Friday, October 5, 2012
OKLAHOMA CITY - With events held this week in Murray, Garvin and McClain Counties, Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak completed his annual 77-County Tour.
“The tour represents a promise I made when I was first elected, and my administration’s effort to represent the entire state of Oklahoma,” said Doak. “By holding community outreach events, the Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) is better able to understand consumers’ concerns. We can also let them know what our office is doing on their behalf.”
Major initiatives discussed on the tour included the rising cost of insurance following natural disasters, reforms to Workers’ Compensation and the number of uninsured motorists in our state.
Throughout his tour, Commissioner Doak met with members of local Chambers of Commerce, professional and civic organizations, as well as, business leaders and citizens across the state. Community members and business leaders said they appreciated the Commissioner’s attention in rural Oklahoma.
“It is impressive that Commissioner Doak has made it a priority to travel to each county and visit with local constituents,” said Mayor Roscoe Hill, Woodward, Okla. “His office’s representation here has been really well-received during the tour and in the relief efforts following the April tornado.”
The 77-county tour has been a key piece of the OID’s strategy to assist citizens before, during and after natural disasters.
“Unfortunately, Oklahoma is no stranger to natural disasters, but making connections with leaders in the state has been crucial in effectively assisting citizens following these disasters. My office has worked hard to help the victims, and we will continue to do everything we can to make them whole again,” said Doak.
The toll from those natural disasters is being felt across the state as many insurers were forced to raise rates on Oklahoma consumers. The increases were a hot topic during the county visits.
“The costs associated with storm damage over the past few years in Oklahoma are still being assessed on insurance consumers,” said Doak. “To get the best rate, citizens really need to take the initiative by reviewing their insurance policy and shopping around to get the right coverage at the lowest possible price.”
Other important topics during the 77-County tour included the need to strengthen penalties for uninsured drivers and continue our state’s efforts to reform Workers’ Compensation.
“The Oklahoma Legislature should address each of these major issues during the next legislative session. Strengthening penalties for uninsured motorists and continuing Worker’s Compensation reform will make Oklahoma safer and encourage economic growth.”
In addition to the county tours, the OID held more than 150 community outreach and training events in 2012, including the National Tornado Summit, Domestic Conference, Senior Fraud Conferences and Senior Summits. OID’s consumer assistance team was also dispatched to various disaster scenes across the state.
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.
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For more information contact:
Kelly Collins
(405) 522-0683
Kelly.Collins@oid.ok.gov