Report: 25 Percent of Oklahoma Drivers Lack Auto Liability Insurance Coverage

A recent report showed that nearly one out of every four Oklahoma drivers do not have auto liability insurance coverage. The state law, which also applies to motorcycle riders, requires that drivers purchase auto liability insurance policies for their vehicles. The lack of liability coverage for these drivers can cause problems when they are involved in accidents. Uninsured drivers can also force those who comply with the law to pay higher premiums or face higher out-of-pocket costs in the event of an accident.

Oklahoma Auto Liability Insurance Coverage Requirements

State law requires that drivers purchase a minimum amount of auto liability insurance coverage. The minimum amounts are $25,000 per person for an accident resulting in injury or death; $25,000 for property damage; and $50,000 total for an accident involving multiple injuries or deaths. Drivers found to be without auto liability insurance coverage can face penalties including suspension of their driver’s licenses, suspension of their vehicle’s registration, fines of up to $250 and jail sentences of up to 30 days.

Auto Liability Insurance and Uninsured Motorist Coverage

One aspect of auto liability insurance that some drivers fail to consider is uninsured motorist coverage. This extra coverage protects drivers with auto liability insurance policies from those without such coverage. Freddie Ferrell, an agent at Insurance Professionals of Oklahoma, told a local newspaper that uninsured motorist coverage “pays for any medical-related claim (from) someone hitting you without insurance.” He also said that such coverage answers the question of “who’s going to pay the claim” on any damages when an uninsured driver collides with an insured driver.

Auto Liability Insurance and Complete Coverage

While the state requires that drivers only purchase a minimum amount of auto liability insurance coverage, some drivers look for coverage above and beyond the bare minimum. Other types of insurance, including collision, comprehensive and medical policies, cover different types of accidents. Some lenders for car loans, as well as car rental agencies, may require that driver purchase at least collision and comprehensive policies in addition to the state-required minimum auto liability insurance coverage.

Auto Liability Insurance Policy Reviews

Even drivers who maintain the minimum auto liability insurance coverage should have their policies reviewed on an annual basis, according to an insurance agent. “We suggest you do a review at least once a year,” Farmers Insurance agent Donald Brown told a local newspaper. Drivers who fail to do such reviews may find that their auto liability insurance policies either do not provide adequate coverage for their accidents, or that their claims could be denied on a technicality in the policy’s language.

Source: Tahlequah Daily Press

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NOTE: This blog post is a news story and is not an endorsement of Arguello Law Firm by any party mentioned herein.