South Dakota motorcycle insurance

South Dakota is the perfect place for long motorcycle rides under wide-open skies. Before you hit the road, make sure to purchase a motorcycle insurance policy and reacquaint yourself with the state’s traffic and motorcycle riding laws.

What’s required of all motorcycle riders in South Dakota?

To legally operate a motorcycle as a South Dakota resident, you must be at least 16 years old and hold a valid South Dakota motorcycle license. You also need to adhere to the following rules and regulations while riding within the state:

Helmets: Riders and passengers below the age of 18 are required to wear a helmet. And even if you’re 18 or older and allowed to ride without one, we strongly encourage you to wear a helmet for your own safety. Start by choosing a motorcycle helmet that’s right for you.
Eye protection: If your motorcycle’s windshield isn’t high enough to shield your eyes, you must wear a full-face helmet or protective eye gear like goggles or glasses.
Passengers: You can only carry a passenger if your motorcycle has a permanent passenger seat and footrests.
Headlights: Your motorcycle must have at least one headlamp, but no more than two.
Taillights: Your motorcycle must have at least one taillight that emits visible red light to a distance of at least 500 feet.
Mufflers: Your motorcycle must be fitted with approved muffler equipment to curb excessive engine noise.
Lane splitting and sharing: Lane splitting—moving between lanes of slow-moving or stopped traffic on your motorcycle—is illegal in South Dakota. However, you can share a lane with another motorcycle by riding side-by-side.

What are the motorcycle insurance requirements in South Dakota?

Each state sets its own minimum motorcycle insurance coverage limits. Here’s what you need to purchase in South Dakota:

$25,000 for bodily injury liability or death of one person
$50,000 for bodily injury liability or death of two people or more
$25,000 for damage liability or destruction of property

Keep in mind, these are just the minimum required limits. If you’re involved in an accident, your expenses could easily exceed these limits, leaving you stuck paying the difference out of pocket. For additional protection, consider purchasing higher coverage limits.

Are optional motorcycle insurance coverages available in South Dakota?

Yes. Along with the required liability coverages listed above, we provide multiple motorcycle insurance options that can help protect you and your bike following an accident or other covered loss:

Collision coverage

When your bike collides with another vehicle—or even if it just tips over and is damaged—collision coverage can help pay for the repairs.

Comprehensive coverage

Collisions aren’t the only incidents that can damage your motorcycle. If your bike is stolen, vandalized, or damaged by something other than an accident—like hail, wind-blown objects, or even animal encounters—comprehensive coverage can help pay for repairs.

Uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage

We don’t get to choose the motorists we share the road with. Approximately one in eight U.S. motorists are uninsured, and even more are underinsured. What happens if you’re in an accident with one of these drivers? You could be stuck paying for medical bills and other expenses yourself. But UM and UIM coverage offers injury protection and can help reduce the amount you need to pay out of pocket.

Roadside assistance

When you’re stuck on the side of the highway with a dead battery, a flat tire, or an empty tank, roadside assistance can help get you the service you need to get back on the road soon.

Medical payments

These days, even routine medical procedures can be expensive. Now think of the types of injuries you could sustain in a motorcycle accident. Medical expense coverage can help you—and your passengers—with the costs associated with bodily injuries.

South Dakota motorcycle insurance discounts

We offer a variety of motorcycle insurance discounts in South Dakota. You might qualify for more than you realize:

Transfer
Multi-vehicle
Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) member
Operator safety course
Loyalty
Homeownership
Rider group

Sites to see in South Dakota

Mount Rushmore is among the country’s most popular tourist destinations—and for good reason. But there’s so much more to do and see in South Dakota beyond this monument. Here are a few you should experience on your next ride:

Badlands National Park

Badlands National Park offers you unmatched views of the area’s unique and awe-inspiring rock formations—and miles upon miles of prime motorcycle riding routes. Just be sure to keep an eye out for bison as you ride.

Jewel Cave National Monument

Thought to be the third-longest cave system in the world, Jewel Cave features more than 200 miles of mapped passageways. This natural wonder is located in western South Dakota, near the Wyoming border—and less than 30 miles from our next must-see destination.

Custer State Park

Throughout its 71,000 acres, Custer State Park is home to rugged granite peaks, clear mountain lakes and rivers, and an abundance of wildlife. It’s also a great place to hop off your bike for a while and get some exercise or recreation in, whether it’s hiking, swimming, fishing, or paddleboarding.

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