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.
OKFB Discounts All In One Place January 21, 2021 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!
6 Ways to Prepare for an Ice Storm November 24, 2020 Snow and ice can be a pretty sight in small doses, but Oklahoma is no stranger to heavy ice storms. You can help ensure minimal impacts to your property by following these six ways to prepare for an ice storm. Check out these tips: 1. Prepare an Emergency Home Kit Severe ice storms can cause road closures as well as city-wide power outages, thus leaving you situated in your home for a potential long period of time. It could be helpful to have an emergency home kit with the necessities that could include things like: Flashlights and batteries Candles Canned goods and no-cook foods/snacks Bottled water Medication and first aid kit Blankets Warm winter clothing and accessories Emergency radio 2. Have Tools on Standby Too much ice or snow could trap you inside your home, so having a crowbar, axe, chiseling tool or shovel could aid in making a path to escape. Additionally, having tools nearby could be helpful for making any quick repairs. For instance, closing a small hole to stop the cold from filling your home. Remember to stay warm or find shelter if the damages are dangerous. 3. Check on Pipes & Gutters As fall winds down and winter begins, take time to clear out rain gutters, repair roof leaks, and check the roof to make sure it can handle the extra weight of snow and ice. You’ll also need to insulate water pipes or faucets with winter covers on the exterior of the home. Allowing faucets to drip or trickle during cold weather or if the power/heat are out can also help avoid freezing pipes. When water freezes, it expands, and this can cause water pipes to burst. Know how and where to shut off water valves if a pipe bursts. 4. Watch Out for Trees Trees lose limbs and leaves annually, and they also grow wider and bigger annually. Thus it is important to inspect trees before winter and to remove any branches that could fall on a house, powerline, car or other structure. After the storm, it’s also important to be careful around trees. Ice can accumulate and cause limbs to snap and fall down. For your safety, watch out for trees when walking around the property or shoveling ice out of the driveway. 5. Be Mindful About Carbon Monoxide Carbon monoxide poisoning is dangerous and there can be a heightened possibility for it after an ice storm. You’ll need to check and clear out the areas where your furnace and other vents are located, in case ice or snow start to block the vents. If the power does go out, remember to turn off anything that runs on gas or propane. To receive an early warning if carbon monoxide does become present, install battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors in the home. 6. Save Water, Then More Water One way to save water is by filling bathtubs, sinks and kitchen pots with water before the power goes out. Water is necessary for staying hydrated, and it can also help you operate your home in many other ways. It could give a toilet enough pressure to flush and even for hygienic purposes such as brushing your teeth and cleaning. As you take steps to prepare your home for an ice storm this winter, remember to contact your OKFB Insurance agent and review your Home Insurance policy. Insurance claims are an important part of recovering from storm damage. Review your homeowners, renters, or business insurance policies to ensure you have appropriate coverage for your property and personal belongings. Photograph and inventory your property to assist with post-disaster claims.
Tips for Saving Money and Energy This Holiday November 24, 2020 The holidays are around the corner and this time can be exciting as well as stressful. Getting into the holiday spirit is easy but following a holiday budget can be a little more difficult. To help keep you on track, here are some tips for saving money and energy that could help add some extra bucks into your pocket this holiday season. 1. Try Something New Most people are looking for ways to save money during the holidays, so don’t be afraid to offer a new idea. You could propose a white elephant gift exchange so everybody is only in charge of bringing one gift. You could mix up the tradition or even get rid of gift-giving altogether. At the end of the day, this end of year period is about spending time with loved ones and showing them how important they are to you. 2. Make a Plan for Saving Money It is too easy to walk into a store or get on a website with no plan in mind. This could cause impulse buying, which could lead to purchasing something that may not necessarily be needed. To prevent this, make a plan and/or a list for what you need to buy and then stick to the plan. Knowing what you’re looking for means you can search online for that product to find the best deal. 3. DIY Your Heart Out Gifts don’t have to be about giving the highest dollar amount. Gifts can be thoughtful and intentional, which can make for a pretty memorable gift. Fresh out of ideas? Pinterest is a great resource for fun and easy DIY holiday projects and gifts for the whole family, no matter your skill level. 4. Don’t Forget to Check the Windows Windows can be a big culprit for energy loss and drafts in the home. Check your windows by holding your hand in front of the window and seeing if you feel a breeze. For quick fixes, add plastic sheeting or window treatments with heavy lining to cover the space. Ultimately, you’ll want to caulk any gaps in the frame or hire a professional to do an inspection, which may result in the need for new energy-efficient windows. Investing in windows can lead to a reduction in heating bills and electricity costs. 5. Ho, Ho, Oh No Santa isn’t coming down the chimney until later in the year, so don’t forget to close the fireplace flue when not in use to keep your home warm and safe. If you do use the fireplace, remember to adjust the thermostat temperature accordingly. Lowering the thermostat a few degrees once a fire is started could help lower overall energy use. 6. The Thermostat Trick During winter months, it is common to have the heater working on over-time because of the freezing temperature outdoors. However, this is sure to drive up any energy bill. Consider keeping the heater off or at least a few degrees cooler when nobody is home during the workday, or when you’re cozied up in bed at night, so that you can begin saving money. Enjoy your holidays with a little extra cash in your pocket, thanks to these tips! And as the year comes to a close, remember if any changes have been made, to contact your OKFB agent to ensure your home insurance policy is up-to-date and everything is covered.
