Oregon Auto Insurance

"Being insured is the law in Oregon"

Consumers have questions and so did we...

• What are the types of insurance coverage and what are the amounts required for the state of Oregon.

• What does the law say pertaining to minimum insurance coverage in Oregan?

Oregon has strict mandatory policies about vehicle registration, insurance coverage minimums, and financial responsibilities pertaining to every vehicle owned, operated, or parked on its roadways. In Oregon, you can obtain your learner’s permit at fifteen and your restricted license at sixteen, with a full license at seventeen.

To adhere to Oregon's auto insurance rules, you must...

In Oregon, you must maintain a current insurance policy with a registered insurance company or broker carrying the minimum insurance requirements or greater. There are many different types of insurance, at competitive rates, so shop around for the best price. Be aware that once insured, if you miss a payment on your policy, your insurance could be cancelled, without notice.

1. Oregon requires each driver to carry third party liability insurance, also called PLPD, accidental benefits coverage, and uninsured and unidentified driver’s coverage, which insures you, in case you injure someone, cause a death, or damage someone’s property in a motor vehicle accident.

In Oregon, you must have third party liability insurance for bodily injury with each person allowed $25,000.00, up to maximum of $50,000.00, as well as an additional $10,000.00 for property damages. If there are more than two people injured, whoever files first gets the settlement.

2. In Oregon, you must carry your driver’s license and proof of insurance, which has not expired, in your motor vehicle. If you driver’s license has been suspended, or your insurance has expired, your vehicle could be towed to the compound by the police. You driver’s license can also be suspended if you owe back child support.

Important facts about auto coverage in Oregon:

• Your driver’s license can be suspended, if you are caught driving without adequate insurance, with too many fines, or driving while under the influence of alcohol or refusing to take a blood-alcohol test, and leaving the scene of an accident or failing to file an accident report. Seat belts are mandatory in Oregon.
• You are required to change your driver’s license, if you move, within seven days.
• Your insurance agent has access to your driving record to check for fines, suspensions, and accidents that can cause your policy to increase or be cancelled.
• If you are in an accident, and do not have the minimum insurance, you are financially responsible for all injury and damage settlements awarded by the courts.

Comprehensive or collision insurance does NOT meet minimum requirements.

Used Cars in Oregon

Auto Insurance FAQ

Question: If you get married in Oregon, do you and your spouse have to combine auto insurance?
If you live in Oregon and you get married, is it required for the married couple to combine car insurance? Can you still keep your car insurance separate?

Answer: You could keep it separate, but you wouldn't want to. Married drivers are better risks and get better rates when the policies are combined. Keeping them separate introduces a coordination of coverage element that brings unnecessary confusion if there were an accident with both of them present.

Question: Does anyone know where I can get a 1 month contract with an auto insurance provider?
Im moving in about a week from oregon to utah and I do not have auto insurance. I was wondering if anyone knew of a broker that can offer 1 month of auto insurance. That way I am insured and I can get to my destination. I do not have the money to do a 6 month. so if anyone knows of any place please let me know. Thanks very much!

Answer: You can't. Each state sets the minimum contract time, and the minimum contract time in ANY state is six months. The good news is, if you cancel the insurance before the six months is up, you can get a partial refund of the insurance.

Question: I moved to oregon. I had Washington auto ins. The Co forgot to check my change of address so i still have wa.?
I just moved from washington to oregon. I put in a change of address right away with my new insurance. I bought a new car and called them. I committed to automatic withdrawl from my checking if they would give me a low rate. I agreed but then when the money was all set up to come out she told me it was WA ins. and too late to change it. They didnt notice the new address. Is is legal to have washington insurance in oregon? She said they would do it for 6 months only then i would have to get oregon ins but is it even legal?

Answer: Your insurance company should be giving you insurance for Oregon; the main difference is that you have to be covered at least to Oregon requirements. Whether that's higher or lower than Washington, I don't know. Call your agent again, and tell him/her that you have moved. If he won't do anything about it, call the corporate offices, and next time, get new insurance, because whoever you've got now sounds incompetent.

Question: College Auto Insurance Question?
If I am an Oregon resident attending school in MA, and I buy a car here locally, does my insurance in OR cover me here? Additionally, if I want to add another driver to the vehicle, how do I do that and would I be liable for his damages/injuries to others if he were to crash?

Answer: Yes, you are covered. If you have insurance in any state in the US, they are required to provide coverage in all states. They will always cover at least the minimum in each state regardless of what limits you have. For example, in FL, minimum liability is 15/30 ($15k per person, $30k per accident) In NY, it's 25/50. If you live in NY and are driving in FL, (and you have minimum 15/30 insurance in FL) your company will cover you for 25/50. If you add a driver and that driver has an accident with your car.... your insurance company will pay the damage and YOUR insurance will go up. The only way to get that accident off of your record is if that other driver gets his/her own insurance and you submit proof of that insurance to your company.

Question: My wife was in an auto accident in Oregon. There are repairs that will be needed.?
The insurance company wants us to go to a specific repair shop. They say that we have to have repairs done at that specific business or they won't pay for repairs. Is this legal? Or can I have to have the auto repairs done at any repair shop?

Answer: You have the legal right to take the veh to any repair facility of your choice.In most cases when you do so the insurance company will request that you get more than one estimate, and again like the answers below they will most likely always go with the lowest. Now the reason they want you to go to one of there shops is because they have contracts with those shops, and the shop direct bills the company.So in that case they don't have to make any payment out to you they just send to auto shop.Now one thing that is good about those shops is that in most cases the insurance company will guarantee the work that shop does on your veh for as long as you own it.The reason they started doing contracts with different shops is because to many people were making claims, and getting payment from insurance company.Then not repairing the veh, and trying to file another claim down the road for same damage.Hope that helps a little.Just out of curiosity what insurance company?

Question: Do I have to pay more for my 16 yr old to drive?
Do I have to pay for a different auto insurance policy (that costs alot more)here in Oregon to allow my 16 year old son to drive our vehicles? I was told by a former ins agent, this is a scam to get more in premiums, when it is not required by law.

Answer: If he's driving your cars, he really can't get his own policy because he doesn't own a car that would need insurance. I don't know about Oregon, but that's pretty much insurance all around. And your policy will go up because he is a higher risk. Much higher.

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