Car insurance shopping in South Dakota can be intimidating, especially if you do not know what type of coverage you need. BuyCarInsurance.com is here to solve your car insurance woes! We have put together this guide that lists the information you need to know so that you can easily get the car insurance plan that fits your personal needs - at the lowest rate.

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Minimum Requirements

South Dakota requires drivers to have the minimum specified car insurance to drive. The required minimum coverages are on par with the national average. These car insurance coverages will protect you in the event you are found to be at-fault in an accident. Here is a list of the required car insurance coverages:

Do I Need More Than the Minimum Coverage?

We always suggest purchasing as much car insurance as you can afford. Just because the minimum required car insurance limits are on par with the national average doesn’t mean they will save you from out-of-pocket expenses. Increasing your limits and adding additional coverages is really the best option to have adequate car insurance that will cover you in many situations. 

Additional Coverages Available

Adding additional coverages to the minimum required car insurance policy will cover you in a variety of situations. These additional coverages can even help prevent out-of-pocket costs. We put together a list of coverages here:

• Collision Coverage- Collision insurance will cover repairs to your vehicle in an accident you are at fault for. 

• Comprehensive Coverage- Comprehensive insurance covers you for other situations than a car accident; if you hit an animal, vandalism, fire, hail, flooding, or of your car is stolen. 

• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists- Optional coverage that protects you if you are involved in an accident with a driver who has no insurance or too little insurance to cover the accident. 

• Medical Coverage- Optional coverage that will pay for medical bills when health insurance exceeds coverage amounts and covers medical expenses for you and your passengers. Do you walk or bike? This policy offers additional coverage if you are struck by a car in those instances. 

• Gap Insurance- Optional coverage that will pay if you don’t own your car outright and have an accident. Gap insurance will pay the difference between the cash value of your car and the current balance on your loan or lease. This policy is best for newer non-owned cars. 

• Personal Injury Protection- Depending on your state this type of insurance can be a requirement or an add on. Regardless of fault personal injury protection will cover medical expenses and loss of wages for you and your passengers (up to your limit). It also includes up to $5,000 for funeral expenses.

South Dakota Teen Drivers

At the age of 14 in South Dakota, a teen can get their learners permit, which is the gateway to a drivers license. This is the time to start shopping around for car insurance. Insuring a teen driver is expensive, there is no way around it. Typically the higher of a risk you are the higher your premiums will be. Teen drivers are inexperienced and therefore considered high-risk. Adding a teen driver to an existing policy is typically the cheapest option to insure a teen. However, they have an option to be on a car insurance policy alone. If you are looking to cut costs teen driving discounts are offered and might help lower premiums. Ask your insurance company for a list of discounts for teens, this will help you see what criteria is needed. 

South Dakota and Multiple Drivers

Adding drivers in your household to your car insurance policy is important. This will ensure you have the best policy that will meet your needs. There will be no surprises or unforeseen expenses.  

If you do not want to add certain drivers to your policy you do not have too. You can contact your car insurance company and exclude any drivers you do not want to be listed on your policy. It is important not to let anyone who is excluded from your policy drive your car, because they will not be covered under your insurance. 

Penalties for Driving Without Car Insurance 

South Dakota requires car insurance to drive legally. If you are caught without it you will face penalties. These penalties include fines, suspension of driving privileges, and even jail time. South Dakota does not have an escalated penalty system, so penalties are assessed on a case by case basis. Here is a list of the penalties: 

• You will be fined $100 to $500.

• You may be sentenced to 30 days of jail time, either in place of the fine or in addition to the fine.

• Your driver's license will be suspension anywhere from 30 days to a year.

• You will have to pay a reinstatement fee of $50 to $200.

• You will have to plat a reinstatement application fee of $28.

• You will have to file an SR-22 for three years. Failure to do so will result in the suspension of our driving privileges. 

Car Insurance Discounts in South Dakota

Getting a discount on car insurance rates in South Dakota is easier than you think. There are so many discounts available to meet a wide variety of needs. We encourage you to ask your insurance company for a full list of car insurance discounts. This will help you decide which discounts you qualify for and how much you can save. We have a list of common discounts in South Dakota to get you started:

• Good Driver- Maintain a good driving record free of accidents, tickets, and any moving violations. 

• Multiple Policy- Most insurance companies will offer a discount for having multiple policies such as car insurance, renters insurance, homeowners insurance, or motorcycle insurance. 

• Good Student- If you are a student enrolled in high school or college curriculum and maintaining a B average most companies offer a discount.

Get a Car Insurance Quote in South Dakota

Let BuyCarInsurance.com help you get car insurance coverage that meets your needs. We are dedicated to providing you with the best quote from top car insurance providers in South Dakota. We take the stress out of comparing quotes and analyzing coverage options. Follow the simple steps below to get a hassle-free quote now.