Tag: Auto Insurance

Top Tips for Road Trips

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

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

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.

OKFB Discounts All In One Place

Does OKFB offer discounts? What types of discounts does OKFB offer? Do I qualify for any discounts with OKFB? This is the blog you’ve been looking for! We have compiled the array of discounts we offer across our lines of Auto Insurance, Home Insurance, Recreation Insurance, Farm & Ranch Insurance, Commercial Insurance and more. Contact your agent to see which discounts you are eligible for!

Auto Insurance Discounts

We offer five discounts under our auto policy. You may be eligible for a discount if you have more than one policy with us, multiple vehicles and more! Keep reading to see where you may qualify. 

  • Scholastic Discount
  • Defensive Driving Discount 
  • Driver Longevity Credit 
  • Multi-Vehicle Discount
  • Companion Discount 

Home Insurance Discounts

Is your home less than 10 years old? Do you have an alarm system installed? If so, these are just a few ways you could qualify for a Home Insurance discount. Keep reading to see if you qualify for additional Home Insurance discounts.   

  • New Home Discount
  • Burglary or Fire Alarm Discount 
  • Claims-Free Discounts
  • Companion Auto Discount
  • Approved Roof Discount
  • Tie Down Credit

Farm & Ranch Insurance Discounts

We offer discounts for our Farm & Ranch Insurance, in addition to those that may have a Farm Auto, Farm Fire or Farm Renters policy. Keep reading to learn more!

Farm & Ranch 

  • New Home Discount
  • Burglary or Fire Alarm Discount 
  • Companion Auto Discount
  • Approved Roof Discount

Farm Auto 

  • Defensive Driving Discount
  • Scholastic Discount
  • Companion Home Discount
  • Multi-Vehicle Discount
  • Companion Umbrella Discount
  • Approved Grill Guard

Commercial Insurance Discounts

We also offer discounts to help out small businesses! If you are a Dwelling Fire – Tenant Occupied policyholder then check this out. You may be eligible for these discounts. 

Dwelling Fire – Tenant Occupied

  • Approved Roof Discount

 

Discount Eligibility

  • Approved Grill Guard: Trucks with a qualifying grill guard may qualify for a discount on collision coverage.
  • Approved Roof Discount: If you have a U.L rate class 3 or 4 roof surfacing installed, then you may be eligible for a discount. Check here for a list of approved roof surfacing.
  • Burglary or Fire Alarm Discount: If you have an alarm system or fire alarm in your home, then you may be eligible for a discount based on the type of alarm you have installed. 
  • Claims-Free Discounts: If you have had no insurance claims on your OKFB Homeowners insurance policy for the last three years, you may be eligible.
  • Companion Auto Discount: If you also have an auto policy with OKFB, you may be eligible. 
  • Companion Discount: If you also have other policies through OKFB, such as a Homeowners or Farm & Ranch, then you may be eligible for companion discounts. 
  • Companion Home Discount: Policyholder has an active owner occupied property policy with the company. 
  • Companion Umbrella Discount: Policyholder has an active or farm umbrella policy with the company. 
  • Defensive Driving Discount: May be eligible for those who complete a minimum six hour accident prevention course approved by the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. Approved courses are often offered through your county Farm Bureau. 
  • Driver Longevity Credit: Drivers who have been insured with OKFB for at least one year may receive premium credit based on a combination of their longevity with OKFB and driving record. 
  • Multi-Vehicle Discount: A multi-vehicle discount may apply when two or more vehicles are insured with OKFB.
  • New Home Discount: If your home is 10 years old or less, then you may be eligible for a discount.
  • Scholastic Discount: This discount applies to specific auto coverages for classroom academic excellence to eligible full-time students who also meet specified requirements.
  • Tie Down Credit: If your mobile home uses approved tie downs to better secure your home, then you may be eligible for this discount. 

If you have any questions or want to learn more about eligibility and discounts then contact your OKFB agent. Remember, we’re your partners in life and are here to help during any situation!