According to a recent study, Oklahoma has the third most expensive auto insurance in the country. According to the same report, Tulsa's rates, in particular, were found to be erratic, with significant jumps and dips over time. The study, which was conducted by quote comparison website The Zebra, used pricing data from the previous five years, as well as common variables like state, age, gender, financial behaviors, and so on.
According to the study, the average annual car insurance premium in Oklahoma is $1,989. Tulsa has some of the highest average annual premiums in the state, at $2,126, according to the research. Car owners in Oklahoma City, on the other hand, pay an average of $2,099.
Although rate increases are caused by factors such as speeding, at-fault accidents, and DUIs, the study suggests that weather is the primary cause of Oklahoma's rising premiums.
Over the last five years, Oklahoma has consistently ranked high among the other states in terms of hail damage, according to expert Neil Richardson. He also mentioned the devastating Moore tornadoes, which cost an estimated $2 billion in damages in 2013.
Even though other variables such as collisions and vehicle theft have an impact on rates, it appears that weather has had the greatest impact on auto insurance rates in the Sooner State over the last five years.
In Tulsa, driving a car costs a lot of money. According to an analysis of more than 50 cities in Oklahoma, Tulsa drivers pay an average of $1,446 per year for car insurance, which is more expensive than anywhere else in the state.
Tulsa's average annual rate is more than $200 higher than the state average of $1,229, or 18% higher. The majority of the cities in Oklahoma with the most expensive car insurance, according to the study, are all in the Tulsa area.
The only exception was Oklahoma City, which tied for second place with Broken Arrow with a $1,391 average annual rate. According to the study, all of the top five most expensive cities are densely populated.
People who live in more densely populated cities will be charged more for auto insurance than people who live in more remote areas.” This is due to a higher likelihood of claims rates for acts of vandalism, stolen cars, fraud, and other vehicle claims in densely populated cities.
People in a large city, on the other hand, may have lower insurance premiums than those in a rural area due to discounts or the fact that they've bundled other insurance products under the same insurance company. Many insurance companies also consider the type of vehicle that is driven, which can have an impact on the insurance rate.
Companies' final quotes are determined by the number of claims they've processed and the number of claims they processed in the previous years. The higher the number of claims filed and the higher the cost of those claims, the higher the risk associated with drivers in that area. As a result, insurance companies charge higher rates to drivers in those cities.
Tulsa's higher premiums compared to other cities indicates that it is more expensive for companies to insure Tulsa's drivers, in general. It's also not just the number of claims that contribute to the overall rate; factors like general population density, overall crime, and other risk factors all play a role.
Oklahoma was ranked 50th out of 51 states in WalletHub's study of "2015's Most and Least Risky States for Drivers. The research examined insurance requirements and estimated percentages of uninsured drivers and discovered that the proportion of drivers without insurance ranges from a high of 25.9% in Oklahoma to only 3.9 percent in Massachusetts.
Full coverage insurance
Some people, however, consider a combination of comprehensive, collision, and liability insurance to be full coverage auto insurance. Even though it is not technically correct as some people use the terms comprehensive insurance and full coverage insurance interchangeably. That said, it's essential to understand what different insurance policies cover so you can select the right combination of coverages for you.
What does full coverage auto insurance cover?
Because "full coverage" isn't currently available as a policy option, it doesn't technically cover anything. However, the following three coverages can be combined to create a reliable insurance package that protects you and your passengers:
- Liability Insurance, in the incident of a covered accident in which you are found at fault, this coverage pays for the other party's repairs and injuries.
- Collision Insurance, that could cover damage to your vehicle, but it doesn't cover the vehicle for the other party or anyone else's bodily injuries when you are found in at fault collision.
- Comprehensive insurance, covering certain damages not caused by an impact with another car in your vehicle (for instance, theft, fire, accidents related to weather, and more).
How much is full coverage insurance in Tulsa?
Although insurance companies do not provide "full coverage," you can still put together a dependable auto insurance package that will cover you in the event of a variety of incidents on and off the road. The more coverages you choose, the higher your monthly bill will be.
So, how much does full coverage auto insurance cost you at least? Part of the answer is determined by you and your medical history, as well as the type and amount of insurance you select.
Regardless of the fact that full coverage insurance is a common misconception, you can still put together a policy that will cover you in the event of an accident. Begin an online free quote and select the coverages that are best for you.
So Why Is full coverage rate So Expensive in Tulsa?
We looked at the different types of coverage to see why the full coverage rate in Tulsa is so high. So, while liability coverage will allow you to drive legally, it is insufficient in terms of coverage and will not provide you with much financial protection in the event of an accident.
Naturally, you'll want to try to include collision and comprehensive coverage in your policy. This is where things get tricky because you'll have to work out individual clauses. You set yourself up a high premium when adding uninsured and underinsured coverage.
So, why are the prices for these various insurance policies so high? It is mainly because the insurance company bets on your chances of no accident. Different accident stats and data points have been collected for decades in the business. Therefore, they can adequately estimate and adjust their prices for the risks involved in a specific situation. When multiple insurance packages are combined, the company must calculate these odds and apply them to each scenario.
Another reason for the high prices is that modern vehicles have become extremely expensive to repair. However, as technology has progressed and our cars have become more like mobile computers, a variety of sensors, cameras, and other equipment have been integrated into the bumpers.
As a result, a similar incident today could cost tens of thousands of dollars in damages.
Constant improvements have reduced accidents, both in active and passive safety systems, but at very little cost. Older vehicles, on the other hand, are more vulnerable to accidents and often pose a greater risk of injury, and this is why their costs aren't much lower.
In conclusion
In many ways, the full coverage rate is something we must accept. Most states require some form of insurance to legally operate a motor vehicle, so it's a necessary evil. Changing your perspective may be the best way to deal with this.
Consider it a way of ensuring your safety, both financially and in terms of your health, rather than a significant but unnecessary expense. You'll have the peace of mind of knowing you'll be taken care of if you have adequate coverage that will cover you in the unfortunate event of a serious accident.
Additional Resources
All about auto insurance in Tulsa
All about full coverage insurance
How to find cheap liability car insurance
How to find the cheapest auto insurance rate
Tips to save money on car insurance in Tulsa
Auto insurance coverage for Tulsa drivers