New South Dakota resident

[Van-Tramp]

It is final. The paper work – complete with 2 copies of my passport, 4 of my license, 4 of my SSN card, five notary stamps, and checks totally almost $280 – is in the mail to the officials in South Dakota. In a few weeks I will receive the plates, titles, and registration for Big Blue and the Datsun in the mail. My new Federal-official address, provided by Your Best Address, is in Sioux Falls South Dakota as of today.

I guess I will have to drop in on my new home state soon… I’ve never been there.

 

[mockturtle]

I'm considering SD, too. Maybe go with America's Mailbox. Western South Dakota is beautiful with the badlands, etc.

 

[Van-Tramp]

I do not know America's Mailbox, but I have to say that Larry at Your Best Address was beyond helpful. He actually spent an hour on the phone going through all the paperwork, line by line, with me (which is standard service from him). I would certainly recommend them on his customer service alone.

 

[user 423]

Do you plan to get a SD driver's license also? I notice on the YBA site they state that it isn't necessary in order to register your vehicle.

 

[Van-Tramp]

I have not planned on getting a license, but it is a possibility. For now I will keep my CO license.

 

[user 423]

Wouldn't having tags and a DL from different states raise eyebrows with LEOs if you were stopped? I'm trying to decide on SD or NV and SD seems easier. The CCW appears easier to get also.

 

[Van-Tramp]

It may raise some eyebrows, but there is no laws against it so I do not need to justify it to any LEO either.

Yes, SD CCW is very easy; One month of residency in state (RV park will suffice), apply for permit ($10), and within a week or two you have it. SD does not even require any proof of classes or training. I will likely do this (along with a SD license) when I get around to spending a month in the state. For now, I am on year-2 (of 5) of my Colorado CCW, so I am in no rush.

 

[user 423]

It may raise some eyebrows, but there is no laws against it so I do not need to justify it to any LEO either.

I did some more poking around on the DMV site and did see that their policy allows that. They just want you to have an address in your home state on file with the forwarder.

 

[66788]

It is final. The paper work – complete with 2 copies of my passport, 4 of my license, 4 of my SSN card, five notary stamps, and checks totally almost $280 – is in the mail to the officials in South Dakota. In a few weeks I will receive the plates, titles, and registration for Big Blue and the Datsun in the mail. My new Federal-official address, provided by Your Best Address, is in Sioux Falls South Dakota as of today.

I guess I will have to drop in on my new home state soon… I’ve never been there.

Since you are doing this by mail, I assume that there is no smog inspection or safety inspection for your vehicles? That could be a positive thing!

Please let me know via PM.

 

[Sameer]

Thank you for this information...I have been looking into this after being told by my Sister that I cannot use her home as my 'home-base'. I have researched this and South Dakota makes everything 'very' easy. No vehicle inspections, everything can be done by mail and you don't have to visit the state unless you want a South Dakota Drivers License. Affordable too!

 

[Patrick46]

I guess I will have to drop in on my new home state soon… I’ve never been there.

Hahaha...that's awesome!!!

 

[HarmonicaBruce]

Wow, now I know why I joined this forum!

 

[user 423]

VT: How's about vehicle insurance? Have you switched to an agent and company in SD? I've been with State Farm for many years and get good discounts but I just found out they don't insure folks who full-time.

 

[Van-Tramp]

I use Gieco and have not told them about my transition to SD. I suspect the costs are roughly the same, but have nothing to confirm that as of yet.

I would not ever tell my insurance company that I "full time". Don't bring that up on your own, and if they ask then your residence is what ever appears on your license, not "full time in an RV".

Speaking of Gieco, I have had to deal with them recently with two accidents and they have been nothing but superb. Their service has been surprising to say the least. I didn't expect this from what many may consider a fast-food insurance company.

 

[LeeRevell]

I have GEICO insurance for my two vans. Haven't had to use them for an accident yet. I use Progressive for my bike as the Gecko wanted twice the premium as Flo. And she has dropped my premium by half since then.

 

[user 423]

I use Gieco and have not told them about my transition to SD.

If you don't update your address with them to YBA, how do you get your mail from them? I get my premiums deducted from my checking every month but State Farm also sends me new ID cards every 6 months through the mail. I've changed my address to YBA for my credit union and for Social Security but some of my mail (like State Farm) is still being forwarded from my old address. That forward is only good until the end of November.

 

[Van-Tramp]

My son and Ex still live here in CO and they too are on the same Gieco policy

 

[user 423]

Oh,OK duh on my part. That's my trouble, I don't have anyone I can trust (or wants to do it) to forward my mail. I haven't done the tags yet or become a SD resident and I'm just thinking that a SF agent would pretty much suspect that I was a full-timer if I listed a YBA address.

 

[akrvbob]

Most of their computers will flag a different state address and send you a request for a new one. You really do have to have a mailing address in your state.
Bob

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I'm going to play devil's advocate here for a minute.

If you're ever in a catastrophic accident, the kind where they might end up paying hundreds of thousands of dollars out, A lot of insurance companies will look for any excuse to avoid having to pay.

If they can demonstrate that you are full-timing, AND DIDN'T TELL THEM, that can give them grounds to cancel your policy and deny the claim, and leave you swinging in the wind.

There are hundreds of thousands of people full timing in this country. There are insurance companies that specialize in writing insurance policies that are HAPPY to write a full time policy.

The Escapees Club web site lists three different insurance companies that they recommend to their members, and I'm sure there are a lot more.

Get price quotes from a few of them before deciding how you want to handle this issue. You might be pleasantly surprised.

And if you decide that you just can't swing their premiums, you will at least have made a rational decision based on facts, instead of guessing about it.

Regards
John