The Best Cheap Car Insurance in Oregon for 2020

The Best Cheap Car Insurance Companies for Oregon Drivers in 2020

When looking for cheap car insurance in Oregon, you’ll find many options and will get to choose from five, likely familiar, car insurance companies. The cost to you will depend on your circumstances and driving history. The numbers below will give you an idea of the cost for an average driver, but will likely be a little different for you. You can request a free car insurance quote from multiple insurance companies to compare their personalized pricing.

There are many factors that impact the cost of car insurance in Oregon. Companies look at your personal profile, household profile, driving history, credit history, type of car, and where you live.

The Best Car Insurance Companies in Oregon for 2020

The moment you need your car insurance is also one of your most stressful moments: after an accident. That’s why MoneyGeek ranked the best car insurance companies in Oregon. These top companies are ranked out of 100 based on JD Power’s customer satisfaction, claims, and affordability score, as well as AM Best’s financial strength rating. You want an insurance company that is reliable, so it’s a good idea to consider both performance and affordability.

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.

Cheapest Car Insurance for Drivers With a DUI in Oregon

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 1.4% of Oregonians reported driving after drinking too much in the last 30 days. That number is lower than the national average, but the alcohol-impaired-driving fatality rate in Oregon is 3.3 per 100,000 people.

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

A DUI on your driving record will impact your insurance rates immediately and over a long period of time. Your car insurance premiums could double overnight. You’ll want to work hard to clear your record, both your criminal record and DMV record. 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.

Cheapest Car Insurance for OR Speeding or Distracted Driving Tickets

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 to get 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.

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.

Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in OR for Drivers With Bad Credit

When car insurance companies set premiums, they look at a number for 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.

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 for why your rate is higher. This protection gives you a chance to review your credit history and make improvements.

Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Oregon for Seniors

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 your driving. Such changes include vision, cognition, and motor function. According to 2017 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 18.1% 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, and 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.

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.

Cheapest Car Insurance for Students

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.

Premium Comparison by Student Type

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.

PREMIUM COMPARISON FOR TWO ADULTS + A 16-YEAR-OLD

Average premium for two 2014

Mustang GTs

$5,240

Average premium for two 2008

Town and Country Limiteds

$3,748

Annual benefits of minivans:$1,492 saved

This is 28% less expensive.

Cheaper premium for college vs. high school drivers

Median premium change with a college student vs. high school driver:

$1,062 DECREASE

This is a savings of 26%.

Potential discounts for teens in Oregon

Impact on annual premium with good student and defensive driving discounts:

$361 SAVED

Oregon students: a long-distance discount

You may pay a smaller annual family premium if your child lives 150 miles or more away from home.

Average premium for a 19-year-old male

$3,562 at home

$3,198 at school

$364 IN SAVINGS

Average premium for a 19-year-old female

$3,237 at home

$2,962 at school

$275 IN SAVINGS

Insurance Rate Information for Military Drivers and Veterans

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.

Age savings for Oregon service members

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

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

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$339 Saved

$275 Saved

Median auto insurance for service members: $1,246

Who Needs Car Insurance in Oregon?

Proof of Insurance in Oregon

You need to be able to show proof of insurance anytime you are in the car. This can be on paper or on your smartphone. If you can't show proof of insurance when asked by a police officer, you may receive a citation.

Minimum Liability Insurance Requirements in Oregon

At a minimum, every vehicle on the road must be covered by:

Liability insurance (to protect injury or damage you may cause to others in an accident): $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 (to cover your medical expenses up to two years after a crash): $15,000 per person.

Uninsured motorist protection (to protect you in the event the other person isn't insured): $25,000 per person/$50,000 per crash for bodily injury.

These are just the minimum required by law. If you have significant assets, insurance experts recommend getting much higher liability coverage (See below "How Much Insurance Do I Need?" for details).

Alternatives to Insurance in Oregon

The only option for legally driving in Oregon without working with an auto insurance company is a self-insurance policy. Self-insurance involves a lot of paperwork. The first step you need to do is show proof of financial responsibility to the Department of Transportation. If you use the self-insurance option, you’ll likely have to pay more than $20,000 to cover damages in an accident.

High-Risk Auto Insurance Program in Oregon

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.

Car Insurance Requirements in Oregon: How Much Coverage Do You Need?

On the other hand, if your car is worth less than your deductible and a couple years' worth of premiums, collision and comprehensive insurance may not be worth it.

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Sources

• Alcohol.org. “DUI Arrests and Fatalities Across the U.S.” Accessed March 17, 2020.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Motor Vehicle Safety.” Accessed March 13, 2020.
• DrivingLaws.org. “DUI Laws by State.” Accessed March 16, 2020.
• NAIC. “2018 Market Share Reports.” Accessed March 13, 2020.
• NHTSA. “Traffic Safety Facts.” Accessed March 18, 2020.
• Oregon Division of Financial Regulation. “A consumer’s guide to auto insurance.” Accessed March 20, 2020.
• Oregon DMV. “Minimum Insurance Requirements.” Accessed March 13, 2020.