Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in SD
The state of South Dakota requires all motor vehicle operators to have proof of insurance available in the car at all times. The minimum bodily injury liability insurance requirements in South Dakota are:
- $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
Bodily injury coverage protects you by paying for the injuries of anyone you harm in an accident. The minimum coverage limits that South Dakota state law requires are $25,000 for the injury or death of a single person involved in a car accident and $50,000 for the injury or death of multiple persons. Insurance providers list this coverage at 25/50, stating the limitations of each minimum. In an accident, liability coverage protects you up to the policy limit. Damages above the policy limit of $50,000 are your responsibility.
The minimum property damage liability insurance requirements in South Dakota are:
- $25,000 property damage liability per accident
Property damage liability coverage pays for any property that you damage in an accident. The state of South Dakota requires $25,000 for the minimum. You’ll see the collective state minimum listed at 25/50/25. The second 25 refers to the property damage liability. Once again, any damages above the $25,000 are your responsibility.
What happens if someone hits you, and they do not have insurance or enough insurance to pay for your damages? Consider that the Insurance Information Institute reports 7.7 percent, or just over one out of thirteen, South Dakota drivers have no insurance. The state requires uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage:
- $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per accident
Uninsured motorist bodily injury pays your medical expenses if you’re injured by a hit-and-run driver or one who has no insurance. Underinsured motorist bodily injury pays your medical expenses if you’re hit by someone who does not have high enough policy limits to cover your costs.