Susan from Moore wanted answers — and what she discovered might surprise you.

👋 Meet Susan

Susan is 28, lives in Moore, just outside Oklahoma City, and works remotely in IT. She’s smart with her money, owns her home, and thought her homeowners insurance policy was pretty solid.

But then her insurance premium went up — again.
Instead of shrugging it off, Susan went full detective mode. She brewed a big cup of coffee, grabbed her laptop, and started investigating the cost of homeowners insurance in Oklahoma.

Why is the annual home insurance rate rising so fast in her area?
She wanted answers — not just for herself, but for every homeowner facing the same frustration.

🌩️ Hailstorms: The Big (Icy) Problem

Susan’s first discovery? Oklahoma gets slammed by hailstorms and ice storms — frequently.

Every spring and summer, severe weather events like hail damage, severe thunderstorms, and extreme weather wreak havoc on homes in towns like Moore and across Oklahoma City.

Each storm leads to thousands of home insurance claims. The damage from just one natural disaster can cost insurance companies millions. That pushes the cost of insurance up across the board — and every insurance policy gets more expensive.

“I had no idea how much one hailstorm could cost insurance companies. It’s wild,” Susan said.

Now she watches the weather radar more than ever.

🏚️ Roofs Are a Big Deal

Susan learned that hail damage to roofs is the #1 cause of claims on standard homeowners policies in Oklahoma.

And here’s the kicker: roof repairs aren’t cheap. Even a basic shingle replacement can cost thousands — especially during storm season when contractors are booked out and materials are in short supply. A whole neighborhood hit by severe weather can mean huge losses for insurers.

Susan also discovered that homes with older roofs often lead to higher annual premiums, and insurance companies may:

• Raise your annual rate
• Only offer Actual Cash Value (instead of full replacement)
• Limit your insurance coverage or increase coverage limits
  

“My roof isn’t even that old, but my annual premium still went up,” Susan said.

She realized that having a newer, well-maintained roof can help keep her average home insurance rates more affordable.

🌪️ Too Many Claims, Too Much Risk

Oklahoma ranks near the top for insurance claim frequency, thanks to all the severe weather and natural disasters.

Even if you’ve never filed a claim, you might still see your insurance cost go up if your zip code has a high volume of claims. That’s how insurance coverage risk models work — it’s like being on a team where everyone gets penalized for one player’s mistakes.

“That part really got me,” Susan said. “I’m doing everything right, but I still pay more because of where I live.”

⚠️ Not Everyone Plays Fair

After one recent hailstorm, Susan noticed flyers from roofers all over her neighborhood. While some were legit, others weren’t.

She read about shady contractors who encouraged homeowners to exaggerate or even fabricate damage — or claimed they could “waive your deductible” (which is illegal). These scams result in costly lawsuits and push up the average premiums for everyone.

“It’s frustrating that scams mess it up for the rest of us,” she said.

Now, Susan always checks licenses, reads reviews, and avoids signing anything on the spot.

🧱 Repairs Cost More Than Ever

Even without a storm, the cost to repair or rebuild a home has increased dramatically. Materials like lumber, shingles, and asphalt have seen steep price hikes. Labor costs are up too — and there’s a shortage of skilled workers in many areas.

All of this means that when insurance companies do pay out claims, the average cost is higher than it used to be — and that increase shows up in your annual home insurance bill.

“It’s not just the storms — it’s the price of fixing things that’s also hurting us,” Susan said.

📉 So, What’s Really Driving Up Rates?

By the end of her research, Susan realized the rising cost of homeowners insurance in Oklahoma is caused by a perfect storm of:

✔️ Frequent hailstorms and ice storms
✔️ Expensive roof damage
✔️ Fraud and contractor abuse
✔️ A high volume of claims across many zip codes
✔️ Increased repair costs
✔️ Rising average premiums due to inflation and weather risk
✔️ Limited coverage limits for older homes

All of these factors get baked into your homeowners insurance policy, whether or not you’ve filed a claim.

“It’s like everything is stacked against us. But at least now I understand why,” Susan said.

💡 What Did Susan Do Next?

She didn’t give up. She called Jim Holmes Insurance, an independent insurance agency that actually understands the Oklahoma market.

Instead of browsing insurance quotes online and getting overwhelmed, Susan got personal help from a licensed insurance agent who explained:

🔍 The details of her personal property coverage
🛠️ What her policy limits really meant
🔄 Which additional coverages she could add to protect against natural disasters
💰 Where she could save with discounts for security systems, newer roofs, and bundling

With expert guidance, Susan compared real insurance quotes from multiple carriers and found the right insurance coverage for her home — at a better rate.

“I’m glad I asked questions instead of just renewing blindly,” Susan said.

Need Help Like Susan?

You’re not alone in this. You don’t have to overpay for Oklahoma home insurance — and you shouldn’t have to figure it all out yourself.

📞 Call Jim Holmes Insurance — your trusted independent insurance agency
🌐 Visit: www.jimholmesinsuranceok.com
👉 Click here for an insurance quote today!

Let’s protect your home — and your wallet — from Oklahoma’s next storm. 💙