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Amica and Chubb are among the best home insurance companies in South Dakota, according to our analysis.
We analyzed data from more than 30 insurance companies to help you find the best home insurance in South Dakota. Below are the insurers that earned 5 stars in our analysis.
Rates are based on a sample homeowner with good credit, $300,000 of dwelling coverage, $300,000 of liability coverage and a $1,000 deductible.
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.
Company | NerdWallet star rating | Average annual rate |
|---|---|---|
Not available | ||
$3,250 | ||
Not available | ||
USAA* | $2,515 | |
*USAA homeowners policies are available only to active military, veterans and their families. | ||
Get home insurance quotes in minutes
Answer a few questions to see custom quotes and find the right policy for you.The best home insurance companies in South Dakota
Here's more information about the best homeowners insurance companies in South Dakota.
Amica
Well-established insurer known for great customer service.- High customer satisfaction ratings and low consumer complaints.
- Platinum Choice package offers extra coverage.
- Simple online claims filing and tracking.
- You can start a quote online but have to finish the buying process by phone.
Amica stands out for its customer service and broad range of coverage options. The company has drawn far fewer consumer complaints to state regulators than expected for an insurer of its size, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
You can customize your policy with extra coverage above your dwelling limit, in case your house costs more to rebuild than expected. You may also want to add coverage for damage from water backups or recovery from identity theft.
» READ MORE: Amica homeowners insurance review
Auto-Owners
Auto-Owners offers plenty of ways to customize your policy and save money on home insurance.- Large number of discounts.
- Has optional specialty coverage not offered by many other insurers.
- Very few consumer complaints.
- No online quotes or claims submission.
Auto-Owners has been in business for more than a century. Its homeowners policies include all the basics, but you can also add coverage for things like identity theft or the failure of major appliances. Guaranteed replacement cost coverage is another optional add-on, enabling you to rebuild your home after a total loss even if your dwelling coverage limit is too low.
Auto-Owners sells homeowners insurance through independent agents.
» READ MORE: Auto-Owners homeowners insurance review
Chubb
Perks and high coverage limits for affluent homeowners.- Significantly fewer consumer complaints than expected for a company of its size.
- Standard coverage includes features that many companies offer only as extras.
- Large number of potential discounts.
- Most consumers aren't able to get a quote online and will instead need to contact a local agent.
Chubb caters to owners of high-value homes and draws far fewer consumer complaints than expected for a company of its size, according to the NAIC. Its home insurance policies come with some great perks, including extended replacement cost coverage in case it costs more than your dwelling limit to rebuild your home after a disaster.
South Dakota homeowners can also sign up for free Wildfire Defense Services. These services include personalized recommendations for protecting your home and deployment of firefighters to your house if a wildfire is approaching.
» READ MORE: Chubb homeowners insurance review
USAA
Offers perks and affordable rates for the military community.- Policies include standard coverage that often costs extra elsewhere.
- Far fewer customer complaints to state regulators than expected for a company of its size.
- Rates are below the national average, according to NerdWallet’s analysis.
- Available only to active military members, veterans and their families.
USAA sells homeowners insurance to veterans, active military members and their families. If that description fits you, you may want to consider a USAA policy. That’s because the company’s homeowners insurance has certain features that other insurers may charge extra for.
For example, USAA automatically covers your personal belongings on a replacement cost basis. Many companies pay out only what your items are worth at the time of the claim, which means you may not get much for older items. USAA pays enough for you to buy brand-new replacements for your stuff.
» READ MORE: USAA homeowners insurance review
Other home insurance companies to consider
Looking for more of the best homeowners insurance companies in South Dakota? These insurers received a NerdWallet star rating of 4.5:
Company | NerdWallet star rating | Average annual rate |
|---|---|---|
$3,090 | ||
$4,525 | ||
$5,400 | ||
$4,020 | ||
$3,125 | ||
$3,260 |
How much does homeowners insurance cost in South Dakota?
The average annual cost of home insurance in South Dakota is $3,345. That's 59% more than the national average of $2,110.
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 $6,135 per year for homeowners insurance, according to NerdWallet’s rate analysis. That’s 83% 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 $3,125 per year, while homeowners in Rapid City pay $4,045 per year, on average.
City | Average annual rate | Average monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
Aberdeen | $3,065 | $255 |
Belle Fourche | $3,775 | $315 |
Black Hawk | $4,085 | $340 |
Box Elder | $3,790 | $316 |
Brandon | $3,175 | $265 |
Brookings | $3,125 | $260 |
Dell Rapids | $3,125 | $260 |
Harrisburg | $3,180 | $265 |
Hartford | $3,125 | $260 |
Hot Springs | $4,100 | $342 |
Huron | $3,210 | $268 |
Madison | $3,125 | $260 |
Mitchell | $3,125 | $260 |
North Sioux City | $3,240 | $270 |
Pierre | $3,160 | $263 |
Pine Ridge | $3,705 | $309 |
Rapid City | $4,045 | $337 |
Sioux Falls | $3,125 | $260 |
Sisseton | $3,125 | $260 |
Spearfish | $4,015 | $335 |
Sturgis | $3,485 | $290 |
Tea | $3,040 | $253 |
Vermillion | $3,240 | $270 |
Watertown | $3,220 | $268 |
Yankton | $3,290 | $274 |
The cheapest home insurance in South Dakota
Here are the insurers we found with average annual rates below the South Dakota average of $3,345.
Company | NerdWallet star rating | Average annual rate |
|---|---|---|
North Star | Not rated | $2,315 |
Farmers Mutual of Nebraska | Not rated | $2,535 |
$3,090 | ||
$3,125 | ||
$3,250 | ||
$3,260 | ||
USAA* | $2,515 | |
*USAA homeowners policies are available only to active military, veterans and their families. | ||
Common risks for South Dakota homeowners
Here are a few of the most common risks you may face as a South Dakota homeowner, along with ways to insure your home against them.
Winter weather
Homeowners insurance generally covers damage caused by winter storms, but some types of damage may require additional coverage. For instance, you’ll typically need separate flood insurance to cover water damage caused by snowmelt. Read on for more information about flood insurance.
Tornadoes
Standard homeowners insurance will cover wind and tornado damage, but your policy may have a separate wind/hail deductible, usually from 1% to 5% of your dwelling coverage limit. 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
Flood damage isn't covered by standard homeowners insurance policies, so homeowners in at-risk areas should consider buying separate flood insurance. Remember that while you can get flood insurance at any time, there’s often a 30-day waiting period before the coverage takes effect.
To check your flood risk, start by looking up your address on the Federal Emergency Management Agency's flood maps. However, FEMA’s maps can be outdated and don’t always capture all types of flood risk. Another source to check is First Street, a private company that models climate hazards. Enter your address at the top of the page to see your home’s flood risk rating on a scale of 1 to 10.
» MORE: Do you need flood insurance?
Spring storms and hail
Hail damage is covered by most homeowners insurance policies, but as with wind damage, it may have a separate deductible.
Your policy may also limit how much time you have to file a claim 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.
Get home insurance quotes in minutes
Answer a few questions to see custom quotes and find the right policy for you.South Dakota insurance department
The South Dakota Division of Insurance regulates insurance in the state, oversees agent licensure and provides consumers with information about insurance.
If you’re in a dispute with your insurer, you can file a complaint on the division’s website. If you have questions before filing your complaint, contact the division at 605-773-3563 or insurance@state.sd.us.
- Looking for more insurance in South Dakota?
- Find home insurance in other states
Amanda Shapland contributed to this story.
Frequently asked questions
Is homeowners insurance required in South Dakota?
Is homeowners insurance required in South Dakota?
Homeowners insurance isn't legally required in South Dakota. However, your lender may require you to buy it. For more information, read Is Homeowners Insurance Required?
Does South Dakota homeowners insurance cover hail damage?
Does South Dakota homeowners insurance cover hail damage?
Standard homeowners insurance in South Dakota will cover hail damage, but you may have a separate deductible.
How can I save money on homeowners insurance in South Dakota?
How can I save money on homeowners insurance in South Dakota?
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.
Homeowners insurance rates methodology
NerdWallet calculated median rates for 40-year-old homeowners from various insurance companies in the 25 largest cities in each U.S. state by population. 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 2021-2023. 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.
