Monday, August 27, 2012
OKLAHOMA CITY — With the Labor Day weekend approaching and heavy highway travel expected, the Oklahoma Insurance Department is highlighting a new tool to help drivers who are involved in a crash.
According to the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office, more than 69,000 wrecks occur every year in Oklahoma. However, according to a July 2012 survey from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), many Americans do not know what steps to take or basic information to share — or not share — after an accident. They may even put their identities and safety at risk by sharing too much personal information. The new WreckCheck mobile application from the NAIC can help eliminate that risk.
“The last thing you’re probably thinking about after a crash is protecting your privacy,” says Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak. “Understanding what information to share will help keep you safe after an accident and decrease some of the challenges of filing a claim later on. The WreckCheck app will take the guesswork out of what information to give after a crash.”
The recent NAIC survey revealed consumers were unsure about auto accident best practices, such as when to call the police or what personal information to exchange with the other driver after an accident. Consumers generally need only share their names and correct vehicle insurance information, which should include the phone numbers of insurance providers. Sharing additional personal information, such as driver’s license numbers and home addresses, puts consumers, their property and their safety at risk. The most common misperceptions and associated risks were:
Eliminate the Guesswork
The new WreckCheck mobile application from the NAIC outlines what to do immediately following an auto accident and takes users through a step-by-step process to create their own accident report. It also provides tips for staying calm, safe and smart on the road, and makes it easy to capture photos and document the necessary information to file an insurance claim. Additionally, the app lets users email a completed accident report directly to themselves and their insurance agents. The app is free and available for both iPhone® and Android® smartphone users. The download is now available at www.oid.ok.gov.
About the Oklahoma Insurance Department
The Oklahoma Insurance Department, an agency of the State of Oklahoma, is responsible for the education and protection of the insurance-buying public and for oversight of the insurance industry in the state.
About NAIC
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) is the U.S. standard-setting and regulatory support organization created and governed by the chief insurance regulators from the 50 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories. For more information, visit www.naic.org.
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For more information contact:
Brian King
(405) 521-4525
brian.king@oid.ok.gov