If you're planning to drive in Oklahoma, the state requires you to carry a minimum amount of car insurance with liability coverage, so remember not to drive without it. You should purchase your insurance as soon as you register your vehicle. Of course, you have to have your proof of insurance if you’re involved in an accident or get pulled over for a traffic violation.
It’s not a rosy picture if you’re caught driving without insurance. If you’re pulled over without insurance coverage, you will be fined. If you rack up a third offense, your license will be suspended indefinitely. Drivers pulled over and found to be driving without insurance face finesup to $250 as well as up to 30 days in jail. It’s also possible to have you license and registration suspended.
You’ll likely also see your car insurance rates go up, once you do decide to purchase car insurance. The moral is that even securing cheap car insurance for yourself could save you greatly in the long run.
Each state offers a breakdown of how much insurance coverage you should carry with you at all times. This is known as the “minimum liability amount.” In Oklahoma, bodily injury for one person should be $25,000; bodily injury liability insurance for all injuries should be $50,000; property damage should cover $25,000.
Some states require drivers to carry Uninsured/Underinsured (UM/UIM) Motorist Coverage, which protects you against loss or damage caused by an accident involving a driver who either does not have insurance, Oklahoma does require its drivers to carry this coverage.
Then there’s what’s known as no fault insurance. In Oklahoma, drivers are not required to carry no fault insurance because it’s a tort state, meaning that the driver at fault in a collision must pay a victim’s medical expenses and can be held liable for additional damages. Such additional damages may include lost wages or compensation for pain and suffering stemming from the accident.
Though these are the minimum amounts for insurance coverage required in the state, smart drivers know that additional coverage is needed to protect against all circumstances on the road. Remember, there’s no perfect amount of insurance coverage for each person. But a little research and knowing your level of comfort with risk can help you decide what’s best for you.