Oregon Auto Insurance Guide

Whether you’re skiing Mt. Hood, exploring the Columbia River Gorge, fishing on Coos Bay, watching the Ducks play in Eugene, boating on Crater lake, doing business in Salem or visiting a Portland rose garden, Oregon is filled with beautiful scenery and miles of roads to take you where you want to go. From Astoria to Brookings, Coos Bay to Jordan Valley and all points in between, sightseeing or commuting, car insurance is crucial to being a responsible Oregon driver.

 

Auto Insurance Resources for OR State Residents

As of 2010, there were over 2.5 million drivers in the Beaver State. The Insurance Research Council estimates that 11% of Oregon drivers are uninsured. The Oregon Department of Transportation reports that there were 76,295 traffic accidents in 2008; 416 were fatal. Following too closely, driver inattentiveness and speeding were the leading causes of all accidents during that year. Uninsured, inattentive and reckless drivers are good reasons to make sure you have enough car insurance while living and driving in the Beaver State.

 

Oregon State Minimum Car Insurance

Oregon state law requires you to carry a minimum amount of car insurance or face severe penalties. The Beaver State has a tort-based system. That means if you cause an accident, you can be sued. While Oregon does not require you to carry additional personal liability or Collision and Comprehensive, if you own property or other valuable assets, you would be wise to supplement the minimum requires shown below:

• $25,000 bodily injury per person per accident
• $50,000 bodily injury for all persons per accident
• $20,000 property damage liability
• $25,000/$50,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage
• $15,000 personal injury protection

 

Oregon Car Insurance Laws

Oregon law requires that you carry proof of Oregon auto insurance in your vehicle and produce it if a law enforcement officer asks to see it. Driving without car insurance in Oregon is a Class B traffic violation and carries an average fine of $300 for the first offense. You may also have your driver’s license suspended and your car impounded. You will be charged for the towing and for every day your car is impounded until you can produce proof of insurance. You will also have to keep an SR-22 form on file with the Oregon DMV for 3 years following the citation or you will not be able to register your vehicle.

If you are involved in a car accident, regardless of who is at fault, and do not have proper car insurance, you will lose your license for 1 year. When the year is up, you will have to keep an SR-22 of file for 3 years.

 

Regulating Agency and References

Oregon Insurance Division/Department of Consumer & Business Services
This agency is responsible for regulating vehicle insurance policies sold in Oregon. For more information, visit their website at www.insurance.oregon.gov/

Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles
This is the agency responsible for licensing drivers and registering vehicles. You can learn more about Oregon auto insurance requirements, penalties and related information at www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/index.shtml

National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
This is an organization of insurance regulators from the 50 states, District of Columbia and the five U.S. territories. NAIC provides a forum for the development of uniform policies when appropriate. NAIC members are elected or appointed state government officials who regulate the conduct of insurance companies and agents in their respective states or territories. Visit NAIC at www.naic.org

Insurance Information Institute (III)
This organization’s mission is to improve public understanding of insurance – what it is and how it works. Visit III at www.iii.org/

 

Related Car and Motorist E Insurance Articles

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