Driving Without Insurance in South Dakota

Driving without insurance in South Dakota is a class 2 misdemeanor. The extent of the penalties any driver faces ultimately rests with a judge. Drivers can expect at least a fine of up to $ 500 and a driver’s license disqualification of up to a year for failing to comply with South Dakota Financial Responsibility Act.

Minimum insurance requirement in South Dakota

Driving without insurance is illegal in South Dakota. The state requires all drivers to have these minimum amounts for both liability and uninsured motorist coverage:

• Personal Injury Liability Insurance: $ 25,000 per person; $ 50,000 per accident
• Property Damage Liability Insurance: $ 25,000 per accident
• Personal Injury Insurance for Uninsured / Underinsured Motorists: $ 25,000 per person; $ 50,000 per accident
• Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist Insurance for Property Damage: $ 25,000 per accident

These are only the minimum levels of insurance you need to legally drive your car in South Dakota. Most insurance experts also recommend that you take out collision and fully comprehensive insurance to better cover yourself financially in the event of an accident. The minimums required by South Dakota will not cover damage to your vehicle and may not be sufficient to cover the damage or injury the other driver will suffer if you cause an accident. When you lease or finance your car, your lender will require you to have fully comprehensive insurance.

Penalties for driving without insurance in South Dakota

Unlike many states, South Dakota only has a set of penalties for drivers convicted of driving without insurance. Depending on the offense and whether drivers were killed or injured by the uninsured driver, a judge can automatically punish a driver to the fullest extent of the law, whether or not it is the first offense.

Fine	Time in jail	SR-22 requirement	Driving license withdrawal	Reinstatement Fee
$ 100- $ 500	30 days	Yes, 3 years	At least 30 days, up to a year	$ 50- $ 200

South Dakota Online Insurance Fees

South Dakota does not currently use an online insurance system. Instead, all drivers must present proof of insurance when registering their vehicle and should have proof of insurance with them at all times while driving.

Accident without insurance

If you have an accident while driving without insurance, you will first receive a ticket for driving without insurance. If you cannot provide proof of pre-existing insurance before your court hearing, a judge will fine you and sentence you to up to 30 days’ imprisonment. While these are harsh penalties, the consequences of being involved in an accident without insurance can be even more serious.

South Dakota is a criminal offense, which means that culpable drivers are financially responsible for any damage or injury they cause in an accident. Without insurance, you could be held liable for tens of thousands of dollars. It is also possible that the other driver could sue you. Auto insurance mandates are designed to protect drivers from financial ruin.

frequently asked Questions

What if you provide incorrect insurance information?

Driving without insurance has serious consequences for drivers in South Dakota. Providing false insurance information can result in criminal charges, jail terms and heavy fines.

In addition, lying by your insurance provider is a form of insurance fraud. It is not uncommon for vendors to terminate policies if drivers have provided false information, even if they were in the middle of processing a claim.

How much does car insurance cost in South Dakota?

The average cost of auto insurance in South Dakota is $ 1,642, which is the national average ($ 1,674 per year). However, any driver can pay more or less than these amounts because car insurance premiums are dependent on several factors including driving history, vehicle type, and location.

What Are the Best Insurance Companies in South Dakota?

The best auto insurance is different for everyone as everyone has different needs. Bankrate has done some research into customer satisfaction, financial strength, coverage options and discounts. Our picks for some of the best insurance companies in South Dakota are Allstate, Progressive, State Farm, and USAA.

What is an SR-22 Certificate?

An SR-22 is proof of insurance that an insurance company sends to the South Dakota DPS. SR-22 are usually ordered after a driver is convicted of a DUI, but they are often ordered after a driver is convicted of driving without insurance.

The minimum length of time a South Dakota driver must own an SR-22 is three years. If you cancel your policy within this period, your insurance company is required by law to notify the DPS, who will then suspend your driver’s license and revoke your registration.

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