injury protectionPersonal injury protection (PIP) pays for your medical, hospital and funeral expenses resulting from a car accident, regardless of who's at fault. (PIP) to pay medical costs, such as doctor visits and prescriptions.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is also required. Uninsured motorist coverage helps pay for coverage when the at-fault driver doesn't have car insurance, and underinsured coverage assists when the at-fault driver doesn't have enough car insurance to cover injury and property damage costs. Without these coverages, you would have to pay for medical and repair costs that the other driver's insurance didn't cover. You may be able to opt out of this coverage.

PEOPLE ASK:

Is South Dakota minimum car insurance enough?

It may not be. Even a moderately serious accident could exceed the state minimum limits of 25/50/25, and minimum coverage may not cover all accident costs. Furthermore, state minimums do not cover your vehicle; you need to add comprehensive and collision coverage.

How much car insurance is enough in South Dakota?

Car insurance isn't one size fits all. The amount of coverage you need depends on your assets, net worth and risk level.

For example, if you are financially stable and can afford to pay out of pocket for medical costs and repairs, you may keep insurance limits low. However, you may be sued for the cost difference if you have a sizeable net worth and don't carry enough insurance to cover expenses.

Additionally, if you drive very little or have a short commute, your chances of causing an accident are relatively low. Also, you may choose to skip coverages such as collision and comprehensive if your car isn't worth much, or you can afford to pay for a new vehicle if yours is damaged. However, if you have a loan or lease you will be required to carry this coverage by your lender.

Consider your financial situation when determining how much car insurance you need.

South Dakota penalties for driving without car insurance

Since South Dakota requires its drivers to carry car insurance, failing to do so has consequences. Although you may be tempted to skip coverage to save money, you'll wind up paying heavily in the long run.

Failing to carry South Dakota car insurance has penalties including those listed below. Keep in mind that repeated infractions have more severe penalties, such as jail time.

Fines	$100
Other penalties	License suspension
Jail time	Possible

Read our methodology

South Dakota minimum coverage cost by age group

Younger drivers pay for more car insurance because they lack experience behind the wheel. Fortunately, rates decrease as drivers age.

The table below breaks down the cost of car insurance for various age groups. North Star Mutual has the best rates for teens with minimum coverage averaging $649. Geico offers the cheapest coverage for adults at $215.

Additionally, females and males pay different rates. The average rate for a 40-year-old female is $312, and the average rate for a 40-year-old male is $302, a difference of $10.

Male

Male
Female

Age	Company	Male annual premium	Male monthly premium
16	North Star Mutual	$700	$58
16	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$892	$74
16	Geico	$1,014	$85
16	Auto-Owners	$1,232	$103
16	State Farm	$1,270	$106
16	Progressive	$1,447	$121
16	Nationwide	$1,562	$130
16	Iowa Farm Bureau	$1,581	$132
16	Allstate	$2,985	$249
16	Farmers	$3,559	$297
17	North Star Mutual	$700	$58
17	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$892	$74
17	Iowa Farm Bureau	$913	$76
17	Geico	$963	$80
17	Auto-Owners	$1,099	$92
17	State Farm	$1,099	$92
17	Nationwide	$1,496	$125
17	Progressive	$1,641	$137
17	Allstate	$2,368	$197
17	Farmers	$2,560	$213
18	North Star Mutual	$700	$58
18	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$787	$66
18	Geico	$826	$69
18	Iowa Farm Bureau	$854	$71
18	State Farm	$940	$78
18	Auto-Owners	$952	$79
18	Nationwide	$1,285	$107
18	Progressive	$1,398	$117
18	Allstate	$1,672	$139
18	Farmers	$2,132	$178
19	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$568	$47
19	North Star Mutual	$585	$49
19	Geico	$681	$57
19	Progressive	$774	$65
19	Auto-Owners	$798	$67
19	State Farm	$803	$67
19	Allstate	$809	$67
19	Iowa Farm Bureau	$809	$67
19	Nationwide	$1,104	$92
19	Farmers	$1,107	$92
20	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$515	$43
20	Geico	$529	$44
20	North Star Mutual	$551	$46
20	Progressive	$665	$55
20	Auto-Owners	$666	$56
20	State Farm	$689	$57
20	Allstate	$714	$60
20	Iowa Farm Bureau	$784	$65
20	Nationwide	$932	$78
20	Farmers	$1,003	$84
21	Geico	$432	$36
21	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$452	$38
21	North Star Mutual	$475	$40
21	Iowa Farm Bureau	$515	$43
21	Auto-Owners	$551	$46
21	Progressive	$564	$47
21	State Farm	$579	$48
21	Nationwide	$598	$50
21	Allstate	$600	$50
21	Farmers	$608	$51
22	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$397	$33
22	Geico	$401	$33
22	Auto-Owners	$473	$39
22	North Star Mutual	$475	$40
22	Iowa Farm Bureau	$492	$41
22	Progressive	$499	$42
22	State Farm	$516	$43
22	Nationwide	$517	$43
22	Allstate	$558	$47
22	Farmers	$574	$48
23	Geico	$341	$28
23	North Star Mutual	$359	$30
23	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$367	$31
23	Auto-Owners	$412	$34
23	Progressive	$447	$37
23	State Farm	$447	$37
23	Nationwide	$475	$40
23	Iowa Farm Bureau	$485	$40
23	Farmers	$523	$44
23	Allstate	$532	$44
24	Geico	$341	$28
24	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$348	$29
24	North Star Mutual	$358	$30
24	Auto-Owners	$377	$31
24	State Farm	$390	$33
24	Progressive	$408	$34
24	Nationwide	$445	$37
24	Iowa Farm Bureau	$482	$40
24	Allstate	$491	$41
24	Farmers	$504	$42
25	Geico	$254	$21
25	North Star Mutual	$274	$23
25	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$326	$27
25	Auto-Owners	$331	$28
25	State Farm	$345	$29
25	Progressive	$365	$30
25	Iowa Farm Bureau	$383	$32
25	Nationwide	$384	$32
25	Allstate	$453	$38
25	Farmers	$511	$43
30	Geico	$234	$20
30	North Star Mutual	$259	$22
30	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$260	$22
30	Auto-Owners	$261	$22
30	State Farm	$283	$24
30	Nationwide	$327	$27
30	Progressive	$348	$29
30	Iowa Farm Bureau	$373	$31
30	Allstate	$449	$37
30	Farmers	$468	$39
35	Geico	$234	$20
35	North Star Mutual	$244	$20
35	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$246	$21
35	Auto-Owners	$260	$22
35	State Farm	$281	$23
35	Nationwide	$303	$25
35	Progressive	$321	$27
35	Iowa Farm Bureau	$373	$31
35	Farmers	$447	$37
35	Allstate	$449	$37
40	Geico	$234	$20
40	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$240	$20
40	North Star Mutual	$244	$20
40	Auto-Owners	$257	$21
40	State Farm	$285	$24
40	Nationwide	$290	$24
40	Progressive	$316	$26
40	Iowa Farm Bureau	$367	$31
40	Farmers	$434	$36
40	Allstate	$449	$37
45	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$230	$19
45	Geico	$234	$20
45	North Star Mutual	$244	$20
45	Auto-Owners	$251	$21
45	Nationwide	$285	$24
45	State Farm	$288	$24
45	Progressive	$311	$26
45	Iowa Farm Bureau	$367	$31
45	Farmers	$422	$35
45	Allstate	$449	$37
50	Geico	$193	$16
50	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$226	$19
50	North Star Mutual	$228	$19
50	Auto-Owners	$243	$20
50	Iowa Farm Bureau	$276	$23
50	Nationwide	$280	$23
50	State Farm	$283	$24
50	Progressive	$304	$25
50	Farmers	$413	$34
50	Allstate	$458	$38
55	Geico	$193	$16
55	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$211	$18
55	North Star Mutual	$216	$18
55	Auto-Owners	$238	$20
55	Iowa Farm Bureau	$265	$22
55	Nationwide	$274	$23
55	State Farm	$276	$23
55	Progressive	$294	$25
55	Farmers	$389	$32
55	Allstate	$458	$38
60	Geico	$193	$16
60	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$206	$17
60	North Star Mutual	$216	$18
60	Auto-Owners	$243	$20
60	Iowa Farm Bureau	$265	$22
60	State Farm	$270	$23
60	Nationwide	$274	$23
60	Progressive	$295	$25
60	Farmers	$397	$33
60	Allstate	$462	$39
65	Geico	$193	$16
65	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$215	$18
65	North Star Mutual	$216	$18
65	Auto-Owners	$264	$22
65	Iowa Farm Bureau	$265	$22
65	State Farm	$270	$23
65	Nationwide	$285	$24
65	Progressive	$305	$25
65	Farmers	$436	$36
65	Allstate	$485	$40
70	Geico	$189	$16
70	North Star Mutual	$228	$19
70	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$254	$21
70	Iowa Farm Bureau	$282	$24
70	State Farm	$285	$24
70	Nationwide	$308	$26
70	Auto-Owners	$310	$26
70	Progressive	$351	$29
70	Allstate	$485	$40
70	Farmers	$486	$41
75	Geico	$231	$19
75	North Star Mutual	$235	$20
75	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$281	$23
75	Iowa Farm Bureau	$309	$26
75	State Farm	$317	$26
75	Nationwide	$353	$29
75	Auto-Owners	$364	$30
75	Progressive	$447	$37
75	Allstate	$536	$45
75	Farmers	$541	$45
16	USAA	$1,068	$89
17	USAA	$718	$60
18	USAA	$590	$49
19	USAA	$460	$38
20	USAA	$428	$36
21	USAA	$316	$26
22	USAA	$306	$26
23	USAA	$300	$25
24	USAA	$278	$23
25	USAA	$246	$21
30	USAA	$211	$18
35	USAA	$199	$17
40	USAA	$193	$16
45	USAA	$188	$16
50	USAA	$183	$15
55	USAA	$182	$15
60	USAA	$184	$15
65	USAA	$193	$16
70	USAA	$210	$18
75	USAA	$243	$20

Read our methodology

Age	Company	Female annual premium	Female monthly premium
16	North Star Mutual	$650	$54
16	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$819	$68
16	Geico	$768	$64
16	Auto-Owners	$831	$69
16	State Farm	$999	$83
16	Progressive	$1,359	$113
16	Nationwide	$1,430	$119
16	Iowa Farm Bureau	$1,563	$130
16	Allstate	$3,186	$266
16	Farmers	$3,218	$268
17	North Star Mutual	$650	$54
17	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$819	$68
17	Iowa Farm Bureau	$928	$77
17	Geico	$729	$61
17	Auto-Owners	$793	$66
17	State Farm	$862	$72
17	Nationwide	$1,372	$114
17	Progressive	$1,540	$128
17	Allstate	$1,982	$165
17	Farmers	$2,340	$195
18	North Star Mutual	$650	$54
18	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$708	$59
18	Geico	$683	$57
18	Iowa Farm Bureau	$872	$73
18	State Farm	$746	$62
18	Auto-Owners	$743	$62
18	Nationwide	$1,178	$98
18	Progressive	$1,322	$110
18	Allstate	$1,357	$113
18	Farmers	$1,974	$165
19	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$527	$44
19	North Star Mutual	$540	$45
19	Geico	$508	$42
19	Progressive	$724	$60
19	Auto-Owners	$668	$56
19	State Farm	$646	$54
19	Allstate	$748	$62
19	Iowa Farm Bureau	$809	$67
19	Nationwide	$987	$82
19	Farmers	$1,042	$87
20	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$476	$40
20	Geico	$475	$40
20	North Star Mutual	$509	$42
20	Progressive	$625	$52
20	Auto-Owners	$597	$50
20	State Farm	$566	$47
20	Allstate	$608	$51
20	Iowa Farm Bureau	$805	$67
20	Nationwide	$848	$71
20	Farmers	$939	$78
21	Geico	$371	$31
21	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$435	$36
21	North Star Mutual	$431	$36
21	Iowa Farm Bureau	$542	$45
21	Auto-Owners	$527	$44
21	Progressive	$520	$43
21	State Farm	$486	$41
21	Nationwide	$548	$46
21	Allstate	$545	$45
21	Farmers	$553	$46
22	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$386	$32
22	Geico	$361	$30
22	Auto-Owners	$477	$40
22	North Star Mutual	$406	$34
22	Iowa Farm Bureau	$505	$42
22	Progressive	$479	$40
22	State Farm	$443	$37
22	Nationwide	$475	$40
22	Allstate	$535	$45
22	Farmers	$520	$43
23	Geico	$306	$26
23	North Star Mutual	$354	$30
23	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$356	$30
23	Auto-Owners	$431	$36
23	Progressive	$439	$37
23	State Farm	$388	$32
23	Nationwide	$439	$37
23	Iowa Farm Bureau	$482	$40
23	Farmers	$485	$40
23	Allstate	$502	$42
24	Geico	$285	$24
24	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$338	$28
24	North Star Mutual	$334	$28
24	Auto-Owners	$406	$34
24	State Farm	$351	$29
24	Progressive	$410	$34
24	Nationwide	$408	$34
24	Iowa Farm Bureau	$482	$40
24	Allstate	$475	$40
24	Farmers	$476	$40
25	Geico	$244	$20
25	North Star Mutual	$274	$23
25	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$316	$26
25	Auto-Owners	$377	$31
25	State Farm	$317	$26
25	Progressive	$372	$31
25	Iowa Farm Bureau	$407	$34
25	Nationwide	$355	$30
25	Allstate	$456	$38
25	Farmers	$487	$41
30	Geico	$213	$18
30	North Star Mutual	$259	$22
30	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$253	$21
30	Auto-Owners	$260	$22
30	State Farm	$283	$24
30	Nationwide	$322	$27
30	Progressive	$377	$31
30	Iowa Farm Bureau	$397	$33
30	Allstate	$456	$38
30	Farmers	$473	$39
35	Geico	$213	$18
35	North Star Mutual	$259	$22
35	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$243	$20
35	Auto-Owners	$260	$22
35	State Farm	$281	$23
35	Nationwide	$313	$26
35	Progressive	$371	$31
35	Iowa Farm Bureau	$397	$33
35	Farmers	$475	$40
35	Allstate	$456	$38
40	Geico	$213	$18
40	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$234	$20
40	North Star Mutual	$244	$20
40	Auto-Owners	$257	$21
40	State Farm	$285	$24
40	Nationwide	$303	$25
40	Progressive	$352	$29
40	Iowa Farm Bureau	$387	$32
40	Farmers	$495	$41
40	Allstate	$456	$38
45	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$226	$19
45	Geico	$213	$18
45	North Star Mutual	$244	$20
45	Auto-Owners	$251	$21
45	Nationwide	$290	$24
45	State Farm	$288	$24
45	Progressive	$347	$29
45	Iowa Farm Bureau	$387	$32
45	Farmers	$466	$39
45	Allstate	$456	$38
50	Geico	$193	$16
50	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$220	$18
50	North Star Mutual	$216	$18
50	Auto-Owners	$241	$20
50	Iowa Farm Bureau	$289	$24
50	Nationwide	$280	$23
50	State Farm	$283	$24
50	Progressive	$317	$26
50	Farmers	$432	$36
50	Allstate	$440	$37
55	Geico	$193	$16
55	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$207	$17
55	North Star Mutual	$216	$18
55	Auto-Owners	$238	$20
55	Iowa Farm Bureau	$289	$24
55	Nationwide	$269	$22
55	State Farm	$276	$23
55	Progressive	$292	$24
55	Farmers	$394	$33
55	Allstate	$440	$37
60	Geico	$193	$16
60	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$202	$17
60	North Star Mutual	$216	$18
60	Auto-Owners	$242	$20
60	Iowa Farm Bureau	$292	$24
60	State Farm	$270	$23
60	Nationwide	$264	$22
60	Progressive	$294	$25
60	Farmers	$378	$32
60	Allstate	$447	$37
65	Geico	$193	$16
65	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$213	$18
65	North Star Mutual	$216	$18
65	Auto-Owners	$264	$22
65	Iowa Farm Bureau	$292	$24
65	State Farm	$270	$23
65	Nationwide	$269	$22
65	Progressive	$302	$25
65	Farmers	$400	$33
65	Allstate	$466	$39
70	Geico	$189	$16
70	North Star Mutual	$216	$18
70	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$250	$21
70	Iowa Farm Bureau	$316	$26
70	State Farm	$285	$24
70	Nationwide	$285	$24
70	Auto-Owners	$310	$26
70	Progressive	$323	$27
70	Allstate	$466	$39
70	Farmers	$435	$36
75	Geico	$231	$19
75	North Star Mutual	$235	$20
75	Farmers Mutual of Nebraska	$279	$23
75	Iowa Farm Bureau	$350	$29
75	State Farm	$317	$26
75	Nationwide	$313	$26
75	Auto-Owners	$364	$30
75	Progressive	$364	$30
75	Allstate	$515	$43
75	Farmers	$478	$40
16	USAA	$1,012	$84
17	USAA	$689	$57
18	USAA	$575	$48
19	USAA	$450	$38
20	USAA	$414	$35
21	USAA	$315	$26
22	USAA	$307	$26
23	USAA	$288	$24
24	USAA	$276	$23
25	USAA	$244	$20
30	USAA	$209	$17
35	USAA	$198	$17
40	USAA	$193	$16
45	USAA	$188	$16
50	USAA	$184	$15
55	USAA	$182	$15
60	USAA	$185	$15
65	USAA	$195	$16
70	USAA	$214	$18
75	USAA	$246	$21

Read our methodology

South Dakota minimum coverage cost by city

Huron drivers pay the least for minimum coverage in South Dakota at $300. However, Sioux Falls pay the most at $413.

Car insurance rates vary by city. For example, drivers in larger cities with a high traffic volume or vehicle theft rate pay higher rates.

The table below shows average minimum coverage rates for cities in South Dakota.

City	Average annual premium	Average monthly premium
Huron	$300	$25
Yankton	$301	$25
Pierre	$304	$25
Mitchell	$306	$26
Brookings	$310	$26
Watertown	$312	$26
Aberdeen	$313	$26
Spearfish	$329	$27
Rapid City	$371	$31
Sioux Falls	$413	$34

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Optional car insurance coverage in South Dakota

South Dakota requires drivers to carry car insurance to pay for injuries and damages caused to others. However, drivers don't have to carry coverage for their vehicle unless required by a loan or lease.

Drivers may choose optional coverages such as:

Collision. Collision coverage pays for damages to your vehicle if you cause an accident.
Comprehensive. This coverage pays for damages to your car unrelated to an accident, such as fire, flood, falling debris, and hail.
Rental car coverage. This pays for a rental car if your vehicle is being repaired for a covered claim and usually has time and cost limits.
Roadside assistance. If you run out of gas, need a tire changed, or have a dead battery roadside assistance will send someone to help.
Gap. Gap coverage pays the difference between what you owe on a car loan and the vehicle's value.

Methodology

Insurance.com commissioned state minimum car insurance rates from Quadrant Information Systems based on a 40-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving history, driving a 2023 Honda Accord LX. Rates are based on all coverages required by law at minimum coverage limits. Rates were also fielded for various additional age groups. State laws were gathered from state DMV and insurance department websites.

South Dakota car insurance laws and requirements: FAQs

Is it mandatory to have car insurance in South Dakota?

Yes, South Dakota requires that you carry at least the minimum mandatory coverage. Necessary coverage includes UIMBI and UMBI 25/50.

Will my bare minimum car insurance cover me in another state?

Yes, your car insurance covers claims in another state, even if the minimums are higher in the other state.

What happens if I drive without car insurance in South Dakota?

If you're caught driving without car insurance in South Dakota, you may face fines, a driver's license suspension, having your vehicle impounded, and increased car insurance rates. Additionally, you may face jail time, especially for multiple violations.