"Had a cop once refuse to even glance at my phone—said he wasn't risking dropping it."
Interesting point—I had a similar experience in South Dakota last year. While digital proof of insurance is technically accepted statewide, it's always up to the officer's discretion whether they handle your device or not. And honestly, I don't blame them; nobody wants to deal with liability over a cracked screen.
From what I've gathered, SD law explicitly allows electronic proof, but you're still responsible for making sure the officer can clearly see and verify your info. If your phone dies or the screen cracks at the wrong moment (trust me, it happens), you could end up with an unnecessary citation. Given my driving history—let's just say I've had my share of roadside chats—I now keep both digital and paper copies handy. It's a small inconvenience upfront but saves you from potential headaches later on...
"Had a cop once refuse to even glance at my phone—said he wasn't risking dropping it."
Yeah, can't really blame the officer there. Phones are expensive, and nobody wants that awkward moment of handing back a cracked screen... I've had similar experiences myself, and honestly, it's just easier to keep a paper copy tucked away in the glovebox. Digital proof is convenient, sure, but tech can be unpredictable—battery dies, screen freezes, or you accidentally close the app at the worst possible moment (been there, done that).
Your point about officer discretion is spot-on. Even if the law technically allows digital proof, it's still your responsibility to make sure the officer can clearly verify your info. Keeping both options handy is just smart planning. Might seem old-school, but it saves a lot of hassle down the road. Good on you for being proactive about it—better safe than sorry, right?
I get the convenience of paper, but honestly... digital's been way easier for me.
- Never had a cop refuse my phone yet (knock on wood). Usually they just glance at it while I hold it.
- Screens cracking from a quick look seems pretty unlikely unless someone's really clumsy.
- Paper copies can get outdated fast—I forgot to swap mine once and almost got a ticket for expired proof. Digital updates automatically, so less hassle there.
Guess it's personal preference, but digital proof hasn't let me down yet.
Digital's convenient for sure, but I've stuck with paper for road trips. Couple reasons:
- Had my phone die once mid-trip (charger issue), and having paper saved me from a potential headache.
- Some rural areas I've passed through had spotty cell service, making digital retrieval slow or unreliable.
- I just keep a reminder in my calendar now to swap out expired copies—takes 2 mins tops.
Guess I'm a bit old-school, but peace of mind matters when you're hundreds of miles from home...
I totally get the appeal of paper—been there myself—but honestly, digital has saved me more times than it's let me down. Last summer, I spilled coffee all over my glovebox (don't ask...), and my pristine paper insurance card turned into a soggy mess. Thankfully, I had a digital backup on my phone. Maybe the sweet spot is keeping both handy? Just my two cents from someone who's had their share of luxury car mishaps...
