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SOUTH DAKOTA CHOICE OF LAW
| Choice of Law | Admission of Extrinsic Evidence | Insurer Allocation | Pre-Tender Fees | Statute of Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lex loci contractus | Facts available to the insurer | If one claim is potentially covered, must defend entire suit | Not recoverable | 6 years |
| Great West Cas. Co. v. Hovaldt, 603 N.W.2d 198, 201 (S.D. 1999) | Biegler v. American Family Mut. Ins. Co., 621 N.W.2d 592, 599 (S.D. 2001) | Hawkeye Security Ins. Co. v. Clifford, 366 N.W.2d 489, 491 (S.D. 1985) | Fort Pierre v. United Fire & Cas. Co., 463 N.W.2d 845, 852 (S.D. 1990) | (S.D. Codified Laws § 15-2-13) |
| Pre-Judgment Interest | Late Notice | Public Policy Bar | Independent Counsel | Atty's Fees/Decl. Relief Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9% | Notice-prejudice | Bar to indemnity and defense | May choose own counsel | Recoverable if insurer’s refusal is vexatious or unreasonable |
| (S.D. Codified Laws § 54-3-16) | Fort Pierre v. United Fire & Cas. Co., 463 N.W.2d 845, 851-52 (S.D. 1990) | St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co. v. Engelmann, 639 N.W.2d 192, 203 (S.D. 2002) | State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. v. Armstrong Extinguisher Serv., Inc, 791 F. Supp. 799, 802 (D.S.D. 1992) | S.D. Codified Laws § 58-12-3 Biegler v. American Fam. Mut. Ins. Co, 621 N.W.2d 592, 608 (S.D. 2001) |