You don’t have to live in Oklahoma to know that it’s a state that endures plenty of inclement weather all throughout the year. Known for severe tornadoes and heavy storms, Oklahoma receives multiple threats of damage and destruction.
In 2015, a total of 111 tornadoes swept through the Sooner State, resulting in over a dozen injuries and thousands of dollars in damages. Therefore, it’s understandable that home insurance rates are on the rise in Oklahoma. However, the lower cost of living in the state can sometimes help to even out the balance.
For more information about homeowners insurance, check out Benzinga’s Best Homeowners Insurance Companies.
The Best Homeowners Insurance in Oklahoma
Average Annual Premium in Oklahoma
The average annual premium for homeowners in Oklahoma is $1,843. Oklahoma is among the top five states which has a higher premium than the nation’s average. Those with higher premiums than Oklahoma include Louisiana, Texas, and Florida.
Some may feel that it’s highly predictable that these states would be above average in homeowners insurance premium costs since they are susceptible to natural disasters such as tropical storms, hurricanes and tornadoes. Overall, those who live in these five states are paying as much as 67 percent more than most U.S. residents.
Finding the Best Premium for Your Home
There are a few things that all homeowners should think about when it comes to purchasing a new insurance policy. Whether you have just moved into the area or simply want to update your plan, it’s important to get all the facts about home insurance in the state of Oklahoma.
Even though premiums are high across the state, it’s still a good idea to compare prices and policies from various companies. That’s because each company has something different to offer that helps set them apart from all the rest. It’s possible to find a cheaper rate when comparison shopping. Or you may find an insurance company that offers a better deal for the type of coverage you and your family needs.
Keep in mind that just because one company offers something in its standard home insurance policy doesn’t mean that every company will do the same. There are some companies that offer tornado insurance, for example, separate from a basic home insurance plan. This is something to keep in mind and ask about when you are taking out a new policy so that you know exactly what your policy will pay for and what it won’t.
Inclement Weather in Oklahoma
Oklahoma residents receive more than their fair share of severe weather with tornadoes and other storms wreaking havoc throughout the state. Planning and safeguarding your property can help you to avoid severe damage. Purchasing a quality homeowners insurance policy can also help keep you protected from paying too much out of pocket for damages done to your home after a storm.
For that reason, it’s important that you review your insurance policy and make sure that you have adequate coverage, especially prior to storm season. Understanding more about what your policy covers will help you be prepared for the worst.
What Should Homeowners do After a Natural Disaster?
Following a natural disaster such as a tornado in Oklahoma, homeowners should take account of all the damage that occurred so that they can give a thorough report to their insurance company. Before you start to move any debris or clean up the damage, make a note of all broken belongings. Take photos and make a list of your damages. If it is possible, save some of the more valuable items for the insurance adjuster to review.
Once you have documented the damage to your property, it is your responsibility to take the steps to avoid further damage to your home. Make temporary repairs such as covering up holes in the roof, or get in touch with a professional who can take care of these tasks for you. Your insurance company should reimburse you for the money spent on these temporary fixes as well as the cost of having to find temporary lodging.
Starting the Claims Process
Dealing with property damage following a tornado or other severe storm can be an overwhelming experience, even if you have dealt with the same type of situation in the past. It’s good to have a reliable insurance company by your side who can guide you along the claims process.
As soon as you can, you should get in touch with your insurance company following the incident. The sooner you can report the damage, the better off you’ll be. When you are reporting your losses to an agent, have all your insurance information on hand, such as your account number and a copy of your policy, if possible. You should also have an inventory of your home’s contents.
What to Expect After Filing a Claim
Once you have filed a claim with your insurance provider, the company will send out a claims adjuster to your property. The adjuster will assess the damage and perform a walk-through of your home. This is to confirm any damaged items or temporary repairs that you have made.
The adjuster will also look at the exterior of your home, including the roof, deck, and any additional structures that your policy covers. Once he/she has completed the assessment, the adjuster will then provide documentation to the insurance company so that the company can determine your settlement.
You will receive more details about your claim once the insurance company has decided. If you filed a claim following a natural disaster that affected several homes in your community, you can expect the claims process to take longer than usual since multiple claims will be filed at once.
Most Affordable Cities
Finding the right insurance company to provide coverage for your property can be difficult. The cities that have the cheapest rates for homeowners’ insurance in Oklahoma include:
- Mannford
- Bartlesville
- Tulsa
- Broken Arrow
- Antlers
Most Expensive Cities
The cities that have the most expensive rates for homeowners insurance in Oklahoma include:
- Edmond
- Yukon
- Midwest City
- Alva
- Clinton
Top Picks for Oklahoma
Choosing the best insurance company to protect your property is a decision that requires plenty of research. It is something that shouldn’t be decided based on price alone. There are many factors that go into deciding on a good home insurance policy. Think about the policy itself, multiple discounts, and additional services offered by the company, customer service rating and the number of years companies have been in business before you make a final decision.
Here are five of the best companies in Oklahoma that offer homeowners insurance policies. These companies are listed based on their ratings from customers, their reliability, the convenience of services, premium costs and years in the industry.
- Ratings, price and customization
1. Lemonade
Lemonade provides a top-rated homeowners insurance experience that’s easy and hassle free. Award-winning customer service and digital, super-fast everything from just $25 a month.
Leveraging insurtech to rewrite the traditional insurance model, Lemonade offers home insurance for the tech-savvy consumer.
Using the Lemonade app you can get insurance in 90 seconds. It takes about 3 minutes to get paid for a claim. Boasting simplicity and transparency, Lemonade takes a flat fee, pays claims quickly and donates what’s leftover to causes close to your heart. It’s like receiving and giving all in one.
Coverage includes things like theft (whether inside or outside your home), perils (fire, water damage, storm damage) and extra living expenses.
- Access to vetted companies
2. Progressive
Progressive Insurance began with the dream of always being one step ahead of the industry. The company started in 1937 and was the first to offer drive-in claims at office locations. Progressive was also the first to allow reduced rates for low-risk drivers and helped to change the insurance shopping experience by allowing for comparisons on the internet.
Progressive may seem to be a modernized insurance company, but it still has traditional values when it comes to customers. Progressive offers 24/7 customer service online and by phone. Customers can get a quote, update their policy and get answers to all types of questions at any time.
To get a free quote with Progressive, visit the website or call. The company offers plans for vehicle and recreational, home and property, as well as business, health, event, travel, umbrella, and pet insurance.
- Customers who have existing policies with State Farm
3. State Farm
State Farm, founded in 1922, has earned the respect of customers thanks to how much focus and dedication the company puts into providing quality services. State Farm has been a leader in the industry for many years and has a special commitment to helping the communities that it serves following a disaster or any other time of year. When you are looking for a reliable insurance provider who can be there for you whenever you need it, State Farm is a great place to start.
Homeowners who choose State Farm have several options for coverage. Customers have the chance to bundle insurance policies to save even more on their insurance costs. The company offers plans for home, auto, life, motorcycle, sport and leisure vehicles, long-term care, and disability insurance. State Farm also offers banking options such as home mortgage loans, credit cards and retirement plans.
- Those who own investment properties
4. Farmers
Farmers Insurance has helped families in their time of need since 1928. The company prides itself on offering exceptional insurance policies at a reasonable rate. The company has grown over the years to meet the ever-changing needs of customers. Today, Farmers serves more than 10 million households with more than 19 million policies in effect. There is a wide range of insurance options available including those for auto, home, renters, landlords, life, motorcycle and business.
To get a free quote from Farmers Insurance, you can visit the website and fill out a simple contact form. You can also call your local agency or stop by and chat with an agent during regular business hours.
- Tailored coverage
5. Liberty Mutual
Liberty Mutual is an excellent choice for homeowners who want to take out multiple policies from the same provider. Liberty Mutual offers a broad range of policies for auto, home and life at a reasonable price and is now the third largest home insurance provider in the United States since 1912.
The company is admired for its ability to understand the needs of its customers and provide them with exceptional services at a competitive price. The company offers a quick response to all claims and provides a range of options for contacting or filing a claim.
Many people choose to take out a policy with Liberty Mutual because it offers so many different insurance options. Along with the basic plans for auto, home, and life, the company also offers flood insurance, identity theft protection, insurance for watercraft and mobile home insurance. You can obtain a free quote from Liberty Mutual by visiting the website.
- Members of the armed forces and their families
6. USAA
USAA is an insurance company that provides coverage to past and present members of the military and their families. USAA offers coverage to individuals who are currently serving in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines, National Guard, Navy, and the Army Reserves.
Plans are also available for veterans, widows, un-remarried former spouses, and individuals whose parents have or had USAA insurance. The company provides guidance to its honorable customers today in the same fashion as it did when it first began in 1922. USAA helps our military members establish financial independence up through their retirement years.
USAA offers a wide range of coverage options for customers, including home insurance, auto, flood, life, renters and small business policies. USAA also has financing options available such as checking and savings accounts, credit card options and loans, and even has retirement options such as IRAs, wealth management and trust services.
Final Thoughts
Purchasing a new homeowners insurance policy can be a challenging experience. It doesn’t matter if you are buying a plan for the first time or looking for a better policy for your home in Oklahoma, it’s best to get the facts first. You need to learn as much as you can about the homeowners insurance offers in your local area before you settle on a policy for your property.
Learn about what multi-plan discounts are available, which companies provide the most help following a natural disaster and which can provide you with the best policy for your money.
Keep in mind that when it’s time to sit down with an insurance agent and discuss the terms of your new home insurance policy, this is the time to ask any questions you may have.
If you are unsure about the terminology, or you aren’t sure if you need to take out additional flood insurance, let your voice be heard. You don’t want to end up paying for expensive repair costs out of your own pocket.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I drop my computer, will home insurance cover the cost of replacement?
Home insurance policies usually cover personal property for a specific list of risks, called named perils. These perils might include fire, theft, burst pipes, and more, but dropping your laptop or TV or spilling soda on your new game console isn’t covered. See the best home insurance providers for a custom quote.
If my home is destroyed due to fire or weather, how long will it take for my insurance claim to be settled and my home to be repaired?
From start to finish, the process could take anywhere from 12 to 24 months. The variables that play the largest role are the size of the loss and the insurance company you choose. Check her for the cheapest homeowners insurance quote.
What can I do to ensure that my home is properly covered?
The most important thing you can do is have a conversation with your agent or carrier to be sure you have the right amount of coverage. Avoid putting just the minimum coverage on your home: Remember, if your home is destroyed, you need to have enough coverage to rebuild the entire home, so you’ll want to insure it for more than just the market value. Also, notify your insurer of renovations or changes that you make to your home — and don’t forget to check to be sure you have enough liability coverage. Get the best quote today from our top providers.
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About Maurice Draine
Maurice Draine is a former insurance agent, broker, underwriter tech, and agent sales support rep with over 15 years of professional writing experience. Maurice helps insurance, financial, and various online and ad agencies, create the words that drive customers to their websites and keeps them there.