As of 2024, Oklahoma has the 18th highest rate of uninsured motorists in the United States, with 13.4% of vehicles on its roads being uninsured. While this is an improvement from years past when Oklahoma was tied for the third-worst place with an uninsured motorist rate of 24%, it still means that nearly 1 in 7 drivers you pass on the road are uninsured.
The average person will feel the effect of this, even if they are never involved in an accident themselves. As more drivers fail to obtain coverage, insurance providers shift the risk to insured drivers, increasing premiums across the board. And when incidents on the road do happen, the costs go up significantly for everyone involved.
What Is Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage?
Uninsured/Underinsured motorist (UM) is a type of car insurance that protects you and your passengers if you're in an accident with a driver who doesn't have liability insurance or is underinsured. In Oklahoma, the minimum limit that many drivers carry is only $25,000.
If you’re in an accident with someone who isn’t insured or is underinsured, UM can be added on top of the third party insurance policy, providing peace of mind there will be more adequate insurance available for things like:
- Bodily Injury: Injuries to you and your passengers (medical bills, pain/suffering)
- Lost Wages: If you miss work as a result of an accident, you can recover lost wages.
Normally, uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is issued together with liability coverage, but some states—including Oklahoma—do not make this coverage mandatory and you can opt out via a signed waiver. But considering the potential repercussions, we (and most lawyers and insurance professionals) always recommend getting uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Benefits of Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Getting uninsured motorist coverage in Oklahoma offers several benefits, especially considering the high rate of uninsured drivers in the state. This type of coverage can protect you financially if you're involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver. It helps cover medical expenses, repairs, and other costs that the at-fault driver cannot pay. For example, our firm recently represented the victim of a hit-and-run accident and they never found the at-fault driver. Luckily, our client had UM coverage or they wouldn’t have been compensated for their pain and suffering, lost wages, or medical bills.
This coverage is also beneficial because it provides peace of mind and security, ensuring you won’t face huge out-of-pocket expenses after an accident with an uninsured driver.
For more information on UM and how it protects you, contact us.
