Car Insurance Basics: What Does My Policy Cover?
In the event of an auto accident, getting expenses paid for oftentimes comes down to car insurance coverage. But whose insurance company pays and what exactly does it cover?
Oklahoma follows a “fault” insurance system. This means that, in the event of a car accident, the driver who is found to be at fault will be responsible for paying the damages incurred in the crash. Whether you are injured by another driver or at fault for causing an accident, learn what your auto insurance policy may cover.
Oklahoma Liability Requirements
Each state has its own laws regarding minimum car insurance coverage. In Oklahoma, drivers are required to have basic coverage in the following amounts:
-
Bodily Injury Liability Coverage. $25,000 per person or $50,000 per accident
-
Property Damage Liability Coverage: $25,000 damage to another person’s property
It’s important to keep in mind that liability coverage only pays for someone else’s damages if you are responsible for an accident. In other words, if you only buy minimum liability coverage and you cause an accident, you may be responsible for paying your own medical bills and property damage out of your own pocket.
Additional Coverage Options
In order to be financially secure when you’re on the road, you may want to buy additional coverage amounts, such as:
-
Comprehensive. This repairs your vehicle when physical damage is caused by something other than a car accident, such as a fire, flood, falling objects, vandalism, or glass breakage.
-
Collision. This repairs your vehicle damage when it is caused by a collision with another vehicle or object.
-
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist. This covers your damages if you are hit by a driver with no insurance or whose insurance is not sufficient enough to cover the entirety of your damages.
-
Medical Benefits. This covers reasonable and necessary medical or funeral expenses for you and others who are covered under your policy in an accident, regardless of who is at fault for the accident.
In some cases, the minimum liability coverage may not be enough to cover the damages of every person who is involved in the collision. For this reason, you may also want to opt for liability coverage that is more than just the minimum amount required.
Injured in an Accident?
If you’re injured in an auto accident, the last thing you want to do is worry about the stress of the claims process. Please know that you don’t have to go through this process alone, and we don’t want you to.
At Aizenman Law Group, our car accident attorneys are here to stand in your corner during these difficult times. We know from experience that insurance companies will try to deny any injury claim that they can say is not covered. Our legal team will work hard to gather evidence regarding your accident, present it to the insurance company, and negotiate on your behalf for maximum compensation.
Contact our Tulsa personal injury firm at 631-769-8431 to get started with a free consultation.
