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Best Business Insurance in South Dakota of 2025

Bryan Keith

In today’s litigious world, a business without insurance is a serious risk. Business insurance protects against the unexpected, protecting your company, its employees, and its bottom line. In South Dakota, the state’s insurance marketplace offers a wide range of coverage from many different companies. Getting the right business insurance coverage can require time and research. But to help you find the best business insurance in South Dakota, We’ve evaluated the best business insurance providers based on coverage, financial stability, customer satisfaction, and overall quality.

Offers a range of insurance poilicies

$2,000,000

Coverage Up To

$0 - $2,000

Deductibles

Overview

Simply Business provides insurance policies for a range of professions and small businesses.

What we like

  • Various business insurance policies
  • Quotes from multiple providers
  • Fast and easy application
  • Strong customer satisfaction

What we don't

  • Policies are a through a third party
  • Claims must be filed through insurance provider

Serving 1,000,000+ Small Business Owners

hartford business insurance logo
4.9

$2,000,000

Coverage Up To

$1,000+

Deductibles

Overview

For more than 200 years, the Hartford Insurance helped over 1 million businesses just like yours.

What we like

  • Affordable insurance plans
  • Customized coverage to fit your business
  • Get covered within minutes
  • Near instant access to proof of insurance
  • Quick and easy to process claims

What we don't

  • NA

Covers a wide range of industries

$2,000,000

Coverage Up To

$1,000+

Deductibles

Overview

Coverwallet began its journey in New York City in 2015 operating under the Aon Insurance banner. At Coverwallet, you can access everything you need to keep your company well-protected at an unbeatable price.

What we like

  • A skilled advisor to assist you
  • Free quotes from multiple insurance carriers
  • Covers low risk to even some high risk industries
  • Online account management

What we don't

  • No brick-and-mortar offices
  • Deductible costs

Affordable plans and coverage provided within minutes

$2,000,000

Coverage Up To

$0 - $2,000

Deductibles

Overview

Next Insurance leverages AI technology to streamline the process to purchase insurance, track claims, and manage policies at no additional cost.

What we like

  • Affordable insurance plans
  • Customized coverage to fit your business
  • Get covered within minutes
  • Near instant access to proof of insurance
  • Quick and easy to process claims

What we don't

  • Not available in New York

Customized solution to fit your business needs

$2,000,000

Coverage Up To

$0 - $10,000

Deductibles

Overview

With a 100-year history of insuring businesses, Hiscox is well-known across America and globally. With more than 500,000 small business customers, Hiscox is fully aware and trained in the unique risks a business can face.

What we like

  • Established insurance company
  • Dual auto insurance
  • Customizable insurance for over 180 industries
  • Deductibles starting at $0
  • Affordable rates

What we don't

  • Limited US offices
  • Coverage limited to $2 million online

Flexible coverage by the year, month, day, or by the job

$2,000,000

Coverage Up To

$0 - $10,000

Deductibles

Overview

Thimble provides business insurance that can be tailored to your business by the year, month, day, or even the job. At Thimble, the process to getting the right business insurance is simple, scalable, and flexible.

What we like

  • Scheduled coverage options
  • Coverage by the job available
  • Buy a policy online within minutes
  • No hidden fees
  • Affordable plans
  • Drone insurance

What we don't

  • Not available in New York

What are the requirements for business insurance in South Dakota?

To start a business in South Dakota, you must have general liability insurance. This includes any business or commercial activity that exposes others to potential harm so the business can be held responsible for any damage it causes.

Typically, this means having a liability policy covering bodily injury and property damage. The policy must also cover personal and advertising liability. If an employee is injured, workers’ compensation insurance must be provided. Business owner’s policy (BOP) packages include all three types of coverage at a lower price than purchasing them separately.

Commercial auto insurance is necessary if you operate a motor vehicle while working. This type of coverage may not be included in your standard BOP package but is required if you have employees that drive your company cars or operate vehicles during work hours.

What are the types of business insurance in South Dakota?

Here are the various types of business insurance available in South Dakota:

General liability

General liability insurance is a must for any business because it covers many different risks, such as slip-and-fall accidents, property damage, and personal injury. It protects a business from lawsuits related to these issues.

However, general liability doesn’t cover everything. Here are some common exclusions in a general liability policy:

Fraud or dishonesty: General liability policies don’t cover losses due to fraud or dishonesty. If you’re the victim of fraud, you may need to look elsewhere for protection.

Employment disputes: Employment disputes might be covered by employment practices liability insurance (EPLI), but not a general liability.

Workers compensation

Workers’ compensation insurance covers medical costs and lost wages for employees injured on the job. However, it does not cover:

Injuries sustained while traveling unless you require your employees to be at work outside normal work hours

Injuries sustained while commuting on public transportation (unless they were caused by accident with someone else)

Professional liability

Professional liability covers you for negligence in performing professional services, such as giving advice or counseling clients. Depending on the industry, this type of insurance is sometimes called errors & omissions insurance or malpractice insurance. For example, suppose you’re a licensed real estate agent and an error you made during a home sale results in a financial loss for your client. In that case, professional liability can help protect you from lawsuits and pay legal defense costs.

It won’t pay for negligence, fraudulent acts, or claims related to work that was performed before the policy went into effect.

Business interruption

Business interruption insurance is designed to help business owners recover financially if their business operations are disrupted or suspended due to an unexpected incident. It can cover a loss of income, operating expenses, and payroll while the business owner works to rebuild or relocate.

This type of coverage only covers losses from physical damage to your equipment, vehicles, or other property. So it doesn’t cover any financial losses from natural disasters like floods or earthquakes. While it does cover power outages due to a storm, it won’t cover power outages caused by mechanical failure. This type of coverage doesn’t include losses related to poor management or economic recession.

Commercial Auto insurance

The Commercial Auto policy provides liability and physical damage coverage for the business-owned vehicles used by the company’s employees for errands and deliveries. The policy covers accidents that occur in the business use of a vehicle. But claims that occur during personal use are not covered; employees are responsible for those losses.

Commercial auto insurance typically excludes coverage for any accidents when employees are driving personal vehicles on company time. This means that personal auto policies will usually apply instead.

How much does business insurance cost in South Dakota?

Several factors affect the cost of business insurance, namely: 

  • Company size: Businesses with fewer employees generally pay lower premiums than larger companies. Also, the number of employees can affect the types of coverage you need. For example, a company with more employees may be required to have workers’ compensation insurance.
  • Your business location: Insurance rates vary by state because of factors such as the cost of doing business and lawsuits filed in that state. In addition to state variations, there are city variations: Your business insurance rate can be higher if it’s located in a high-crime area than if it’s in a low-crime area even within the same state. Claims history
  • Claims history: If you’ve had five claims in one year, insurance companies will view your business as high risk and price accordingly. However, if you’ve been claim-free for several years and then make a single claim, your rates shouldn’t increase.
  • Coverage limits: If you’ve selected a lower dollar amount for your coverage limit (the maximum amount your insurer will payout), it’s likely that you’ll pay less in premiums compared to someone who has chosen a higher limit. However, it’s important to consider your business risks and choose an adequate coverage limit so that you’re not left footing the bill if disaster strikes.
  • Business Activities: Some industries carry greater liability risks than others, including food services (restaurants), health care, and construction businesses. Companies in these industries should expect to pay more for insurance than businesses in less risky sectors.

How to choose the best business insurance in South Dakota

There are many options, but here are a few tips to consider when shopping for business insurance:

  • Consider how much coverage you need: While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, most businesses should carry liability, property, and auto coverage at a minimum. You can also add additional protection to cover specific risks relevant to your business.
  • Check on your local laws: In some areas, businesses must carry certain types of insurance, such as workers’ compensation insurance for employees who become injured on the job. Before deciding what type of commercial insurance policy is right for you, check with your state government to see if any regulations apply to your situation.
  • Shop Around: Don’t assume you’ll get the best deal by going straight to an agent or broker — it pays to comparison shop. Online tools can help you find policy options from multiple insurers so you can choose the plan that’s right for you. 
  • Experience: The best insurance companies for small businesses have a record of success. Look for a company that has served small business owners for at least 25 years. If you have friends or relatives who are business owners, ask which insurance companies they use and why they like them.
  • Know what’s included and excluded: Don’t assume that every type of coverage you need is included in the policy. For example, some companies may not cover flood damage, data breaches, or cyber-attacks in their general liability policies. Read the fine print carefully, and be sure to ask whether certain types of coverage are excluded or if you need to purchase additional coverage.