I get where you’re coming from—tech’s super convenient, and I’ve seen plenty of folks just flash their phone. That said, I’ve actually had a claim where someone’s phone died right after an accident, and it turned into a headache proving coverage on the spot. Paper’s old school, but it’s never failed me in a pinch... guess it’s just about what kind of hassle you’re willing to risk.
Paper’s old school, but it’s never failed me in a pinch...
Honestly, that’s my main thing—what if your phone’s dead or the screen cracks when you need it most? I don’t want to gamble with proof of insurance. Why risk extra stress over a piece of paper that fits in your glove box?
I don’t want to gamble with proof of insurance. Why risk extra stress over a piece of paper that fits in your glove box?
Isn’t it funny how something so simple can save you a headache? I get the appeal of digital cards, but what if you’re in the middle of nowhere and your phone’s dead—or worse, you left it at home? I’ve had my fair share of glove box chaos, but that little paper card always shows up when I need it. Does anyone actually trust their phone 100% for this stuff? I just can’t bring myself to ditch the backup.
Honestly, I think you’re onto something about not trusting your phone 100%. I get that digital insurance cards are super convenient—no digging through a messy glove box, just a couple taps and there it is. But the reality is, phones die. Or you leave them at home, or maybe you’re in a spot with no signal and the app won’t load. It’s just another variable to worry about.
I’ve read up on South Dakota’s rules, and from what I gather, they do accept electronic proof of insurance if you’re pulled over. That said, the law also says you’re required to provide proof “immediately.” If your phone’s dead or you can’t pull up the file right away, that could still mean a ticket. Seems like a lot to risk for the sake of not carrying a thin piece of paper.
I’m pretty detail-oriented (maybe too much sometimes), so I keep both. I have the paper card in my glove box and the digital version saved in my phone’s wallet app. Not gonna lie, the paper one’s saved me before. Once I was driving back from a late class, got stopped at a checkpoint, and my phone was at 2%. If I’d only had the digital card, I probably would’ve been out of luck.
It’s a little old-school, but I think redundancy is underrated. The glove box card is low-tech, but it works every time—no battery, no updates, no fuss. Plus, if you ever have to show proof for registration or an accident report, having the physical card is just easier.
Guess it comes down to risk tolerance. For me, the backup’s worth it. Maybe one day everything will be digital and foolproof, but until then, I’m keeping that paper copy right where it is.
Had a similar situation last winter—my S-Class battery died in the middle of nowhere, and my phone was basically a brick from the cold. Ended up needing to show proof of insurance to the tow guy, and I was so glad I had the paper card stashed in the glove box. I get the appeal of digital, but honestly, with all the tech in these cars, sometimes old-school just feels safer. Maybe it’s just me, but I’d rather have a backup than risk a headache.
