Oregon Auto Insurance

Auto insurance in Oregon

Modern laws regulate the acquisition of auto insurance, helping drivers stay protected in case of accidents. Whether one needs the car for personal or professional purposes, having insurance is mandatory. Without a valid insurance policy, vehicle owners are liable for fines of up to $1000 or might have their driver's license and vehicle registration suspended, for up to six months. If you are looking to discover more details on the subject of auto insurance in Oregon, all you have to do is keep on reading this article.

What type of car insurance do you legally need in Oregon?

According to the Mandatory Liability Insurance Act, all Oregon residents who operate a moving vehicle are obliged to have a liability insurance policy. If there is unintentional lapse in the mandatory insurance, the respective driving documents will be suspended for several months or more. The local authorities also have access to an online insurance verification system, which can be used to determine whether a vehicle is insured or not.

For a resident to operate a vehicle in the state of Oregon, the respective auto insurance must comply with specific guidelines. These might include: bodily injury liability ($50,000 per accident and $25,000 per person), property damage liability ($20,000 per accident), uninsured motorist bodily injury ($50,000 per accident and $25,000 per person), and personal injury protection ($15,000 per person). It is clear that the full coverage insurance is superior to the minimum liability coverage, especially since one can add options such as comprehensive and collision insurance. The recommendation is to choose a higher liability coverage limit than the one imposed by law in Oregon. In this way, you will benefit from the best possible protection, should the worst-case scenario occur.

The sums mentioned above refer to the maximum amount an insurance provider will be able to pay, should the vehicle owner be involved in an accident for which he/she is at fault. According to the law, all vehicle owners are obliged to carry a copy of their insurance policy while driving. It is illegal to drive without insurance in Oregon and consequences are just the ones mentioned above, meaning legal fines and the suspension of one's driving documents (driver's license, vehicle registration). If one continues to drive without a valid insurance policy, jail time might be the next consequence enforced.

Average cost of auto insurance in Oregon

How much does auto insurance cost in Oregon? The state minimum auto insurance policy in Oregon has a value of $637. However, a full coverage insurance policy has an average value of $1,325 per year. Collision and comprehensive insurance are not included in this policy, which means you will have to pay extra for them. Several factors influence the overall insurance rates, including: marital status, gender, age, driving record, location, number of miles driven, the presence of prior insurance, vehicle, etc. It is for the best to select an insurance policy that offers the best possible coverage, as opposed to the cheapest one available.

The average cost of auto insurance varies from one state to the other, that is a known fact. Such variations are present for both the minimum and full coverage, including when it comes to options such as comprehensive and collision insurance. The factors influencing these values include: road conditions, how many uninsured drivers there are in the city, number of drivers in accordance with the general population, at-fault accidents, accidents caused by weather elements or conditions, etc.

Oregon has a significantly lower rate for the average car insurance to the national median, which is around $1,770. The states with the most expensive policies include: California, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, Nevada, New York, and Pennsylvania. As for the states with the most affordable policies of this kind, these are: Maine, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin. New York has the most expensive rates, with $2,996 for the full coverage and $1,339 for the minimum one. Maine is the most affordable, with $876, respectively $227.

Within the state of Oregon, there are also noticeable differences between cities. Eugene has some of the most affordable rates to offer, while Portland stands at the top of the list in terms of costs. The average annual premiums are as follows: Eugene - $1,389; Bend - $1,393; Salem - $1,620; Hillsboro – $1,637; Portland - $1,858.

The driver's age represents one of the chief factors influencing the value of auto insurance. This type of insurance is more expensive for young drivers, as insurance providers see them as less responsible and more prone to accidents. A teenage driver will be prepared for an annual premium of over $7,770, while a middle-aged driver will be accustomed to a premium that is close to $2,000. There are also differences between genders, with men benefiting from more affordable rates. The same goes for married couples who benefit from the most affordable coverages, in contrast to those who are divorced, single, or widowed.

The value of a potential coverage policy might also be influenced by the driver's credit history. Someone with a poor credit will struggle to meet the higher rates, while drivers with exceptional credit will end up saving important sums on their auto insurance premiums. Significantly higher rates are seen in those with prior driving offenses, such as DUI/DWI, at-fault accidents, speeding, or reckless driving. It is also normal for the rates to vary in accordance with the type of coverage. Drivers can add both comprehensive and collision to the state minimum policy, in order to increase the level of protection they benefit from.

Did not find your city or county on the list? Please use our auto insurance companies search box at the top to locate all the best auto insurance quotes in Oregon. Find car insurance in Oregon by city, zip code or county name.

Finding the right auto insurance in Oregon

If you are interested in finding the right insurance policy, perhaps our expert assistance will come in handy. With years of experience and knowledge accumulated in the field, we are pleased to help drivers discover the best policies for their needs, with careful consideration to the available budget. Just give us a call and we will be happy to offer the necessary support. This service is completely free and it will save you from a complicated research process, so that you can use your time in more productive ways.