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In South Dakota, the cheapest SR-22 insurance is offered by Progressive at $2,427 per year, followed by Allstate at $2,521. Rates vary based on your driving history, location and insurance company.

An SR-22 is not a type of insurance. It’s a form your insurer files with the state to prove you meet the minimum required coverage, often after violations like a DUI, reckless driving or driving without insurance. Because drivers who need an SR-22 are considered higher risk, insurance premiums are usually more expensive.

Most drivers need to keep an SR-22 on file for about three years, though the exact period depends on your state and the violation. The good news is that the higher rates aren’t permanent. As the violation ages and you keep a clean record, your premiums typically come back down, and comparing quotes regularly along the way helps make sure you’re never paying more than you need to.

How to keep your costs down during your SR-22 period

  • Compare at least three quotes before deciding. An SR-22 will raise your rate, but insurers handle the increase differently – your first quote is rarely your best option.
  • Ask how long the surcharge lasts. One insurer might reduce your rate after three years while another holds it for five. The duration can matter more than the starting price.
  • Keep your record clean. Avoiding new violations is the most reliable way to bring your rate down over time.
  • Don’t let your policy lapse. Any gap in coverage while your SR-22 is active can reset the filing period and signal an even bigger red flag to insurers.
  • Confirm your insurer filed the form. Don’t assume it was submitted – verify directly with your state that the SR-22 is on file.

What is an SR-22?

An SR-22 is a form your insurance company files with the state to prove you have the minimum car insurance coverage required to drive legally. You may need one after serious driving violations such as a DUI (driving under the influence), DWI (driving while intoxicated), reckless driving or driving without insurance.

An SR-22 is not a type of insurance. It’s a document your insurance company files with the state to verify you’re carrying the legally required coverage. Since drivers who need an SR-22 are flagged as higher risk, premiums tend to climb, and some insurers may turn you away entirely.

How does SR-22 insurance work in South Dakota?

  • SR-22 insurance in South Dakota costs an average of $2,863 per year
  • Progressive offers the cheapest SR-22 coverage in South Dakota at $2,427 annually
  • An SR-22 is a state-required filing that proves you carry minimum car insurance coverage

When do you need an SR-22 in South Dakota?

You may need an SR-22 in South Dakota after a serious driving violation or if your license has been suspended or revoked. It’s your insurer’s way of confirming to the DMV that you’re meeting the state’s minimum coverage requirements.

Common reasons you might need one include:

  • DUI, DWI or other serious moving violations
  • Reckless driving
  • Accidents resulting in suspension or revocation
  • Accumulation of too many driving violation points
  • Driving without insurance

If you’re convicted of one of these offenses, you’ll need to buy a qualifying insurance policy and ask your insurer to file the SR-22 form with the DMV on your behalf.

What happens if you don’t maintain SR-22 coverage?

Most drivers need to keep an SR-22 on file for about three years, depending on state requirements and the reason for the filing. During that time, your insurance coverage must remain active without any lapses. If your policy is canceled or expires, your insurer will notify the DMV, which can lead to penalties like license suspension, reinstatement fees or an extension of your SR-22 requirement

In many states, any gap in coverage restarts the three-year filing period from scratch – so a lapse halfway through means starting the clock over entirely. It also works against you when you go to re-insure, as a coverage gap signals greater risk to insurers, which can push your premiums higher and narrow the number of carriers willing to take you on.

How much does an SR-22 insurance cost in South Dakota?

The average SR-22 car insurance rate in South Dakota is $2,863 per year. That’s $1,107 more than in Vermont, which has the lowest SR-22 rates in the country, but $3,223 less than in Michigan, the most expensive state for SR-22 coverage.

Your actual rate will depend on why you need the SR-22, your overall driving record, and your location.

A DUI carries a much more dramatic surcharge than a lapse in coverage, and a city with higher accident and theft rates will cost more than a quieter rural area. Because those factors differ so much from driver to driver, the only reliable way to find your lowest rate is to compare quotes from several insurers.

Our agents make it hassle-free to get the right quote.

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Cheapest SR-22 insurance companies in South Dakota

Progressive has the lowest SR-22 rates in South Dakota at $2,427 per year. SR-22 coverage generally costs more than a standard policy, but rates can differ quite a bit from one insurer to the next.

The companies below offer some of the most affordable SR-22 rates in South Dakota.

CompanyAverage annual premiumAverage monthly premium
Progressive$2,427$202
Allstate$2,521$210
Nationwide$2,560$213
State Farm$2,817$235
Auto-Owners$3,066$256
GEICO$3,086$257
Farmers$3,593$299
North Star Mutual$3,665$305
Iowa Farm Bureau$4,652$388
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Which cities have the cheapest SR-22 insurance in South Dakota?

SR-22 rates in South Dakota depend heavily on where you live. Urban areas tend to come with higher premiums due to increased traffic, higher theft rates, and more frequent claims. Smaller towns and suburbs usually sit on the cheaper end of the scale.

Below are the major cities in South Dakota with the cheapest average SR-22 rates.

CityAverage annual premium
Aberdeen$2,715
Brookings$2,633
Huron$2,663
Mitchell$2,586
Pierre$2,923
Rapid City$2,984
Sioux Falls$2,769
Spearfish$2,975
Watertown$2,617
Yankton$2,598
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Will my SR-22 costs go down over time?

  • As your SR-22 requirement ends, you will see an improvement in your rates but they won;t go back to your how low they were before the violation
  • The underlying violation can stay on the record for 3 to 5 years, but a DUI is likely to stay on your record for much longer
  • Maintain a clean driving record and compare insurers at renewal period so that you can the best rate possible

What are the minimum SR-22 insurance requirements in South Dakota?

To legally drive in South Dakota, the DMV requires you to carry at least:

  • $25,000 for injury or death per person
  • $50,000 for injury or death per accident
  • $25,000 for property damage per accident

These are the legal minimums. Carrying more coverage costs a bit more each month, but it can save you a lot if you’re ever in a serious at-fault accident.

How much does SR-22 in South Dakota cost with a DUI?

Drivers with a DUI usually pay significantly higher SR-22 insurance rates, though costs vary widely by insurer. The table below compares annual SR-22 rates for drivers with a DUI in South Dakota.

This table shows two different costs:

  • SR-22 with one DUI – what you’d likely pay per year if you’re filing an SR-22 because of a DUI conviction. This includes the higher rate insurers charge after a DUI.
  • SR-22 filing only – your regular premium plus just the SR-22 filing fee, with no DUI. If your SR-22 is for something other than a DUI, look at this column to estimate what the filing alone adds to your cost.

CompanySR-22 with 1 DUISR-22 filing Only
Allstate$3,928$2,521
Auto-Owners$5,814$3,066
Farmers$4,776$3,593
Farmers Mutual of Nebraska$3,005NA
GEICO$9,576$3,086
Iowa Farm Bureau$9,796$4,652
Nationwide$6,332$2,560
North Star Mutual$13,790$3,665
Progressive$2,861$2,427
State Farm$2,983$2,817
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How to get the cheapest SR-22 insurance in South Dakota

The SR-22 form itself only costs a small one-time filing fee, usually around $25 to $50. What actually drives up your bill is the high-risk premium that comes with needing one. That’s the part you can lower, by comparing quotes, improving your driving record, and choosing the right coverage. Rates for high-risk drivers vary widely from one insurer to the next, so shopping around can make a real difference in what you pay.

Sebastian Hov, CEO of 18 Insurance, an insurance agency based in Sacramento, California, recommends the following:

  • Shop around. Different insurance companies offer varying rates for SR-22 insurance. It’s crucial to compare quotes from multiple providers to find the best option.
  • Pay upfront. Paying your premium in full rather than in monthly installments can sometimes result in lower overall costs.
  • Opt for non-owner insurance. If you don’t own a vehicle but need to maintain SR-22 coverage, non-owner car insurance can be 5% to 15% cheaper than a standard policy.

Compare insurers that specialize in high-risk drivers

Not every insurer treats SR-22 drivers the same way. Some specialize in high-risk coverage and can offer considerably lower rates than standard carriers. Getting quotes from at least three companies gives you a realistic picture of what you should actually be paying.

Can you get an SR-22 without owning a car?

Drivers who need an SR-22 but don’t own a vehicle can file one through non-owner SR-22 insurance. It provides the minimum required liability coverage when you drive someone else’s car and lets you reinstate your license after violations like a DUI or multiple traffic offenses. Because it doesn’t cover a vehicle of your own, it’s usually cheaper than a standard car insurance policy.

This situation is more common than it sounds. Many drivers lose their license after a violation and still have to prove they’re insured to get it back, even when they don’t own a car. Non-owner SR-22 insurance is what makes that possible.

Is SR-22 insurance expensive in South Dakota?

SR-22 insurance in South Dakota typically costs more than standard coverage. Because the requirement usually follows a serious violation like a DUI, reckless driving, or lapsing on insurance, insurers classify these drivers as higher risk and price premiums accordingly.

That said, rates end up looking very different between insurers, and shopping around can make a real difference to what you end up paying. A few other ways to keep costs down:

  • Cut your mileage if you can. Leaning on public transportation or carpooling may drop you into pay-per-mile or low-mileage territory.
  • Claim every discount you qualify for. Common ones include bundling policies, automatic payments, and completing a defensive driving course.
  • Keep your record clean from here on out. This is the single most effective thing you can do. A DUI can stay on your record for up to 10 years in many states, and a clean stretch during that time is what actually moves your rates down.

Frequently asked questions

Can you get SR-22 insurance without owning a car?

Yes. Non-owner SR-22 insurance is available for drivers who don’t own a vehicle but still need to meet state insurance requirements. It provides liability coverage when driving someone else’s car and is usually cheaper than a standard policy.

What happens if your SR-22 insurance lapses?

If your SR-22 coverage lapses or your policy is canceled, your insurance company will notify the state DMV. This can lead to penalties such as license suspension, reinstatement fees or an extension of your SR-22 requirement period.

Can you switch insurance companies while you have an SR-22?

Yes, you can change insurers while maintaining an SR-22. Your new insurance company must file a new SR-22 with the state before your old policy is canceled to avoid a lapse in coverage.

expert

What our expert says

Q: How can you save on SR-22 insurance?

expert-image
Sebastian HovCEO, 18 Insurance.
“Shop around: Different insurance companies offer varying rates for SR-22 insurance. It’s crucial to compare quotes from multiple providers to find the best option.”

Resources and Methodology

Sources:

Methodology

Insure.com gathered rates from Quadrant Information Services for all 51 states, including Washington, D.C., across two distinct driver scenarios to analyze auto insurance rates across the U.S.

Your zip rate is based on a sample driving profile of a 40-year-old male and female with a good insurance score and no violations, driving a Honda Accord LX with a 12-mile commute and 10,000 annual mileage. Drivers opt for a full-coverage policy with coverage limits of 100/300/100 and a $500 comprehensive and collision deductible. We analyzed 65,756,440 insurance quotes from 195 companies (73 company groups) across 29,159 cities and 34,595 ZIP codes. The national average annual premium is $2,578.

After a violation, the data reflects the same base driving profile – a 40-year-old male and female driving a Honda Accord LX with a 12-mile commute and 10,000 annual mileage, opting for a full-coverage policy with 100/300/100 limits and a $500 comprehensive and collision deductible; but for drivers with a violation on their record and an SR-22 filing requirement. For these rates, we analyzed 95,071,152 insurance quotes from 131 companies (41 company groups).

Read more about our research standards and methodology.

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Alisha Ambre

 
  

Alisha Ambre holds a Bachelor of Arts with honours in English Literature and Media Studies. She focuses on crafting clear, engaging content that makes complex information feel practical and approachable for everyday readers. When she’s not writing, she’s likely on the volleyball court or immersed in a good video game.

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