Brookings Car Insurance

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A Family-Friendly College Town

Brookings, SD, has a distinctive college town feel, with nightlife, restaurants, shopping and art festivals. At the same time, the population of just 24,000 people offers residents plenty of space. The Dakota Nature Park makes it easy for people who love the outdoors to go for a jog or bike ride in peaceful surroundings.

Brookings packs many things to do into a relatively small area. Local highlights include the South Dakota Art Museum and the Children's Museum of South Dakota. People craving big-city excitement are only an hour's drive north of Sioux Falls, and weekend trips to South Dakota's largest city are common.

What makes Brookings stand out is South Dakota State University. SDSU is known for its academic focus on engineering, nursing, liberal arts and agriculture. Approximately 23,000 students attend SDSU every year, considerably adding to the local population. This influx of people is one reason Brookings car insurance is so important.

Local Car Accident Statistics

In terms of crime, Brookings is an exceptionally safe place, with crime rates that are about 65% lower than the U.S. average. There were fewer than 20 cases of auto theft in 2019.

When it comes to car accidents, though, local families need to take matters seriously. In 2021, Brookings had nearly 500 crashes and 75 injuries. That's roughly 40 crashes and six injuries a month.

Local Traffic and Commuting Rates

Interstate 29 runs north-south through Brookings and U.S. Highway 14 crosses east-west. These major roads bring significant traffic through the city each day. The average traffic volume of some sections is more than 14,000 vehicles, increasing the risks of crashes.

Another reason that Brookings car insurance matters is that the majority of local households commute by car. The city has limited public transportation, but fewer than 1% of people use it. Over 75% of workers and college students drive alone, and about 10% carpool.

Considering the large population of SDSU college students, it's obvious that some live in Brookings and others commute from surrounding cities. Long drives raise accident risks for people of any age.

Factors To Consider When Shopping Around for Brookings Car Insurance

To find an "ideal" combination of car insurance protection, it's important to consider local risks.

Wildlife-Related Crashes

Unlike other cities, Brookings has an unusually high incidence of accidents involving wild animals, such as deer or foxes. Over one-third of all crashes in 2021 involved wildlife impacts, more than distracted driving, drinking and falling asleep at the wheel combined.

Weather Concerns

Many places in the Midwest have cold winters, but Brookings gets significantly colder than the South Dakota average. The city gets almost 40 inches of snow each year, and it freezes an average of 170 days. Icy roads contribute to single-car crashes where drivers hit stationary objects. They also cause many multi-vehicle crashes.

Teen Drivers

The average age of people in Brookings is only 24 years old. The percentage of residents aged 15 to 24 is huge. Many families have one or more teens of driving age, which impacts car insurance costs.

The Average Cost of Car Insurance in Brookings

On average, Brookings car insurance is less expensive than rates for other places in South Dakota. Drivers pay about $110 a month or $1,350 a year. VIU by HUB can help families save even more by comparing different car insurance companies, coverage options and policy limits. Users can quickly find a good balance of coverage for their needs and budget.

This information is intended for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice.

Sources

U.S. Census Bureau

SD Department of Transportation

Best Places

Data USA

SD Department of Public Safety

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