Oregon requires that all vehicles must have liability insurance to be driven on the roads, lawfully. When you register a vehicle with the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), you will need to provide proof of insurance.
Some Oregon drivers can self-insure. This requires filing of special paperwork with the DMV, and showing proof of considerable funds always kept in a bank to pay for potential damages one could cause in an auto accident.
Oregon’s minimum insurance requirements are:
Bodily injury and property damage liability:
Personal injury protection (PIP):
Uninsured motorist
Key Takeaways
Oregon vehicles must have insurance. The OR DMV takes insurance very seriously, and the penalties can be severe if you are caught driving without insurance. Drivers must always carry proof of insurance in the vehicle and present it to law enforcement at once when asked.
You may hear Oregon minimum insurance requirements described as:
If a driver is convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) they will need to purchase an extra certificate from their auto insurance company, sometimes called SR22. This extra cost ensures that the insurer will notify the DMV right away if a vehicle is uninsured for any reason.
Oregon auto insurance minimums are designed to protect all drivers and property owners. In the world of insurance, “liability” means financial responsibility. If you cause injuries or property damage to others while driving, these coverages will help to pay for medical bills, missed work, and extra childcare; and to repair other vehicles or property.
No OR law requires drivers to carry “full coverage” or “comprehensive” insurance. However, if you are making a car payment, the lender may require you to purchase that type of insurance.
OR drivers should become familiar with basic insurance vocabulary to be able to speak with agents, law enforcement, and other drivers. Here are the terms you should know:
Bodily injury and property damage liability: If you cause property damage, an injury to a person or even their death, this part of your insurance policy will help to pay those bills.
Personal injury protection: This coverage helps to pay medical bills for yourself or others in your vehicle, regardless of who may be at fault in an accident.
Uninsured motorist coverage: This part of your policy helps to pay for injuries to yourself or others if you’re in an accident with someone who has no insurance.
This part of the article describes OR minimum auto insurance requirements.
$25,000 Bodily Injury/$50,000 Bodily Injury Per Accident, and $20,000 Property Damage Coverage
If you cause an auto accident in OR, your insurance will come into play to protect you financially. It will automatically pay $25,000 to one person for their injuries, up to $50,000 if more than one person is injured.
Your minimum auto insurance policy will also pay for $20,000 in property damages. This includes repairs to other vehicles, other peoples’ belongings, structures, fences and so on.
Some OR drivers feel more comfortable buying more liability coverage from their insurer. This is because vehicles, parts and repair costs are becoming more expensive. Medical bills are expensive, too. By purchasing a higher limit of liability, you know that you won’t be sued for more money after an expensive accident.
Research by the Insurance Information Institute (III) suggests that 13% of all Oregon drivers are on the road without insurance. That means more than one in 10 drivers on the road right now don’t have insurance.
Uninsured motorist coverage comes into play when you’re involved in an accident caused by an uninsured driver.
As of 2021, Oregon residents can apply for a driver’s license without proof of US citizenship. All the other requirements stay the same, a new driver must prove residency, pass a licensing test, and pay the required fees to become a driver. The goal of this new legislation is to ensure undocumented individuals are properly educated about driving in OR.
You must maintain auto insurance to drive legally in OR. Failure to do so will lead to expensive fines, and the DMV may suspend your license.
If you’re caught driving without insurance, the first offense will lead to a ticket of $135 or more. If you continue this behavior, the tickets become more expensive, up to $1,000. Our research suggests the average fine for driving without insurance in OR is $265.
You must always carry proof of insurance in the vehicle. And you must present it to law enforcement at once when asked.
One of the best ways to be sure you’re getting a good price for OR auto insurance is to shop around every few years. Insurers are known to slowly increase their rates over time, even for very safe drivers. When other auto insurance companies are looking for new business, they will try to lure you to them with attractive, affordable rates.
Read More: 8 Simple Ways to Save You 90% On Your Car Insurance
Insurance companies consider many points when deciding how much to charge customers for insurance. In Oregon, they will ask about your:
Some vehicles are more expensive to insure because they are:
OR Auto Insurance Rates by Carrier
Our research shows the following insurance companies are among the most affordable. But remember, your policy costs will be based on the points listed above.
| Insurer | Average Monthly Premium | Yearly Cost |
| State Farm | $36 | $432 |
| Oregon Mutual | $36 | $432 |
| GEICO | $39 | $472 |
| Travelers | $39 | $472 |
Here, we answer the most common questions we hear from OR residents about their auto insurance.
Is auto insurance required by law in Oregon?
Yes. Oregon law requires that you carry a minimum amount of liability coverage. Self-insurance is a possibility for high-net worth individuals and businesses, but you’ll need to prove you always have considerable funds available.
Which insurance company is cheapest in OR?
At the time of writing, State Farm, Oregon Mutual, GEICO and Travelers all offer very low rates for safe drivers. However, remember that your cost for auto insurance is based on many factors, including your age, experience, driving history and more.
Do I need full coverage auto insurance in Oregon?
While no OR law requires you to carry full coverage, some drivers are more comfortable knowing their vehicle is protected from issues like theft, hail, storm damage and so on. If your lender requires you to purchase full coverage insurance, then you must obey the contract and do so.
Oregon Driver & Motor Vehicle Services (DMV)
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