South Dakota Car Insurance

It's no mystery why the search for comprehensive South Dakota car insurance can be so intensive. Car accidents, it seems, are a part of everyday life. Every 14 seconds there is a car accident somewhere in the United States, 90% of which will result in some sort of injury. South Dakota falls a little higher with a car accident occurring every 32 seconds. When searching for SD car insurance that's going to meet the needs of your family, there is some important information you need to know.

According to the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, South Dakota had a total of 16,220 car accident in 2007 that resulted in $78 million in property damage, 5,782 injuries and 146 deaths. That means that each accident averaged $4,809 in property damage. Just imagine having to pay for that out of pocket. This does not include the additional cost of injuries, deaths, or loss of work, which totals $357 million! These numbers are positive proof of the importance of having good auto insurance.

South Dakota law requires that every driver carry a minimum level of liability insurance. This is basic insurance that will hopefully cover the cost of property damage and injury or death of one or more drivers and passengers. Because South Dakota is a Tort state, which means the at fault driver and their insurance company are responsible for payment of all injuries and property damage cause in an accident, it is highly recommended that all drivers carry much more South Dakota car insurance than the law requires.

South Dakota Auto Insurance Minimum Requirements

The South Dakota liability insurance minimums are:

1. $25,000 bodily injury for one person involved in the car accident
2. $50,000 bodily injury for everyone involved in the car accident
3. $25,000 property damage caused by the accident

South Dakota also requires drivers to be insured for uninsured or underinsured drivers. This portion of the policy must equal the amount of your bodily injury coverage.

Carrying more insurance than required is recommended because of the high costs of a serious accident. In fact, many experts believe that a safe amount to consider is:

1. $300,000 bodily injury for one person involved in a car accident
2. $300,000 bodily injury for everyone involved in a car accident
3. $100,000 property damage cause by an accident.

South Dakota Car Insurance Coverage Options

Consider this; the $357 million dollars in cost due to injury, death, or loss of work from South Dakota car accidents averages out to be $22,009 per person. If you are in an accident that involves three people (two drivers and a passenger) then you may exceed the minimums required by South Dakota by about $16,000. Anything beyond your coverage will be your out of pocket responsibility. If you do not produce that money then you can be sued by the injured parties in civil court.

Not that this particular scenario happens to every person in South Dakota involved in a car accident; however, if you happen to be one of the one in three people who are involved in a car accident resulting in injuries, are you prepared for the eventuality of the out of pocket expense? Other additional coverage to consider is:

1. PIP (Personal Injury Protection) – sometimes called a no fault insurance because it can be used by the insured whether or not they were at fault for the accident. This is additional coverage for bodily harm either to the insured driver, one of his or her passengers, or if he or she is struck as a pedestrian.
2. Collision coverage – this is additional coverage for your vehicle in the event that it collides with any object.
3. Medical payment, accidental death, and disability coverage – pays for the funeral or medical expenses for those injured or killed in an accident in the insured’s vehicle. This covers the insured if they are struck by a vehicle while walking as well.

It is also important to consider what other coverage you might find necessary if you find yourself in an accident or with a damaged vehicle. They are:

1. Comprehensive coverage – covers damages to your vehicle when damage occurs from something other than a collision like theft, fire, flood, and other acts of nature.
2. Rental reimbursement coverage – covers the cost of a rental vehicle while your vehicle is being repaired due to an accident or a break down.
3. Towing or emergency road service coverage – if your vehicle breaks down the cost of towing is billed to the insurance company.

To decide on additional coverage you need to determine how much out of pocket expense you can withstand after an accident or a break down. Often it is less expensive to pay a small premium each month for each service than it is to pay for the damages incurred in an accident.

The Cost of South Dakota Auto Insurance Coverage

In addition, drivers need to consider how much they can afford to pay for their premiums. The average premium in South Dakota is about $600 every six months. This premium can be higher or lower based on the deductable you wish to pay before the South Dakota insurance company pays their part. Deductibles vary with each South Dakota insurance company, however typically you have the following options.

1. $0
2. $250
3. $500
4. $1,000

Some South Dakota insurance companies will offer larger deductibles, however this is a case-by-case consideration. However, by choosing the larger deductible, your monthly payment will be lower, but you will have to pay the higher amount first before the insurance company begins to contribute. You also have to consider that many insurance companies will not cover damages in a future accident if you incur damages that you do not get fixed. If you cannot afford to pay $1000 towards fixing your vehicle, then you should consider the lower deductable.

Compare South Dakota Car Insurance Quotes

Finally, you should always remember that you are not obligated to keep a specific insurance policy. If you are unhappy with the service, you are receiving or you feel you could get better rates elsewhere, then, start looking for someone better. By accessing the rate tool at the top of the page, you can begin comparing South Dakota auto insurance rates right now and find out if you are getting the best rates possible. Get started comparing South Dakota car insurance quotes now!