"To be safe, I still keep a physical copy stashed somewhere in the car, just in case my phone decides to die at the worst possible moment."
Haha, been there! I once had my phone overheat and shut down completely while driving through the Badlands—middle of nowhere, zero bars, and no backup charger. Talk about timing... Since then, I've always kept a printed copy tucked away in the visor or center console. Digital proof is definitely accepted in SD, but like you said, it can vary depending on who pulls you over or even their mood that day.
Honestly, having both digital and physical copies is probably the smartest move. Digital is super convenient (especially if your glove box looks like mine—half snack wrappers, half mystery papers), but tech can fail at the weirdest moments. Plus, if you're road-tripping through multiple states like I usually do, it's good to have a physical backup since rules can change as soon as you cross state lines. Learned that lesson after an awkward chat with a Nebraska trooper who wasn't thrilled with my dead phone screen.
Bottom line: digital proof works fine in South Dakota most of the time, but keeping a paper copy handy is just good insurance (pun totally intended).
I just bought my first insurance policy last month, and honestly, this thread is making me rethink my whole "digital-only" approach. I figured having it on my phone was enough, but now I'm picturing myself stranded somewhere with a dead battery and a cop giving me the side-eye. Reminds me of when my GPS randomly froze on a road trip through Wyoming—ended up driving in circles for an hour before finding a gas station to ask directions. Not fun.
Guess I'll print out a copy tonight just to be safe. Quick question though: does anyone know if the paper copy has to be the official mailed version from the insurance company, or can I just print the PDF they emailed me? Don't wanna get caught out by some technicality...
"Quick question though: does anyone know if the paper copy has to be the official mailed version from the insurance company, or can I just print the PDF they emailed me?"
Pretty sure you're fine with the PDF printout. I've kept a printed PDF in my glove box for years and never had an issue—even got pulled over once, and the cop barely glanced at it. Honestly, you're smart to reconsider the digital-only thing; tech always finds a way to fail when you need it most... like your GPS fiasco in Wyoming. Better safe than sorry.
You're probably good with the PDF printout. I recently bought insurance for the first time, and my agent specifically mentioned that a printed PDF is completely acceptable. He even recommended keeping both digital and paper copies handy, just in case. Honestly, it seems like most states are pretty flexible about this nowadays... but yeah, tech does have its moments. Better to have a backup plan ready than scrambling at the last minute.
"Honestly, it seems like most states are pretty flexible about this nowadays..."
Yeah, that's generally true, but I'd still be cautious assuming it's universal. I've handled claims where digital copies were fine, but I've also seen situations—especially in rural areas or smaller towns—where officers preferred physical cards and weren't thrilled about PDFs on phones. It's rare, but it happens. Keeping both versions handy, like you mentioned, is definitely smart... just don't assume every officer or situation will be equally flexible.
