When driving in Oregon, you find yourself witnessing beautiful scenery. Whether it’s beaches or mountains, it can have a calming effect on you. To maintain that sense of peace, you need to know that you’re covered in case of any unforeseen event. Having car insurance in Oregon surely helps.
Car insurance is mandatory in Oregon as it is in the majority of states. The state or Oregon imposes driving laws and regulations for your protection in case anything happens to your vehicle. Even the most careful of drivers need auto insurance. And we’re here to help.
Trailstone Insurance Group is an insurance agency, proud to serve you with the best insurance solutions and products, including home insurance, auto insurance, business insurance, and more. We work with the top companies in the United States to make sure you have the best car insurance in Oregon.
Here’s everything you need to know about car insurance in Oregon.
Get a QuoteTypes of Oregon Auto Insurance Coverage
There are two types of insurance coverages, some are mandatory by state laws and others are optional add-ons.
The Minimum Liability Insurance Required for Car Insurance in Oregon
- Bodily Injury Liability Coverage: As a driver in Oregon, you’re required to carry a minimum of $25000 for bodily injury to one person, and $50000 for bodily injury to one or more people per crash if you’re found at fault.
- Property Damage Liability Coverage: If you damage another person’s property or vehicle, your insurance covers the repair expenses under the accident property damage coverage. Oregon Drivers should carry a minimum coverage of $20,000 per crash.
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Accident personal injury protection covers eligible injured parties, like passengers or pedestrians in an accident, including a portion of their lost wages, medical expenses, and essential services.
- Uninsured Motorist Coverage/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage protects you if the party at fault doesn’t carry insurance or has insufficient coverage. The coverage has a required minimum of $25,000 per person or $50,000 per crash.
Optional Car Insurance Coverage in Oregon
- Collision Coverage: In case of a car collision, this coverage helps pay for repair expenses regardless of who is at fault.
- Comprehensive Coverage: In case of a non-collision-related car accident, like theft, fire, vandalism, animal interactions, or natural disaster, this coverage pays for the repair expenses.
- Medical Payments: Known as MedPay, this coverage will handle the medical payments if you or your passengers are injured, even if you’re at fault.
Is Oregon a No-Fault State?
No. Oregon is a fault state. That means your insurance company covers all the expenses if you’re at fault in an accident. In a no-fault state, each person involved in the accident will be covered by their insurance company for all expenses.
The exception here in Oregon is if the other driver has no insurance or their insurance doesn’t cover all the costs. In that case, your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage will cover the expenses unless you decide to sue the uninsured driver.
What Happens if I Drive Without Car Insurance?
Driving in Oregon without auto insurance is against the law and has consequences. Here is what happens if you’re caught driving without insurance at a traffic stop or an accident checkpoint.
- Fine: If you drive without insurance, you’re subject to a presumptive fine of $265. A presumptive fee is a flat fee you pay without going to court. If it’s up to the court to decide, the fine can be anywhere between $130 and $1000.
- Suspension: Another penalty for driving without insurance is getting your license and registration suspended either for one year or until you present proof of insurance. In some cases, your car will be impounded until you get adequate auto insurance.
- SR-22 Certificate: In case of license suspension, you need to obtain an SR-22 certificate, valid for at least 3 years. An SR-22 certificate is filed by insurance companies for high-risk drivers to prove that they have insurance coverage. Drivers with SR-22 certificates get a higher car insurance premium. Not that not all insurance companies file SR-22 certificates. If you need one, you may want to find an insurance company that covers high-risk drivers.
- Financial Liability: In case of an accident, if you’re uninsured, the other driver may sue you to pay for financial damage caused by the accident.
- Fees:You may have to pay fees in these cases:Vehicle registrationLicense reinstatementCar retrieval from impoundingFiling for an SR-22 certificateWant to avoid the penalties of driving without car insurance? Call our insurance agents now and get a Car insurance quotes in Oregon now!
Restrictions for Teen Drivers in Oregon
In Oregon, there are many restrictions for young drivers under 18. Teen drivers are considered at higher risk of getting involved in an accident because of their young ages and lack of experience.
These restrictions include:
- They can’t get a full driver’s license. Instead, they can get a provisional instruction permit (Learner’s permit) and then a provisional driver’s license. At the age of 18, if they’ve already obtained a provisional driver’s license, they can get a full driver’s license.
- Drivers with a learner’s permit can only drive accompanied by an adult at least 21 years old.
- Drivers with provisional driver’s licenses aren’t allowed to drive between 12 AM and 5 AM except in some cases, like driving between home and work, or home and school. They can also drive at these hours when accompanied by an adult over the age of 25 with a valid driver’s license.
- All drivers under 18 are prohibited from using any mobile communication devices.
Can Teen Drivers Get Car Insurance in Oregon?
Yes, all drivers must hold the minimum coverage required by the state. As a parent/guardian, you can add your child to your insurance policy, or they can file for a separate car insurance policy. It can be expensive to get car insurance for your child, but they can be eligible for exclusive discounts in some cases, like getting good grades, car driving training, or demonstrating safe driving habits.
What is the Average Cost of Oregon Car Insurance?
The average cost of car insurance in Oregon is $1894 per year or $158 per month for full coverage, and $747 per year for the minimum required coverage. The car insurance rates in Oregon are slightly less than the national average.
This is an average estimate. The real car insurance rate you get will vary depending on your individual factors.
What Are the Factors That Determine Car Insurance Premium Rates in Oregon?
- Location: Not all cities in Oregon have the same car insurance rate because each city has a different population density, claim frequency, crime statistics, and cost of living. For example, Monroe has an average cost of $1717 per year for full coverage, which is %11 lower than the state’s average. On the other hand, car insurance in Portland costs $2,072 per year, which is higher than other cities because it’s the busiest city in Oregon.
- Age and gender: Like most states, age is a huge factor when it comes to car insurance rates. A 16-year-old driver will pay $4339 annually for full coverage if they’re added to a parent’s policy with discounts applied. A 50-year-old, however, pays $1788 per year for full coverage. The older the driver gets, the less insurance costs until they reach the age of 70 and the rates start to increase again. Generally, female drivers in Oregon pay less in car insurance premiums than male drivers.
- Driving History: Your driving record affects your car insurance costs, as reckless driving puts you at high risk of getting involved in an accident. A driver with a clean driving record gets no increase on their premium. If you have a speeding ticket conviction, you might get an increase of %23. If you’re at fault in an accident before, you will get an increase in car insurance rates by at least $47. DUI convictions increase your insurance rate by %68.
- Credit History: Drivers with poor credit scores are known to file claims more often than drivers with better credit scores. That’s why the better your credit score is, the less insurance premium you pay. A driver with a poor credit score gets an increase of around %88, while a driver with an excellent driver score might get %14 discount.
- Vehicle Type: The type of car you drive also determines the amount of car insurance premium you pay. For example, a Ford F-150 is sturdier and less expensive to repair or replace than a BMW 330i. So, the Ford owner will pay less in premium than the BMW owner.
How to Get the Cheapest Car Insurance in Oregon?
There are a few tips to get affordable auto insurance in Oregon and save money.
- Get a higher deductible: Setting a higher deductible will reduce the premium rate. However, ensure you can afford to pay the deductible in case of an unexpected accident.
- Bundle Policies: Bundling policies with the same company can get you a discount. Consider bundling home insurance with auto insurance.
- Get quotes from different insurers: Don’t settle for the first quote you get. Shop around and compare quotes.
- Improve your credit score: Increasing your credit score, even by a few points can get you a lower car insurance premium.
- Take a defensive driving course: Some companies offer discounts for drivers who driving courses. Just make sure it’s an approved course.
- Ask about discounts: Ask your insurance provider about the discounts they offer. You might be eligible for some of them.
Why Go for Trailstone Insurance Group
We’re Independent – We Work for You
We are an independent insurance agency, meaning we work for you, not the insurance company. Our team goes above and beyond to secure the best deals and help you make an informed decision about your Oregon auto insurance.
We’re Partnered with Class A Insurance Companies
We only work with the best of the best. We formed partnerships with over 40 financially strong insurance carriers, so you’re guaranteed to be in safe hands, regardless of how much you pay. We’re committed to providing excellent quality of service. We treat you how we would want to be treated.
We’re Dave Ramsey-Trusted Pros
Dave Ramsey is America’s most trusted voice on money and business. And he put his trust in us. After a long vetting process, we proved ourselves worthy of his endorsement and we continue to work to keep it with monthly evaluations. The Ramsey team dedicates time and resources to guide us like Ramsey would.
Get a QuoteOregon Car Insurance FAQs
The average monthly cost of car insurance in Oregon is $160 for full coverage and $66 for minimum coverage. This is an average estimation, contact us for a more personalized quote.
Car insurance rates differ from one company to another, depending on the benefits they offer. Each company has their own criteria for calculating car insurance rates. Rest assured we will help you find a great deal at an affordable price.
After reaching safety, contact your insurance company as soon as you can. Remember to take photos of the accident scene and the damage to all the vehicles. Then, ask the other driver about their name, address, phone, vehicle license number, driver’s license number, insurance company name, and insurer’s phone number. Also, ask any witnesses for their names and contact info.
Car insurance rates are generally below the average in the state of Oregon. To get cheaper car insurance, contact our team of expert insurance agents.
Yes, you can buy car insurance without having a driver’s license. However, it’s more difficult as some insurance companies require having a license.
No, a 17-year-old is a minor and legally can’t purchase their own car insurance. Any driver under the age of 18 needs to be listed under an adult’s auto policy.