Thanksgiving is here! In addition to putting lots of turkey, dressing, and pumpkin pie on their dinner plates, many of us will also be putting lots of miles on our cars as we travel to spend time with those we love.
With the extra traffic on the roadway, accidents are more likely, especially with the number of people celebrating the holidays with alcohol. That’s why the National Safety Council has estimated more than 500 people will die this weekend in automobile collisions.
If you are traveling this Thanksgiving, make sure you’ve done all you can to protect your family from harm.
1. Make sure your automobile insurance is up to date.
Your insurance is there to protect you if and when you need it. Before you travel this holiday season, ensure your coverage is up-to-date.
2. Know your insurance coverage.
Automobile insurance policies can provide several different types coverage.
- Liability Coverage is the most basic type of coverage. Liability insurance is required by law and pays for damage you cause to others in a collision. If you cause a crash and damage someone else or their property, liability Coverage pays so you don’t have to.
- Collision Coverage pays for damage to your vehicle, less your deductible, when you get into a crash. This type of coverage pays for damage to your property regardless of who is at-fault for a collision. Comprehensive Coverage pays for damage to your vehicle by causes other than a crash, like vandalism, weather, and theft. Comprehensive coverage only provides benefits that are outside your control. Together, Collision and Comprehensive Coverages are commonly referred to as “Full Coverage.” When combined, these 2 coverages provide benefits for the most common causes of property loss. However, the term is somewhat misleading because it doesn’t provide any benefits if your body is injured in a car crash.
- Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist (“UM”) Coverage provides you benefits when you have been hurt in an accident caused by someone else. Although the at-fault driver is responsible for carrying Liability Coverage for harms he or she causes, often times there simply isn’t enough insurance coverage. In Oklahoma, the minimum Liability Coverage required by law is $25,000. An ambulance ride, treatment in the emergency room, and medical imaging like an MRI or CAT scan can easily exceed $25,000. If you have more in damages than the at-fault driver has in Liability Coverage, your UM Coverage pays so you don’t have to. UM Coverage also comes into play when an at-fault driver doesn’t have any insurance. Recent estimates show nearly 15% of Oklahoma drivers have no insurance. When one of these drivers causes you injury, you’ve got no recourse without UM Coverage.
- Medical Payments (“Medpay”) Coverage provides benefits for medical treatment received for injuries caused by a car crash. Medpay Coverage benefits are payable regardless of who caused a crash.
3. Know your insurance policy limits.
Every automobile insurance policy has a set limit on the amount an insurance company will pay. If you have Oklahoma’s state minimum Liability Coverage and cause a crash, your insurance policy will only pay up to $50,000 for injuries suffered by other drivers and only up to $25,000 per person. If an injured driver has significant injuries or dies, you may be responsible for damages in excess of your Liability Coverage. Luckily, insurance carriers will allow you to buy insurance coverage above the state minimum to make sure your family’s finances are protected.
4. Make sure your car is safe to travel.
It’s always a good idea to make sure your automobile is in good shape before any trip. Making sure your oil is changed, your tires are properly inflated, and your head / tail lights are in working order can go a long way in making your trip as safe as can be.
Contact us today at (405) 643-6828 or fill out our form online to learn more about how we can help you.
Sources:
- https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/holidays/thanksgiving-day/
- https://www.moneygeek.com/insurance/auto/resources/uninsured-motorist-facts/
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