Alternative to the South Dakota FAIR Plan
We can help you find alternatives to the FAIR Plan in South Dakota.
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Alternatives to the South Dakota FAIR Plan
South Dakota is one of the most beautiful states in the nation. Natural disasters tend to be rare in the state. However, when they do strike, they can bring significant destruction with them.
One of the problems that tends to most concern South Dakota residents is flooding. Flooding can be a significant problem, primarily due to snowmelt from the Rocky Mountains. For instance, in 2011, dams overflowed as a result of snowmelt. The Missouri River flooded, resulting in significant property damage in South Dakota.
When the dams overflowed, scientists were able to create an evacuation alert for at-risk areas. However, many homes and businesses were ruined as a result of the flooding. The flooding lasted nearly the entirety of the summer, from June until August.
The water also reached areas outside of flood plains, affecting properties that wouldn’t expect to be impacted by flooding.
The dry summers in South Dakota also tend to cause problems as well. For instance, in 2002, a fire broke out in the Grizzly Gulch area of western South Dakota. Although no one died as a result of the fire,
nearly 12,000 acres of land went up in flames in a matter of a couple of weeks. More than 900 firefighters and five hotshot crews were needed to extinguish the fires.
Winters in South Dakota can be harsh as well. In early 2013, an ice storm caused significant damage across the state. Sheets of sleet and ice covered everything, damaging roofs and cars. Some areas
reported receiving as much as four inches of ice. The weight of the ice also caused telephone phones and trees to collapse, causing more extensive property damage. Many South Dakota farmers lost
livestock as a result of the ice storm.
The Insurance Division of the state of South Dakota has not mandated a FAIR Plan. Because natural disasters are not as common in South Dakota as they are in other states, the state likely feels that there are not enough high-risk properties to justify a FAIR Plan.
However, this is not good news if you’re a South Dakota resident who can’t find coverage because you live on a high-risk property. If this is the case, you don’t have to go without coverage. Instead, you can
look to the private sector to find alternatives to the South Dakota FAIR Plan. Alternatives to the South Dakota FAIR Plan can provide you with the coverage that you need at an affordable rate..
Unable to Obtain Coverage?
Many consumers opt to allow their mortgage companies to add “force-placed" or “lender-placed" coverage to their homes. Unfortunately, mortgage companies often fail to clearly state that these policies typically do not cover personal property, loss of use, or liability. They are typically insurance policies that the consumer pays for, but they mostly benefit a bank rather than the consumer. Mortgage-forced policies are the least safe option in the market.
Since FAIR Plans are considered the market of last resort (and SD does not have one), South Dakota consumers will be best served when they find an agent with experience in high-risk insurance as well as the right resources and carriers. Ultimately the end goal is to obtain the right coverage at a competitive price and with the right agent; that can be accomplished in almost any situation.