Posts by: Krush Digital

Summertime means parties, vacations and fun but it can also be a very dangerous time for teenagers. The American Automobile Association calls the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day “The 100 Deadliest Days,” for teen drivers. In fact, seven of the 10 deadliest days of the year for teens fall between those holidays.

Before teens get behind the wheel, it’s important to talk to them about the rules of the road and driving safely. You may also want to consider a limit on how many friends they’re allowed to drive around with. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that the risk of fatal car crashes skyrockets when teens drive with passengers under the age of 21. Compared to driving alone, the risk of a fatal crash increases by 44% when a teen driver has one young passenger. The risk doubles with two passengers and quadruples with three or more.

The best thing you can do to protect your teens is just to talk to them. Studies have shown that talking to your teens about driving lowers their risk of having a crash. Experts say the conversations should happen often and should start when the child is 13.

Drinking and driving should be a big concern, but driver error, speeding and distractions are also serious problems.

• 5,474 people were killed in distracted driver crashes in 2009
• Teen drivers are more likely than other age groups to be involved in those wrecks
• The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that sending or receiving a text takes a driver’s eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds. That’s the equivalent of driving the length of an entire football field, blind, at 55 mph

Cell phones aren’t the only issue. Eating, drinking, talking and changing the radio are all considered potentially dangerous driving distractions.

If your teen is involved in a crash, having adequate insurance will help protect their health and your finances. Adding a teen driver to your policy will result in additional costs, no matter which company you choose, so be sure to shop around for the best rates.If your child is an honor roll student, passed a driver’s education course or has a job, some companies may offer a reduced premium. But if your son or daughter has an accident, be ready to pay even more. Just one wreck can cost you an extra $200 a month in premiums. A speeding ticket could have a similar impact.

If you have any questions about insurance, contact the Oklahoma Insurance Department’s Consumer Assistance Team toll-free at (800) 522-0071 or online at http://www.ok.gov/oid/.

Many baby-boomers are facing the prospect of retirement. For some in this age bracket a lifetime of hard work will add up to a good pension and ongoing benefits after they leave the daily grind. But for others, including those whose employers have converted their retirement benefits, the prospects are more precarious.

In conjunction with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, I want to offer these tips for those who are considering early retirement or who are already exploring their retirement health insurance options.

As you age, health care becomes an even more important commodity, but unless you have a good employer plan health insurance can be harder and more expensive to obtain prior to reaching Medicare eligibility at age 65. If your employer is not offering to extend health insurance coverage beyond your retirement date, here are some options for finding continuing coverage.

Where to Look

Spouse’s Policy:

< If your spouse is still employed with access to benefits, see if you can be added to that policy. While your spouse may have to pay more for the coverage, this is likely your most affordable option. Your spouse should speak with the benefits administrator or Human Resources department at work to see if it is possible to add a newly retired spouse to their existing insurance.

COBRA:

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act lets former employees and their dependants continue workplace-based coverage for up to 18 months. While your employer cannot refuse coverage through COBRA, it is unlikely that they will continue to subsidize your premiums if you no longer work there. Former employers may also charge you an administrative fee for staying on the company insurance.

Military:

If you are a retired veteran, you may be eligible to join the Defense Department’s Tricare plan. Read more about who is eligible for Tricare and the coverage offered at www.tricare.mil.

Individual Coverage:

These plans can be expensive, particularly if you are on medications or have a chronic health condition. In some cases, preexisting conditions may make it difficult to find coverage. Starting in 2014, however, insurers will no longer be allowed to deny coverage based on your health status. Shopping for an individual policy can be challenging. Be sure to compare policies carefully and ask questions about what benefits are included. Make certain you understand your deductibles and coinsurance requirements and ask about prescription drug coverage. Also, the agent or broker as well as the insurance company writing the policy must be licensed here in Oklahoma. Call our Consumer Assistance Division at (800) 522-0071 or visit the Oklahoma Insurance Department online at http://www.ok.gov/oid/to confirm the agent’s and company’s licensing statuses before buying.

High-Risk Pool Plans:

These policies were created to help adults with preexisting conditions find individual coverage. Oklahoma’s high-risk pool is managed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield. To see if you are eligible, visit http://www.bcbsok.com/ call toll-free (877) 885-3717.

High-Deductible Health Plans:

These policies only cover catastrophic health care costs. This means you will be responsible for paying much more of the upfront costs of your health care before the policy pays any benefits for eligible medical expenses. HDHPs have a lower premium to compensate for the higher out-of-pocket costs incurred due to these high deductibles. Often these types of plans work with a Health Savings Account that allows you to set aside funds for future qualified medical expenses. If you are considering an HDHP, be sure to read the policy form, paying careful attention to the benefits and limitations of the plan.

What to Consider

Coverages:

Be sure you understand the terms and coverages of any policy you are considering. The lowest premium option might not provide the coverage you need. Ask these questions:

• • What are the deductibles or coinsurance payments?
  • What are the limits on coverage?
  • Can I see my current doctor and seek treatment in my chosen hospital?
  • Is there an annual limit to what the insurance company will pay for any particular coverage?
  • Is there a cap on out-of-pocket amounts I will be expected to pay?
  • How often is this policy reviewed or how often can I expect premium changes?
  • Are prescription drugs covered?

Vision, Hearing and Dental:

In most cases, vision, hearing and dental coverage is not included in individual health insurance policies. Ask if these coverages are included in the policy you’re considering, or if it is possible to add such coverage.

Discount Health Plans

Discount health plans are not insurance products. These discount programs do not pay claims, have limited regulation and do not offer the same consumer protections. Marketing for discount health plans can make them sound similar to health insurance, so it can be difficult for some consumers to distinguish one from the other. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.

To protect yourself and your health care investment, it is a good idea to stop and call the Oklahoma Insurance Department at (800) 522-0071 before purchasing any type of insurance policy. Our Consumer Assistance team will help you confirm the credentials of the agents and companies with whom you are considering doing business, and understand the plans and the options you’ve been presented.

Holiday seasons are filled with social events – good times with good friends – and more than a few warnings against drinking and driving. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), about four in 10 traffic-related deaths during the Christmas and New Year’s season involve drunk drivers.

But the danger of impaired drivers is nearly as startling all year long. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that one in every three U.S. traffic fatalities each year – one death every 48 minutes – is caused by impaired driving. According to the CDC, in the year 2010 alone, American adults drank too much and got behind the wheel 112 million times.

Impaired driving is the height of irresponsibility. Not only are you endangering yourself, your passengers and everyone else on the road, even if you don’t cause an accident you still run the risk of losing your driver’s license or becoming uninsurable.

States have responded to the impaired-driving threat by lowering legal blood-alcohol limits to a maximum of .08 percent. In Oklahoma, charges of driving while impaired can be filed even if your blood alcohol content is as low as .05 percent, provided officers have other evidence of your impairment, such as reckless driving.

States also are employing more sobriety checkpoints, setting zero-tolerance laws for young drivers who drink, revoking the driver’s licenses of those convicted of DUI, and instituting campaigns emphasizing the importance of staying sober.

More important are the steps you should take anytime your social plans involve alcohol:

• When part of a group and prior to any drinking, designate a non-drinking driver to get all of you home safe and sound.
• Don’t let your friends drive while impaired; take their keys away.
• If you have been drinking without a designated driver, get a ride home from a sober friend or call a taxi.
• When hosting a party where alcohol is served, remind your guests to plan ahead for a designated driver, offer alcohol-free beverages, and be sure no guest leaves without their sober driver.

Should you commit even a first offense of driving under the influence in Oklahoma, there are serious consequences. You will face a criminal proceeding that could result in jail time of up to one year and a fine of up to $1,000. You will face an administrative hearing with the state Department of Public Safety in which your license could be lost for 180 days. And, even if you keep or regain your driver’s license, you will be considered “high risk” by insurance companies and charged far more for coverage than a safer driver would be – that is, by any company still willing to do business with you.

The tragedy of impaired driving accidents is compounded by the fact that they are so readily avoidable. Take responsible steps like designating a driver before ever drinking a drop, or step up and take responsibility for yourself or a friend by calling a cab at the end of the night, and neither you nor anyone else will have to deal with the tragic consequences of a drunk-driving accident.

For more information on any insurance topic in Oklahoma, visit the Oklahoma Insurance Department online at http://www.ok.gov/oid/ or call our Consumer Assistance Division at 1-800-522-0071.

As bitter winter weather approaches, some Oklahomans will turn to the warmth of space heaters to keep their homes hospitable. Too often, comfort is achieved in exchange for safety.

The National Fire Protection Association says supplemental heating equipment is the leading cause of home fires during the months of December, January and February. Home heating equipment is second only to cooking equipment as the leading cause of home fires year-round. Travelers Insurance adds that from 2004-2008, 82 percent of home heating fire deaths, 64 percent of injuries and 51 percent of associated direct property damage involved stationary or portable space heaters.

With the increased fire threat due to home heating – and even in some cases, Christmas decorations – now is an ideal time for a review of your homeowners insurance. Contact your agent to be certain your policy is up to date and you have sufficient coverage to make your losses whole in the event of a catastrophic fire.

If you don’t presently carry homeowners or renters insurance, there is no time like the present to inquire about them. These policies are among the most basic and critical types of insurance any household could purchase. What better gift could a family receive than the peace of mind and financial security of knowing their home will be rebuilt if lost to a fire?

Meanwhile, if you must use a space heater this winter, follow these recommendations adapted from advice given by Farm Bureau Insurance.

• Only purchase new space heaters that have all current safety features. Make sure the heater carries an Underwriters Laboratory label.
• Select a space heater with automatic shutoff features and heating element guards.
• Choose a heater with thermostat control to avoid wasting energy by overheating a room.
• Select a heater appropriate for the size of room you need to heat.
• Place the space heater on the floor; never on top of furniture. A toppled space heater can cause a fire or could break and become a shock hazard.
• Unless certified for the purpose, do not use space heaters in moist places, such as the bathroom.
• Do not hide cords under rugs or carpets; placing anything on top of the cord could cause overheating and become a fire hazard.
• Do not use an extension cord unless absolutely necessary. If you use an extension cord, be sure it is the right wire gauge size and type for your heater. Using an extension cord that is not of the correct size and type is a fire hazard.
• Keep flammable objects at least three feet away from heaters, including bedding, curtains, clothes and paper.
• Always turn off the heater when unattended and at night.
• Check older heaters for frayed insulation, broken wires, or overheating. Have any problems repaired by a professional technician before operating.
• Supervise children and pets at all times around a space heater. Even the slightest contact with a heating coil or element can cause a severe burn.
• Keep the space heater’s power supply cord away from high-traffic areas in the home.
• Do not use or store flammable solvents, aerosol sprays or lacquers in the same room as a functioning space heater.
• Read and follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions.

By following these rules for safe space heater operation and visiting with your local agent about homeowners or renters insurance needs, your household can be warmer, safer and more protected throughout Oklahoma’s cold winter.

For more information about insurance topics or to file a complaint, visit the Oklahoma Insurance Department online at http://www.ok.gov/oid/ or call our Consumer Assistance Division toll-free at 1-800-522-0071.

Medicare open enrollment has begun, bringing with it both the opportunity for seniors to tailor their coverage to their needs and budgets and the opportunity for dishonest people to prey upon those seniors and the taxpayers who contribute to the program.

Fraud is an issue that Medicare continually struggles to address. The federal government estimates taxpayer losses to Medicare fraud at between $60 billion and $90 billion annually.

Seniors fear fraud, and justifiably so. One Harris Poll a few years ago showed that the greatest fear for 37 percent of senior citizens was fraud – ahead of personal health crises and terrorism.

In Oklahoma, Medicare fraud is combated by the Senior Medicare Patrol here at the Oklahoma Insurance Department. The SMP department receives complaints about Medicare fraud from consumers and trains community volunteers to help their friends and neighbors identify Medicare fraud.

The Senior Medicare Patrol is necessary because we know that Medicare fraud and waste do happen in Oklahoma. Some waste is attributable to human error – a procedure is inaccurately coded into the system, or a test is accidentally billed twice. These mistakes can and should be caught and corrected.

But all too often, billing problems are an intentional attempt to defraud the system. In one recent case, an Oklahoma man who operates a prosthetic-device business was indicated by a grand jury on charges that he illegally obtained nearly $5 million from Medicare and more than $600,000 from Medicaid by billing the federal health programs for beneficiaries who did not have prescriptions from licensed physicians for the prosthetics he provided. It is alleged that he submitted physician names and I.D. numbers to Medicare and Medicaid in cases where physicians had never treated the patients.

Medicare fraud can ring your phone or come knocking on your door, as well. Our SMP division reports that the most common form of Medicare fraud in Oklahoma is misrepresentation of the salesperson’s affiliation. The agent either directly states he works for Medicare or at least implies that he does. This might be in the form of a statement such as, “My name is Joe Smith and I’m calling today to help you enroll in a Medicare plan for the coming year.”

Seniors should always remember – Medicare never sells anything.

While OID’s SMP program is here to provide training and support, seniors also should be aware that they are their own first line of defense against fraud. In the words of our SMP trainers, when it comes to Medicare fraud Oklahoma’s seniors should “Protect, Detect and Report.”

• To “Protect” yourself, don’t give your personal information to anyone you don’t know, even if they claim to be from Medicare; don’t print your Social Security Number on checks; and, don’t carry your Medicare card in a purse or wallet.
• To “Detect” Medicare fraud, read your Medicare Summary Notice carefully, looking for duplicate payments for the same service, dates of service on your Medicare Summary Notice that differ from the dates you received services, items or services that you have no record of having received, and billing for medical equipment or services that your doctor did not order.
• Finally, “Report” any discrepancies in billing or concerns about Medicare fraud to the appropriate authorities; in Oklahoma that’s OID’s Senior Medicare Patrol at (888) 967-9100 or online at smp.oid.ok.gov.

Other rules of thumb:

• If a salesperson calls and tries to threaten or pressure you into something, just hang up the phone.
• If someone comes to your door saying they are from Medicare or a health care firm, shut the door: “It’s shrewd to be rude!”
• Don’t keep mail in your mailbox for more than a day and rip up or shred your Medicare or other health care papers before throwing them away. Crooks will raid mailboxes and aren’t above rummaging through garbage.
• If an offer sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

There are very stringent guidelines for how Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans can be marketed. If you are approached by an agent or company engaging in any of the following practices, refuse to do business with them and report the contact to the Senior Medicare Patrol.

• An agent cannot come to your home to try and sell their product unless you request that visit beforehand.
• Agents cannot call you on the phone unless you have requested they call you ahead of time.
• Salespeople cannot approach potential beneficiaries in a common area, such as parking lot, hallway, or lobby, or in a health care setting like a pharmacy or a hospital waiting room.
• Agents cannot cross-sell; that means, if you invite someone to come into your home and speak to you about a prescription drug plan, they aren’t allowed to discuss other products like annuities, life insurance, etc., at that same appointment.

If you request an agent to come speak with you, they must specify before the appointment the product or products to be discussed at that appointment, and the beneficiary must agree to it before the appointment.
Agents cannot offer beneficiaries a gift in exchange for enrolling in their plan. They can present a nominal gift to attendees at a marketing event – something valued at $15 or less – but they have to give one to all attendees, not just those who enroll in their plan.
Medicare open enrollment runs through Dec. 7 this year, and besides these tips about avoiding fraud, the Oklahoma Insurance Department can answer almost any question seniors might have about the Medicare system and the enrollment process.

To ask questions or get help enrolling in a Medicare plan for the coming year, contact our Senior Health Insurance Counseling Program (SHIP) at (800) 763-2828 For any other questions or concerns about insurance in Oklahoma, contact OID at 1-800-522-0071 .

With economic concerns still weighing on many Americans and health care reform still a confusing and controversial subject, Oklahoma families should take more time than ever this year to consider their options as health insurance open enrollment begins this fall.

Rising medical costs and new coverage laws make this an opportune time to review all available options, whether you have insurance through your employer, are self-employed, or even if you are unemployed. Whatever your circumstances, health insurance choices can be complex, and the Oklahoma Insurance Department is here to help you make sense of it all.

Consider the following tips when evaluating your coverage options:

Employer-Based Group Health Insurance

If you receive health insurance through an employer, you are usually limited to open enrollment periods to make changes to your plan. Many employers expect to increase premiums, co-pays and deductibles to offset increasing health care costs, so if you have several plan options, do not automatically renew what you had this year without first making a side-by-side comparison.

Be sure current physicians and area hospitals are in the plan’s network.
Review pre-existing condition exclusions, prior authorization requirements and annual limits.
Check prescriptions you take against the list of each plan’s approved drugs for co-pay variations.
Make a list of premiums, out-of-pocket expenses, co-pays, co-insurance, deductibles, specialists and benefits for each health, vision and dental plan.
See if the cost for dependent coverage has increased. Some employers are raising costs now that coverage is available for dependents through age 26.
Ask if your employer offers a wellness program or incentives for healthy behaviors such as exercising regularly or not smoking.
In addition to health insurance, you may be able to contribute pre-tax dollars to a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA). Check closely to see if the list of covered expenses for reimbursement has changed since last year.

Individual Health Insurance Coverage

If you are self-employed or your employer doesn’t offer coverage, you face unique health insurance challenges, but you still have choices. Here are some on shopping for coverage:

• First, investigate the cost of being added to your spouse’s employer plan.
• If that is not an option, consider shopping for private insurance that will allow you to customize care to your lifestyle, health and budget. You may be charged more based on your age, gender or health, and some pre-existing conditions may not be covered. Note that recent tax law changes make it possible to deduct the cost of premiums from your taxable income.
• If you are in good health and can afford a minimum of $1,200 in out-of-pocket expenses for yourself or $2,400 for your family, you might consider a high-deductible plan. This means you will pay for basic doctor’s visits and prescriptions out of pocket, but have coverage if needed for major medical care such as surgery or disease treatment.
  If you have a pre-existing condition and have been uninsured for at least the last six months, you may qualify for the new Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plans (PCIP).These plans offer a range of benefits, including primary and specialty care, hospital care and prescription drugs. They do not charge a higher premium because of a medical condition and do not base eligibility on income.
• Many professional or philanthropic associations offer affiliate or association health plans. For a fee, you can join these organizations and have the ability to purchase insurance similarly to how you would through an employer.

Health Insurance When Unemployed

If you lost your job last year, you were likely forced to determine how, or whether, to continue your health insurance. Now is a good time to review your decision and determine if your choice is still appropriate. In addition to the options above, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) gives unemployed workers the right to temporarily purchase health insurance through a former employer. Although this option requires you to pay the entire premium yourself, it can provide more comprehensive coverage than a more restrictive or costly individual plan.

• COBRA coverage is typically available for up to 18 months after losing a job, but in some circumstances benefits can be extended for up to 36 months.
• If you were previously employed by a smaller company, check to see if your state has a “mini-COBRA” law that extends coverage to employees of companies with fewer than 20 workers.

If you have been unemployed awhile and your family income has taken a significant hit, you and/or your children might qualify for Medicaid or Oklahoma’s SoonerCare program. Medicaid is available to low-income children, parents with dependent children, the permanently disabled, and individuals over the age of 65. SoonerCare provides low-cost health insurance coverage for children in families who earn too much income to qualify for Medicaid, but can’t afford to purchase private health insurance.

If you are a veteran, see if you qualify for free or reduced price treatment at a Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital or clinic near you.

For any other questions or concerns you might have about insurance in Oklahoma, visit the Oklahoma Insurance Department online at http://www.ok.gov/oid/, or call our Consumer Assistance team at (800) 522-0071.

Cooler temperatures and welcome rain arrived recently and briefly in our state, but for the past few months, Oklahoma has been hot, dry and in many places, ablaze. Drought has turned most of the state into a tinderbox in which a carelessly discarded cigarette or the slightest spark can start a wildfire that rages for days.

Thousands of acres have burned in Oklahoma this year. Hundreds of homes have been damaged or destroyed. Millions of dollars in insured losses have been reported. At least five deaths have been attributed to wildfires, including that of Perry Fire Capt. Kyle King, who was hospitalized but never recovered after collapsing on July 29 while fighting a grass fire in temperatures above 100 degrees.

That’s why the Oklahoma Insurance Department has joined with several other organizations to promote the “Ready, Set, Go!” campaign to promote better wildfire preparedness and response. I was among the speakers at a press conference at the Capitol on Sept. 22, unveiling the initiative in Oklahoma. Also speaking were Assistant State Fire Marshal JoAnne Sellars, Norman Deputy Fire Chief Jim Bailey and Mark Goeller, Fire Management Chief for Oklahoma Forestry Services.

Each of us delivered brief remarks on our areas of expertise. The overall message, however, is just as the program’s name suggests:

Ready – Prepare for the fire threat; be “fire-wise.”
Set – Situational awareness when a fire begins is crucial.
Go – Simply put, leave early.

Take personal responsibility for fire preparation long before a blaze begins. Many of the homes lost to wildfires were built in areas that have become known as the “Wildland Urban Interface.” These are single homes, subdivisions or small developments in semi-rural areas where the city meets the countryside – areas also prone to wildfires.

While shade and privacy are valued commodities on such a property, create a defensible space by clearing brush and tall grass away from your home. Use fire-resistant landscaping and “harden” your home with fire-safe construction measures. Assemble emergency supplies and key belongings in a safe spot. Make sure all residents of the home are aware of escape routes.

From an insurance perspective, be “Ready” by reviewing your policy annually to make sure you have enough coverage to rebuild your home in the current construction market, and preparing a comprehensive inventory of your personal property to speed the claims process and receive the full reimbursement you are due should your home be lost to fire.

When a wildfire sparks, get “Set” to respond by packing your vehicle with emergency items. Stay aware of the latest news from local media and your local fire department to be updated on the fire’s progress.

Finally, be ready and willing to “Go!” when the call to evacuate is sent. Following the action plan you’ve made to escape the home and neighborhood before the fire threat to your residence has reached a critical state keeps you and your family safe while clearing the way for firefighters to do their jobs.

Partners in the “Ready, Set, Go!” program for wildland fire preparedness are the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the Firewise Communities Program, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, the United States Department of the Interior, the United States Fire Administration and the United States Forest Service. Local fire departments are encouraged to participate in the program, and can sign up at http://wildlandfirersg.org/.

The “Ready, Set, Go!” program will provide departments with various implementation guides, briefing documents, presentation tools, recommendations for best practices, and other resources to educate the communities they defend about wildfire preparation and response. And the best news is that the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (http://www.disastersafety.org/) has grants available through the International Association of Fire Chiefs providing direct funding of up to $1,000 to provide public education materials to local fire departments with budgets that are already cash-strapped from fighting these relentless wildland blazes.

Oklahomans must be prepared for the threat of wildfires, and the “Ready, Set, Go!” program delivers this crucial message to homeowners. Please take heed.

If you have suffered losses to a wildfire or other cause and have insurance-related concerns or questions, visit the Oklahoma Insurance Department online at oid.ok.gov, or call our Consumer Assistance team at 1-800-522-0071.

Turn on a television, flip through a magazine or browse the Internet and you are likely to be bombarded with ads offering to save you money on auto insurance.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners recommends checking your car insurance policies annually to ensure the coverages are right for your current circumstances and that you are getting the best deal. While online quotes are convenient, consider building a relationship with a local agent for personal service. If you do go insurance-shopping online, follow these tips to make that experience safer and easier.

Decide Which Coverages You Need

Auto insurance needs are unique to a person’s life situation and may change over time. One of the best things to do before comparison shopping is to brush up on the types of coverage available. A good place to start is the NAIC’s consumer education Web site InsureUonline.org. If you plan to just use your current coverages as a guide, you can still learn more about the declarations/information page of your present policy at the InsureU Web site.

A few coverage options that must match up to get an accurate comparison, quote-to-quote:

Liability Limits – Liability covers the other driver in an accident should you be at fault, so your needs are based on the total assets you have to protect. Choose a limit accordingly. In Oklahoma, the minimum liability limits under law are $25,000 for bodily injury of one person, $50,000 maximum bodily injury for all victims of the same accident, and $25,000 in property damage from a single accident.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – PIP pays medical expenses, rehabilitation expenses and lost wages for you or your family following an accident.

Uninsured Motorist/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) – Uninsured Motorist coverage is not required in Oklahoma, but is highly recommended because our state has one of the nation’s highest rates of motorists (an estimated 24 percent) breaking the law by driving without insurance. This coverage pays if you or your passengers are injured in an accident caused by an uninsured motorist.

Deductibles – Comprehensive and Collision coverages pay for damages resulting from a covered accident. Collision coverage, just as the name sounds, covers your vehicle from traffic accident damages, while Comprehensive can pay to repair your vehicle in the event of other damages, such as a hailstorm. Neither is mandatory by law, although a lender might require them. Adding either requires you to set a deductible. This is the amount you must pay if the covered vehicle is damaged, so evaluate how much you could afford to pay out-of-pocket in an emergency situation. Generally, the higher the deductible, the lower your monthly premium.

Optional Coverages – These might include anything from rental car coverage to towing services. If you are a member of AAA or another auto club, you might have such coverage already.

Before Your Start Answering Questions

To receive an accurate rate quote, be prepared to share information from your current auto policy, the license of each household driver and your vehicle’s registration.

There are a variety of sites that offer auto insurance quotes. Some have rates for a specific company while others let you fill out a single form to receive rates from several companies.

Before getting quotes online, note:

Due to coverage requirements, it isn’t always easy to get a quote online for any state.

Some Web sites will send your personal information to an agent in your area to quote and write the policy.

Not all Web sites provide immediate quotes. In some cases a company representative will call to confirm the information before providing a rate. In this case, ask to have the information e-mailed for your records.

If all the quotes do not have matching coverages and limits, contact the companies and ask for a revised estimate.

Some Web sites are authorized to make coverage available immediately, while others cannot, even if you have made a premium payment.

Once you have made a payment for the policy, you should have access to a temporary identification card to keep in your car. Permanent cards and a copy of the policy should come in the mail within 60 days. Some insurers will issue the policy electronically if you mutually agree to communicate this way.

Completing the Quote Request

Full disclosure is required, as the relationship between you and your insurer is one of mutual trust. Here are a few things that require close attention:

Drivers/Operators – Include all drivers in the quote. If you fail to disclose household drivers and they are behind the wheel in an accident, the company could cancel or non-renew the coverage going forward or charge additional premiums.

Driving Record – Generally, insurance companies ask for three years of driving history and will use a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) to check the driving record of all named drivers. The company might also use a Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE), Colossus, or a similar report to check claims histories. Some companies rate your premium by measuring at-fault accidents and traffic violations (often called “risk classification factors”). Further, MVRs do not always reflect fault. Check all quotes for discounts or surcharges based on your driving history and risk classification factors.

Do Some Investigating

The lowest quote might not always be the best choice, so before making a payment, do your homework. Start by talking with friends and family about their auto insurance experience. If they are insured by a company you are considering, ask about their best and worst experiences.

Then, check online at oid.ok.gov to verify that the company and agent (if you are

dealing with one) are licensed in Oklahoma. You should also inquire about complaints made against the company. The firm’s complaint ratio will show how the company stacks up against other auto insurers in Oklahoma.

For more information about buying auto insurance, download “The Consumer’s Guide to Auto Insurance” at InsureUonline.org, or visit the Oklahoma Insurance Department at http://www.ok.gov/oid/

With health care costs escalating and the federal government grasping for control of everything from the purse strings to your choice of doctors, specialists and treatments, many Oklahomans are searching for innovative, individualized ways to achieve wellness. Among those options are faith-based health-care “sharing ministries.”

Often invoking Scripture such as Galations 6:2 – “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the laws of Christ” – these organizations in effect are nonprofit cooperatives. An estimated 1.5 million people nationwide have joined such bill-sharing groups, which act as an organizational clearinghouse for information between participants who have financial, physical or medical needs and participants who presently have the ability to pay for the benefits of those who have needs. Typically, members deposit monthly fees into an account and managers of the organization distribute the funds to pay bills incurred by individual members.

Many members of these organizations say they also receive spiritual support from their health-care sharing ministry, beyond the financial impact of the group.

An added benefit for those who join these health-care sharing ministries is that their participation makes them no longer subject to Washington’s individual mandate to purchase insurance. Section 1501(b) of the PPACA adds Section 5000A to the Internal Revenue Code, exempting members of a health-care sharing ministry from being required to purchase private insurance.

As a man of great faith and an advocate of free-market solutions to insurance issues, I support health-care sharing ministries as an additional option for Oklahoma consumers.

But I must also make it clear that the Oklahoma Insurance Department by law cannot provide consumer protections to those who choose to participate in health-care sharing ministries.

Some history on the subject might illustrate that point.

Under the previous administration, the Oklahoma Insurance Department found that a health-care sharing ministry known as Medi-Share was actually operating in this state as an insurance company without license to do so.

In 2008, Medi-Share was enjoined by OID from acting as an insurer in the state of Oklahoma. That same year, the Oklahoma Legislature amended the requirements of the state Insurance Code 36 O.S. § 110(11) to provide that the Insurance Department did not have regulatory powers over health-care sharing ministries. Meanwhile, Medi-Share modified its operations so that it facilitated direct member-to-member sharing of health care expenses, making its operating model compliant with the revised Oklahoma law. In 2009, Medi-Share resumed operations in Oklahoma as a health-care sharing ministry.

What this means in layman’s terms is that while faith-based sharing organizations might be an option to make health care more affordable and to keep the federal government out of your family’s health care choices, you cannot bring consumer complaints to me as your Insurance Commissioner or to the Oklahoma Insurance Department for resolution. You will have to settle any potential dispute with your health-care sharing ministry on your own.

Consider this as you weigh the decision to join a health-care sharing ministry.

For more information on this topic or about any form of insurance in Oklahoma, don’t hesitate to contact the Oklahoma Insurance Department’s Consumer Assistance Hotline at 1-800-522-0071. You can also visit us online at www.ok.gov/oid/.

In communities across Oklahoma, schools are back in session. Each new school year is a time for individual growth and exciting opportunities. But as each child climbs the ladder of grades on the way to adulthood, he or she presents parents with many choices to make – including insurance-related decisions.

It’s inevitable – when kids head back to classrooms, some of them bring germs along with them. Younger children can hurt themselves on the playground or in gym class, and older students who play scholastic sports are at risk of injury. Is your family’s health insurance coverage sufficient?

Did your son or daughter recently earn a driver’s license? Adding teen drivers to the policy will raise the cost of your auto insurance, but there are ways to save. Ask your agent whether good-student discounts or reduced rates for completing driver’s safety courses are available from your current car insurance provider. If they aren’t, don’t be afraid to shop around. It’s possible that another insurance company can offer you and your family’s newest driver equivalent coverage at better rates.

It also pays to stress safety to young drivers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that one in five injury accidents is the result of distracted driving, and that nearly one in five people who die in automobile crashes were killed in accidents where cell phone use was reported by one or more of the involved drivers. It is critical that your children understand that their phone is never to be in use – whether talking or texting – while they are at the wheel.

During March and May last year, I had the opportunity to congratulate students at Ada High School for their award-winning “X the TXT” campaign, which took top honors in a nationwide contest sponsored by The Allstate Foundation and Channel One News. Recently, student-members of a group called Generation tXt at Tulsa’s Booker T. Washington High School produced a music video to encourage their classmates to put the phone down while driving. So a lot of kids realize the dangers of texting while driving, but it’s crucial that parents reinforce that message, as well.

Other forms of distracted driving to which many of us fall victim include eating and drinking, reading, personal grooming, adjusting the radio, CD or Mp3 player, and talking to passengers. Remember, Oklahoma law issues restricted driver’s licenses to those under age 18 which limit young drivers for the first six to 12 months from carrying more than one passenger in the vehicle unless the other passengers are all family members or a 21-year-old licensed driver is riding along in the front passenger seat.

Of course, students who aren’t old enough to drive must still take great care in getting themselves to school. If your children ride the bus, make sure they arrive a few minutes early at the stop, they stand away from the curb, they never walk behind the bus, and they follow the bus driver’s instructions. Be realistic about your child’s pedestrian skills before letting him walk to school. Check the route for safety, and teach your children to look both ways before crossing the street, to respect a “Do Not Walk” sign, and to always use the crosswalk. Children riding their bikes to school should always wear a helmet, learn and use appropriate hand signals, ride on the right side of the road, respect traffic lights and stop signs, and wear bright-colored clothing to increase visibility.

As parents, be extra-careful when driving your children to school. Be on the lookout for other children who are walking or bicycling to school. Obey school-zone speed limits and follow the rules established by your child’s school regarding vehicle lines for drop-off and pickup of students; those rules are intended to protect the lives of your child and the children of others.

If your child has reached adulthood and is headed to college, further insurance questions arise. Your college student can stay on the family health insurance policy, but some schools offer affordable supplemental insurance in case your family plan doesn’t provide enough coverage. And, many colleges and universities have low-cost or even free basic health care services available that your son or daughter should know how to locate on campus and access if your student becomes sick or injured while away at school.

While no academic setting is immune from crime, many college campuses are safer than the general community. Still, crime does occur, and the most frequently reported crimes on campus involve theft. While many homeowners insurance policies cover personal property outside the house – including the belongings of your college student – there are usually limits. Ask your insurer whether your student’s laptop computer, stereo, TV, bicycle and other personal effects are sufficiently covered if stolen on campus. If they aren’t, shop around for coverage that offers your student and your family enough protection.

If you have any further questions or concerns about insurance, contact our Consumer Assistance team toll-free at 1-800-522-0071, or visit the Oklahoma Insurance Department online at www.ok.gov/oid/.