Need-to-Know Laws about Oklahoma Car Insurance

When seeking car insurance in Oklahoma, you should become familiar with important laws that apply to you as a motorist.  Knowing this information will help you determine which car insurance policy is right for you.

Oklahoma Car Insurance Requirements - Liability

Liability insurance is required in the state of Oklahoma.  The minimum requirements are $25,000 per individual and $50,000 in coverage (total per accident) in Bodily Injury liability.  Property Damage liability is also required, with the limit being $25,000 in coverage.  The Tort system is used in Oklahoma.  Therefore, motorists are responsible for any damages if found at fault in an auto accident.  The state of Oklahoma does not require coverage for uninsured and underinsured motorists; however, these are recommended for protection against motorists that do not have car insurance or that have inadequate coverage.

Proof of Insurance in Oklahoma

You must carry proof of insurance in your vehicle at all times.  If you are stopped by a law officer and do not have proof of insurance, you could be fined up to $250 and/or sentenced to 30 days in the local jail.  Failing to comply with Oklahoma's car insurance laws can result in the suspension of your registration and license.

Exclusions

The state of Oklahoma allows providers to write policies excluding certain household members.  These exclusions also come with a list of reasons and/or circumstances in which the provider can refuse coverage...so be careful before signing such a policy.

Lapsed Policies

If your car insurance policy has lapsed, Oklahoma law treats this the same as if you don't have car insurance at all.  Providers may also penalize you for allowing the policy to lapse and may raise your premium if you reinstate the policy.  To prevent this, pay your car insurance premium on time, every time.

What about Rental Cars?

When renting a car, be sure it is covered with at least the state's minimum liability amount of insurance.  It is your responsibility to be sure there is adequate coverage since you will be the driver.  Check with your provider to see if your current policy covers rental cars.  If paying for the rental car by credit card, the credit card issuer may cover this expense.  If neither of these will cover it, you'll need to purchase a policy from the rental car company.

Credit History Inquiries

According to Oklahoma and federal laws, providers may obtain your credit report to make risk assessments and to determine what type of payment plan can be offered to you.  This type of credit inquiry does not harm your credit as others do.  It's similar to an employment inquiry, so no worry there.  You should focus on paying your bills on time and keeping your credit score as high as possible.  This will benefit you in many ways...including a lower car insurance premium!

The average auto insurance premium in Oklahoma was estimated at $2,006 in 2009.  This figure is not set in stone; companies set their own rates based on risk factors.  So, you can easily go online and compare multiple providers in Oklahoma to find the lowest rate for your needs. 

by CheapCarInsuranceCo.com

The road to savings begins here. How much will you save? We refer insurance for the following states, Alaska AK, Arizona AZ, Arkansas AR, California CA, Colorado CO, Connecticut CT, Delaware DE, District of Columbia DC, Florida FL, Georgia GA, Hawaii HI, Idaho ID, Illinois IL, Indiana IN, Iowa IA, Kansas KS, Kentucky KY, Louisiana LA, Maine ME, Maryland MD, Massachusetts MA, Michigan MI, Minnesota MN, Mississippi MS, Missouri MO, Montana MT, Nebraska NE, Nevada NV, New Hampshire NH, New Jersey NJ, New Mexico NM, New York NY, North Carolina NC, North Dakota ND, Ohio OH, Oklahoma OK, Oregon OR, Pennsylvania PA, Rhode Island RI, South Carolina SC, South Dakota SD, Tennessee TN, Texas TX, Utah UT, Vermont VT, Virginia VA, Washington WA, West Virginia WV, Wisconsin WI,Wyoming WY