The Best Cheap Car Insurance in Oregon for 2021

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Liability-only car insurance only covers medical expenses and damages for the other driver involved if you are responsible for a car accident. Your vehicle and medical costs do not fall under that umbrella, so it can be prudent to purchase additional comprehensive and collision coverage. Most states enforce a minimum liability requirement. For your protection after an accident, you can buy extra coverage. Most drivers would find GEICO the most affordable option in Oregon, both for the state minimum of 25/50/20 and a higher 50/100/50 level of coverage.

Average Cost for Liability Coverage

Considering factors like affordability, customer satisfaction, financial strength and claims experience, MoneyGeek ranked the best car insurance companies in Oregon.

MoneyGeek based each company’s final score (out of 100) on information from reputable outlets like J.D. Power and AM Best, along with pricing data and considerations of industry standards for ratings and review. MoneyGeek ranked each criterion equally to calculate the rating.

While USAA scores highly in many areas, this provider is only available to military members, veterans and their families.

Market Share by Company

Larger insurance companies can sometimes offer lower rates. State Farm is the largest insurer in Oregon with 19.76% of the market. The other largest companies are listed in the following table.

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Considering the average driver in Oregon, a 40-year-old man with a Toyota Camry and a clean driving record, MoneyGeek calculated the average cost of annual premiums in the state. These estimates are only to help drivers determine the possible cost of an Oregon auto insurance policy. Actual premiums may be higher or lower depending on the driver’s needs and circumstances. Companies will consider individualized factors, such as age, driving history and credit score. For example, a teen driver may have higher premiums compared to seniors.

• Average Driver: $1,181
• DUI: $1,787
• Speeding Ticket: $1,541
• Poor Credit Score: $1,927
• Seniors: $1,235
• Students: $2,729

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) can cause significant consequences on your life and insurance. In Oregon, DUI offenders face fines varying from $1,000 to $6,000, as well as community service hours and their license suspended for a year. After that time, they are required to have a car interlock device to prevent driving intoxicated again.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a study found 1.7% of Oregonians reported driving after drinking too much in the last 30 days. From 2009-2018, 1,176 people in Oregon died in alcohol-related car accidents.

The following table outlines what drivers who get a DUI can expect to pay for auto insurance in Oregon.

Average Car Insurance Rates With a DUI

A DUI on your driving record will impact your insurance rates immediately and over a long period of time. Preventing a DUI is important because your car insurance premiums could double overnight if you don't. You’ll want to work hard to clear your record, both your criminal record and DMV record, if you get a DUI. Oregon offers a DUI Diversion Program, which will dismiss the charge if several conditions are met.

Following the suspension of your license, your insurance company can cancel your coverage. When looking for new coverage, DUI offenders are usually placed in a high-risk pool and face higher premiums. To find cheap car insurance with a DUI in Oregon, it’s best to do a lot of comparison shopping.

If you are denied coverage by multiple companies, there are additional resources in Oregon. The Automobile Insurance Plan of Oregon provides car insurance to drivers who are unable to obtain coverage elsewhere.

Distracted driving led to a 7.2% increase in traffic deaths in 2015. In Oregon, 450 people died in distracted driving-related crashes in 2018, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Our phones are the number one distraction in the car, so Oregon is working to crack down on distracted driving. The state made it illegal to use any handheld device while driving in 2017. The following year, there were 13,086 convictions for using a mobile electronic device.

Both distracted driving and speeding tickets lead insurers to consider offenders at a higher risk of getting in an accident. Getting either ticket type will likely increase your insurance premiums. How much so depends on several factors, including the rest of your driving record. The following table details estimates of what drivers in Oregon can expect to pay after they get a ticket.

Average Car Insurance Rates With a Ticket

Oregon does not use a point system on drivers’ records, but the state tracks moving violations, including speeding and distracted driving citations. Your insurer can view these violations and can adjust your rates accordingly. Depending on the infraction, the citation may appear for three to five years. To save on your premium, work to remove citations from your record. Oregon allows you to view your driving record and submit an inquiry for changes.

You can also work with insurers to find cheap car insurance rates with a ticket in Oregon. Some companies will lower your premium if you take a driving course. Reach out to your insurer and ask if this is an option for you.

When car insurance companies set premiums, they look at a number of risk factors, including your driving history. They also look at your credit history and tend to trust those with higher scores. A lower credit score can increase your costs. According to Experian, Oregon has one of the highest credit score ratings in the country at 718.

Consider the following estimates if you’re looking for auto insurance in Oregon and have a low credit score.

Average Car Insurance Rates for Drivers With Bad Credit

To protect consumers, Oregon placed limits on the impact credit scores can have on your insurance rates. First, insurers cannot use credit ratings to cancel policies or increase premiums at renewal, but they can use credit information for new policies. When doing so, the insurance companies cannot focus on your credit score alone and must tell you specific reasons why your rate is higher. This protection gives you a chance to review your credit history and make improvements.

When looking for the cheapest car insurance companies for seniors in Oregon, it’s important to consider your strengths and weaknesses as a driver. The Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles warns seniors that age-related changes can affect their driving. Such changes include vision, cognition and motor function. According to 2017 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 16.4% of fatal traffic accidents in Oregon involved a driver over the age of 65.

In Oregon, age restrictions begin at 50 years old. That’s when the state will begin testing your vision every time you renew your license. It will suspend your license if you have a mental or physical condition that makes it unsafe for you to drive. If you are healthy and a good driver, Oregon offers a chance to get discounted insurance for seniors. There are approved crash prevention courses to take to lower your insurance rates.

Consider the following table for estimates of what seniors in Oregon can expect to pay for their auto insurance.

Average Car Insurance Rates for Seniors

With age comes experience, which is why some insurance companies offer discounts for seniors. Insurance rates for seniors can vary based on your driving history and the type of vehicle you have. When getting quotes from insurance providers, discuss how often you drive. Many seniors drive less than the average driver, which can lower insurance rates.

Adding a teenage driver to your car insurance policy in Oregon can be expensive. Federal statistics show teens are almost three times more likely to have a fatal crash, so insurers charge more to cover them.

Your teen can also benefit from driver’s education. Taking a defensive driving course teaches good defensive driving and may likely get a discount on an insurance premium. Look for a state-certified driver's ed course to ensure the insurance company will recognize the class.

Other ways to keep your rates down include ensuring your young driver gets good grades and maintains a clean driving record. The longer they go without an accident or ticket, the faster their rates will decrease. The best way to find the cheapest auto insurance for teenagers in Oregon is to shop around. Check out the following table for estimates of what parents can expect to pay when adding a young driver to their insurance plan.

Average Car Insurance Rates for Students

The Oregon Department of Transportation offers The Oregon Parent Guide to Teen Driving. You may also want to ask your insurance company about an "accident forgiveness" clause that guarantees premiums will not increase after a minor accident. You’ll likely save on premiums if your teen is insured on your policy, rather than their own, even if they own their own car.

More than 300,000 veterans and 1,500 active-duty military personnel live in Oregon. If you are a veteran or military service member, be sure to mention your service and ask if there are any discounts available. Many insurance companies offer discounted rates for veterans and military members.

For active-duty members, your insurance needs will reflect your current assignment. In many cases, you won’t need auto insurance when stationed overseas. You can ask your insurance provider about suspending it during deployment, but be clear about the reason. Oregon does not allow insurers to charge more after a lapse in coverage if it is for a legitimate reason, like deployment.

Average Rates for Oregon service members

25 years$1,475
50 years$1,136

25 years$1,419
50 years$1,144

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About the Author

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Danielle Kiser is a freelance writer, storyteller, and news junkie. She is passionate about informing and inspiring audiences to improve their lives and their communities. As a former TV news producer, she focuses on sharing relevant and factual stories that stimulate personal growth and knowledge. Danielle lives in Michigan with her husband as well as her sidekick, a greyhound named Oreo.

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