Can A Ticket Impact My Auto Insurance? July 13, 2021 Life happens fast and at times it can be easy to speed through. It could be easy to speed to work when running late or accidentally parking in the wrong spot. However, getting a ticket on either of these encounters could impact your Auto Insurance rate. Check out these facts on how a ticket could lead to an increased Auto Insurance premium. Ticket Violations Can Impact Your Driving Record Did you know a speeding ticket in Oklahoma could stay on your driving record for up to 3-5 years? The Oklahoma Department of Transportation utilizes a point system to track traffic violations and other penalties. If left unaddressed, this could lead to higher Auto Insurance rates and even the suspension of a license. Tip: Reach out to your appropriate Oklahoma traffic court to learn more about how to handle or appeal your ticket. Amount of Traffic Tickets Issued Speeding tickets are not the only violation that can live on your driving record. For instance, there are actions that can have a lingering impact on an Auto Insurance premium. Actions such as texting and driving, running a red light, out-of-state tickets and DUIs. Also, the amount of tickets and the types of ticket offenses are both used to determine a rate increase or change to your premium. Tip: Practice safe driving habits to prevent a rate increase and future traffic violations. This could involve putting the phone down while driving, paying close attention to state laws, and not eating while in traffic. By practicing safe driving and paying attention on and off the road, you can avoid a rate increase and additional tickets. Also, ensure your vehicle is covered under your Auto Insurance policy and contact your local OKFB agent for additional questions or inquiries.
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.
Road Safety with Farm Equipment September 30, 2019 Harvest season is here, which likely means an increase in farm equipment on the roads. Whether you’re driving a tractor or sharing the road with one, it’s important to know how to safely navigate with and around various farm equipment and vehicles. Follow these safety tips to help prevent accidents on the road this season. Safety for farmers and ranchers Make sure all your lights and flashers work properly before getting on the road. Doing so will allow you to use the necessary warning lights and slow-moving vehicle signs when driving your equipment. This is important because it helps other motorists see you down the road so they can slow down and use caution when approaching. Be mindful of your equipment — ensure everything is strapped in and balanced, and know the height and width of your equipment to avoid disrupting low-hanging power lines and other hazards that may be near the road. When possible, avoid well-traveled roads during high-traffic and don’t travel before dawn or after dusk. Use your signals to communicate with other drivers, and always take precautions when traveling on gravel shoulders or narrow bridges. Lastly, obey all the normal traffic laws. Safety for other drivers Be aware of slow-moving vehicles. Farm equipment must travel much slower than the average vehicle — between five and 15 miles per hour. Watch for signals coming from operators of farm equipment. They may communicate with you about when it is safe to pass, so it’s important to pay attention to their signals. Tractors and other farm vehicles need lots of room to operate. They take wider turns and might have to use both lanes to complete a proper turn. To help accommodate this equipment, make sure to give it plenty of room. Don’t abruptly pull in front of farm equipment and then slow down suddenly. It’s much more difficult for the large, heavy equipment to slow down quickly. Always pay close attention when sharing the road with farm equipment. Avoid any distractions and be attentive. Whatever you’re driving this season, OKFB can provide the right coverage for your vehicle. Check out our auto policy lineup to find customizable coverage that fits your lifestyle. And, while you’re at it, take a look at our farm and ranch line, too. If you’re not sure where to start, try out our new instant auto quote form. It’s a quick, easy process to get you on your way to the coverage you need.
