South Dakota Statutes
§ 58-8-16 — Vexatious refusal by unauthorized foreign or alien insurer to make payment--Attorney fees of plaintiff.
In any action against an unauthorized foreign or alien insurer upon a contract of insurance issued or delivered in this state to a resident thereof or to a corporation authorized to do business therein, if the insurer has failed for thirty days after demand prior to the commencement of the action to make payment in accordance with the terms of the contract, and it appears to the court that such refusal was vexatious and without reasonable cause, the court may allow to the plaintiff a reasonable attorney fee and include such fee in any judgment that may be rendered in such action. Failure of an insurer to defend any such action shall be deemed prima facie evidence that its failure to make payment was vexatious and without reasonable cause.
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South Dakota § 58-8-16 (Vexatious refusal by unauthorized foreign or alien insurer to make payment--Attorney fees of plaintiff.) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.
Legislative History
SL 1966, ch 111, ch 12, § 10.
Nearby Sections
15
§ 58-1-1
Citation of title.§ 58-1-11
General saving clause.§ 58-1-13
Severability of provisions.§ 58-1-14
Notice of nonrenewal of policy must be mailed sixty days prior to renewal date--Exceptions.§ 58-1-14.1
Notice of refusal to renew--Thirty§ 58-1-16.1
Applicability of §§ 58-1-18
Repealed by SL 2012, ch 252, § 30.§ 58-1-2
Definition of terms.