Should I Get Uninsured Motorist Coverage In Oklahoma?

Uninsured Motorist Coverage In Oklahoma is a great option that offered in our state. Oklahoma is a fault state for car accidents, meaning that motorists who cause accidents are legally responsible for compensating victims. The state requires that drivers have liability insurance to cover bodily injuries and property damage.

Unfortunately, many motorists in Oklahoma are completely uninsured. If they strike you or cause an accident, you face an uphill climb to getting the compensation you need. Uninsured motorist coverage is good protection in the event this occurs, and it should be offered to anyone who buys a liability policy.

How Many Oklahoma Drivers Are Uninsured?

According to the Insurance Information Institute, roughly 13.5% of Oklahoma drivers were uninsured in 2019. Our state was ranked 18th in the nation, so we were above average. For comparison, only 8.3% of Texas drivers were uninsured. If you apply the numbers of uninsured drivers in our state to the number of accidents its easy to see that sooner or later you could have an car accident with an uninsured.

Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage Required In Oklahoma?

Yes and no. Under Oklahoma law, an insurer who offers liability coverage must also include uninsured motorist insurance. The coverage amount should equal the policy’s bodily injury coverage limits.

However, you have the right to reject uninsured motorist coverage in writing. This rejection will stay in effect for the duration of your liability policy, including renewals.

When Can I Use Uninsured Motorist Insurance?

You can use it if someone else is liable for your accident but doesn’t have insurance coverage. You can’t use it if you are at fault for the crash.

You can also use uninsured motorist insurance if the at-fault driver has insurance but not enough to cover losses. This is an increasingly common scenario in Oklahoma.

Here are some examples of when you can tap these benefits:

• A driver runs a red light and slams into you as you pass through the intersection on a green light. The driver has no insurance. You can use your uninsured motorist coverage.
• You are struck in a hit-and-run collision. Because you can’t find the driver, you can use your uninsured motorist insurance.
• A driver rear-ends you at an intersection. You need $45,000 in medical care, but the driver only has $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage. You can use your uninsured motorist coverage to pay for uncompensated losses.

What Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Pay For?

This insurance pays compensation for damages suffered from bodily injuries or death. Most commonly, it pays for medical care to treat your injuries. Its easy to think of the coverage being offered as the same as your basic policy. Just like the basic policy you have this additional coverage will also compensate you for pain and suffering in addition to medical treatment.

How Much Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Cost?

The cost of uninsured motorist coverage will depend on many factors, such as your age and driving history. It will be different depending on if you go directly to the carrier or if you use an independent agent. I tell people to consider the cost of the total insurance bill. This should include both basic coverage and uninured coverage together. You might even see if unbundling the two is cheaper. Remember to ask the agent what uninsured motorist coverage costs when shopping for insurance.

Full Coverage Collision Insurance

This kind of insurance is often thought of as full coverage insurance. You can use collision insurance to pay for vehicle repairs when it is damaged. You can use these no-fault benefits even if you negligently drive into a tree. If you do not have full coverage and you are at fault in an accident you will be responsible for the damage to your vehicle. Most lenders require that you have collision coverage to protect the car’s value, so you should have it if you have a car loan. Lenders sometimes carry their own insurance in the event that you don’t have it. They can force you to pay for this coverage but be careful it only covers them.

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Tulsa Accident Attorneys Near You

The days following a wreck are confusing. Many people have no idea where to turn. One of the first things that you should consider is medical attention. If you are injured in an accident the longer you take to get medical care the harder it could make your case. If you need assistance, please call Kania Law Office at 918-743-2233 or contact us online. We have years of experience guiding accident victims through the claims process, and we can negotiate a settlement for you.