If a policy or contract subject to the provisions of §§ 58-16-49 to 58-16-54, inclusive, provides for automatic discontinuance of the policy or contract after a premium or subscription charge has remained unpaid through the grace period allowed for such payment, the carrier is liable for valid claims for covered losses incurred prior to the end of the grace period.

If the actions of the carrier after the end of the grace period indicate that the carrier considers the policy or contract as continuing in force beyond the end of the grace period, such as, by continuing to recognize claims subsequently incurred, the carrier is liable for valid claims for losses beginning prior to the effective date of the written notice of discontinuance to the policyholder or other entity responsible for making payments or submitting subscription charges to the carrier. The effective date of discontinuance may not be prior to midnight at the end of the third scheduled workday after the date upon which the notice is delivered.

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Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 58-16-51

  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Grace period: The number of days you'll have to pay your bill for purchases in full without triggering a finance charge. Source: Federal Reserve
  • written: include typewriting and typewritten, printing and printed, except in the case of signatures, and where the words are used by way of contrast to typewriting and printing. See South Dakota Codified Laws 2-14-2

Source: SL 2009, ch 261, § 3.