Are You Really Covered? What To Review in Your Auto Insurance Policy

Auto insurance is legally required in Oklahoma, but having the right auto insurance coverage in Oklahoma is one of the most important financial protections you can have. It covers medical bills, vehicle repairs, and potential lawsuits. Yet many drivers don’t fully understand what their policy actually covers until it’s too late.

The National Safety Council reports that the average cost of a motor vehicle accident ranges from $6,000 to over $1.9 million depending on severity. Meanwhile, average premiums in Oklahoma were around $1,258 per year in 2022 according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. That’s a significant investment and understanding what you’re paying for can make the difference between peace of mind and a financial crisis.

At Aizenman Law Group, our auto accident lawyers help injured drivers across Oklahoma navigate their insurance claims and hold providers accountable when they don’t meet expectations.

Why You Need to Review Your Auto Policy Before an Accident

Too many drivers assume that once they have an auto insurance policy, they’re fully protected. But policies are filled with limitations, exclusions, and fine print that can leave you responsible for thousands of dollars out of pocket.

If you’re unsure what your coverage includes, here’s what to check first.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM)

Uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage is designed to protect you when the at-fault driver either has no insurance or doesn’t have enough to cover your damages. In Oklahoma, this is a real concern with 11.8% of drivers uninsured, according to the Insurance Research Council.

While not mandatory, 36 Okla. Stat. § 3636 requires that insurers offer UM/UIM coverage to every policyholder. If you decline it, you must sign a waiver stating so. This coverage can protect you from devastating out-of-pocket costs, especially after a hit-and-run or serious crash.

Medical Payments Coverage (Med Pay)

Med Pay is another optional policy feature that can make a big difference. It covers immediate medical expenses after an accident, regardless of who caused it. This includes ambulance rides, emergency care, and follow-up treatments.

Why is this important in Oklahoma? Because it’s an at-fault state. That means whoever caused the accident is responsible for paying damages. But disputes over fault can delay payment. Med Pay gives you faster access to funds for injuries, especially if you’re without health insurance or facing steep deductibles.

It also applies if you’re hit as a pedestrian or passenger, which many policyholders don’t realize.

Liability Limits

Liability coverage pays for injuries or property damage you cause to others in an accident. But every policy has limits, if the damage exceeds those limits, you’re on the hook for the rest.

Oklahoma’s minimum legal requirements under 47 Okla. Stat. § 7-103 are:

$25,000 for injury to one person
$50,000 total for injuries per accident
$25,000 for property damage

These limits haven’t changed in years, even though the cost of medical care and vehicle repair continues to rise. That’s why many drivers increase their liability coverage beyond the minimums.

Knowing your policy’s liability limits is essential because if a third-party claim exceeds your limits, you may have to cover the remaining costs out of pocket. Since you can opt for higher limits in your coverage, it is essential to first consider the common types of injuries or property damage that may be caused by an accident, as well as the typical costs associated with treating and compensating for these damages.

Policy Exclusions

Damaged red car from a front-end collision — What happens when your auto insurance doesn’t cover enough

One of the most overlooked sections in an insurance policy is the list of exclusion scenarios where coverage does not apply. These vary between insurance companies, but common exclusions include:

If the accident was caused knowingly.
If the injured is an employee of the policyholder and the accident happened in the course of employment.
If the vehicle was being used to carry others for a fee.
If the vehicle was being used without the implied or express permission of the owner.
If the vehicle was being used to commit a crime.

Always read the fine print before signing. If your situation falls into an excluded category, your insurer can deny your claim, even if you’ve paid your premiums on time for years.

Common Misunderstandings About Auto Insurance in Oklahoma

Many drivers hold assumptions about their insurance coverage that don’t match reality. Here are a few examples that often lead to denied claims or unexpected costs:

UM/UIM coverage will cover property damage: Even if you get the additional UM/UIM coverage, it will only pay for medical care following an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver. The best way to ensure your insurer pays for property damage in the event of an accident is by obtaining collision or comprehensive coverage.
The extent of Med Pay subrogation rights: Under Med Pay coverage, if your insurer pays for your medical care, you can still recover damages from the at-fault party, and you won’t have to pay it back to your insurer. While that is correct, it will only apply to the named insured and their household members. Guests in the car who are also covered by Med Pay may have to reimburse the insurer for any money they recover.
The driver’s insurance is what matters in an accident: For auto accidents, the vehicle’s insurance is what is relevant, not the driver’s. So, if someone else gets into an accident while driving your car, any claims made will be against your insurance.
Legal limits are enough: The legally required auto insurance is to protect you from lawsuits if you’re ever in an accident that the other driver will ordinarily sue you for. To ensure your property damage and bodily injuries are covered even when you may be at fault, you need to consider other optional coverages.

When You Realize You’re Not Fully Covered

Insurance companies are businesses. Their goal is to reduce what they pay out. If you find yourself in a situation where your policy isn’t enough, or worse, where you’ve been misled about what’s covered, you may need legal help.

A qualified insurance claim lawyer can assist you by:

Investigating the accident to help reduce your liability
Challenging improper exclusions or misrepresentation by the insurer
Negotiating settlements with both insurers and injured parties
Protecting your assets if you’re being sued
Filing a bad faith insurance claim if your insurer acted unfairly

What If the Insurance Company Misrepresented Your Coverage?

Misleading policy explanations are unfortunately common. Some insurance agents may gloss over exclusions or give verbal assurances that aren’t in the written policy.

If you relied on false or incomplete information when selecting your coverage, Oklahoma law may support a legal claim for wrongful denial. This is where our insurance claim attorneys can step in.

We examine the full history of your policy, communications with the insurer, and any misleading or deceptive practices. When necessary, we file lawsuits for breach of contract or bad faith.

Contact an Insurance Claim Lawyer at Aizenman Law Group

Insurance companies are required to act in good faith, but that doesn’t always happen. If you’ve been denied coverage or discovered your policy doesn’t protect you the way you expected, Aizenman Law Group is ready to help.

Our Tulsa-based insurance claim lawyers help clients across Oklahoma recover the compensation they deserve after accidents and unfair claim denials. Whether you were hurt in a car accident or left without the coverage you thought you had, we’ll stand by your side.

Call Aizenman Law Group at 918-215-8856 any time day or night for a no-cost consultation.