When the wind comes sweeping down the plain the waving wheat might smell sweet, but what lurks behind might not be so kind. Oklahoma lies in the heart of tornado alley and most residents are savvy to the benefits of having an emergency plan in case of a twister. If you have collision and comprehensive coverages on your Oklahoma auto insurance policy, you're safe from paying hefty out-of-pocket costs to repair or replace your vehicle in the event it is damaged, totaled or whirled away in a serious storm. If your car is flipped over, you will be reimbursed for repairs with collision insurance. Comprehensive coverage takes care of the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle caused by things like windstorms, falling objects, hail and flooding. Buying these coverages in a bundle will allot discounts resulting in lower Oklahoma auto insurance rates.

Unlawful Travel
Drivers in The Sooner State must purchase liability insurance in the minimum amounts of $25,000 for personal injury per person, $50,000 for personal injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage to drive legally. Oklahomans paid an average of $373 for liability insurance in 2007, around $100 less than the U.S. average, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Even though Oklahoma auto insurance rates are lower than average, unfortunately not everyone upholds the law. The Insurance Research Council (IRC) estimates around 24 percent of Oklahoma drivers were driving without insurance in 2007. The IRC calculated this percentage by comparing the number of claims made by people who were injured by uninsured drivers to the number of claims made by individuals injured by insured drivers. For this reason, investing in uninsured motorist coverage (UM) is worthwhile even though you'll have slightly higher Oklahoma auto insurance rates. UM compensates policyholders and their families if they sustain bodily injuries caused by an uninsured motorist or a hit-and-run driver. The IRC determined there was a strong correlation between uninsured drivers and the unemployment rate. Needless to say, this problem is ongoing. The IRC projects the uninsured driver population will rise from 13.8 percent in 2007 to 16.1 in 2010.

Safe and Snug
When it comes down to it, your family's wellbeing is worth the cost of quality Oklahoma auto insurance. However, the monetary sacrifice doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg, especially if you shop competing insurance companies and seek out discounts available to you. If your vehicle is equipped with a burglar alarm, tracking device or safety mechanisms, you will find discounts on your Oklahoma auto insurance rates. Anti-lock brakes, automatic seatbelts, and front and side airbags will not only save you some cash, but they'll help keep your family out of harm's way when you're out on the road. LocalInsurance is a free service that queries competing companies in your area in order to locate the best auto insurance coverage for the most affordable price. Simply visit LocalInsurance.com, fill out an easy form and then relax and breathe in the redbuds while representatives work for you.

To find more information on the auto insurance requirements in Oklahoma, visit these useful links: