Best Rapid City, SD Auto Insurance in 2024

In the market for cheap auto insurance in Rapid City, SD? At AutoInsuranceEZ.com, you could get the best insurance premiums for your area. To get free car insurance prices offered by the major providers today, key your zipcode within the quote box in this posting.

Rapid City, sometimes known as “The Star of the West”, is a popular destination for tourism, business, and commerce. The city is conveniently located near Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills, which attract visitors each spring and summer. It is also home to large centers for regional shopping, houses a number of mining technology schools, and is home to Ellsworth Air Force Base.  Many agree that the thriving economy and small-town personality of Rapid City make it a great place to live.

• Fun fact: Jackpot! Did you know that Rapid City is #15 (57701) on the list of “Top 101 zip codes with the most casinos in 2005”? Read up on Rapid City by clicking here.

Auto Insurance Coverage Requirements in South Dakota

Driving legally in Rapid City requires:

There are many different ways in which your vehicle can get damaged or stolen, and several of those end with you being out of a vehicle. If you have adequate coverage, you may not be out of a vehicle long enough for it to adversely affect your personal or professional life. However, if you only purchase the state minimum coverage, you could end up paying 100% out of pocket for anything which Liability does not cover.

News flash: Rapid City drivers can lower their premiums down to $27/mo*, but only if they act fast! Otherwise, they might end up paying closer to the state average of $130 or more for their automotive insurance coverage.

State Farm and Buckeye are virtually tied for being the most affordable insurance providers in Rapid City – for the average motorist, that is. Extenuating circumstances, such as poor credit, young age, or having serious traffic violations might mean that you won’t get offered the most affordable policy.

Companies that underwrite auto insurance coverage in South Dakota evaluate various elements while figuring out insurance prices, such as driving experience, accident claims, occupation, miles driven each year, and multiple cars and drivers. Moreover, premiums can alter from between companies. To confirm you are still being charged the lowest-cost fee, look at cheap Rapid City auto insurance estimates on the internet.

Major Car Insurance Factors in Rapid City

At the time your automobile insurance company sits down to create your plan, they take quite a few issues under consideration. Some, just like your real age or perhaps your particular location, are generally impossible to alter. A few alternative factors are:

Your Zip Code

The spot where you store your car each night will probably have a significant influence on your car insurance rate. Usually, auto insurance is less expensive in non-urban locations merely because fewer automobiles means a smaller possibility that you will get in an accident with another automobile. The population of Rapid City is 70,812 and also the usual household earnings are $44,960.

Automotive Accidents

The rate of fatal accidents in Rapid City is still relatively low, but the 2013 statistics in the chart below mark a significant rise from the previous year. Unfortunately, this might mean that local providers are getting ready to raise their rates, if they haven’t done so already. Try calling your insurance agent and asking about Safe Driver discounts to prevent this from happening to you.

Auto Thefts in Rapid City

Finding low-cost auto insurance can be tough if you are vulnerable to auto theft. Several common car or truck models tend to be appealing to thieves, as well as vehicles which are left typically in big cities. The total number of stolen vehicles in Rapid City was down to 149 for the year 2013. This was a significant decrease from the previous year, but the per capita rate of theft is still high enough to justify investing in some Comprehensive coverage.

Your Credit Score

South Dakota is one of the rare states where, even though the difference in premiums between poor and excellent credit exists, providers are a little fairer with their exact pricing. One provider on our list, Unitrin, doesn’t even change their rate based on credit score alone.

Your Age

Getting your license for the first time is an exciting moment in every teenager’s life. Unfortunately, it is also a very risky time as well. Their overall lack of driving experience means that they are statistically likely to get into a serious accident within their first year of driving. And because insurance companies know this, their policies may cost much more than the average driver. Fortunately, Good Student discounts and driving classes can help reduce this burden.

Your Driving Record

Even if you have one or two minor violations on your record, it might not increase your premiums as much (or at all) if your insurer offers Accident Forgiveness discounts. However, more serious violations will cost you. It could even cost you losing your coverage completely.

Your Vehicle

If you are leasing your vehicle, you’re going to have to purchase a very comprehensive policy, regardless of what you would prefer to spend. If you are still financing or own it outright, then you will have a little more wiggle room. However, in order to make sure your vehicle is protected in every possible way, you will need to purchase more coverage, and in higher amounts, which can get pretty expensive with a luxury vehicle.

Minor Car Insurance Factors in Rapid City

Don’t forget to consider these factors too when trying to figure out your monthly rate:

Your Marital Status

Married couples can get an extra bit of savings if they bundle their policies together. But even if you’re single, you can bundle other financial products, such as RV insurance or renter’s insurance, if your automotive insurer provides those services as well.

Your Gender

Who do you think gets charged more for insurance: men, or women? The best answer, based on the available data, is “nobody knows; not even your insurance company”. Many providers don’t charge a difference at all. Of those who do, some will charge men, while others may charge women the higher rate.

Your Driving Distance to Work

South Dakota is well known for its short commute times, and Rapid City is no exception. Local motorists can expect a delightfully short trip of 11 to 16 minutes each way, and the vast majority of them (over 85%) will do so in their own car or truck. Around 8-18% will carpool.

Did you know that business vehicles can cost 10-12% more to insure each month than your typical work, school, or pleasure vehicle? Likewise, driving more miles each year will increase your rates – but usually no more than 3-4%.

Your Coverage and Deductibles

Raising your deductible in order to get a lower monthly rate on your automobile insurance is easy. Paying that elevated deductible, however, may be difficult if you get into an accident and file a claim. So think very carefully before you make that change, and make sure you have some “rainy day” money saved up, just in case.

Education in Rapid City, SD

27% of the Rapids City Population has successfully passed through all four years of high school, while another 18% has gone on to earn a bachelor’s degree for themselves. If you are a part of this lucky 18% minority, you could also have earned yourself a significant discount on auto insurance! Studies show that the higher your level of education, the more likely your provider will be to lower your insurance rates.

It should come as no surprise that a city known for mining technology is home to one of the best mining and engineering universities in the nation. The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology offers degree levels ranging from bachelor’s to the doctoral level and has its own Museum of Geology. For a valuable degree in less than four years, you may want to look into an associate’s degree or a diploma from the Western Dakota Technical Institute.

Auto insurance is probably the most significant investments you can possibly make as a buyer. You have to be sure you locate a reputable, responsible organization who will follow through on their claims. A couple of auto insurance companies tend to be better at this than the others, and performing a thorough internet hunt will let you differentiate the good from the unfavorable.

How We Conducted Our Car Insurance Analysis

*We calculated our average rate based on the following metrics: a married, 34 year old male with good credit, a 12-month history of maintaining auto insurance, a clean driving record, who owns his own home. Miles driven annually were based on the national average. The average rate was also calculated based on a financed 2015 Honda Accord with a pre-installed anti-theft device.

Sources:

South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation – Division of Insurance

South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation – Division of Banking

Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

City-Data.com

Census.gov

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