Guide to Insuring a New Driver July 13, 2021 Whether your child is about to obtain their license or you’re looking to get your own Auto Insurance policy, it may seem daunting while trying to find the right coverage. To help, ensure your new driver is protected with these tips. Adding a Driver to Your Policy If you currently have an Auto Insurance policy, you can add a spouse or newly-licensed teen to it. To begin this process, reach out to your insurance agent and go over your current policy to discuss options and rates. There are three things that can be helpful to keep in mind to prepare for this conversation: Review driving records and pay any outstanding fines i.e., tickets, fines, or other violations that could have a direct impact on an Auto Insurance quote. Learn more about the influence tickets have on your driving record here. Adding a new driver could increase an Auto Insurance rate. One way to manage costs would be to re-evaluate and discuss the needed amount of coverage. This could be based on a vehicle’s age and model. Ask about discounts the insurance provider may offer for Auto Insurance. At OKFB, we have an array of discounts across our lines of insurance. Shopping for an Auto Policy Looking to get off your parents’ policy? Start with consulting with your parents’ current insurance agent and see what they can offer. Also, reach out to other insurance providers to ensure you find the best fit for you. It’s important to understand how auto coverage works. Take a look at our glossary of insurance terms to prepare for these conversations. Required Coverage Auto Insurance is legally necessary when operating and owning a vehicle. There are also multiple coverage options available to ensure your specific needs are covered. However, every state has a minimum auto insurance amount that they require. According to Oklahoma’s Insurance Department, Oklahoma follows the 25/20/25 rule, or $25,000 for bodily injury protection per person, $50,000 per accident and $25,000 for property damage protection. By working closely with an agent, driving safe and ensuring continuous coverage, you are protecting yourself and building a strong insurance history. Contact your local OKFB agent to talk through this process. It can start when you are ready to add a spouse, teenager or when beginning your journey toward owning your own Auto Insurance policy.
Top Tips for Road Trips July 2, 2021 A road trip is a great way to get out of the house and spend some quality time with family or friends. Oklahoma has some hidden wonders that could provide fun and exciting experiences. Whether the road trip is for a week or the weekend, planning beforehand is helpful to ensure the trip goes as smoothly as possible. Consider these four tips to help you prepare for what the Oklahoma roads have to offer. Don’t Forget About Car Maintenance! Schedule your car to be inspected before heading out. A good inspection can help prevent unexpected brake or engine problems, or other vehicle issues that may arise. As an OKFB member you also have access to free Roadside Rescue, a 24/7 roadside assistance service that allows you to travel with confidence. Keep Yourself in Check Driving for hours on end can be exhausting. Take note of how you’re feeling and see if you need to pull over for a break. Additionally, if you have a co-pilot in the car, have a plan in place for who is driving. Take note of how long, and when you should stop and rest. Get Techy with Helpful Apps for the Road There are a few apps that can help make the road trip go smoother. Apps can help with a number of things. For instance, navigation from Google Maps and Waze, which feature user-reported road hazards, speed traps and more, along with turn-by-turn navigation. Additionally, Tollsmart is an app that allows you to preview the price of upcoming tolls that you may pass during the road trip. All these are available on Android and iOS devices. Prep Your Home Leaving for an extended period of time? Make sure there is someone available to house sit. Leaving a home unattended for a long time can make your home a target for theft. Having a family member or neighbor check in on your home and get your mail is beneficial. This way you can leave your home with peace of mind while on your trip. See other home preparation tips here. A road trip can be a great activity to enjoy this spring or summer. To ensure you’re covered, contact your local OKFB agent and see if your Auto Insurance or Recreation Insurance covers your specific vehicle to have a safe, fun and confident trip.
What to Do if You Get in a Car Accident July 2, 2021 Whether you just got your license or have been driving for years, it is important to know what to do if the unexpected – a car accident – happens. Knowing what to do after being in a car accident can help ensure the right party is held accountable and that your vehicle is covered. Here is a step-by-step guide on what to do if you get in a car accident. Be sure to bookmark this for future reference! 1. Stay Calm It can be easy to feel angry at the other driver. However, it’s important to not escalate the situation and it’s critical to stay calm and collected. Take a breath, assess your situation and determine if you need to exit your vehicle. 2. Contact Your Local Police Department (911, if an emergency) Contact the local police department if the accident is minor and no one is injured. The authorities will document the scene and ensure important details are noted. These details will help when you are filing a claim with your insurance company. 3. Don’t Admit Fault It’s important to not apologize for the situation or admit that you were the cause of the accident. There could be factors that you aren’t aware of, and the authorities and insurance company will ultimately decide the responsible party. 4. Document the Scene and Exchange Information The authorities will take note of the details, but it is important for you to have the other driver’s information too. For instance, take photos of both cars (or more, if involved), license plates and makes and models of the vehicle(s). Along with having photos of the scene, it is important to exchange information with the impacted parties. For instance, some information to collect: Name of the driver(s) Driver’s license number and state they reside in Driver’s insurance information Contact information of any eyewitnesses Date, time and location of the car accident Name and badge number of the responding police officer 5. Relocate Your Vehicle If you aren’t able to drive your car after the accident, you will want to have your vehicle towed. In this case, as an OKFB member, you have access to Roadside Rescue. With Roadside Rescue, you have some access to free towing services. 6. Be Aware of How You Are Feeling After being in a car accident an adrenaline rush is common and could lead you to believe you are not injured. Be mindful of how you feel and see a doctor if needed. 7. Contact Your Insurance Agent or Company Now it is time to file an auto claim. At this point, ensure you have all the information you collected and a copy of the police report, so you can share it with your insurance company. Along with knowing what to do if you get in a car accident, it’s good to ensure your auto policy has the coverage you need. Contact your OKFB agent today and discuss if your Auto Insurance policy has the appropriate coverage.
Top Insurance Questions Answered by Insurance Agents – Part 2 June 7, 2021 Insurance helps to ensure that your assets are covered from a range of incidents. To help you feel confident when shopping for insurance we have answered five common insurance questions our agents commonly receive. 1. Are home-based businesses covered under a homeowners policy? A homeowners policy protects homes from unexpected incidents and damage. However, it can be difficult to know what exactly a homeowner’s policy will cover for a home-based business. For example, unlike a homeowners policy, a small business insurance policy would cover the inventory stored in a home, a vehicle that is used for business, etc. 2. Does my homeowners policy cover damage if my tree falls on my neighbors’ property because of a tornado or ice storm? Typically, if a tree or part of it from your property falls on your neighbors’ property and causes damage because of a tornado or ice storm, you will not be held liable. Your neighbors would file a claim with their insurance company. Our claims reporting hotline is available 24/7 and is ready to help whenever you need. 3. When should I get Life Insurance? Did you know obtaining Life Insurance while you’re young and healthy is usually the most optimal time to obtain it? This is the period of time where an individual will most likely benefit from lower rates. Use our life insurance calculator to determine how much Life Insurance coverage may be needed. Obtaining Life Insurance as soon as you are able is beneficial in the long-run. It can provide peace of mind when thinking about loved ones. 4. Does Auto Insurance cover a hit-and-run accident? In most cases an Auto Insurance policy will cover vehicle damage, possible medical bills, etc. in the case that a car accident occurs and the individual at fault intentionally leaves without providing contact information. 5. What do I need to do to file an insurance claim? Don’t delay taking action after an event that damages your property if you suspect it may make you eligible to file a claim. Start by contacting your agent, or using your carrier’s online claims tool – we have several claims options to choose from. Make sure to have your contact information, policy number and detailed information of the incident ready when you file. If you have additional insurance questions, check out our FAQs. Also, you can always contact your local OKFB agent with any inquiries or questions about your policy or specific coverage needs.
