Best Car Insurance Oregon

Oregon is a state full of personality. It has diverse geography, varied industries and assorted activities. Car insurance options seem to equal the number of hiking trails. That's daunting. Fear not — finding the best car insurance in Oregon is less strenuous than reaching the peak of Mt. Hood. But as with any endeavor, you need to start by taking the first step. 

What is Auto Insurance?

When you sign up for car insurance, you're signing a contract between you and an auto insurer. This contract protect you against the financial risk that can come with driving a car. This typically includes some combination of personal liability coverage, medical expenses coverage and collision coverage, which covers the costs of repairing or replacing a vehicle involved in an accident.

Best Oregon Car Insurance

Oregon Car Insurance Overview

Here’s some Oregon insurance facts to skim:

• Approximately 2.4 vehicles per household 
• Average Oregon car insurance rate with a clean driving record is $2,000

Oregon Car Insurance Laws

Oregon auto insurance is a combination of “fault” and “no-fault.” In a fault state, the person at fault pays the damages. In a no-fault state, each person involved in an accident files a claim with their own insurance company regardless of who is at fault. 

• Bodily injury and property damage liability
  • $25,000 per person
  • $50,000 per crash for bodily injury to others; and
  • $20,000 per crash for damage to others’ property.
• Personal injury protection
  • $15,000 per person
• Uninsured motorist
  • $25,000 per person
  • $50,000 per crash for bodily injury

Oregon primarily operates under the fault system. However, drivers must have Personal Injury Protection (PIP). That's where no-fault enters the picture. PIP covers your injuries within a year from the accident. Additionally, Oregon requires uninsured motorist coverage. This means that even if the other driver is responsible for the accident, your damages are covered if they aren’t insured.

You are required to have your insurance information with you at all times. If you’re in an accident, in addition to a police report you must file an accident report with the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within 72 hours if:

• Damage to the vehicle you were driving is over $2,500
• Damage to property other than a vehicle is over $2,500
• Damage to any vehicle is greater than $2,500 and any vehicle is towed from the scene due to damage from the crash
• There is injury or death resulting from the crash
• You are the owner of a vehicle involved in a reportable crash and the driver fails to report the crash

Oregon Car Insurance Rates Per Vehicle

Your age, vehicle type and age, and repair or replacement costs all factor into insurance cost. Safety and security features such as airbags, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and anti-theft systems also influence your rate. 

According to 2019 retail sales, Kelley Blue Book ranks the following as the 5 most popular vehicles in Oregon:

1. Subaru Outback
2. Toyota Tacoma
3. Subaru Forester
4. Honda CR-V
5. Toyota RAV4

As mentioned, the cost to repair a vehicle impacts insurance rates. Expensive vehicles are expensive to repair. Larger vehicles usually withstand minor accidents better than smaller vehicles. Your vehicle’s age and make plays a part in your insurance rates as does your personal info and driving history.

Determined that the latest model crossover with all the bells and whistles will be yours? The insurance rates may be higher than a mid-range choice, but there are things you can do to lower your insurance rates. For instance, you can consider bundling your insurance needs with one provider. You can even ask for a higher deductible.  

Car Insurance Rates by Insurance Credit Score

Insurance agencies look at your insurance credit score which is different from your FICO credit score.   Both tell a creditor, bank or insurance company how likely you are to pay back a loan (or your insurance premium) based on your credit history.  This is also factored into determining your premium. The higher your score, the lower the risk for the company, the less you’ll pay. The lower your score, the more you’ll pay.

Low credit score? You can boost your credit score. Making payments on time and reducing or eliminating debt are a few things that will help. High credit score? Terrific!  Credit scores are fluid and move down as easily as up. So protect that high score.

Here are some examples of what you can expect to pay based on your FICO score using Benzinga’s research.

Insurance for Drivers with a Clean Record

Keeping your record clean is a matter of following all traffic laws. Buckle up. Observe speed limits and traffic signs. Keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. 

You’ve earned a safe driving record, now what? Get to know the different types of insurance coverage:

• Minimum coverage:
  • Minimum auto insurance coverage is the least amount of coverage required by the state. Oregon’s minimums are  
    • Bodily injury and property damage liability
      • $25,000 per person
      • $50,000 per crash for bodily injury to others and
      • $20,000 per crash for damage to others’ property
    • Personal injury protection
      • $15,000 per person
    • Uninsured motorist
      • $25,000 per person and
      • $50,000 per crash for bodily injury
• Standard coverage:
  • Standard auto insurance bolsters minimum coverage. Bodily injury liability, property damage and personal injury protection coverage increase. It also adds 
    • Comprehensive coverage, which is damage to your vehicle as a result of acts such as theft, flood or fire.
    • Collision coverage, which covers damage resulting from a collision with another car or object (telephone pole, tree, pothole)
• Full coverage:
  • Full vehicle insurance coverage is a combination of the coverages mentioned above along with rental reimbursement and emergency roadside service to name a few. These are increased dollar amount coverage for people and the vehicle.   

Insurance Rates with Driving Infractions

A clean driving record is the result of a constant focus on obeying traffic laws. According to lawyers.com, some of the most common driving infractions include the following:

• Speeding: In Oregon, you can get a ticket for driving faster than what is reasonable for the conditions and for going above the posted speed.
• Stop signs and lights: You must come to a complete, full stop at a stop sign or red light. Though you can turn right on a red light (unless it’s posted that you cannot), you still need to come to a full stop before turning.
• Driving distracted: Oregon prohibits the use of mobile electronic devices while driving a vehicle.  
• Driving without a license: Your license must be valid if you’re operating a motor vehicle.

Even the most focused drivers make mistakes. It’s possible to get insurance with an infraction on your record, though you’ll pay more. Following is an idea of what you might expect to pay in Oregon.

Best Car Insurance Providers in Oregon

Best car insurance providers earned an overall score of 4.3 or higher using Benzinga’s analysis of policy offerings, availability and price. We’ve even handed out some 5 out of 5 ratings.

Best For

• Bundling home and auto coverage

custom quote

1. Best Overall: AAA

AAA is the best overall auto insurance provider in Oregon. At about $1,100 per year, coverage costs nearly 50% less than the state average insurance rate for a clean record. Roadside assistance, new car replacement, accident forgiveness, medical payments coverage and rental car reimbursement come standard with a policy.

Discount opportunities include safety device, homeowner, loyalty, anti-theft device, multi-policy, defensive driving and good student. AAA’s standard policy offerings, discount possibilities and price earn them the best overall moniker. As a bonus, through AAA you get access to member discounts and trip planning assistance.

2. Cheapest Car Insurance in Oregon: The Hanover

At about $980 annually, The Hanover Insurance Group is more than 50% below the average rate for auto insurance and the cheapest of the best companies for car insurance. The Hanover’s policy offerings and price are better than many others on the list of best auto insurers in Oregon.

But, its availability is about average. Stand-out policy offerings include roadside assistance, new car replacement, accident forgiveness and medical payments. Discount opportunities include anti-theft device, multi-policy, defensive driving, good student and safety device.

custom quotesecurely through Hanover's website

Additionally, The Hanover supports OEM parts usage for repairs which is positive for vehicle resale and lease turn-in.

3. Best Coverage for Multiple Cars: The Hanover

Multiple cars mean multiplying expenses. Anything you can do to lessen the strain on your budget is helpful. Therefore, the best coverage for multiple cars is The Hanover.

With a yearly rate around $980 per vehicle and multi-policy, good student, defensive driving, anti-theft and safety device discount potential, The Hanover is a solid option in Oregon.

Best For

• Active military members

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4. Best for Military Personnel: USAA

When it comes to servicing those who serve their country as well as their families, USAA sits at the summit of the insurance providers. J.D. Power studies consistently rank USAA as “among the best” in customer satisfaction. USAA provides coverage that is especially tailored to military personnel such as rideshare coverage, usage-based coverage, and temporary and short term coverage.

It also provides multiple discount opportunities including special employment, loyalty, anti-theft device, multi-policy and good student. Its economical pricing of about $950 per year, make USAA a top peak provider.

If The Shoe Fits

When it comes to car insurance in Oregon, the options are as plentiful as Nike and Adidas athletic gear. Finding the right fit takes patience and perseverance. Similar to shoes, you need to try on a few before finding “the one.” Decide what features your auto insurance must have. Think about the discounts for which you qualify. Is there enough support, room for growth and is it durable? Narrow the field using online or in-person quoting and talk to family and friends.

You’ll find that perfect fit. 

Frequently Asked Questions