The Best Home Insurance in South Dakota for 2023

We analyzed the cheapest rates and best companies for homeowners insurance in South Dakota.
Sarah Schlichter
Kayda Norman
By Kayda Norman and  Sarah Schlichter 
Published
Edited by Caitlin Constantine

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The average cost of homeowners insurance in South Dakota is $2,605 per year, or about $217 per month, according to a NerdWallet analysis. That’s more than the national average of $1,820 per year.

We’ve analyzed rates and companies across the state to find the best homeowners insurance in South Dakota.

Note: Some insurance companies included in this article may have made changes in their underwriting practices and no longer issue new policies in your state. Even if an insurer serves your state, it may not write policies for all homes in all areas.

Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our writing and data analyses. You can trust the prices we show you because our data analysts take rigorous measures to eliminate inaccuracies in pricing data and may update rates for accuracy as new information becomes available.

We include rates from every locale in the country where coverage is offered and data is available. When comparing rates for different coverage amounts and backgrounds, we change only one variable at a time, so you can easily see how each factor affects pricing.

Our sample homeowner had good credit, $300,000 of dwelling coverage, $300,000 of liability coverage and a $1,000 deductible.

The best homeowners insurance in South Dakota

If you’re looking to buy homeowners insurance from a well-rated national brand, consider one of these insurers from NerdWallet’s list of the best homeowners insurance companies.

Company

NerdWallet star rating

Average annual rate

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

$2,200

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

$3,960

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

$2,325

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

$3,160

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

$4,925

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

$2,690

*USAA homeowners policies are available only to active military, veterans and their families.

More about the best home insurance companies in South Dakota

See more details about each company to help you decide which one is best for you.

insurance-product-card-logo

State Farm

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Well-established insurer with a lengthy list of coverage options.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected
insurance-product-card-logo

State Farm

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Well-established insurer with a lengthy list of coverage options.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected

As America’s largest insurer, State Farm stands out for its long list of coverage options. Its policies generally include extra dwelling coverage in case it costs more than expected to rebuild your home after a covered disaster. You may also be able to add coverage for things like identity theft, damage from backed-up drains and personal injury liability.


insurance-product-card-logo

Farmers

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Those seeking benefits like diminishing deductibles and claims forgiveness may want to consider Farmers.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected
insurance-product-card-logo

Farmers

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Those seeking benefits like diminishing deductibles and claims forgiveness may want to consider Farmers.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected

Homeowners policies from Farmers may include two valuable types of insurance: extended dwelling and replacement cost coverage. Extended dwelling coverage gives you extra insurance for the structure of your house, while replacement cost coverage offers higher reimbursement for stolen or destroyed belongings.

Some Farmers policies also come with perks that can save you money. For example, with claim forgiveness, Farmers won’t raise your rate for a claim as long as you haven’t filed one within the past five years.


insurance-product-card-logo

Travelers

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Strong coverage and decent discounts.

Coverage options

About average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected
insurance-product-card-logo

Travelers

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Strong coverage and decent discounts.

Coverage options

About average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected

Travelers offers a robust online experience. You can use the website to get a homeowners insurance quote, file and track claims, make payments and learn about insurance basics.

Its coverage offerings are similarly strong. For example, you may be able to add extra coverage in case the dwelling limit on your home isn’t enough to rebuild your house after a disaster. One unique option is Travelers’ green home coverage, which pays extra if you want to use eco-friendly materials when repairing or rebuilding your home after a covered claim.


insurance-product-card-logo

Nationwide

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
For shoppers seeking a broad range of coverage options, Nationwide may fit the bill.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Great set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Close to expected
insurance-product-card-logo

Nationwide

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
For shoppers seeking a broad range of coverage options, Nationwide may fit the bill.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Great set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Close to expected

We like Nationwide for its wide variety of coverage options. For example, its standard homeowners insurance policy generally includes ordinance or law coverage, which can help pay to bring your home up to current building codes after a covered claim. You can add other coverage for things like identity theft and damage from backed-up sewers and drains.

Depending on how much personal assistance you need, you can get a quote for homeowners insurance on the Nationwide website or work with a local agent instead. You can also use the website to pay bills, file claims or check claim status.


insurance-product-card-logo

American Family

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Comprehensive coverage for homeowners in 19 states, mostly in the West and Midwest.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected
insurance-product-card-logo

American Family

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Comprehensive coverage for homeowners in 19 states, mostly in the West and Midwest.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected

Founded in Madison, Wisconsin, American Family receives fewer consumer complaints than expected for a company of its size. You may be able to customize your policy with optional add-ons such as identity theft, equipment breakdown or service line coverage, which pays for repairs to water, power or other underground lines that run to your house.

Homeowners may be able to save on their premiums by installing smart-home devices, bundling multiple policies or setting up automatic payments.

Get more information in our American Family homeowners insurance review.


insurance-product-card-logo

USAA

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Offers perks for the military community.

Coverage options

Below average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected
insurance-product-card-logo

USAA

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Offers perks for the military community.

Coverage options

Below average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected

USAA sells homeowners insurance to veterans, active military and their families. If you fall into one of those groups, you might want to look into USAA’s offerings. The company’s homeowners policies include some unique perks such as deductible-free coverage for military uniforms and coverage for identity theft.

Homeowners in South Dakota can take part in the company’s Connected Home program, which gives you a discount on your policy if you buy and install approved smart home devices. These include water leak sensors, cameras and thermostats.


How much does homeowners insurance cost in South Dakota?

The average annual cost of home insurance in South Dakota is $2,605. That’s 43% more than the national average of $1,820.

In most U.S. states, including South Dakota, many insurers use your credit-based insurance score to help set rates. Your insurance score is similar but not identical to your traditional credit score.

In South Dakota, those with poor credit pay an average of $5,165 per year for homeowners insurance, according to NerdWallet’s rate analysis. That’s 98% more than those with good credit.

Average cost of homeowners insurance in South Dakota by city

How much you pay for homeowners insurance in South Dakota depends on where you live. For instance, the average cost of home insurance in Sioux Falls is $2,525 per year, while homeowners in Rapid City pay $2,915 per year, on average.

City

Average annual rate

Average monthly rate

Aberdeen

$2,305

$192

Brookings

$2,525

$210

Huron

$2,485

$207

Mitchell

$2,640

$220

Pierre

$2,355

$196

Rapid City

$2,915

$243

Sioux Falls

$2,525

$210

Spearfish

$2,945

$245

Watertown

$2,385

$199

Yankton

$2,715

$226

The cheapest home insurance in South Dakota

Here are the insurers we found with average annual rates below the South Dakota average of $2,605.

Company

NerdWallet star rating

Average annual rate

4.0

NerdWallet rating 

$1,420

North Star

4.0

NerdWallet rating 

$1,755

Farmers Mutual of Nebraska

Not rated

$1,960

Farm Bureau Financial Services

3.5

NerdWallet rating 

$1,965

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

$2,200

Foremost

4.0

NerdWallet rating 

$2,315

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

$2,325

4.0

NerdWallet rating 

$2,555

What to know about South Dakota homeowners insurance

South Dakota homeowners should be aware of the risk seasonal severe weather poses for their homes. Consider winter weather, tornadoes, hail and flooding when shopping for homeowners insurance.

Winter weather

When winter weather hits South Dakota, it can be harsh, with heavy snowfall, ice storms and freezing temperatures. For homeowners, this weather can result in roof damage, downed tree limbs and frozen pipes.

Homeowners insurance generally covers damage caused by winter storms, but some types of damage may require additional coverage. For instance, you’ll typically need a separate flood insurance policy to cover flood damage caused by snowmelt.

Tornadoes

South Dakota is no stranger to tornadoes and the damage caused by strong winds. Standard homeowners insurance will cover wind and tornado damage, but your policy may have a separate wind/hail deductible, typically from 1% to 5%. If your house has $250,000 worth of dwelling coverage and a 1% deductible for wind claims, you’d have to pay for the first $2,500 of wind damage yourself.

Flooding

Rapid snowmelt and heavy rains can cause flooding in South Dakota. Flood damage can be pricey for homeowners, as flood insurance is not part of standard homeowners insurance. Homeowners in flood-prone areas should consider purchasing separate flood insurance.

To find out your risk, check out the Federal Emergency Management Agency's flood maps and RiskFactor.com, a website from the nonprofit First Street Foundation. Even if your property is deemed low risk, it may be worthwhile to purchase flood insurance for extra peace of mind.

Remember that while you can purchase flood coverage at any time, there’s typically a 30-day waiting period before the insurance takes effect. Here’s more information about flood insurance and waiting periods.

Spring storms and hail

Tornadoes aren’t the only risk that accompanies spring storms in South Dakota; hail is also a concern. Even minor hail storms can damage roofs, windows and siding. Hail damage is covered in standard homeowners insurance policies, but, like wind damage, it may have a separate deductible.

Your policy may limit how much time you have to address hail damage. In addition, your insurer could limit how much it pays for hail damage to your roof if it’s been damaged by hail before and you chose not to repair it. Read your policy closely to make sure you understand any limitations on hail coverage.

South Dakota insurance department

The South Dakota Division of Insurance is the agency that regulates insurance in the state. It oversees agent licensure and provides consumers with information about insurance.

The division also helps consumers who have disputes with their insurers and offers an online portal for filing complaints. If you have questions before filing your complaint, contact the division at 605-773-3563 or [email protected].

Looking for more insurance? Check out the cheapest car insurance in South Dakota.

Frequently asked questions

Homeowners insurance is not required by South Dakota state law. However, your lender may require you to purchase homeowners insurance. For more information, read Is Homeowners Insurance Required?

Standard homeowners insurance in South Dakota will cover hail damage. However, you may have a separate deductible for hail damage.

There are several ways to save money on home insurance in South Dakota:

  • Shop around to make sure you’re getting the best rate.

  • Choose a higher deductible. In case of any claims, you’ll pay more out of pocket, but your premiums will be lower.

  • Bundle your home and auto insurance for a lower overall rate. See the best home and auto insurance bundles.

  • Ask your insurer if you qualify for any home insurance discounts.

Amanda Shapland contributed to this story.

Methodology

NerdWallet averaged rates for 40-year-old homeowners from various insurance companies in every ZIP code across the state. All rates are rounded to the nearest $5.

Sample homeowners were nonsmokers with good credit living in a single-family, two-story home built in 1984. They had a $1,000 deductible and the following coverage limits:

  • $300,000 in dwelling coverage.

  • $30,000 in other structures coverage.

  • $150,000 in personal property coverage.

  • $60,000 in loss of use coverage.

  • $300,000 in liability coverage.

  • $1,000 in medical payments coverage.

We made minor changes to the sample policy in cases where rates for the above coverage limits or deductibles weren’t available.

We changed the credit tier from “good” to “poor,” as reported to the insurer, to see rates for homeowners with poor credit.

These are sample rates generated through Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different.

Star rating methodology

NerdWallet’s homeowners insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, consumer complaints, coverages, discounts and online experience. These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our full homeowners insurance rating methodology.

Complaint methodology

NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2019-2021. To assess how insurers compare with one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, NerdWallet calculated a similar index for each insurer, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary, over the three-year period. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. Ratios are determined separately for auto, home (including renters and condo) and life insurance.

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