Oregon Auto Insurance
As an Oregon resident, you have access to cute, coastal towns, redwood groves, and city living. But whether your idea of fun is chasing waterfalls or exploring downtown Portland, affordable auto insurance coverage is a must for every adventure.
So, take a few minutes to learn about cheap car insurance in Oregon. Find out which coverages are mandatory, which ones are optional, and how a Direct Auto Insurance policy could be your cheap Oregon car insurance solution. Get a free quote to see how much money you can save.
Oregon Car Insurance Laws
Do you have to have car insurance in Oregon?
Oregon law requires all drivers to carry liability insurance for their vehicles. Oregon auto insurance policies must at least meet the minimum liability coverage limits, typically expressed as three numbers representing thousands of dollars. For example, the liability limits in Oregon are 25/50/20, as shown below under Oregon Minimum Car Insurance Requirements.
In addition to liability coverage, Oregon drivers must also carry uninsured motorist (UM) bodily injury coverage and personal injury protection (PIP).
Oregon Minimum Car Insurance Requirements
Wondering what your insurance policy needs to make sure you’re following Oregon’s laws? Here’s a quick breakdown by coverage type.
|
Coverages |
Is It Required by Law? |
|
Bodily Injury Liability Coverage provides financial protection if you cause an accident that injures another person. It helps pay for their medical expenses and your legal services (if necessary). |
Yes. $25,000 bodily injury per person/$50,000 bodily injury per accident. |
|
Property Damage Liability Coverage helps pay to repair or replace other people’s property that is damaged in an accident you cause. It typically involves damage to another vehicle, but it could help pay to repair a house, fence, mailbox, and more. |
Yes. $20,000 property damage per accident. |
|
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM) helps pay for your medical bills and related expenses if the other driver has no coverage (UM), insufficient coverage (UIM), or can’t be identified due to hit and run. In some states, UM/UIM can also help pay for property damage. |
Yes. $25,000 UM bodily injury per person/$50,000 UM bodily injury per accident. |
|
Personal Injury Protection helps pay for your medical and related expenses stemming from an accident, regardless of fault. |
Yes. $15,000 PIP coverage. |
|
Collision Coverage helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle if you collide with another car, tree, guardrail, or another object, regardless of fault. |
Not required.1 |
|
Comprehensive Coverage helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it’s damaged by something other than a collision, like fire, floodwaters, falling branches, vandalism, or contact with an animal. |
Not required.1 |
IMPORTANT NOTE: While purchasing liability insurance and other state-mandated coverages ensures you follow Oregon’s car insurance laws, it doesn’t necessarily protect you or your vehicle in every circumstance. You would need to add additional coverage, like comprehensive and collision, to protect yourself and your vehicle more fully.
1Your lender may require these coverages if you lease or finance your vehicle.
Are there additional coverage options?
For added peace of mind, there may be add-on services and other insurance products available to Oregon drivers:
Oregon Proof of Financial Responsibility and Penalties
What if I don't meet Oregon’s minimum car insurance requirements?
Oregon law requires that you carry proof of insurance and must be able to show it following an accident or during traffic stops, according to the Oregon State Bar. Failure to provide proof of coverage can result in a citation.
If you are convicted, you can expect to pay a fine between $130 and $1,000. Additionally, you’ll face a driver’s license suspension and be forced to fulfill SR-22 requirements for three years to have it reinstated.
Therefore, it’s important to maintain continuous coverage so you’re never in a situation where you get caught driving without insurance.
Penalties for Driving with a Suspended License in Oregon
It’s against the law to operate a vehicle without a valid driver’s license in Oregon. The exact penalty for driving without a license can vary depending on your specific circumstances, according to the Oregon State Bar. However, the consequences can be quite serious. Even a basic citation can be quite expensive, and if you’re charged with a misdemeanor driving while suspended or felony driving while suspended, you could face thousands of dollars in fines and possible jail time.
Whether it’s charged as a basic violation or criminally, driving while suspended or revoked isn’t worth the risk. If your license is ever suspended or revoked, follow the appropriate steps to get your driving privileges restored.
SR-22 Insurance in Oregon
In many states, high-risk drivers are also required to keep an SR22 (also known as a certificate of financial responsibility) on file with the state verifying they have purchased auto insurance coverage that satisfies the state’s minimum coverage requirements. Drivers might be required to fulfill SR-22 requirements in Oregon if:
- They have been caught driving without insurance.
- They own a vehicle that didn’t have coverage and was involved in an accident.
- They have committed other serious violations.
If you have any questions about SR-22 filings, we’d be happy to help. Our agents specialize in helping people find affordable car insurance coverage, regardless of their history.
High-Risk Auto Insurance in Oregon
Many individuals do not have a perfect driving record, and after a certain number of violations or a serious enough violation, drivers can be considered a major risk to insure. While some companies try to steer clear of these individuals, other insurance companies offer non-standard insurance (another name for high-risk auto insurance) to provide financial protection for these drivers.
We believe your driving history shouldn't define you forever, and we work hard to find quality, affordable coverage for every driver, regardless of their past.
Where can I find the cheapest car insurance rates in Oregon?
Car insurance costs vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- The amount & type of coverage you choose
- The year, make and model of the vehicle you drive
- How much you drive, where you drive and where you live
- Your demographics
- Your driving record
- Your credit history
Other Oregon Auto Insurance Resources
Find Cheap Car Insurance in Oregon with Direct Auto!
Looking for affordable and cheap car insurance in Oregon? Get a free car insurance quote that meets your state’s requirements, fits your needs, and includes any discounts you’re entitled to receive so your premium is the lowest price possible.
*Emergency Protection Plans (EPP) and Roadside Assistance are not insurance and are administered through Nation Safe Drivers, Boca Raton, FL. Not all benefits available in all states.
**The “Direct Auto Insurance” brand is used by insurers in the National General Group, Winston-Salem, NC to describe their direct-to-consumer auto insurance programs. Direct Auto Insurance branded policies are produced by Direct General Insurance Agency, Inc. dba “Direct Auto Insurance” and by National General Insurance Marketing Inc.