Duty to indemnify refers to an insurance company’s (insurer’s) obligation to indemnify the insured against any loss or damage when the claim(s) asserted against the insured (policyholder) may be covered by a liability insurance policy—which is a policy that may cover claims for personal injury and property damage suffered by third parties.

The duty to indemnify is one of the insurer’s primary duties under most liability insurance policies but is narrower than the duty to defend the insured. The duty to indemnify the insured generally arises at a later date when the liability of the insured is established and a review of the facts developed during the litigation or claims investigation process must be examined to determine if they fall within the insurer’s indemnification obligations under the insurance policy.

In South Dakota, the duty to indemnify is a legal obligation of an insurance company to cover the financial losses of the insured party when a claim falls within the scope of the insurance policy's coverage. This duty is typically found in liability insurance policies, which may include coverage for third-party personal injury and property damage claims. The duty to indemnify is distinct from the duty to defend, as it only arises after the insured's liability has been established, such as through a court judgment or settlement. At that point, the insurer must review the facts and circumstances of the claim to determine if they align with the coverage terms of the policy. South Dakota state statutes and case law would govern the specifics of how the duty to indemnify is interpreted and enforced, including any conditions or exclusions that might affect the insurer's obligation to pay on behalf of the policyholder.