It's no overstatement that car insurance can be pricey. But it's a necessity that every citizen wishing to drive legally must invest in. There are ways to find cheap auto insurance in or around Tulsa.
What Type Of Car Insurance Is Required By Law In Oklahoma?
Oklahoma drivers — no matter what city they're in — are required to carry:
- $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 in property damage liability
Drivers may also be required to carry uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage for $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
This isn't the only insurance you will want to invest in, however. Liability insurance only covers damages you cause to other people. It doesn't provide compensation for damages or injuries done to you, your passengers or your property. To be properly covered, drivers should invest in comprehensive, collision, personal injury protection and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on top of the required liability coverages.
How Much Does Auto Insurance Cost in Tulsa, Oklahoma?
On average, drivers in Tulsa may pay $823.51 a year, which makes it cheaper than the national annual average. For liability, collision and comprehensive coverage, Tulsa drivers pay an average of $68.62 a month.
Ways To Save Money On Car Insurance In Tulsa, Oklahoma
Some aspects that affect car insurance rates are out of your control, such as your age and gender. There are many ways a driver can save on car insurance, however.
Ask about discounts.
Insurance agencies generally offer many different discounts. See if you qualify for a Mature Driver discount, Good Student discount, Loyalty discount or Military discount.
Improve your credit score.
Having a high credit score can reduce your car insurance premiums. Pay off loans or cards to boost your credit score.
Drive cheaper vehicles.
Older and cheaper vehicles typically cost less to insure.
Drive safely.
Having a clean driving record can save you a ton of money on auto insurance premiums.
Consider bundling home and auto insurance.
This can often lower your premium rates.
Reduce extra coverages.
There are some coverages you may not need for your vehicle, so there's no need to pay for them every month.
Reducing Your Auto Insurance Rates
- You likely want to carry a policy that you can afford. Tulsa drivers can expect to pay, on average, about $2,200 per year for auto insurance. You can often better manage prices by using discounts and deductible adjustments.
Multiple insurance companies offer discounts to help their policyholders afford coverage. These might include safe driver discounts, auto-payment discounts and accident-free discounts.
- Most insurance policies come with a deductible. By increasing your deductible amount, you show that you can handle more of the cost burden of an accident. Therefore, your insurer might decrease your rates because you carry less of a cost risk.
- Safe driving often leads to rate reductions. If you keep a clean driving record, it helps demonstrate that you are a low-risk driver. Your rates may go down over time.
Additional Tips to Find Cheap Car Insurance in Tulsa
The average cost of car insurance in Tulsa is slightly lower than the national average. Drivers in Tulsa pay an average of $823.51 a year, compared to the U.S. average of $889.01. The specific rate you will pay depends on a variety of factors, some of which are out of your control. The factors in your control, however, can be used to get cheaper car insurance rates.
Common factors that influence car insurance rates include:
Your age
Your gender
Your driving history
Value and model of vehicle
Location
Coverage limits
Credit history
Your age and gender are two factors you can't control. Car insurance for drivers below the age of 25 is higher than older drivers, and men tend to have higher car insurance premiums than women. While you can't control these two facts, you can control others.
Your driving history heavily influences car insurance rates. Drivers with a bad driving record (such as multiple tickets, driving violations or DUIs) must pay higher insurance rates because they're seen as more likely to file an insurance claim. The type of vehicle you insure matters, as well. Certain vehicles have a higher rate of being stolen, which makes them more expensive to insure. The same can be said for expensive vehicles and vehicles that are modified for speed.
In order to lower your car insurance rates, there are a few steps you can take:
Practice defensive driving. Drive carefully to avoid accidents and traffic violations. Even multiple speeding tickets can increase your insurance rates.
Insure cheaper, safer vehicles. Vehicles with high safety ratings are not only good for protection, but also cost less to insure. Avoid sports cars and brand-new cars.
Build your credit score. You may build your credit through paying off credit cards and setting up auto drafts for bills.
Cut out unnecessary coverage. This doesn't mean you should only have the minimal liability coverage required by the state of Oklahoma. But it can be prudent to prune some coverage options that no longer pay their weight. For example, if you have an older vehicle that's paid off, you may not want comprehensive coverage. Speak with a Cheapest Auto Insurance agent about what type of coverage at which amount that your vehicle really needs.
Search for discounts. There are plenty of discounts available for all types of drivers, such as Good Driver discounts, Mature Driver discounts and Good Student Discounts.
Car insurance costs in Tulsa rank the most expensive in the
nation, with car insurance costs in Oklahoma being in the top 20 most expensive
states. Key factors which determine the cost of car insurance in Tulsa include
the insurance company that a driver opts for in most cases and to some extent,
where they live.
On average a driver pays about the basic liability coverage in
Tulsa is about $1,229 per year whereas annual rates can vary from $700 per year
at the most affordable auto insurance company to $1,800 at the most expensive insurer.
This means that it is always appropriate for drivers to compare quotes
so that they can get good rates for themselves.
Due to this, I have identified 3 secret ways to get cheaper car
insurance in Tulsa.
These can help a driver to get a better deal and also get value for their money too. They are as follows:
Age-based and multiple vehicle discounts
One way of getting cheaper car insurance in Tulsa can be by seeking discounts depending on the age of the driver and also the number of cars he or she owns. Many young drivers may not know this, but ones age is a key factor in determining the car insurance premium. Premiums are often lowered once you hit 25 years old, with discounts of up to 20% at times even though other factor such as driving record and marital status are always considered too.
Drivers aged between 25 and 55 years are more likely to get cheap car insurance premiums as compared to teenagers and the elderly. This is because the age group is always considered amongst the safest drivers.
Multiple car owners can also get discounted premiums and cheap insurance rates if they get a blanket policy with once insurer. Consolidating the vehicles onto one insurance policy when looking for cheap insurance coverage can come along with benefits such as reduction in monthly premiums and also multiple drivers can be added to the policy hence resulting in reduced auto premiums.
Comparison Shop Using an Online Service
Getting cheap car insurance in Tulsa isn’t as difficult as it used to be some years ago. There are so many car insurance agents located all around Tulsa, and with some available exclusively online, there are plenty of options to choose from. The difficult part is to sort them out in order to make sure you are getting the most affordable rates but at the same time, ensuring that you get the amount of coverage you need.
When looking for cheap car insurance, a comparison shop can help one to get the prices of the different premiums and what they cover. Next you’ll do some online research to find out the online car insurance options. One can also engage friends and family so that they get to share experience regarding the various insurance agents, their services and the costs so as to make an informed decision.
Merge your policies to one company and stay loyal
Consolidating all your policies to one company such as home, auto and boat among others, can reduce the hassles one makes each time and also reduce the overall insurance premium. Staying loyal to a company can lead to rewards in this case reduced premiums as more companies are nowadays moving towards rewarding some of their most loyal clients. Once you identify a good insurance company that offers a good premium for the coverage you need, develop a relationship with them.
Car Insurance Discounts in Tulsa
Are you paying too much for car insurance premiums? Every driver in Tulsa has to have minimum liability insurance in case they cause an accident and most drivers who are financing their cars also have to have full coverage and collision damage too. Insurance isn’t just the law, it’s a smart way to protect your assets as well. If all of this coverage is taking too big of a chunk out of your household budget, here are some tips to help you reduce the cost. The best way to get a great deal on auto insurance in the Sooner State is to make sure you’re getting every discount available to you.
Discounts Based On The Way You Pay Your Premiums
Running a car insurance company isn’t easy. There is a ton of administrative work behind the scenes. One way insurance companies can keep admin costs down is to have reliable customers that pay on time. They are more than willing to pass some savings along to you if you do one of the following things:
- Set up reoccurring auto-draft payments monthly.
- Pay 6 months in advance.
- Pay your premium yearly in one lump sum.
- Go paperless!
- You can view statements and pay bills online.
Customer Loyalty Discounts
It’s easier to keep a customer than to find new ones. Insurance companies will show you some love for being loyal to them and for spreading the word to family and friends. You can get customer loyalty discounts such as:
- Multi-driver
- Multi-car
- Insurance plan bundling
- Long time customer
Discounts For Super Safe Drivers
This is a no-brainer. People that have a clean driving record with no tickets and people who haven’t made a lot of past claims are pretty safe bets in the insurance world. The less risk you are, the cheaper you are to insure. Safe drivers can get discounts for:
- Driving older cars or cars with specific safety features
- Having no tickets Being accident-free and claim-free
- Living in an area with a low crime rate or having a secure parking place
- Having only adult drivers over a certain age on your plan
- Being married
Discounts Just For Being Who You Are
On top of all these discounts, you can also get a reduced rate because of the job you have or certain organizational affiliations. Some insurance companies will give employer discounts or discounts based on your professions such as first responders or teachers. Who a company decided to give discounts to could impact how much you end up paying for your premiums so it’s always a good idea to shop around and check out the rates and discounts available at each insurance company for the type of coverage you need.
Driving Class Discounts: Defensive driving classes can help drivers re-learn the rules of the road and brush up on their driving skills. If you take a class, you can develop safer driving habits. This can potentially lower your risk in the eyes of your insurer. If you can prove you passed one of these classes, you might get see your rates decrease.
Low Mileage Discounts: Maybe you live in an area where you can take public transportation or walk to do errands. This lifestyle reduces the time you spend behind the wheel. By cutting back on your driving times, you might lessen your chances of needing to file a claim on your policy. As a result, you might become less expensive to ensure. And you'll see the benefit with lower premiums.
Automatic Payments and Renewal: Insurers like to have reliable customers. Those who pay their premiums on time or through automatic withdrawals won't put the company in a bind. They might receive discounts as a result. Furthermore, insurers also like dedicated customers. If you stay with the same provider year over year, you might qualify for loyalty discounts.
Student Discounts: Those in school and with good academic standing might qualify for reduced rates.
Bundling Savings: If you buy more than one policy from the same company, your insurance company might reward your dedication. You might only pay a combined premium from both policies, which could lead to a savings.
Finding Insurance After an Accident
It’s no secret that at-fault accidents and tickets can dramatically raise your auto insurance premiums. Collision claims, speeding tickets, and other violations like DUI can turn you into a “high-risk” driver. If you become too high-risk then your insurance company might drop you completely, leaving your scrambling for new insurance. Not to fear, there are auto insurance companies out there that specialize in offering affordable auto insurance to high-risk drivers.
After an at-fault accident, your rates could go up quite a bit, as much as 95% in some cases. Right now State Farm has the most forgiving plan with the first accident being just a 37% increase, compared to Geico with a 58% increase. The amount of risk has a lot to do with these rates and they might be different for different people.
What To Do When Your Rates Are Raised
The first thing people often do after their rates are increased is to start looking at other companies. Shopping around for auto insurance is the best way to save money as all companies have different rates and policies in relation to safe driving. You can also contact the Oklahoma Department of Motor Vehicles and request a copy of your driving record. Especially if you think an error has been made, get a copy and review it to make sure it is accurate. Sometimes you can have a first-time offender ticket removed if you take a driving class.
What If You Can’t Find Auto Insurance In Tulsa After An Accident Or Tickets?
If a major chain insurance company will not insure you, then check out some of the niche specialty shops that cater to high-risk drivers like The General or Acceptance. If you have no luck there, your last option is to join the Assigned Risk Pool run by the state of Oklahoma. Most states have a high-risk pool for people who are otherwise uninsurable.
How To Lower Your Rates After Being Labeled A High-Risk Driver?
Even if you’ve made mistakes, you can redeem yourself and get back to the normal more affordable rates you were once receiving. It just takes time and a little hard work. Here are some tips to getting back into the good graces of any insurance company:
Try not to file claims unless absolutely necessary - Sometimes you can’t help it, but if the damages are small, consider paying out of pocket to avoid the black mark on your record.
Work towards excellent credit - You might be shocked to find out that poor credit can affect your ability to get affordable auto insurance. You can save up to $1,500 a year by improving your credit score. Pay off debt, get current with past-due payments, and make all payments on time.
Wait For Violations To Expire - Tickets don’t stay on your record forever. If you only have one ticket you might be able to get it removed from your record by meeting certain conditions. If you have several, wait the clock out for them to fall off your driving report. By going three years without a ticket or claim can help give you receive a Safe Driver discount that can lower your auto insurance quote.
Looking for the cheapest car insurance rate in Tulsa, Oklahoma? Make sure to get the minimum amount of car insurance at the best prices available by working with a broker. Ideally you would never want to have an accident but your car insurance broker is your trusted advisor for all things related to car accidents and claims. They can work with you to get you the cheapest rates no matter what set of circumstances you are in. Your location, age, type of car and other factors will help determine your car insurance rates.
In some states, each party’s insurance pays for their own damages, regardless of who is at fault for the accident. The state of Oklahoma has an “at-fault” policy for car insurance. This means that if one party is determined to be the cause of the accident, their insurance will pay for all the damages. So it’s more important than ever to use defensive driving techniques to avoid causing an accident.
More Detailed Information About “At-Fault” States
There are both pros and cons to having an “at-fault” policy for drivers. It punishes reckless driving and helps lower accident rates by making drivers more focused while on the road. It also rewards safe drivers, is that their insurance premiums are not at risk of going up due to someone’s else’s careless driving. The biggest con to an “at-fault” state is that the process of determining who is at fault for the accident can take time and cause settlement delays.
Tips To Follow If You Are In A Car Accident In Tulsa, Oklahoma
They call them “accidents” for a reason, sometimes they can’t be helped. If you find yourself in a fender bender or car crash with another car, follow these tips. First get to a safe place off the main road, all parties must exchange contact and insurance information and report the accident to local authorities. After that, it’s a good idea to contact your insurance company right away. You’re going to be asked a lot of questions so try to keep notes of weather and driving conditions, collect contact information of any witnesses to the accident and do not make any statements of guilt before talking to a lawyer or your car insurance agent. Avoid step penalties and loss of your license by making sure you have the lawful minimum liability insurance. It is very important that you hold the state minimum auto coverage that includes $25,000 bodily injury liability per person up to $50,000 per accident and $35,000 in property damage.
Moving to Tulsa? Here are some Tips!
Tulsa is Oklahoma's second-largest city. As a result, it has an exceedingly diverse and international population.
If you are a foreign national who plans to move to the Oil Capital of the World, you might wonder about your legal requirements when it comes to driving. Do you have to get a new driver's license? What about car insurance?
Licensing Rules And Regulations
Moving to Tulsa means establishing residency in the state. Therefore, you must abide by the state's driver licensing laws.
If you plan to stay in Oklahoma temporarily, then you might not have to get a state driver's license. However, you will likely still need to get an International Driving Permit (IDP). This is a permit that recognizes that your home country allows you to drive. Keep in mind, you likely still will have to carry your existing license in addition to the IDP.
However, you'll likely have to get an Oklahoma driver's license in most circumstances. Generally, this has to do with whether you establish full-time residency in the state. For example, if you accept a job, buy a home or plan to become a U.S. citizen, you will likely have to get an Oklahoma license. You also will have to follow a timeline to do so.
In sum, you must prove that you are a legal visitor to the U.S., or that you are a U.S. citizen, to get an Oklahoma license.
Regular car maintenance can lower your risk of accidents which, in time, can lead to lower car insurance rates. Not taking care of your car can lead to damages and even cause collisions on the road. Keep accidents from raising your rates in Tulsa, Oklahoma by routinely checking up on your car’s health. Here are just three of the most important car maintenance areas to check regularly.
Clean Cars Are Safe Cars
Muddy windshields and mirrors obstruct your view, making it more dangerous to drive. Keep your windows and mirrors clean at all times. This includes clearing off the entire window space when covered with ice and snow, never clear just a small space for you to barely see out of. Make sure the roof and hood are also clear of mud, snow or ice as this can fly up or slide down on to your front window. Repair broken, cracked windows as soon as possible. Be sure to replace windshield wipers on time as well.
Don’t Let The Lights Go Out
Not only is it dangerous to drive with your headlines, tail lights or turn signals not working, it’s against the law. Having dim or missing lighting can make it hard for other cars to see you at night. Driving when your turn signal is out makes it hard for other drivers to anticipate your next move. Reduce both accidents and traffic ticket risk by making sure your lights are always operational. The majority of the time a light stops working it is a simple bulb replacement issue.
Kick The Tires
The phrase “kick the tires” refers to checking a car over for maintenance issues that starts with seeing what shape the tires are in. Driving on under (or over) inflated tires can lead to loss of control or skidding. Bad tires can cause longer stopping times making it hard for you to avoid hitting other cars or objects on the road. Balding tires are also unsafe to drive on, a major blow out at high speeds can cause quite an accident. Check tire pressure, check tire tread and rotate or replace as needed.
In addition to these three top maintenance tips, you also want to make sure to keep brake fluid, coolant levels, wiper fluid and oil changes. Keeping your car in perfect working order will help you avoid tickets, accidents and higher insurance rates.
Don't Overpay for Insurance
In Oklahoma, and in all 50 states across the US, you need to have auto insurance if you want to own or drive a car. Not only is liability insurance a requirement, but having full coverage can save you from financial ruin in the face of a big accident. Just because we need it, however, is no reason to overpay for it. Here are five tips to make sure you are getting the most suitable coverage for the cheapest rates in 2020.
Figure Out What Car Insurance Is Best For You
Everyone needs minimum coverage liability to drive but if you bought a car using a bank’s money and are making car payments then you’ll be required to take out additional insurance. Even if you paid cash for your car, you might want collision or full coverage to help cover your own costs after an accident since liability only covers the other party. If you only drive cars you don’t own, or you drive rarely, there might be some special policies that can save you money. Have an insurance broker help you figure out what coverage you need and what the limits and deductibles should be.
Not All Car Insurance Costs The Same - Shop Around
Car insurance is all about risk aversion and rates are based on complicated statistical tables of data. You would think that means that all car insurance premiums would be the same but that’s not the case. Each company packages their policies differently based on their goals and business models. Shop around and find out the policies, discounts, and premiums each company has to offer.
The Way You Pay Impacts How Much You Pay
It costs car insurance companies less money on the administration side if you pay upfront or elect to do an auto-draft from your bank account each month. They will reward you with a discount on your premiums for doing this.
Find Every Last Discount
All auto insurance companies offer discounts that you can take advantage of to lower your costs. There are discounts for safe driving, car safety features, professional designations, group affiliations, good students, and more. Make sure that your insurer knows enough about you to apply all the great discounts you’ve earned.
Keep A Clean Driving Record
Better drivers save insurance companies money and they want to attract all the best drivers with discounts and avoid bad drivers by charging higher rates for them. Having a clean driving record means that you have no speeding tickets or other moving violations. Of course, you can never ever drive impaired or let unlicensed drivers sit in the driver’s seat. Avoiding accidents with defensive driving or not driving in hazardous conditions will also help. Often, an insurance company will offer a discount for people who have completed an official defensive driving course. It can take years to repair your driving record once it’s degraded and the rates you pay will be much higher.
How to Find Cheap Insurance for your Teen
Having a child learn to drive in Tulsa is both exciting and nerve-wracking as a parent. It’s an inevitable right of passage towards adulthood and a very proud moment but cars can be dangerous things and teen drivers tend to get into a hefty percentage of the accidents especially with Tulsa Traffic. Driving too fast and distracted driving are among the top reasons for teen accidents and they are both highly preventable. Your concern is well earned but there are some things you can do to help transition your teen, and yourself, into the world of safe driving.
Update Your Auto Insurance Company
Before your teen hits the road, make sure to update your auto insurance policy. Unfortunately, teens are such a high-risk category of drivers that adding them to your policy will be costly. It can increase your premiums by 44% for a single-car family. It can increase even more so if your teen has their own car. Basically, the more cars the teen has access to, the higher the cost of insurance premiums. Sometimes getting good grades or taking safety classes can give you discounted auto insurance.
Teens Need A Lot Of Practice
While some parents might feel a bit anxious about being in the car with their teens behind the wheel, new drivers need a lot of practice. Before you send them out into the busy streets of Tulsa, Oklahoma they need to clock as much time driving alone with you as possible. Have them drive under different weather conditions and road conditions as possible, take different routes to familiar places, and practice highway driving.
Set The Ground Rules
Some parents make a safe driving contract with their teens that include things like not texting and driving, limiting the number of passengers, wearing seatbelts, and more. Teens with a clean driving record are cheaper car insurance costs and have fewer accidents.
Teach Vehicle Responsibility
Driving a car is one thing, owning one is another. Right from the start teach your teen what it takes to maintain and care for the car. Making them at least partially responsible for things like gas and insurance can help with that. Teach them basic car repair they may have to do on the road like changing a tire or at least how to move their car off the road safely and what to do while they wait for help. Talk about when and how to get gas, check the tires and fluids, and keep the windows and mirrors clean.
Know Your State Laws
Many states now have graduated licenses which means there will be a series of steps to go through before the license is complete. The graduated license includes practice hours, limiting passengers or other persons under the age of 18 in the car, the time of day the teen can drive, and more. These laws are subject to change to keep up to date with them. Make sure teens know to have their proof of insurance card on them when they drive.
New to Cheapest Auto Insurance?
Tulsa is a quickly growing city which means that in certain parts the price of insurance will increase. At Cheapest Auto Insurance we can always find you the best rate for your and your vehicle. Call us at 918-744-5145 to speak to a live agent or for an online quote click here!