Category: Auto

Friday the 13th – 13 Hidden Safety Risks

Many people are afraid of or superstitious of black cats, broken mirrors and walking under ladders around Friday the 13th. However, what’s even more cause for caution is all the hidden safety risks that can be present in daily life. Check out these top 13 risks to be aware of: 

Eating while driving

Next to texting and driving, eating while driving is one of the most common forms of distracted driving. Reaction time drops by nearly 50% while eating. Next time you pick up food, make sure to wait until arrival before eating. 

Car maintenance

Without proper vehicle maintenance, driving a car can pose some risks. Change the oil in the vehicle as recommended, get tires checked regularly and make sure to have roadside assistance as part of your insurance policy. 

Lightning

While not extremely common, lightning can strike your car or home and cause damage that may require repairs. Make sure your insurance plan covers damage caused by lightning and help prevent damage by installing a lightning rod or other protection.

Cyber security

As the internet increasingly becomes part of the daily routine, cyber security is a necessity. Take steps to protect your information online from hackers or data breaches, including using complex passwords and being aware of email phishing scams. 

Texting

Texting while doing other things is a huge distraction. Whether walking across the street or driving down the road, avoid texting and pay better attention to surroundings. 

Home security

Make sure to lock all doors and windows when leaving and consider installing an alarm system. If you’re an OKFB member, you may be eligible for a discount for installing a home security system. 

Fire

It’s nice to have the fireplace crackling or a candle burning to provide warmth and comfort, but make sure to take the proper safety precautions. Always extinguish candles and fires before leaving a room, and make sure to keep them out of reach of children.  

Food storage

Improper food storage can result in spoiled foods, and if these foods are consumed they can result in illness. Hold cold foods at 40°F or below, and keep hot foods at 140°F or above. Regularly monitor your refrigerator and freezer to ensure they are at the right temperature. 

Carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless flammable gas that can be deadly. CO can accumulate wherever fuel is burned, whether by a kitchen stove or a car in the garage. Help avoid CO poisoning by installing carbon monoxide detectors in your home. 

Appliances

Appliances, especially those in the kitchen can pose some safety risks. Stay nearby appliances when cooking and always check that appliances are off before leaving the kitchen.  

Screens

Staring at a screen all day, whether via a phone or a computer, can pose some health risks. Excessive use can result in a decrease in vision abilities, and it can also lead to back pain, joint pain and headaches. If possible, try reducing daily screen time.

Going to work

From farming to construction, some jobs require working with dangerous equipment or substances. Make sure to be aware of and follow workplace safety guidelines to help prevent accident and injury.

Showering

Slippery floors in the shower can lead to injury or even death. Showers can especially be safety risks for the elderly and children, who often require help to enter and exit the shower safely. Install a support bar, clean up wet floors and be extra vigilant in the bathroom.

3 Things to Consider Before Getting Married

Congratulations, lovebirds! You’ve found the one and are ready to embark on a new journey together as newlyweds. Marriage brings many changes, including combining your lives and everything that comes with them. While moving in together and honeymooning may be exciting, it’s important not to overlook the practicalities of managing your assets as a couple. Here are three things to consider as newlyweds, or even before you tie the knot.

Auto Insurance

If you don’t already own or share a car together, you might have different auto policies from different insurance companies. However, as a married couple, it’s typically best to combine your policies into one. Why? Because you’ll get the convenience of having one bill to pay, and you might qualify for discounts as a result, since a policy with more than one vehicle is often cheaper than separate policies. It’s a win-win situation!

Home or Renter’s Insurance

If you’re moving in together or buying a new home, it’s time to talk insurance. Make sure your home or renter’s policy covers both of you and your new shared assets. This can include your electronics, furniture and any other personal belongings. Don’t worry, our OKFB agents can help you assess your coverage needs and make sure you’re protected in the event of a loss. Need another reason to combine home policies? Getting married typically tends to lower your premiums, though savings will depend on your specific policy.

Life Insurance

It’s not the most romantic conversation, but it’s important to discuss life insurance. If something were to happen to one of you, it’s crucial to ensure the other has financial protection. A life insurance policy can provide financial support for funeral expenses, debt and income replacement. Plus, the younger and healthier you are when you purchase life insurance, the less expensive the policy will be. Consider getting a policy for your new or soon-to-be spouse. We offer three types of Life Insurance policies: Term Life, Whole Life and Universal Life. Talk to your local OKFB agent to see which option is best for you and your family.

Combining your policies and considering life insurance for your new or soon-to-be spouse are key to discuss as a newlyweds or before getting married. These are practical steps that can help you save money, protect your assets and ensure that you and your partner are financially secure in the long run. When it comes to insurance, you can trust OKFB Insurance to be your partner every step of the way.

We’re Here to Help

Whether you’re a long-time policyholder or just starting to look for insurance options, we have team members who can help. If you have questions or concerns that you want to discuss, connect with your local OKFB agent today. If you have any insurance-specific questions, we would love to help you find the coverage that best meets your home, auto, commercial and life insurance needs.

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Gear Up for Cold Weather

While auto maintenance is important year-round, this is especially vital as we enter the much colder weather ahead. Mechanical failures during the winter are more than just a pain: it could leave you stranded in freezing temperatures. Whether you just need to prepare a personal vehicle or you’re also looking out for commercial vehicles and farm equipment, we’ve compiled some winter car safety tips below to keep your machinery running smoothly throughout the winter months.

Tip 1: Inspect, Clean and Store

If you have cars or farm and ranch equipment that you don’t plan to use until the spring, storing these items is your best bet. Storing items indoors or with appropriate covers can help protect the mechanics from damage as rain, snow and ice blow through Oklahoma. This is also a good time to inspect and clean your car or equipment to make sure everything is running properly. It also lets you get ahead of potential mechanical issues or repairs that could pop up once you’re ready to use these vehicles in the spring!

Tip 2: Keep Your Engine Running Smoothly

Make sure you’re renewing or replacing your engine parts on a regular schedule. This includes your engine oil, oil filters, air filters, fuel filters and more. The last thing you want is an engine failure when you’re out on the road in the winter! The exact frequency of oil changes and other replacement needs will depend on the age, model and fuel efficiency of your car or equipment, but you can always check your owner’s manual or contact a mechanic to get your car on track.

Tip 3: Check Windshield Wipers and Tires Often

The winter months don’t just bring colder temperatures, they also bring a lot of visibility barriers to the roads! Your windshield wipers will be key to making sure you’re able to see clearly and drive safely through winter rain and snow. Drivers should also keep a close eye on their tires during the colder months, as lower temperatures can impact your tire pressure. Filling up your tires and checking your wiper blades could be the difference between making it home or ending up with a flat on the side of the road.

Tip 4: Plan Ahead for Bad Weather

During the winter, it’s always a good idea to check the weather and road conditions before you head out the door for the day. Plan your route to avoid road hazards or stay home if the weather is turning treacherous. Beyond planning for the day, you should also add some winter-specific items to an emergency kit in your car. Gloves, boots, ice scrapers and blankets are a great addition to snacks, water, first-aid kit and a flashlight. These items will all come in handy if your car does experience mechanical failure this winter.

Tip 5: Make Sure You Have Roadside Rescue

Did you know that OKFB Insurance offers Roadside Rescue to all current policyholders? This service runs 24/7, meaning roadside assistance is just a call away to help with the stress, expense and inconveniences of a breakdown. Services include flat tire assistance, towing, battery jumpstarts and more. If you’re already a policyholder, save the Roadside Rescue phone number in your cell phone for quick access during an emergency: you can reach the rescue hotline at 833-957-OKFB (6532).

We’re Here to Help

Make sure to keep these winter car safety tips with you as the temperatures start to drop! Whether you’re a long-time policyholder or just starting to look for insurance options, we have team members who can help. If you have questions or concerns that you want to discuss, connect with your local OKFB agent today. If you have any insurance-specific questions, we would love to help you find the coverage that best meets your home, auto, commercial and life insurance needs.

Don’t forget to follow us on social media! This kind of information and more is just a click away. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

What to Know Before Making A Claim

No matter how prepared you are, sometimes life deals you a bad hand. If you’ve experienced property theft, severe weather damage, a car accident, home fire or another unfortunate incident, calling your insurance company may not be the first thing you think about doing. However, once you’re safe, it’s important to act quickly. Starting the claims process early helps you get back on your feet as soon as possible.

If you’ve never needed to file a claim on your auto or home insurance policy, the process might seem unfamiliar and daunting. That’s where we come in to help. Your local OKFB Insurance agent can answer any questions you may have about how insurance claims work. The guide below breaks down some of the key elements to know about the process.

Communication is critical

As soon as you’ve suffered a loss, it’s important to communicate the details to your insurance company. Even if you’re uncertain whether the event is covered or if you plan to file a claim, let us know what happened so that our team can help evaluate the coverage you have and guide you through the next steps. In some cases, there may be a limited amount of time to file a claim after you’ve experienced a loss. Getting in touch with your insurance agent quickly can get you a better understanding of the finer details of your policy, but it can also help you avoid missing out on the timeframe you’re eligible to file a claim.

Document the claim

More is always better when it comes to documentation for insurance claims! If the claim involves theft or vandalism, you will likely need to file a police report to submit alongside your claim. Keep note of who you speak to and who inspects your property. It’s also important to document all damage, stolen items, or anything else that will substantiate the claim. For claims involving property damage, document as much as you can about the items and approximate value. It’s also important to take pictures and video if possible. You should also build an inventory list that is specific to the brand and model of the damaged items. This will help your agent accurately assess what is covered under your policy and your options for reimbursement.

Appraise damages and start repairs

Once a claim is filed, most insurance companies will deploy an adjuster or contractor to assess the extent of the damages. This could involve coordinating with a local mechanic for auto insurance claims or personally inspecting the property for home claims. They will ask you certain questions and give an estimate for how much it will cost. You’ll receive payment from your insurer once the deductible is paid and you have agreed on a settlement amount. Depending on the type of claim, these payments may come as a one-time lump sum for replacement costs or as incrementally released funds throughout the repair process. Your agent or adjuster can help guide you through the options available for payment and securing contractors for repairs.

We’re here for you

If you have questions or concerns that you want to discuss, connect with your local OKFB agent today. If you have any insurance-specific questions, we would love to help you find the coverage that best meets your home, auto, commercial and life insurance needs.

Don’t forget to follow us on social media! This kind of information and more is just a click away. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.