Cheapest SR-22 insurance in South Dakota

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In South Dakota, the cheapest SR-22 insurance comes from Nationwide at $1,035 per year, followed by Kemper Insurance at $1,167. Your rate will depend on your driving history, where you live, and which insurer you go with.

An SR-22 isn’t a type of insurance. It’s a form your insurer files with the state to confirm you’re carrying the minimum required coverage, usually after a DUI, reckless driving, or driving without insurance. Because SR-22 drivers are seen as higher risk, premiums tend to run higher than standard rates.

An SR-22 needs to stay on file for around three years, though the exact duration depends on your state and the nature of the violation. Your rates will likely increase immediately after the incident, but keeping a clean record from that point forward will help bring them back down over time. In the meantime, shopping around can help make sure you’re not paying more than necessary.

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

Compare at least three quotes before you commit. SR-22 surcharges vary widely between insurers, so the first quote you get is rarely the cheapest.
Ask each company how long the surcharge lasts. Some drop the high-risk rate sooner than others, which can matter more than the starting price.
Keep your record clean from here. Avoiding new violations is the single biggest thing that lowers your rate over time.
Don’t let the policy lapse. A gap in coverage can reset your filing period and signal even higher risk to insurers.
Confirm your insurer actually filed the form. You’re responsible for staying compliant, so verify the SR-22 is on file with the state before you assume you’re covered

What is an SR-22?

An SR-22 is a document your insurance company files with the state to show you have the minimum coverage required to legally drive. It’s typically required after violations like a DUI, DWI, reckless driving, or driving without insurance.

An SR-22 isn’t an insurance policy – it’s a form your insurer submits to the state confirming you meet the minimum coverage requirements. Because needing one flags you as a higher-risk driver, you can expect your premiums to rise, and some insurers may decline to cover you altogether.

How does SR-22 insurance work in South Dakota?

SR-22 insurance in South Dakota costs an average of $1,681 per year
Nationwide offers the cheapest SR-22 coverage in South Dakota at $1,035 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?

In South Dakota, an SR-22 is usually required after a serious driving violation or a license suspension. It’s your insurer’s confirmation to the DMV that you’re carrying the coverage the state requires.

Violations that commonly require an SR-22 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 any of these apply to you, you’ll need to get a qualifying insurance policy and have your insurer submit the SR-22 form to the DMV.

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

Most drivers are required to maintain an SR-22 filing for around three years, though the exact timeline varies by state and the nature of the violation. Throughout that period, your coverage must stay active – any lapse will prompt your insurer to notify the DMV, which can trigger penalties like license suspension, reinstatement fees, or an extended filing requirement.

In many states, even a single gap resets the three-year clock entirely, meaning a lapse halfway through could cost you another full cycle. On top of that, a coverage gap marks you as an even greater risk, leading to higher premiums when you re-insure and potentially making it harder to find a carrier willing to cover you at all.

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

The average SR-22 car insurance rate in South Dakota is $1,681 per year. That’s $666 more than in New Hampshire, which has the lowest SR-22 rates in the country, but $2,360 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.

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Cheapest SR-22 insurance companies in South Dakota

Nationwide has the lowest SR-22 rates in South Dakota at $1,035 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.

Company	Average annual premium	Average monthly premium
Nationwide	$1,035	$86
Kemper Insurance	$1,167	$97
American Family	$1,424	$119
State Farm	$1,634	$136
GEICO	$1,649	$137
Auto-Owners	$1,939	$162
Allstate	$2,007	$167
Farmers	$2,198	$183
Progressive	$2,324	$194
USAA*	$1,438	$120

*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.

Which cities have the cheapest SR-22 insurance in South Dakota?

Your city or ZIP code can have a considerable amount of impact on your SR-22 rate. Here’s how costs break down across major cities in South Dakota.

City	Average annual premium
Watertown	$881
Sioux Falls	$974
Iroquois	$998
Webster	$998
Arlington	$998
Bonesteel	$1,058
Winner	$1,058
Rapid City	$1,123
Eagle Butte	$1,133
Dupree	$1,133

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?

The South Dakota DMV requires all drivers to carry at least the following coverage:

$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 minimums, and many experts recommend going beyond them. Higher limits cost more, but they offer much better protection if you’re involved in a serious at-fault accident.

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

A DUI generally leads to a significant jump in SR-22 premiums, though the exact increase depends on your insurer. The table below shows annual SR-22 rates for drivers with a DUI in South Dakota.

This table shows two different costs:

SR-22 with one DUI – the estimated annual cost if your SR-22 filing is the result of a DUI conviction, factoring in the rate increase insurers apply after a DUI.
SR-22 filing only – your standard premium plus the SR-22 filing fee, with no DUI on record. If your filing is tied to a different violation, this column gives you a better estimate of what the SR-22 itself adds to your cost.

Company	SR-22 with 1 DUI	SR-22 Filing only
State Farm	$1,720	$1,634
American Family	$1,803	$1,424
Nationwide	$2,109	$1,035
Progressive	$2,527	$2,324
Farmers	$2,921	$2,198
Allstate	$3,171	$2,007
Auto-Owners	$3,434	$1,939
Kemper Insurance	$4,773	$1,167
GEICO	$5,078	$1,649
USAA*	$2,907	$1,438

*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.

How to get the cheapest SR-22 insurance in South Dakota

Filing an SR-22 itself costs very little, usually a one-time fee between $25 and $50. What drives up the real expense is the high-risk label insurers assign to drivers who require one. That’s also where you have the most opportunity to save. Getting quotes from multiple insurers, keeping your record clean, and selecting an appropriate level of coverage can all work in your favor. Premiums for high-risk drivers differ more than you might expect from one insurer to the next, making comparison shopping one of the smartest moves you can make.

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

Shop around. SR-22 rates vary significantly between insurance companies. Comparing quotes from several providers is the best way to find a good deal.
Pay upfront. Paying your full annual premium at once can be cheaper overall than spreading payments across monthly installments.
Opt for non-owner insurance. If you need SR-22 coverage but don’t own a car, a non-owner policy generally runs 5% to 15% less 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?

If you need an SR-22 but don’t own a vehicle, you can still meet the requirement through non-owner SR-22 insurance. This type of policy provides the minimum liability coverage needed when driving someone else’s car and allows you to reinstate your license following violations like a DUI or multiple traffic offenses. Since it doesn’t cover a vehicle of your own, it usually costs less than a standard auto policy.

It’s a more common situation than most people realize. Many drivers find themselves needing to prove insurance coverage to get their license back after a violation, even without a car to their name. Non-owner SR-22 insurance is designed specifically for that gap.

Is SR-22 insurance expensive in South Dakota?

An SR-22 requirement signals to insurers that you’ve had a serious violation. That can be a DUI, reckless driving, or a coverage lapse. Once your violation is on your record, your premiums will reflect it. Even so, rates differ more than you’d expect between insurers, and comparing quotes can go a long way toward keeping costs manageable.

A few other ways to lower what you pay are:

Cut your mileage where you can. Using public transport or carpooling may qualify you for pay-per-mile or low-mileage discounts.
Make use of every discount you’re eligible for. Bundling policies, signing up for autopay, and taking a defensive driving course are all simple ways to reduce your rate.
Keep your record clean going forward. Nothing is more important than maintaining a clean record if you want to lower your rate. A DUI can stay on your record for up to 10 years in many states, but steady, clean driving during that period is what will bring your premiums down over time.

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.

What our expert says

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

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:

Shouse Law Group. “SR22 South Dakota.” Accessed June 2026.
Progressive Insurance. “What is an SR-22?” Accessed June 2026.

Methodology

Insure.com gathered rates from Quadrant Information Services for all states, including Washington, D.C. The rates are based on a sample driving profile of a 40-year-old male and female who drives a Honda Accord LX and opts for a full-coverage policy with coverage limits of 100/300/100 and a $500 comprehensive and collision deductible across most ZIP codes. We analyzed 5,000,736 insurance quotes from 27 companies.

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.