Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Trusted South Dakota Insurance Partner
For over a century, De Smet Farm Mutual has dedicated itself to safeguarding the livelihoods and lifestyles of South Dakotans. Established in 1916 by a collective of farmers, our foundation is built on the principle that protection is most effective when provided by those who intimately understand local challenges and needs. Our commitment to personalized service remains unwavering, with over 170 local agents across South Dakota offering tailored insurance solutions for farms, homes, autos, and hobby acreage. We combine cutting-edge technology with traditional values to deliver progressive policies and bundled plans that balance affordability with comprehensive coverage. As a community-centric organization, we prioritize neighborly support through initiatives like our annual scholarship program and safety awareness campaigns.Our experience in navigating natural disasters and agricultural risks has solidified our reputation as a reliable partner during both ordinary and extraordinary circumstances. By maintaining our headquarters in De Smet, we preserve our deep-rooted connection to rural South Dakota while serving diverse clients statewide. Every policy we issue reflects our core mission: protecting what matters most to our policyholders. Our agents undergo rigorous training to ensure they can guide clients through every step of the insurance process, from initial coverage selection to claims resolution. This enduring focus on local expertise and customer-centric service continues to define our identity as South Dakotas longest-serving mutual insurance provider.
Services
Homeowners Insurance
Auto Insurance
Hobby Acreage Insurance
Renters Insurance
Excess Liability Insurance
Farm Insurance
Ranch Insurance
Scholarship Programs
Risk Education
Claims Assistance
Details
- Year established: 1916
Highlights and features
- We've served South Dakotans with locally-tailored insurance solutions since 1916.
- Our 170+ network of local agents provides personalized face-to-face service.
- We combine traditional values with modern technology for efficient claims processing.
- Our safety awareness programs address region-specific risks like snow load collapses and grain bin hazards.
- We reinvest in local communities through annual scholarship programs for South Dakota students.
Services
Homeowners Insurance
Our Homeowners Insurance offers comprehensive protection against property damage and liability risks. Tailored for South Dakota residents, this policy covers structural losses from natural disasters, theft, and accidents while providing financial protection against legal claims. With flexible deductible options and optional endorsements for specific risks like water damage, our policies adapt to individual needs while maintaining competitive rates.
Farm Insurance
Designed specifically for agricultural operations, our Farm Insurance protects against crop losses, machinery damage, and livestock risks. This comprehensive coverage includes protection against weather-related events, equipment breakdowns, and liability claims from farm operations. Our policies incorporate specialized endorsements for grain storage facilities and custom farming equipment, ensuring South Dakota's unique agricultural needs receive targeted protection.
Auto Insurance
Auto Insurance policies provide essential protection for personal and commercial vehicles. Coverage includes liability for third-party damages, collision repairs, and comprehensive protection against non-collision incidents. South Dakota-specific features like roadside assistance and coverage for extreme weather damage help drivers navigate the state's varied driving conditions with confidence.
Claims Assistance
Our claims process prioritizes prompt, transparent resolution through local agent support. Policyholders receive personalized guidance from filing through settlement, with specialized adjusters handling complex cases like storm damage or agricultural losses. A dedicated claims department and digital submission options streamline the process while maintaining our commitment to personal attention.
Risk Education Programs
We provide free safety awareness resources focused on regional hazards. Our programs address farm safety protocols, home winterization techniques, and emergency preparedness strategies specific to South Dakota's climate. These educational initiatives aim to reduce preventable losses through practical guidance on issues like sump pump maintenance and grain bin safety procedures.
Questions
What types of insurance does De Smet Farm Mutual offer?
We provide homeowners, auto, farm, ranch, hobby acreage, renters, and excess liability insurance policies tailored to South Dakota residents.
How can I file an insurance claim?
Contact your local agent for assistance or report directly through our claims department via phone or email within business hours.
Do you serve areas outside South Dakota?
While our headquarters and primary operations remain in South Dakota, our policies are specifically designed for state residents.
What safety resources are available?
We offer specialized safety guides addressing regional hazards including snow load management, grain bin safety, and flood preparedness.
How does the scholarship program work?
We award annual scholarships to South Dakota high school graduates through a competitive application process evaluated by independent panels.
Can I make policy payments online?
Payment options are managed through your local agent, with billing notifications delivered according to your policy schedule.
Reviews (5)
Rebecca Bender
Jul 05, 2021
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I have never written a review of a company before. I am doing this because I don't want others to have the experience I have. STAY AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY! They are a very unprofessional and unpleasant company to deal with. I never filed a claim under my auto or home policies during the approximately 3 years I was insured with them. They cancelled my policies, with about one months' notice, without having the courtesy to tell me why.
When I asked for a copy of the policy to be scanned and attached to an email to me, to assist in my promptly getting replacement coverage, they refused. They would only mail it (though knowing I was on a tight time schedule for renewal, and though mail has been slowed down during COVID). My agent was lovely and professional. Too bad she works with this company.
When I asked for a copy of the policy to be scanned and attached to an email to me, to assist in my promptly getting replacement coverage, they refused. They would only mail it (though knowing I was on a tight time schedule for renewal, and though mail has been slowed down during COVID). My agent was lovely and professional. Too bad she works with this company.
Heidi Blue
Feb 02, 2020
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I would actually give them NO stars! They gave me a quote and said they would honor it only to find up that they upped the rates on literally everything from auto to home. The main reason we changed in the first place was because they were a little cheaper and then became way more expensive than the insurance we had before. When called to complain they were very unprofessional, we proceeded to cancel ASAP!
Matt Thompson
Jun 25, 2019
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Troy came and looked at our basement after all this snow and rain. Bad deal. Now, full disclosure, I did not receive the news I wanted. However, Troy explained everything and laid it out in terms that me, a dumb dumb when it comes to house insurance, could understand. You can tell when people are genuine and care about the job and the people they try to help. So bad news for me, but great service. Plan to recommend to any home buyer.
Paul Curley
Mar 04, 2019
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Reasonable rates. Honest, friendly customer service on the 800 number. Good claims service. You even get to talk to a real person!
Cathy Hosford
Oct 26, 2018
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A DeSmet adjuster just showed up out of the blue at my house to take measurements.without an appointment and proceeded to tell me that they would not cover our garage for wind and hail because the shingles are curling and or faulty. When we signed the insurance policy we were told that he spoke to underwriting and they agreed to fully cover our garage roof for 4 more years because we know the garage was built in 2002. Now this guy shows up unannounced and says no? I say no to DeSmet insurance.they are liars!