Living in Moore, Oklahoma means calling home one of the most resilient communities in America. This city of 63,000 residents in Cleveland County, just south of Oklahoma City, has rebuilt itself multiple times after devastating tornadoes. That history shapes everything about insurance here—from what you need to what you'll pay. If you're moving to Moore or already live here, understanding your insurance options isn't just about checking a legal box. It's about protecting yourself from very real risks that have shaped this community's identity.
This guide walks you through everything Moore residents need to know about auto insurance, homeowners coverage, and the specialized protections that make sense when you live in Tornado Alley. We'll cover Oklahoma's requirements, what coverage actually costs here, and how to make sure you're protected without overpaying.
Auto Insurance in Moore: What You Need to Know
Oklahoma operates under an at-fault insurance system, which means if you cause an accident, your insurance pays for the other person's damages. The state requires all drivers to carry minimum liability coverage of 25/50/25. Here's what those numbers mean: $25,000 per person for injuries or death, $50,000 total per accident for all injuries or deaths, and $25,000 per accident for property damage.
Here's the problem with those minimums: they're dangerously low. A serious accident can easily rack up $100,000 or more in medical bills for a single injured person. If you're at fault and only carry the minimum, you're personally responsible for everything above that $25,000 limit. That could mean wage garnishment, liens on your property, or bankruptcy. For most people, carrying at least 100/300/100 makes much more sense. Yes, it costs more, but the difference in premium pales compared to the financial devastation of a serious at-fault accident.
Oklahoma doesn't require uninsured motorist coverage, but your insurer must offer it. Take it. About 13% of Oklahoma drivers have no insurance at all. If one of them hits you and you don't have uninsured motorist coverage, you're stuck paying your own medical bills and property damage. That coverage protects you when the other driver can't or won't.
Homeowners Insurance: Protecting Against Tornado Alley's Reality
Moore has experienced more than 20 documented tornadoes since 1890, including two EF5 tornadoes that devastated the community. The May 3, 1999 tornado killed 36 people and caused $1 billion in damage. The May 20, 2013 tornado killed 24 and caused $2 billion in insured losses. While Moore hasn't been hit in nine years, the 2026 tornado season already started early with confirmed twisters in Oklahoma on January 8. This isn't theoretical risk—it's documented history that will repeat.
That history shows up in your premium. Oklahoma has the second-highest homeowners insurance rates in the nation, with an average annual cost of $4,695 for $300,000 in dwelling coverage. That's 94% higher than the national average of $2,424. Moore residents can expect to pay in that range or higher, depending on your home's age, construction, and specific location. Some sources show Oklahoma households spending 6.84% of their income on home insurance—the highest percentage in any state.
Most standard homeowners policies cover windstorm damage, including tornadoes. But read your policy carefully. Many Oklahoma policies include a separate wind and hail deductible that's significantly higher than your standard deductible—often 1% to 5% of your dwelling coverage amount. On a $300,000 home, a 2% wind deductible means you pay the first $6,000 of tornado damage out of pocket. That's very different from your standard $1,000 deductible for other perils like fire or theft.
Make absolutely certain your dwelling coverage reflects current rebuilding costs, not just your home's purchase price or market value. After a major tornado, construction costs spike due to demand, and you need enough coverage to actually rebuild. Your policy should cover the physical structure, other structures on your property like detached garages or sheds, your personal belongings, and loss of use for additional living expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable. Review that dwelling coverage amount annually—construction costs have been rising significantly.
The Flood Insurance Gap Most Moore Residents Miss
Here's something critical that surprises most people: your homeowners policy covers wind damage from tornadoes, but it doesn't cover flooding. When severe storms bring torrential rain—which often happens during tornado events—any water damage that results from flooding isn't covered by your standard policy. Only a separate flood insurance policy covers that.
This distinction matters in Moore. If a tornado damages your roof and rain gets in through the damaged roof, that's covered under wind damage. But if the same storm system dumps enough rain to flood your neighborhood and water enters through your doors and windows, that's not covered without flood insurance. Given that Oklahoma averages 50 tornadoes annually and severe storms frequently bring flash flooding, a separate flood policy deserves serious consideration even if you're not in a designated flood zone.
Additional Coverage to Consider
If you rent in Moore rather than own, you need renters insurance. It's affordable—typically $15 to $30 monthly—and covers your personal belongings plus liability if someone gets injured in your rental. Your landlord's insurance covers the building structure but nothing you own inside it. After a tornado, replacing everything you own out of pocket would be devastating.
Umbrella insurance provides liability coverage above your auto and homeowners policy limits. For about $150 to $300 annually, you can add $1 million in additional liability protection. This matters if you have significant assets to protect or if you're at higher risk for liability claims. Given Moore's median household income of $76,941 and home values, many families here have enough assets that a serious liability claim could wipe them out financially. Umbrella coverage prevents that.
How to Get Started
Start by documenting your current coverage. Pull out your auto and homeowners policies and actually read them. Check your liability limits, understand your deductibles—especially any separate wind and hail deductibles—and verify your dwelling coverage amount reflects current replacement costs. If you're not sure, call your agent and ask specific questions.
Get quotes from multiple insurers. Rates vary dramatically between companies, especially in high-risk areas like Moore. Some insurers have gotten selective about covering homes in repeatedly tornado-hit areas, while others remain competitive. Shop around annually—loyalty doesn't pay in insurance. Also ask about discounts for bundling auto and home coverage, installing storm shelters, upgrading your roof, or having a monitored security system.
Finally, create a home inventory. Photograph or video every room in your home, document serial numbers for electronics, and keep receipts for valuable items. Store this documentation somewhere other than your home—a cloud storage service works perfectly. After a tornado destroys your home, trying to remember and prove what you owned becomes nearly impossible. That inventory is the difference between getting fully compensated and settling for a fraction of your loss.
Moore's tornado history is part of living here, but it doesn't have to mean financial catastrophe. The right insurance coverage—adequate liability limits on your auto policy, comprehensive homeowners coverage with enough dwelling protection, and consideration of flood and umbrella policies—turns an uncontrollable weather risk into a manageable financial planning decision. Review your coverage today, and make sure you're truly protected.
