Cheap car insurance Oregon is incredibly important because it is one of the few states where you could be faced with inclement weather at any time. Home to some of the lushest forests and stunning mountain ranges, there is plenty to see in the state.
As a driver without insurance, you will be putting yourself at risk while commuting. For this reason, it is important that you educate yourself about the things you need to know about car insurance in Oregon. For that, we’ve got your back.
Oregon Minimum Coverage
Every state has an assortment of minimum coverage that you’ll be required to have as a licensed driver with a vehicle. Unlike other states, Oregon has four minimum insurance requirements compared to three or two.
If you’re looking for the cheapest possible insurance, you’ll want to opt for the minimums. It’s important to remember that although minimum coverage makes you a legal driver, it likely won’t cover the costs of getting into an accident.
Between the injuries of the other driver and their passengers as well as property damage, accidents can cost more than you’d think, which is why it’s always advised that you opt for more than the minimum requirements.
The minimum coverage requirements in Oregon are:
Bodily Injury
This type of coverage will cover the costs of medical expenses of the other party if you are found at fault in an accident. The minimum requirements in Oregon are $25,000 per person per accident and $50,000 per accident.
Property Damage
To help pay for costs associated with damage to property if you are found at fault in an accident, property damage coverage is required. The minimum requirement for this coverage is $20,000 per accident.
Personal Injury Protection
Also known as PIP, this one covers your medical costs in an accident. In Oregon, you’re required to have a minimum of $15,000 per person.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage Bodily Injury
If the other driver in an accident is uninsured, you’ll be responsible for paying for your medical costs on your own, unless you sue the other driver. In Oregon, every driver is required to have a minimum of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
Oregon Average Premiums
On average, drivers in Oregon pay $1,595 annually for insurance. However, these rates will fluctuate depending on where you live and the provider you choose.
There are plenty of cheap insurance providers in the state as well as expensive ones. Among the five least expensive insurance providers, you may spend an average of $853 annually.
The five cheapest insurance providers in Oregon are Grange, Oregon Mutual, Country, Travelers, and USAA. USAA is known to have the most benefits for good drivers. However, you need to be from a military family in order to qualify.
- Grange: $701 annually
- Oregon Mutual: $836 annually
- Country: $839 annually
- Travelers: $933 annually
- USAA: $960 annually
Additional Insurance Coverage Options
Each insurance provider you find will have numerous add-ons that you can select for your policy. This is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a provider, as some companies will have benefits that others don’t.
The most popular types of additional coverage in Oregon include:
Comprehensive
As a state that is known for various types of inclement weather, comprehensive coverage is quite popular in Oregon. It helps to make sure that your vehicle is covered against damage from storms, vandalism, and theft.
Rental Car Reimbursement
If you have to take your car to a mechanic or if you are frequently traveling, you might be able to add rental car reimbursement to your policy. This helps you to recoup the costs of renting a car when your main vehicle is unable to be driven.
Medical Payment Coverage
This type of coverage is ideal for accidents where you will need to be taken to the hospital. It will cover the initial costs of the accident, no matter who is found to be at fault. Additionally, medical payment coverage also covers the passengers in your car.
Cheap Car Insurance Oregon: Determining Factors
All of the factors used to determine the cost of your premiums will also be used to make your insurance less expensive, if applicable. Knowing the factors used to calculate the cheapest car insurance options can help you to choose the most affordable insurance.
In Oregon, the most looked at traits include:
Driving Record
Your driving record will have the largest impact on your insurance. If you have a history of speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, or citations for DUIs, you’re going to have higher insurance premiums by at least 33%.
In this case, it is essential that you maintain a clean driving record so that you are seen as a less at-risk driver by your insurance provider.
Age
Your age will determine the amount of experience you have with driving. Younger drivers are the least experienced, which makes them more at risk for accidents, according to insurance providers. In turn, this means that young drivers will have the highest insurance premiums.
On average, people aged between 16 and 19 pay an average of $5,208 every year for insurance. That is three times more than the national average. It’s highly recommended that new and young drivers opt for defensive driving classes to help lower their premiums.
Driving Monitoring
In Oregon, insurance providers, such as Allstate and Progressive, have special programs designed to monitor your driving habits. If you are found to be a less risky driver, there’s a high probability that your insurance premiums will decrease.
The Best Insurance Companies in Oregon
When you’re looking for a great insurance company, you’ll want to look at every aspect of the provider and not just their costs. Although we discussed the five cheapest insurance providers in Oregon, you’ll also want to know the top rated ones.
The best insurance companies in the state are:
- State Farm
- Allstate
- Progressive
- Farmers Insurance
- Liberty Mutual
Car Insurance Laws in Oregon
There are plenty of laws and restrictions in Oregon when it comes to driving and insurance. It’s not only important to focus on state laws but municipal ones as well.
The most notable car insurance laws in Oregon include:
Uninsured Drivers
If you are caught driving without insurance, there are plenty of penalties you’ll face. Not only are you at risk of losing your license and your vehicle, but you will also be responsible for paying fines. This not only applies to not having insurance but to not having proof of insurance as well.
Traffic Accident and Insurance Reports
If you are in an accident in Oregon, you are required to file multiple reports. First, a police report is mandatory for most accidents.
In addition, you will also need to file a Traffic Accident and Insurance Report with the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles. You will need to file a TAIR even if a police report is taken.
Final Thoughts
Finding cheap car insurance Oregon is easy once you take the time to compare several insurance providers. You will want to choose a company that has every type of coverage that is not only mandatory but that you might want as an add-on. Additionally, it should be available at a cost that is affordable to you.
Since driving without insurance in Oregon can lead to the confiscation of your license and vehicle as well as jail time and fines, it’s important to know the ins and outs of being insured.