South Dakota Requirements and Laws: The Best Rates in South Dakota Car Insurance
In South Dakota, a state that is home to more than 800,000 residents who own probably just the same number of vehicles, automobile insurance is mandated by law for all car owners. All drivers must have both liability policy and uninsured motorist insurance.
All vehicles for registration with the South Dakota Department of Motor Vehicles (SDDMV) are required to present proof of coverage before any tag can be issued. Likewise, the insurance policy must always meet the state’s minimum coverage requirements. Failure to present a proper car insurance policy when hailed and requested by a law enforcement officer while on the road will result to personal liabilities for the driver. Penalties and fines may be meted along with the suspension of the driver’s license.
The South Dakota Division of Insurance (SDDI) has set the following levels as the minimum requirements for all registered automobiles:
Liability Insurance – 25/50/25 meaning $25,000 for accidents resulting to one person sustaining injuries; $50,000 for the total damages to all individuals involved in the accident; and $25,000 as liability coverage for damaged properties.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage - 25/50/25 or $25,000 for accidents with a single person injured, $50,000 for the combined accident-related damages for all persons involved in the mishap; and $25,000 representing insurance liability for property damages.
Note that the state has similar levels of minimum coverage requirements set for both liability coverage and uninsured motorist coverage. However, because of the legal provisions for vehicular accidents that are currently in force and prevailing in South Dakota, drivers are advised to get a higher coverage. This is because of the limitations on liability insurance that does not cover for any damage to your own car. The uninsured motorist policy likewise has limits on the coverage of your car as well. To solve this problem, many South Dakota motorists buy a number of auto insurance policies to include collision and comprehensive coverage to get an increased limit on their coverage.
The South Dakota Automobile Insurance Companies – The state of South Dakota offers a lot of choices for the insurance requirements of all its residents. There are over 100 licensed vehicle insurance providers to select from. When searching for the right insurance coverage, the key lies in knowing how to compare auto insurance providers and the various services they offer in their respective policies. Here are some important terms and bits of information you need to understand:
• You have to understand what comprehensive coverage is and how it works.
• Find out how much is the replacement value for your car the policies you are considering are offering. Will it be enough to cover for your total liability or just a fraction thereof?
• Find out the number and the types of insurance discounts you may be entitled to.
Remember that your quest to find the right insurance policy for you will be much easier if you know the various elements of auto insurance policies and how they work such as the types of insurance plans, policy deductibles, the amounts of discounts available, and others.
South Dakota Department of Insurance
- 445 East Capitol Avenue Pierre, SD 57501
- Phone: (605) 773-3563
- Fax: (605) 773-5369
- www.state.sd.us/drr2/reg/insurance/
South Dakota Department of Transportation
- Becker-Hansen Building 700 E. Broadway Ave.
- Pierre, SD 57501
- Phone: (605) 773-3265
- www.sddot.com
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