Summary:
Oregon drivers pay some of the highest automobile insurance rates in the country. This is why it is vital that Oregon drivers shop around and compare prices from several insurance providers, and not just the providers that some online insurance companies choose for you.
Oregon law requires that all drivers carry liability insurance. This insurance pays for injuries you cause to other people in an accident, and also pays for the repair of the other driver's car or other per...
Oregon drivers pay some of the highest automobile insurance rates in the country. This is why it is vital that Oregon drivers shop around and compare prices from several insurance providers, and not just the providers that some online insurance companies choose for you.
Oregon law requires that all drivers carry liability insurance. This insurance pays for injuries you cause to other people in an accident, and also pays for the repair of the other driver's car or other personal property that was destroyed in the accident. There are several different levels of liability coverage for you to choose from; choosing the lowest level saves you money on monthly premiums but may not pay all costs of a major accident. If your level of coverage doesn't cover all costs of an accident you may have to come up with additional cash out of your own pocket.
Oregon law also requires all drivers to carry what is called Personal Injury Protection (PIP). This covers you and any of your passengers for medical treatment, funeral expenses and loss of wages. Drivers can pay a deductible on the PIP coverage, reducing their monthly premium payments; the higher the deductible the lower your payments.
There is a third type of auto insurance coverage that all Oregon drivers are required to carry, and that is Uninsured Motorist coverage. This coverage pays the medical expenses of you and your passengers if you are in an accident with a motorist who does not have the required liability insurance.
Drivers looking for the least expensive automobile insurance in Oregon can purchase the minimums of these three types of insurance and be allowed to legally drive on Oregon roads. However, without additional coverage, such as Collision coverage, your insurance will not repair your vehicle if you are at fault in an accident. Also buying just the minimum insurance legally required in Oregon may leave you open to expenses that will have to be paid out of your own pocket in certain types of accidents.
Even if you are purchasing the minimum insurance required, it is still important for you to shop and compare (online) the rates of a number of different companies, as rates vary greatly from company to company.