Compare South Dakota Car Insurance Rates [2023]

You know that feeling when you’ve spent hours in front of a computer screen hunting for car insurance providers? Your neck aches, your eyes burn, and your head shakes in frustration at the plethora of webpage tabs up on your screen that have yet to provide you with the answers you’re looking for. You think to yourself, “There has to be a better way”. And you’d be right.

Shopping for car insurance doesn’t have to be stressful. If you’re one of the approximately 865,000 individuals residing in the state of South Dakota, searching through the best car insurance companies to find the right provider is one of the single most critical decisions you can make to ensure the safety and security of all the drivers in your household.

When you consider that 7.70 percent of all motorists in the state of South Dakota are getting behind the wheel without coverage, the decision to find the right car insurance provider becomes all the more imperative.

Whether you’re sick and tired of steep rates from your current carrier, your policy is almost up and you want to see what your options are, or you just moved to South Dakota and need to find out which insurer will offer you the best rates possible at the coverages you need, you’ve come to the right place.

In this comprehensive guide, we’re going to fill you in on everything you need to know about South Dakota car insurance coverage, carrier rates, driving laws, vehicle licensing laws, and how to compare South Dakota car insurance rates. We will answer questions like:

• Do you need car insurance in South Dakota?
• How much is car insurance in South Dakota?
• Who has the cheapest car insurance?

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Stop stressing over finding the right South Dakota car insurance carrier. Streamline the process and start your savings journey today.

Compare South Dakota car insurance rates online by getting your free quote for multiple car insurance carriers in one place with our online rate calculator. Just enter your ZIP code to get started. Without further ado, let’s jump straight into South Dakota car insurance coverage and rates.

South Dakota Car Insurance Coverage and Rates

South Dakota is a wonder of nature with rich farmland, beautiful prairies, striking mountains, and exquisite lakes spread across the state. From the famous Badlands to the Missouri River winding through the southeastern and central regions, South Dakota has no end of outdoor wonders to behold.

Famous for the astounding Mount Rushmore National Memorial nestled in the Black Hills, nature lovers and adventure seekers find plenty to see and do in this beautiful state.

Aptly nicknamed The Mount Rushmore State, South Dakota is number 16 out of all 50 states in terms of size and was the 40th state to become a part of the Union in 1889. The state extends just over approximately 77,000 square miles with a population under a million as of the most recent census.

Interestingly enough, South Dakota actually sports more shoreline miles than Florida and remains the most elevated point in the entire country east of the Rockies.

Agriculture is also a significant economic powerhouse for the state and remains South Dakota’s primary industry to this day. In fact, South Dakota is among the top states in the U.S. for its production of crops like wheat, corn, and soybeans.

South Dakota also holds two of the longest caves in the entire world. Extending beyond 150 miles in length, the Jewel Cave National Monument stands number three among the longest caves on the planet.

Whether you’re contemplating a move to Mount Rushmore State or have lived there for decades, understanding the minimum South Dakota car insurance coverage requirements is key to keeping you safe behind the wheel and ensuring you’re secured in the event of an unexpected collision. Let’s take a closer look.

South Dakota Minimum Car Insurance Coverage Requirements

In the table above, you’ll see the minimum liability car insurance coverage required in the state of South Dakota. Let’s delve deeper into what this means for you:

• $25,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person: to cover the costs associated with the injury or death of an individual as the result of an accident you cause
• $50,000 bodily injury liability coverage per accident: to cover the costs associated with the total bodily injury or death liability resulting from an accident you cause
• $25,000 property damage liability coverage: to cover the costs associated with property damages incurred by another individual or individuals resulting from an accident you cause

While not mandatory in all states, South Dakota car insurance laws also mandate that drivers carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage that matches their selected liability policy limits. Uninsured motorist coverage is there to protect you if you ever get into a crash for which you are not responsible, are injured, and the at-fault driver does not have a valid policy to pay for your damages or the collision is a hit-and-run incident.

Underinsured motorist coverage also offers protection for you as the policyholder. In the event that you get into a collision for which you are not responsible, and the other driver does not have sufficient coverage to pay for your damages, the underinsured motorist coverage will kick in to cover the difference. According to the South Dakota Division of Insurance Consumer Information page:

If a motorist has 25/50 coverage and you have 100/300 of underinsured motorist, your insurance will cover you once the medical costs exceed $25,000 (for one person) up to a maximum of $100,000 minus $25,000 of the other person’s liability, $75,000 of your uninsured motorist coverage.

These coverage are not “stackable”- if the medical bills exceed $100,000 in the above example, you cannot add the liable party’s $25,000 of the liability coverage and your $100,000 of underinsured coverage.

Regarding liability insurance, these mandatory policy coverages exist to cover things like medical expenses, property damages costs, and other bills incurred by any driver, pedestrian, or passenger as a result of an accident you are responsible for.

Your liability insurance will cover these expenses up to and until your policy limits have been exhausted. As such, it is very advisable to consider taking out coverages above the recommended limits. If you ever get into a serious collision for which you are at fault, after your limits have been exhausted, your personal assets could be at stake to cover the remaining costs incurred by the injured party or parties.

By taking out higher coverages above the state-required minimums, you’ll not only have a security blanket in the event of an accident but ensure your personal assets are protected as well. Your liability insurance also applies to any member of your family or authorized user to whom you have given permission to drive your vehicle.

Bear in mind, that your liability insurance does not cover the costs of any injuries you might incur.

Forms of Financial Responsibility in South Dakota

If you ever get into a wreck in the state of South Dakota, you will probably be required to present proof of insurance to a responding officer. The easiest way to offer proof of financial responsibility is to show the officer your insurer-issued proof of insurance card or the electronic version on your mobile device.

A reportable collision is an auto accident involving an injury or death, or property damage at a minimum of $1,000, or combined damages equaling $2,000.

If you get into an auto accident in the state of South Dakota, you need to exchange insurance information, residential addresses, names, and VIN numbers with the other motorist or motorists. If the auto accident meets the reportable requirements, you are required to report the crash to the nearest police station in the jurisdiction.

In addition, other options to show proof of financial responsibility that pose an alternative to regular auto insurance are a certificate of deposit of securities or money, a surety bond, or a certificate of self-insurance.

In the state of South Dakota, you have the option to deposit a sum of $50,000 with the state treasurer to receive a certificate of insurance. If the Department of Public Safety and the state treasurer accept your deposit, the certificate can serve as an acceptable form of financial responsibility.

You may also post a surety bond from a licensed surety entity in the state of South Dakota and present it to the DMV. If you get into an accident, the surety bond amount should at minimum equal the insurance policy held by the other driver in a collision for which you were responsible. Assuming the DMV commissioner accepts the surety bond, you will be issued a certificate as an acceptable form of financial responsibility.

Finally, in the state of South Dakota, if you have over 26 vehicles registered to your name, you might be eligible to apply for self-insurance. Assuming the Department of Public Safety issues you a self-insurance certificate, this can also serve as an acceptable form of financial responsibility.

That said, in most scenarios, the easiest and most cost-effective option will be to carry South Dakota auto insurance at or above the state minimum and present your proof of insurance either in the physical card form or electronically. It is also important to note, that penalties for driving without insurance under South Dakota car insurance laws are steep.

If you are caught driving without insurance, the offense is considered to be a Class Two Misdemeanor, with associated penalties including 30 days imprisonment and/or $100 in fines.

Furthermore, your driver’s license would be suspended for a period ranging from 30 days to one year. On top of this, if convicted, you will be required to file an SR-22 car insurance document with the state of South Dakota for a period of three years after the suspension of your driving privileges is lifted. Failure to do so will lead to suspension of not just your driver’s license, but your license plates and vehicle registration to boot.

Premiums as a Percentage of Income in South Dakota

The table above reveals the average personal incomes of South Dakota residents over a three-year period as compared to the percentage of their earnings comprised by annual premiums.

As you can see, the percentage of income eaten up by insurance premiums increased steadily in the years between 2012 and 2014. While the average South Dakota resident’s annual personal income dipped in 2013, making the slight spike in rates have an even greater impact, incomes rose again in 2014 which helped to level the playing field.

Your personal income is the amount of money you have left after taxes are taken out to pay your bills, save, or spend on life’s little extras.

Our researchers discovered that South Dakota’s ratio of premiums to the percentage of income they comprise is a bit high when compared with other states in the region, such as North Dakota. Case in point, North Dakota’s insurance as a percentage of income was around 1.50 percent in 2014. However, the average resident earned a bit more in that year too at approximately $51,311.

Average Monthly Car Insurance Rates in SD (Liability, Collision, Comprehensive)

In the table here, our researchers compiled the latest data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) database. You should definitely be prepared for South Dakota car insurance premiums to rise in the state from 2019 and moving forward.

Additional Liability Coverage in South Dakota

In this table, we’ve compiled the NAIC’s most recent data revealing the average loss ratio for South Dakota car insurance carriers between the years 2013 and 2015.

The loss ratio comprises the percentage of losses an insurer suffers compared to their written premiums. So, if a South Dakota car insurance company continuously experiences a loss ratio exceeding 100 percent, this reveals that they are paying out more claims to insureds than they are earning back in premiums written.

If you look back at the loss ratio for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage in 2013, you’ll see that South Dakota car insurance carriers were using less than 50 percent of their premiums to pay out claims. This reveals that companies needed to consider reducing their rates.

The good news is, the data here shows that in the years following, South Dakota insurers have experienced gains to losses within the normal, healthy range for both uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and MedPay. Currently, the NAIC has not released data regarding gains to losses for South Dakota insurers for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage.

South Dakota currently ranks 42nd in the nation for uninsured motorists, with 7.7 percent of drivers getting behind the wheel without coverage.

While it’s easy to think that you’ll be one of the lucky ones on the road, there’s no way to predict whether you could get into a collision with one of these uninsured drivers. In the event that you do, additional coverages like MedPay and collision insurance coverage are excellent options to consider to ensure you’re not left in the lurch.

MedPay (Medical Payments) provides coverage for things like medical bills or funeral expenses in the event of injuries incurred during a collision, no matter who was at fault.

MedPay provides coverage for you and any family members and/or passengers as laid out in your policy who was in the car or struck as a pedestrian during the course of the collision. Collision coverage will pay for property damage to your vehicle if you get involved in a wreck with another car or object.

Add-ons, Endorsements, and Riders

Here are the key car insurance add-ons you’ll want to contemplate adding to your South Dakota car insurance policy. Check them out.

• GAP insurance
• Personal Umbrella Policy (PUP)
• Rental Car Reimbursement
• Emergency Roadside Assistance
• Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
• Non-Owner Car Insurance
• Modified Car Insurance Coverage
• Classic Car Insurance

Average Monthly Car Insurance Rates by Age & Gender in SD

We’ve always been taught that age and gender were two of the most (if not the most) critical factors car insurance carriers use to assess consumer rates. Is this really the case?

Let’s take a look at what our researchers discovered.

Demographic and Insurance Carrier

If you browse through the table above, you’ll notice that there is frequently a disparity between the rates male drivers are charged vs. female drivers.

In some cases, the gap is wider than in others. For instance, Allstate charges single 25-year-old males approximately $200 more in annual premiums than they do female drivers of the same age, while a company like Geico actually charges 25-year-old female drivers about $80 more each year than they do 25-year-old male drivers.

However, teen driver car insurance rates are highest of all. Safeco, for instance, charges single, 17-year-old male drivers approximately $13,500 more in annual rates than they do married, 35-year-old male drivers. The disparity is huge.

This is partly because, in addition to your age and gender, insurance carriers can take your marital status into account when assessing rates.

Car insurance for married people is lower because insurers usually see marriage as a sign of stability and responsibility. The train of thought is that married individuals are going to be more cognizant behind the wheel than younger, single drivers, thereby posing less risk to insure.

Rank by Demographic and Insurance Carrier

Car insurance rates by age can change drastically. If you have teen drivers in your household and are concerned about how to insure them without breaking the bank, the table above reveals that not all carriers assess teen driver rates the same.

If you’ll take a close look at the insurer in the number one ranking position, you’ll see that Safeco charges teen male drivers the highest rates, while State Farm, ranked number 14, charges the lowest.

It is also interesting to note, that the older a driver gets, the less disparity there often is between male vs. female rates. One example is AMCO Insurance. As you can see, they charge 25-year-old male drivers just under $200 more in annual rates than they do 25-year-old female drivers.

The moral of the story is, the South Dakota car insurance company you pick is going to be the ultimate determinant of rates. Finding the coverage you need at the price you want isn’t impossible, provided you know where to look. Speaking of which, let’s check out the highest and lowest rates in the state of South Dakota based on ZIP code.

Highest and Lowest Rates in South Dakota by ZIP Code

Check out the video above for a detailed explanation of some of the key tools carriers use to assess consumer rates. Next, take a look at the table below to see how insurer rates change based on your ZIP code.

Use the search bar to find average rates in your area.

Most Expensive/Least Expensive Carrier Rates by City

Navigate through the table above using the search bar to discover the average annual rate South Dakota car insurance companies charge in your town or city. It might surprise you to learn that the size of the city you live in can be one of many factors insurers use to determine your rates.

It’s interesting to note though, that car insurance carriers charge residents in larger cities like Sioux Falls almost the exact same rates as residents in tiny towns like Delmont. So, while your rates might go up if you live in a larger city, there are always exceptions to this rule of thumb.

Free Car Insurance Comparison

Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap car insurance rates.

 Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Best South Dakota Car Insurance Companies

When you’re on the hunt for South Dakota car insurance companies, it’s natural to wonder what consumers actually think of the top carriers in the state. Well, you’ve come to the right place. For everything from the financial ratings of the 10 largest South Dakota car insurance companies to carriers with the most complaints, keep scrolling.

The 10 Largest South Dakota Car Insurance Companies’ Financial Ratings

A South Dakota car insurance company’s financial strength rating is an essential factor to take into account when selecting a carrier, as this reveals the ability an insurer has to fulfill its financial obligations to consumers.

AM Best is a global rating agency that awards insurance carriers ratings based on their level of creditworthiness and financial strength. The top rating they award carriers is A++, while secondary A ratings show that an insurer has an excellent ability to meet its financial promises to consumers.

Check out the 10 largest South Dakota insurance companies’ financial ratings in the table below to see where your current carrier ranks.

Bear in mind, that AM Best is a voluntary rating system, which is why companies like De Smet Insurance Group may not currently have a rating on file.

South Dakota Car Insurance Companies with the Best Customer Ratings

South Dakota Car Insurance Companies with the Most Customer Complaints

The table above shows the most recent data our researchers gathered from the NAIC, detailing the complaint ratio for the top 10 South Dakota car insurance companies. Just bear in mind that the complaint ratio reveals overall consumer satisfaction and should be one of a plethora of factors you take into account when choosing your carrier.

South Dakota Car Insurance Rates by Company

Check out the table and chart above, indicating the South Dakota car insurance companies with the cheapest rates compared to the overarching state average. As you can see, Safeco charges the highest rates and State Farm the lowest, with a nearly $5,200 premium gap between the two. If you’re wondering if State Farm might be the right company for you, check out our State Farm car insurance review.

Commute Rates

The table above reveals the average annual rates South Dakota car insurance companies assess for insureds based on their annual commute. It is interesting to note, that while some car insurance carriers spike rates for higher annual commutes, others show little to no rate difference between 10 vs. 25-mile commutes.

While companies like Allstate have an approximately $230 rate jump based on 10 vs. 25-mile commutes, insurers such as Liberty Mutual and Nationwide charge consumers the exact same rates regardless of the length of their commute.

So, your commute may or may not affect the rates you can expect to pay, and it often comes down to the South Dakota car insurance company you pick. Commute rates, comparatively, don’t affect your rates as much as some other factors.

Coverage Level Rates

Credit History Rates

While the practice is forbidden in a handful of states, the vast majority of car insurance companies throughout the country (including those in South Dakota) can and do use your credit score as a key factor when assessing your rates.

The table above details the different average annual rates South Dakota car insurance companies charge consumers based on their credit score. If you take Liberty Mutual, for example, you’ll notice there is an almost $5,700 rate difference charged to insureds with poor vs. good credit scores.

Other companies, however, don’t show as big a gap. For instance, Farmers car insurance charges insureds with poor credit about $800 more than those with good credit.

A recent study conducted by Experian revealed that the average South Dakota resident has a VantageScore of 700, with 2.8 credit cards to their name and a balance of $5,692. This VantageScore is just above the nationwide average of 675.

To sum it up, while you may not notice much of a rate difference with some South Dakota car insurance carriers with poor vs. good credit, other insurers’ rates skyrocket the lower your credit score is.

By practicing healthy credit card usage and spending, not living beyond your means, and paying your bill on time every month, you’ll not only foster good financial habits but potentially keep your car insurance rates down too.

Driving Record Rates

Your driving record is another key element South Dakota car insurance companies use to determine your annual premiums. If you take a look at the table above, you’ll notice that depending on the carrier, the difference in rates for individuals with one DUI vs. a clean record is astronomical.

For example, Geico charges insureds with one DUI on their record approximately $3,000 more in annual premiums than insureds with a clean record. Those numbers can really add up. However, if you note carriers like State Farm, the company only shows an approximate $144 rate difference for car insurance after a DUI vs. a clean record.

Practicing safe driving habits on the road will not only help you save big with South Dakota car insurance companies but ensure you stay secure whenever you get behind the wheel. That said, if you do have a less-than-stellar driving history, this does not necessarily mean that you won’t be able to find the coverages you need.

However, with a history of repeated driving offenses, you might find that you aren’t able to secure car insurance through traditional methods and must instead apply to high-risk car insurance companies. More on that further down. For now, let’s take a look at the 10 largest car insurance companies in South Dakota, including their average loss ratio and market share.

The 10 Largest Car Insurance Companies in South Dakota

Number of Car Insurance Providers in South Dakota

Driving Laws in South Dakota

Now that you have a thorough grasp of the primary components that South Dakota car insurance companies factor into the decision-making process when assessing your car insurance rates, it’s time to delve into a different subject: driving laws. Trust us, you won’t want to miss these. Let’s get started.

South Dakota’s Car Insurance Laws

State laws are always changing and developing, so it is crucial to stay current with the driving laws governing all South Dakota motorists. In the state of South Dakota, teens as young as 14 are permitted to obtain their learner’s permit.

Texting while driving is banned across the board for all motorists, while individuals under the age of 18 may not use a wireless handheld device while behind the wheel, period.

Under current South Dakota law, texting while driving is considered a secondary offense. What this means, is that a law enforcement officer must actually witness the motorist committing the violation before having the authority to pull the driver over and issue him or her a citation.

Ready to learn everything you need to know about South Dakota’s car insurance laws? Let’s get this show on the road.

High-Risk Insurance

If you have a poor driving history afflicted with tickets or collisions, South Dakota car insurance companies may see your record and view you as a high-risk driver, which means they feel it very likely that you would be filing a claim with them in the near future.

If you find yourself unable to obtain South Dakota car insurance as a result of your driving record, you might be eligible for the South Dakota Automobile Insurance Plan (SD AIP).

Since its commencement in 1949, South Dakota car insurance companies have been required to participate in the SD AIP. Insurance companies are assigned high-risk drivers based on their share of the insurance market in the state. For example, if State Farm comprises 15 percent of the state’s insurance market, State Farm will be given 15 percent of high-risk drivers under the SD AIP.

If you have tried to obtain South Dakota car insurance through the regular avenues and have been unable to do so, you may inquire with your insurance agent to try and obtain a quote via SD AIP. If you meet the eligibility requirements, the insurance agent can send in the application on your behalf, and you can secure insurance through the SD AIP high-risk pool.

It is important to note, that you will not be able to pick your insurance company if you opt for high-risk insurance through the South Dakota Automobile Insurance Plan. Rather, the SD AIP will assign you an insurance carrier that is part of the program.

It is also worth emphasizing that seeking coverage through the South Dakota Automobile Insurance Plan should be your very last resort if you simply cannot secure insurance via any other avenue.

High-risk car insurance may be more expensive than regular coverage would be. That said, if you find that SD AIP is your best and only option to obtain South Dakota car insurance, here are the eligibility criterion you need to fulfill in order to apply:

• You must confirm on your SD AIP application that you have tried to secure auto insurance in the 60 days prior but were unable to do so
• You have a car registered with the state of South Dakota
• You have a valid driver’s license
• You must fill out the application in full and without any misrepresentation of fact

If you fulfill the above requirements and submit your application, you should not have issues securing insurance through the program.

However, if you do not fill out the application in full or you record false information on the application, your application could be rejected or canceled within the initial 60 days.  As such, the South Dakota Automobile Insurance Plan also exerts the right to bar you from re-applying for coverage for a full year.

Assuming you fulfill all the requirements noted above, fill out the application completely and honestly, and are accepted, your high-risk coverage will remain in effect for a period of three years. You will have multiple options to pay for your high-risk coverage, as the premiums will be higher than they would be if you were obtaining traditional South Dakota car insurance. Below are your payment options:

• Pay the complete annual premium when you submit your application
• Pay 30 percent of the annual premium when submitting your application and the other 70 percent within 30 days of your policy being issued
• Pay in installments, putting down 40 percent upfront when you submit your application and paying for the rest in five monthly payments

If you do opt for the installment plan, you will also be required to pay an additional four dollars with each monthly bill. The good news is if your driving record sees improvement while you are still in the SD AIP and you can secure auto insurance at a cheaper rate, you can let your assigned high-risk carrier know and receive a pro-rated premium refund.

Low-Cost Insurance

Only a few states offer low-cost car insurance programs for individuals who meet certain eligibility requirements and income thresholds. At this time, South Dakota does not offer such a program.

Windshield Coverage

When it comes to windshield coverage, a number of states require a waived deductible if you have repairs done, while others require you to use manufacturer replacement parts only in the event a repair is needed.

South Dakota doesn’t have any laws specific to windshields, and insurers are allowed to use aftermarket crash parts (not from the original manufacturer) with broken windshield car insurance.

Read more: Does car insurance cover broken car windows?

Insurance companies are not allowed to require that you use a particular repair shop to have your car fixed, according to South Dakota’s 58-33-67 statute.

Automobile Insurance Fraud in South Dakota

South Dakota car insurance fraud is a crime, classified from anywhere between a Class One misdemeanor to a Class Four felony, depending on the amount of money involved. Insurance fraud can take place in a range of ways and may be committed by both the insurer and the insured. For the sake of this guide, we will focus solely on consumer automobile insurance fraud.

Most of the time, insurance fraud occurs when the insured person files a false claim with their insurance company by creating a nonexistent loss or exaggerating the proportion of damages suffered. In addition, uninsured persons may also be found guilty of committing car insurance fraud. Instances of automobile insurance fraud include:

• Willingly and fully intending to deceive or defraud, possessing fraudulent certificates of insurance, insurance ID cards, insurance binders, or counterfeit policies
• Knowingly absconds with or steals the property or funds of an insurance carrier
• Knowingly and fully intending to deceive or defraud files a false statement in connection with a document submitted to or required by the Insurance Division
• Knowingly and fully intending to deceive or defraud an insurer, takes, tries to take, or destroys an insurer’s records or assets
• Knowingly and fully intending to deceive or defraud submits or creates documents with untrue, incomplete, or exaggerated information regarding a claim with an insurer
• Falsifying a claim with regard to the disability or death of the holder of the insurance policy to wrongly obtain benefits or funds from an insurance policy

Penalties for auto insurance fraud in South Dakota are as follows:

• Fraud equaling $400 or less is a Class Two misdemeanor
• Fraud equaling between $400 and $1000 is a Class One misdemeanor
• Fraud equaling $1,000 or more is a Class Four felony
• Any other violations are categorized as Class One misdemeanors

Visit the South Dakota Code Section 58-4A-2 for additional information. The lesson to be learned here is that car insurance fraud in South Dakota is a grave crime with potentially grave penalties. Don’t commit insurance fraud, and you can set your mind at rest.

Statute of Limitations

If you get into a wreck in the state of South Dakota and are injured as a result, you might find yourself considering a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. A statute of limitations is the time in which you have to file a lawsuit with the courts from the date of the incident. If you do not file your claim by the statute of limitations deadline, you can expect your claim to be thrown out of court.

A case’s statute of limitations is not to be confused with the time in which you must file a car insurance claim with your South Dakota car insurance company in the period following a collision. Most carriers will mandate that you file your claim (or at the very least offer notice) within days or at the most, weeks after the crash.

Under South Dakota Codified Laws Section 15-2-14, your personal injury statute of limitations deadline is three years from the date of the incident. What this means, is that if you get into an auto accident in South Dakota and are injured as a result, you have three years from the date of the accident to file suit or be forever barred from doing so.

If someone was killed because of the collision, South Dakota Codified Laws Section 21-5-3 starts the clock of the three-year statute of limitations for any wrongful death suit on the date of the individual’s death. If you suffered property damage as a result of your South Dakota car accident, a six-year statute of limitations applies as directed by the South Dakota Codified Laws Section 15-2-13.

South Dakota’s Comparative Negligence Law

Following on the discussion of the South Dakota car accident statute of limitations above, we would be remiss to overlook the state’s equally relevant comparative negligence law. Let us say that you get into a crash in the state of South Dakota, file a lawsuit, and the case proceeds to court. Once the jury hears the case for each party, they determine that the other party was at fault, but that you bear a modicum of fault as well.

According to the South Dakota Codified Laws Section 20-9-2, the fact that you contributed to the accident does not necessarily bar you from recovering damages if your portion of the fault was slight when compared to that of the other party.

The key word here is “slightly”. You must only be slightly at fault for the accident when compared to the other driver. However, it does mean that any damages you are awarded will be reduced by the percentage of fault you bear in the crash. In fact, South Dakota is the only state that adheres to this particular interpretation of the comparative negligence doctrine, because there is no amount of “slight” fault that is set in stone.

The decision is ultimately up to the jury to determine the amount of fault you bear and the reduction of damages you could potentially experience as a result. For example, let us say you get into a crash, and when the case goes to trial the court determines that you bore only a “slight” amount of fault at 15 percent. They further decided that your total damages due are $15,000.

Under South Dakota’s comparative negligence doctrine, you would only receive $12,750, which is $15,000 minus the 15 percent of fault you bore in the accident.

South Dakota’s Vehicle Licensing Laws

You’ve made it this far. Let’s keep going. Now, it’s time to delve into South Dakota’s key vehicle licensing laws that every driver in the state needs to know about. From the penalties for driving without insurance to teen driver laws to new resident procedures, we’ve got you covered.

Penalties for Driving Without Insurance

According to the South Dakota Codified Laws Section 32-35-113, failure to maintain proof of financial responsibility and thereby driving without insurance is categorized as a Class Two misdemeanor. Acceptable proofs of insurance or financial responsibility include:

• Proof of insurance from your auto insurance carrier in electronic or hard copy form
• A certificate of a bond in lieu of insurance
• A certificate of deposit of securities or money equal to $50,000
• A certificate of self-insurance in accordance with South Dakota Codified Laws Sections 32-35-90 and 32-35-91

Penalties for driving without South Dakota car insurance are as follows:

• Driving without car insurance is a Class Two misdemeanor
• You could incur fines of up to $1,000
• You could face up to six months imprisonment
• First-time offenders are usually required to pay a $100 fine
• First-time offenders will not be imprisoned beyond a period of 30 days
• Your driver’s license could be suspended for one year
• You will be required to maintain an SR-22 proof of insurance document for three years afterward

If you were to continue to drive on a suspended license, you face the same potential penalties as noted above.

Teen Driver Laws

Check out the key teen driver laws you need to know in the state of South Dakota. You must be at least 14 years old in order to obtain your learner’s license. Before obtaining a license or intermediate license, you must:

• Hold your learner’s license for at least six months (or three months if you receive driver’s education)
• Be at least 14 years and six months of age (or 14 years and three months of age if you receive driver’s education)

During the intermediate licensing period, nighttime restrictions between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. apply. You must be at least 16 years old for the restrictions to be lifted. Furthermore, if you hold a learner’s permit, you are not permitted to drive between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless supervised by your parent or guardian.

Older Driver and General Population License Renewal Procedures

Here’s what you need to know about license renewal procedures in the state of South Dakota. Older driver’s license renewal procedures are as follows:

• Renew once every five years
• Proof of adequate vision is required for individuals 65 and up at every renewal
• Online or mail renewal is permitted at every other renewal

The general population license renewal procedures include:

• Renew once every five years
• You must provide proof of adequate vision if renewing in person
• Online or mail renewal is permitted at every other renewal

New Residents

If you’re gearing up to move to Mount Rushmore State, here’s what you need to know about licensing procedures for new residents. You are required to transfer your out-of-state driver’s license within a period of 90 days after moving to South Dakota. You will not be required to take a driver’s test provided your current license is valid and unexpired. You must apply for your new driver’s license in person.

For select locations, you can schedule your appointment online. You must bring with you certain documents and a filled-out license application form. To apply for your South Dakota driver’s license, you must bring:

• Your out-of-state license
• Proof of Social Security number
• Two documents proving your residential/physical address
• Proof of name change if applicable
• Proof of lawful U.S. status

Negligent Operator Treatment System

South Dakota Codified Law Chapter 32-24 governs the reckless and unsafe driving laws in the state. In the state of South Dakota, reckless driving is classified as a crime, covering instances including:

• Driving with a careless and heedless disregard for the well-being and safety of other individuals
• Driving without caution or care and at a rate of speed or in a way that poses danger or is likely to pose danger to an individual or property

Reckless driving falls under the category of a Class One misdemeanor. If convicted, motorists could spend as much as a year in prison and/or incur up to $2,000 worth of fines. Second or additional reckless driving convictions in the year following incur a license suspension ranging from 30 days to a year and 30 days.

In addition, if convicted of reckless driving, a driver will receive eight points on their driving record. If you receive 15 or more driving points in a year, or 22 in a period of two years, your license could be suspended.

South Dakota laws also recognize a less grave offense known as careless driving, which involves less serious instances of poor driving. Careless driving is categorized as a Class Two misdemeanor, incurring up to 30 days imprisonment and/or up to $500 in fines.

South Dakota’s Rules of the Road

Ready to learn about South Dakota’s key rules of the road? Here’s what every driver in the state needs to know to stay safe and secure behind the wheel.

Fault vs. No-Fault

South Dakota adheres to the fault system regarding who is held responsible to cover losses such as medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage incurred due to a collision.

In practical terms, this means that whoever causes the accident is held responsible for compensating the injured party for any damages they experience as a result. In reality, the at-fault party’s insurance company will compensate the injured party or parties for damages received up to and until policy limits are exhausted.

Keep Right and Move Over Laws

The state’s “Keep Right Law”, South Dakota Codified Law 32-26-1 requires vehicles driving slower than the flow of traffic to keep to the right side of the roadway. South Dakota’s Move Over Law, 32-31-6.1 requires motorists to come to a stop when nearing an authorized emergency vehicle with its red signals and lights on. You are also required to move over and slow when passing by a vehicle flashing yellow or amber lights.

Speed Limits

The speed limits motorists must adhere to in the state of South Dakota are as follows:

• 80 mph on rural interstates
• 80 mph on urban interstates
• 70 mph on limited access roads and all other roads

Seat Belt and Carseat Laws

In South Dakota, children four years old and younger who weigh less than 40 pounds must be restrained in a child safety seat. Children between the ages of 5-17 and all children who weigh over 40 pounds (no matter how old) may wear an adult safety belt. Violation of these laws incurs a maximum base fine of $25 for first-time offenders.

There are no state laws in South Dakota imposing restrictions on who may ride in the cargo seat areas of pickup trucks.

Ridesharing

In March 2016, the governor of South Dakota signed a bill into effect governing ridesharing drivers. The bill requires rideshare insurance liability coverages of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident to cover drivers whenever they are logged into the app but are not transporting a passenger.

The bill also mandates $1,000,000 in coverage whenever the rideshare driver is transporting a passenger. Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft carry commercial policies for drivers to protect all parties involved in the event of a collision. Rideshare drivers very rarely carry individual commercial policies.

Automation on the Road

South Dakota does not currently have any laws in place authorizing the testing or deployment of autonomous vehicles.

South Dakota’s Safety Laws

Check out South Dakota’s important safety laws regarding DUIs, marijuana impairment, and distracted driving. Here’s what you need to know.

DUI Laws

Marijuana-Impaired Driving Laws

South Dakota maintains a zero-tolerance policy for THC and metabolites for drivers under the age of 21. Furthermore, it is illegal to drive while under the influence of drugs in the state, according to South Dakota Code Section 32-23-1.

South Dakota has some of the strictest anti-marijuana laws in the country, with possession of even a tiny amount of the drug incurring penalties including a year’s imprisonment and $2,000 in fines.

Distracted Driving Laws

South Dakota imposes a young driver’s cellphone ban on teens with a learner’s permit and intermediate license. All drivers are forbidden to text while driving, regardless of age. There is not currently a ban in place on hand-held devices, other than for young drivers.

Fascinating Facts Every South Dakota Driver Needs to Know

We’re almost there. Let’s delve into the fascinating facts every driver in South Dakota needs to know.

Vehicle Theft in South Dakota

In 2013, there were 264 motor vehicle thefts in Sioux Falls alone. Check out the FBI’s Crime in the U.S. Report to see where your city or town ranks, then take a look at the table below to discover the top 10 stolen cars in the state of South Dakota.

Risky/Harmful Driving Behavior

In order to foster safe driving habits, it’s important to know the top risky/harmful driving behaviors in your state so you can stay cognizant and prepared when you get behind the wheel. Let’s dig deeper.

Traffic Fatalities by Weather Condition and Light Condition

Fatalities by County

2017 Traffic Fatalities

Fatalities by Person Type

Fatalities by Crash Type

Five-Year Trend for the Top 10 Counties

Fatalities Involving Speeding by Top 10 Counties

Fatalities in Crashes Involving an Alcohol-Impaired Driver by Top 10 Counties

Teen Drinking and Driving

EMS Response Time

Transportation

The average South Dakota resident spends just 15.7 minutes in commute time, which is almost 10 minutes shorter than the average nationwide commute of 25.3 minutes. Just 1.26 percent of South Dakota workers have super commutes beyond 90 minutes in length.

Take control of your car insurance journey and start maximizing your savings today. Compare South Dakota car insurance prices by getting your free rate quote for multiple South Dakota car insurance providers in one place. Just enter your ZIP code below to get started.

Free Car Insurance Comparison

Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap car insurance rates.

 Secured with SHA-256 Encryption