TULSA, Okla. — The deep freeze gripping Oklahoma isn't just dangerous — it can be expensive if your home or vehicle suffers cold-weather damage.
Before you pick up the phone to call your insurance agent, there are crucial steps you need to take to protect yourself financially and ensure you get the coverage you deserve.
Document everything first
"Everybody's got a camera in their pocket nowadays, so take lots of pictures," said Glen Mulready, Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner.
Taking photos and videos of all damage before any cleanup or temporary repairs is essential for your claim. This documentation helps establish the extent of damage and can prevent disputes with adjusters later.
Secure your property immediately
Your first priority after discovering damage should be preventing further harm to your property.
"That's contractually required by you in a homeowner's policy, is to make sure that you're securing the property from further damage," Mulready said.
For frozen pipes, this means shutting off water to prevent flooding. For roof damage, it might mean placing tarps over exposed areas. Save all receipts for emergency repairs — these costs are typically reimbursable.
Get repair estimates before filing claims
Here's the most important advice that could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars: get repair estimates before contacting your insurance company.
"If you can prevent it, you don't want to have claims on your record," Mulready said. "If (repair costs) are at your deductible level, sometimes even slightly above your deductible level, you are better off paying for that out of pocket, versus filing a claim."
Mulready told 2 News Oklahoma that the homeowner insurance market is extremely tight right now, making this advice more critical than ever. He warns that filing claims can lead to rate increases and make it harder to get coverage from other companies in the future.
Know your deductibles
Many Oklahoma homeowners don't know what their deductibles are, which can lead to costly surprises. Most policies now have separate deductibles for different types of damage:
- Wind and hail damage typically has a percentage deductible (1% or 2% of your home's value)
- Other damage like frozen pipes usually has a flat dollar amount
Mulready said. "Know what you have for policies and for a deductible, and then go get your assessments of damages."
When adjusters lowball estimates
If your insurance company's adjuster provides an estimate significantly lower than contractor quotes, you have options. Oklahoma licenses public adjusters who can advocate on your behalf, but Mulready recommends taking other steps first.
"I would advise folks that that shouldn't be your first step," he said. "Have the insurance adjuster come out. If those are far off from what the adjuster is, we need to know about that."
The Oklahoma Insurance Department's consumer assistance area can help resolve disputes. Public adjusters typically take 10% of your claim settlement, so exhaust other options first.
Vehicle damage claims
For car accidents on icy roads, follow these steps:
- Take extensive photos of all vehicles and the scene
- Exchange insurance information with other parties
- Don't discuss fault at the scene
- Contact your insurance company promptly
- Get repair estimates from body shops
"Often what we find with vehicles now, too, is they are just a lot more expensive to repair than people think," Mulready said. "You get a little fender bender, and you think, oh, that's gonna be $1,000, and it turns out to be $7,000."
Modern vehicles with advanced safety technology are particularly expensive to repair, so don't assume minor damage will be cheap to fix.
Preventing frozen pipe damage
Aspen Wilson from Quality Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric emphasizes keeping all heating vents open throughout your home.
"Typically, you want to leave all of your vents open to get airflow to your whole house, so you don't want cold rooms and warm rooms, because there could be waterlines in that area that start to get cold, and you could cause a busted pipe ultimately, which could get pretty expensive," Wilson said.
Insurance companies may deny frozen pipe claims if you haven't taken reasonable precautions, such as maintaining adequate heat and letting faucets drip during extreme cold.
What's typically covered
Most Oklahoma homeowner policies cover:
- Wind and wind-driven rain damage
- Falling trees or ice damaging structures
- Frozen pipe damage (if proper precautions were taken)
- Interior damage from ice dams
- Structural collapse from ice or snow weight
What's usually not covered
Common exclusions include:
- Flood damage (requires separate flood insurance)
- Food spoilage from power outages
- Tree removal unless trees damage structures
- Sewer backup without specific coverage
- Damage from negligent maintenance
Money-saving strategies
Beyond careful claims management, you can reduce insurance costs by:
- Increasing deductibles if you can afford higher out-of-pocket costs
- Bundling home and auto policies
- Installing storm-resistant roofing through Oklahoma's FORTIFIED program
- Taking defensive driving courses
- Shopping around annually for better rates
- Maintaining good credit scores
When you need help
If you're having trouble with claims or need assistance, contact the Oklahoma Insurance Department:
- Toll-free: 800-522-0071
- Oklahoma City: 405-521-2828
- Tulsa office: 918-295-3700
The department offers mediation services to help resolve insurance disputes without going to court.
Remember, the key to managing winter weather insurance claims is preparation and patience. Take time to assess damage properly, understand your coverage, and make informed decisions about whether filing a claim is in your best financial interest.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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