Farmers Insurance: Nov.1 Will Dramatically Impact Oklahoma Drivers

Farmers Insurance is advising Oklahoma residents that a new law, which goes into effect on Nov. 1, will have a significant effect on all drivers, especially those who drive without proper automobile insurance.

The new measure, Senate Bill 272, which was signed into law by Gov. Mary Fallin in May, limits the amount that uninsured drivers can recover in most accidents. Those drivers who are already in compliance with the state’s mandatory auto insurance laws will not be immediately impacted by the new regulation.

Even with the new law, automobile drivers who are involved in an accident which they did not cause, will be eligible to recover the costs of medical care, property damage and lost income resulting from the accident.

However, uninsured drivers, or those drivers who are not in compliance with the state’s mandatory auto insurance laws, will not be able to also collect any “pain and suffering” damages which may have resulted from an accident.

While there are exceptions to this requirement, such as when the injury is caused by a driver who was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the new law is expected to reduce “pain and suffering” awards in the state, with the hope that this will encourage more Oklahomans to comply with the law to have, at a minimum, auto liability coverage on all their vehicles.

It is currently estimated that 25 percent of Oklahomans are not complying with this law.

With this new measure, Oklahoma joins many other states across the country that have similar laws in place.

Source: Farmers Insurance Group of Companies

Topics Legislation Personal Auto Agribusiness Oklahoma