Handle the crash first

Call emergency services when needed, move to safety if possible, exchange information, photograph the vehicles and scene, and obtain the report information. Avoid making assumptions at the roadside about who will ultimately pay.

Notify your insurer or agent promptly even when you believe the other driver caused the crash. The Oklahoma Insurance Department advises drivers to report the accident and, when the other driver is uninsured, confirm what uninsured motorist coverage is on the policy.

Separate injuries from damage to the car

Oklahoma uninsured motorist coverage applies to bodily injury and does not pay for damage to your vehicle. Damage to your own car may involve collision coverage, the at-fault driver's property-damage coverage if available, or another route depending on the facts and policy.

This is why the sentence ‘I have uninsured motorist coverage’ does not answer every financial question after the crash. Ask the agency to walk through injuries, vehicle damage, deductible, towing, and temporary transportation separately.

A rental car is not automatic

If you are using your own policy after an at-fault loss, a replacement vehicle is generally not included unless rental reimbursement coverage was purchased. The available amount and number of days depend on the policy.

Ask before renting a vehicle. Confirm whether coverage exists, when it begins, the daily and total limit, and whether the rental company is billing you or the insurer.

Use the policy you actually bought

The declarations page should list the coverages and limits selected, while the policy explains the terms and exclusions. Keep the claim number, adjuster information, estimates, medical records, receipts, and a log of communications together.

If a dispute cannot be resolved with the insurer, the Oklahoma Insurance Department provides consumer assistance and a mediation program. An agency can explain coverage but cannot decide liability or guarantee a claim outcome.

Keep this list handy

Ask these questions about your policy

  1. Do I have uninsured or underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage?
  2. Which coverage could apply to damage to my vehicle?
  3. What deductible would I pay under my own collision coverage?
  4. Did I purchase rental reimbursement, and what are its limits?
  5. What records should I keep while the claim is open?

Sources and further reading

We used the public consumer resources below to prepare this guide. Your declarations page and policy language still control your coverage.