Your Guide to Auto Insurance in Oklahoma
Any car insurance quote for the state of Oklahoma should provide you with the following insurance coverage or financial responsibility at a minimum:
25/50/25 – This is shorthand for the liability policy limits required which means you need a minimum coverage of:
- $25,000 for death or injury to one person;
- $50,000 for death or injury to two or more people; and
- $25,000 for property damage to others
Nearly all car insurance policies have a provision that will adjust your coverage from the minimums required in your state to the minimum insurance or proof of financial responsibility in another U.S. state. So you do not need to get a new insurance policy for each state you are driving through. However, if you buy a policy in a low limits state (like Oklahoma or say, Missouri) but live in a high limits state (like Alaska), insurers will only write a policy where your car is principally garaged. So if your home is in Alaska, you should buy the minimum limits for Alaska.
Like in most states of the US, Oklahoma’s required insurance limits are low, considering the real costs of repair and damages which are likely to occur in an accident. If you are in a serious collision and the damages you caused are greater than the coverage limits you purchased, you may be personally liable to pay for those damages that exceed your insurance coverage. Purchasing the states limits may mean you are free to drive, but you should seriously consider purchasing additional coverage in order to stay financially safe in the case of an incident.
Car Insurance Law’s and Regulations in Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a modified comparative fault state with a 50% rule. This is a legal defense that means that a plaintiff can recover for an injury, reducing the amount that the plaintiff can recover based on the percentage of which the plaintiff is at fault if it is determined that his or her fault in causing the injury is less than 50%. If the plaintiff’s fault level reaches 50% or more, he or she cannot recover any damages resulting from the accident.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
In Oklahoma, a first time offense of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) is a misdemeanor offense. If you are 21 years or older, if you have a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level of .08% or higher while driving, Oklahoma law presumes you are driving while intoxicated. If you are under 21, a lower BAC may apply to you.
1st DUI
If convicted, you may be sentenced from 10 days up to 1 year in jail, depending on whether aggravating factors are present (over .15 BAC, minor in vehicle at time of arrest, etc.). A court fine of up to $1000 may be imposed. You will also be responsible for other court fees. Your license will be suspended for at least 180 days. SR-22 or FR-44 forms are not required for DUIs in Oklahoma.
2nd DUI
If convicted, you may be sentenced from 1 year up to 5 years in jail, depending on whether aggravating factors are present (over .15 BAC, minor in vehicle at time of arrest, etc.). Fines may be imposed up to $2600. Your license will be suspended for 1 year. You will be required to install an ignition interlock device for four years after your license revocation. SR-22 or FR-44 forms are not required for DUIs in Oklahoma.
The “Top Ten” Car Insurance Companies in Oklahoma
As measured by their respective market share, the top ten insurance companies rated by 2010 market share in the state are as follows:
- STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
- FARMERS INSURANCE COMPANY, INC.
- OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY
- PROGRESSIVE NORTHERN INSURANCE COMPANY
- SHELTER MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY
- ALLSTATE FIRE AND CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY
- PROGRESSIVE DIRECT INSURANCE COMPANY
- UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION
- ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY
- LIBERTY MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY
