Car Insurance in Salem


Key Takeaways
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GEICO offers the cheapest car insurance in Salem at $613 per year for minimum coverage and $1,226 per year for full coverage, performing 25% below the city average for full coverage. Progressive and Travelers also provide competitive rates for Oregon drivers seeking affordable coverage in the state capital.

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Drivers in Salem pay $819 per year for minimum coverage and $1,575 per year for full coverage on average. These rates align closely with Oregon's statewide insurance costs.

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Progressive also offers the cheapest car insurance in Oregon at $554 per year for minimum coverage and $986 per year for full coverage.

Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance in Salem?

Among the insurers MoneyGeek analyzed, GEICO provides the cheapest car insurance in Salem for adult drivers with clean records at $613 per year for minimum coverage. Young drivers face the highest costs in Salem, with Country Financial charging $945 per year, which represents a 54% increase over adult rates.

Drivers with at-fault accidents pay $799 per year through State Farm, representing a 30% increase over clean-record rates. Salem drivers with DUI violations pay $677 per year through State Farm.

The rate variations between driver categories remain moderate compared to larger metropolitan areas. Salem's insurance market rewards safe driving with competitive premiums for drivers who maintain violation-free records.

Young DriversCOUNTRY Financial$79
Adult DriversGEICO$51
Senior DriversGEICO$57
Drivers With an AccidentState Farm$67
Drivers With a DUIState Farm$56
Drivers With a Speeding TicketState Farm$56
Drivers With Bad CreditCOUNTRY Financial$70
Drivers With Newer CarsCOUNTRY Financial$53
Drivers With Old CarsCOUNTRY Financial$34
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Cheapest Salem Car Insurance by Company

GEICO leads Salem's market with full coverage priced at $1,226 per year, which is 25% below the city average of $1,575. Progressive provides competitive rates at $1,188 per year for full coverage, offering another excellent option for Salem drivers.

For minimum coverage, GEICO charges $613 per year while Progressive offers $683 per year. Travelers rounds out the competitive options at $1,156 per year for full coverage, giving Salem drivers multiple affordable choices.

The concentration of well-rated insurers in Salem creates a buyer-friendly market where comparison shopping pays dividends. All three top carriers maintain strong financial ratings and responsive customer service operations.

GEICO$51$102-25%
Progressive$57$99-24%
Travelers$60$96-24%
COUNTRY Financial$56$104-22%
State Farm$53$112-20%

Cheapest Salem Car Insurance by Age

Adult drivers in Salem secure the lowest insurance rates while young drivers pay substantially more across all carriers. GEICO offers adult drivers coverage at $613 per year, which is 27% below the city average for minimum coverage.

Senior drivers pay $681 per year through GEICO, representing an 11% increase over adult rates. Young drivers face premiums of $945 per year through Country Financial, which is 54% higher than adult driver rates.

The age-based premium differences in Salem remain moderate compared to major urban markets. Salem's young drivers can improve their rates by maintaining good grades and completing driver education programs that many insurers reward with discounts.

Data filtered by:
Adult Drivers
Geico$51$613-27%
State Farm$53$631-25%
Country Financial$56$673-20%
Progressive$57$683-19%
Travelers$60$715-15%

Cheapest Salem Car Insurance by Driving Record

Among insurers serving Salem, GEICO charges drivers with clean records just $613 per year for minimum coverage, establishing the market baseline. Speeding tickets raise premiums to $677 per year through State Farm, representing a 10% increase over clean-record rates.

At-fault accidents push rates to $799 per year through State Farm, representing a 30% increase. DUI violations result in premiums of $677 per year through State Farm, though this remains relatively moderate compared to other major violations.

The impact of driving record violations on Salem insurance rates remains manageable for most drivers. Even with violations, Salem residents can find affordable coverage by shopping multiple carriers.

Data filtered by:
At Fault Accident ($1000-$1999 Prop Dmg)
State Farm$67$799
Progressive$76$915
Travelers$76$917
Country Financial$77$921
Geico$82$988

Best Car Insurance Companies in Salem

Progressive and Travelers both achieve exceptional MoneyGeek scores of 98 out of 100 in Salem. These companies excel in customer satisfaction, claims processing efficiency and overall service quality.

Progressive offers sophisticated digital tools and mobile app functionality that appeals to tech-savvy customers. Travelers provides comprehensive coverage options with flexible policy customization features.

Salem drivers benefit from choosing either insurer for reliable coverage, responsive customer service and fair claims handling. Both companies maintain excellent financial strength ratings and demonstrate long-term stability in the insurance marketplace.

Progressive98322
Travelers98214
GEICO93146
State Farm93536
Allstate90763
Progressive

Progressive: Best Overall Value

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  • Strong customer service ratings

  • Excellent coverage options

  • Competitive local rates

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  • Slightly higher minimum coverage rates

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

Progressive ranks first in Salem for its well-rounded insurance offerings. The company provides full coverage at $99 monthly and minimum coverage at $57 monthly. Progressive stands out with high scores across affordability, customer experience, and coverage options. Customers benefit from responsive claims service and a wide selection of policy add-ons.

Travelers

Travelers: Best Customer Service

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  • Top-rated customer experience

  • Competitive full coverage rates

  • Strong affordability scores

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  • Limited coverage options

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

Travelers earns second place in Salem thanks to outstanding customer service. The company offers full coverage at $96 monthly and minimum coverage at $60 monthly. Travelers received perfect customer experience ratings, showing their commitment to policyholder satisfaction. While coverage options are more limited, their competitive rates and excellent service make them a strong choice for Salem drivers.

How Much Is Car Insurance in Salem?

Insurance costs in Salem average $819 annually for minimum coverage and $1,575 for full coverage. These rates align closely with Oregon's statewide averages, making Salem a moderately priced insurance market.

GEICO consistently provides below-average premiums for Salem residents, offering meaningful savings opportunities for drivers who compare multiple quotes. The city's moderate traffic patterns, lower theft rates and smaller population compared to Portland all contribute to relatively affordable insurance costs.

Oregon's insurance regulations also help maintain reasonable rate structures across the state. Despite being the state capital, Salem avoids the elevated insurance costs that often accompany larger metropolitan areas.

Full Coverage$131$1,575
Minimum Coverage$68$819

Salem Car Insurance Costs by ZIP Code

In Salem, car insurance rates by ZIP code range from $57 to $153 per month. ZIP code 97305 is the most expensive, while 97302 is the cheapest. Check the average rates for your ZIP code below.

Data filtered by:
97305
97305$90$153

How to Get the Best Cheap Salem Car Insurance

Finding affordable car insurance in Salem can be challenging with Oregon's higher-than-average rates and complex coverage requirements. Our step-by-step guide shows you how to lower your costs while getting the right protection for your needs.

  1. 1
    Calculate your coverage needs first

    Start by determining exactly how much coverage you need for your situation in Salem. Consider your car's value, your savings, and your risk tolerance. Use our car insurance coverage needs calculator to get a personalized recommendation. This creates a solid foundation for comparing policies and ensures you don't overpay for unnecessary coverage.

  2. 2
    Explore alternative coverage types

    Beyond standard types of car insurance, consider specialized options that could save you money. If you drive infrequently, pay-per-mile coverage might be cheaper. Don't own a car? A non-owner policy could be your best bet. These alternatives often provide significant savings while maintaining necessary protection.

  3. 3
    Know the average costs

    Understanding average vehicle insurance costs in Salem helps you spot good deals. Compare rates across different companies and coverage levels. This knowledge gives you bargaining power and helps you recognize when quotes are too high or surprisingly low.

  4. 4
    Stack up available discounts

    Maximize your savings by combining multiple car insurance discount opportunities. Consider bundling multiple policies or getting multi-car discounts. Safe driver programs, defensive driving courses, and good student discounts can also reduce your premium significantly.

  5. 5
    Research company reputations

    Look beyond just price when choosing an insurer in Salem. Check customer reviews, claims satisfaction ratings, and financial strength scores. A company's reputation for fair claims handling and good customer service can be worth paying slightly more for coverage.

  6. 6
    Get quotes from multiple providers

    Contact at least three different insurance providers to compare rates. Use a mix of local Salem agents, online quote tools, and direct carrier websites. Each company uses different factors to set rates, so comparing multiple quotes helps ensure you find the best deal.

  7. 7
    Review your policy annually

    Set a yearly reminder to review your car insurance coverage and rates. Life changes like improving credit, getting married, or moving within Salem can affect your premiums. Shopping around annually ensures you continue getting the best rates as your situation changes.

Cheapest Car Insurance in Salem: Bottom Line

Car insurance rates in Salem depend on your age, driving record and vehicle type. While GEICO and Travelers offer the lowest average premiums in the area, your personal rate will vary. Compare quotes from multiple providers to find your best deal.

Cheap Salem Car Insurance: FAQ

Get straightforward answers about finding affordable car insurance in Salem. Our research helps you understand coverage options and save money while getting the protection you need.

What is the cheapest car insurance company in Salem, Oregon?

Who offers the best car insurance in Salem?

What is the average cost of car insurance in Salem?

Is car insurance in Salem expensive?

How We Chose the Best and Cheapest Car Insurance in Salem, OR

To help Salem drivers find the most affordable auto insurance companies, MoneyGeek analyzed auto insurance rates based on data and information from the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation and Quadrant Information Services. We studied all ZIP codes in the city and hundreds of thousands of quotes for 12 companies offering auto insurance in Oregon to tailor options as closely as possible to you.

Salem Driver Profile

MoneyGeek created a sample driver profile to calculate car insurance quote averages with the following characteristics:

  • 40-year-old male
  • 2012 Toyota Camry LE
  • Clean driving record
  • 12,000 miles driven annually
  • Good credit
  • Valid license
  • Currently insured
  • No claims history

We adjusted certain factors, such as age, driving record, credit score and military affiliation, to find the most suitable insurance companies for specific driver profiles.

Coverage Levels in Salem

MoneyGeek compared the most affordable insurance providers for minimum and full coverage auto insurance policies.

The minimum coverage requirements in Oregon are:

  • $30,000 bodily injury liability per person
  • $60,000 bodily injury liability per accident
  • $25,000 property damage liability per accident

For a full coverage policy, we used the following coverage limits:

  • $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
  • $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
  • $100,000 property damage liability per accident
  • Comprehensive and collision insurance, each with a $1,000 deductible

Our Best Company Rating Methodology

We rated all companies based on the following rating scale:

  • Affordability (60% of score): To get this score, we evaluated quotes for various common driver profiles and compared rates to the competition within the city.
  • Customer experience (30% of score): We used sources such as agency reviews on Google, J.D. Power, AM Best and forums like Reddit to gauge customer sentiment and experiences across the board.
  • Coverage options (10% of score): This score considers the number of coverage options a provider offers and the uniqueness of the offering and benefits.

About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.


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