Honestly, I think carrying both is just being smart. Digital proof is legal in SD, but if your phone dies or you lose service, you’re out of luck. I keep a paper copy in my glove box—never had to use it, but it’s peace of mind. It’s not really overkill if it saves you hassle down the road.
I get the logic, but honestly, I just stick with digital. I know there’s a risk if my phone dies, but I’m already juggling enough paperwork in my car—registration, maintenance receipts, random fast food napkins... Adding another piece just feels like more clutter. Plus, I’m usually glued to my phone anyway, so if it’s dead, I’ve probably got bigger problems. Maybe I’m just rolling the dice, but so far, it’s worked out.
I get where you’re coming from—my glovebox is already a disaster zone with all the kid stuff, random receipts, and who knows what else. But I do worry about relying 100% on my phone for insurance. Last year, I got pulled over in a spot with zero service (thanks, rural SD), and my insurance app just wouldn’t load. The officer was chill about it, but technically, I think you’re supposed to have proof right then and there, digital or paper.
I’m not saying you need to go full-on paperwork hoarder, but maybe just tuck a copy of your card behind your registration? It’s literally one extra piece of paper, and it’s saved me a headache more than once. I get not wanting clutter, but the peace of mind is worth it for me. Phones die at the worst times... Murphy’s Law, right?
Honestly, I get the logic behind stashing a paper copy, but I’ve got to admit—my glovebox is already a time capsule of old gas station napkins and mysterious screws from who-knows-where. I’d probably lose the insurance card in there anyway. I just snap a pic of my card and save it in my phone’s photo album. No app, no service needed. Maybe not perfect, but at least I know where to find it... unless my phone’s dead, which, yeah, happens more than I’d like to admit.
I totally get the convenience of just snapping a pic—my phone’s basically my second brain at this point. But I had a weird run-in last summer near Pierre when my phone died right as I got pulled over for a busted taillight. Officer wanted to see my insurance, and all I had was a crumpled old card in the glovebox... which, miraculously, I found under a pile of receipts and a petrified granola bar. Saved me a lot of hassle. Guess I’m just paranoid after that—I keep both now, just in case.
