Oregon Car Insurance Requirements in 2026

Oregon car insurance requirements at a glance

Coverage	Minimum Requirement in Oregon
Bodily injury liability coverage	$25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
Property damage liability coverage	$20,000 per accident
Personal injury protection	$15,000 per person
Uninsured motorist coverage	$25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident for bodily injury

Oregon car insurance requirements explained

Oregon’s car insurance laws require more types of coverage than some other states. Oregon uses a modified comparative negligence rule: You can sue for injuries or damage as long as your share of the fault in an accident isn’t greater than the other driver’s. But Oregon still requires personal injury protection (PIP), a common coverage requirement in no-fault states.

PIP coverage ensures you can quickly get money for medical care before determining fault. Let’s explore the state’s minimum requirements in detail.

Oregon bodily injury liability insurance requirements

Oregon law requires minimum coverage limits of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, similar to most other states.^[1]

If you’re 50% or more at fault in an accident, the other party can file a claim with your insurer if their medical expenses exceed their PIP limits. Your insurer will compensate the other driver and their passengers up to $25,000 per person or $50,000 total, calculating the damages you owe based on your share of fault in the accident.^[2]

Oregon property damage liability insurance requirements

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) requires car insurance policies to have a minimum of $20,000 per accident in property damage liability insurance. About half of the states have higher property damage limits, while other states have minimum limits of $20,000 or less.

If you’re found responsible for damage to someone else’s vehicle or property in an accident, that person can file a claim with your insurer and receive a payout proportional to your share of the fault. Your insurance company will pay up to $20,000, but you can still be liable for damages that exceed your policy limits.^[3]

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Oregon uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) requirements

Oregon requires drivers to carry at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM), which pays for medical expenses when an uninsured driver injures you or your passengers in a car or as pedestrians. It also applies if you’re the victim of a hit-and-run.

This coverage also kicks in if the other driver doesn’t have enough coverage to pay for your injuries. You can file a claim with your own insurance company for medical bills, lost wages, and related damages, even if the other driver’s insurance partially covers the cost.^[4]

For example, if you have $65,000 in medical bills, you can claim $15,000 against your PIP coverage, $25,000 against the other driver’s liability coverage, and $25,000 against your UIM coverage.

Oregon personal injury protection (PIP) requirements

Oregon law requires drivers to carry $15,000 per person in personal injury protection, which pays for your and your passengers’ medical bills, lost wages, essential services, and funeral expenses. PIP coverage kicks in right away, regardless of fault.

For example, if you need to stay in the hospital and miss work for two weeks after a car accident, you can file a claim with your insurer for the hospital bill, up to $15,000, and up to 70% of your lost income, subject to a maximum limit.^[5]

Are Oregon’s car insurance requirements sufficient for most drivers?

In most cases, no. Oregon’s minimum requirements are more robust than the ones in other states when it comes to bodily liability coverage. But Oregon’s minimum limits may still be insufficient, especially if you’re at-fault in an accident that causes serious injury. You should buy enough coverage to protect your assets in case the other driver decides to sue in excess of your policy limits.

Additionally, Oregon’s minimum property damage limit would leave you on the hook if you totaled a new car in an at-fault accident — the minimum limit provides only $20,000 in coverage, while the average new car costs nearly $50,000, according to Kelley Blue Book.

Oregon’s required coverages can also leave you vulnerable if you damage your own vehicle when you cause a crash, if your car is stolen, or if inclement weather damages it. You’ll need collision and comprehensive coverage for these scenarios.^[6] 

The table below shows the recommended coverages and limits for most drivers in Oregon.

Coverage	Recommended Limit
Bodily injury liability	$100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
Property damage liability	$50,000 per accident
Personal injury protection	$50,000–$100,000 per person
Uninsured/underinsured motorist	$100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
Collision	Based on car’s value (may skip coverage if value is less than 10x the annual premium)
Comprehensive	Based on car’s value (may skip coverage if value is less than 10x the annual premium)

Other car insurance requirements to be aware of in Oregon

Depending on your situation, you may need to carry other types of car insurance:

• SR-22 insurance: If the state requires you to file an SR-22 certificate, you may need a car insurance policy even if you don’t own a car or live in Oregon.^[7] Otherwise, the state will suspend your license.

• Comprehensive and collision coverage: If you finance your vehicle in Oregon, your lender will require you to have full-coverage insurance, which includes collision and comprehensive coverage.

• Commercial auto insurance: If your business owns your vehicle or you use your car primarily for business purposes, the ODOT states that you may need a commercial car insurance policy.

How Oregon’s car insurance requirements influence rates

The average cost of car insurance in Oregon is $91 per month for liability coverage and $156 for full coverage. Though Oregon requires more coverage types than many other states, both liability and full-coverage rates in Oregon are below the national average, according to Insurify data.

The intent behind Oregon’s PIP requirement was to give drivers immediate access to medical coverage regardless of fault, which may reduce litigation costs in the state. High litigation costs increase auto insurance premiums, so measures that help drivers avoid unnecessary lawsuits can help keep car insurance rates low.

Cheapest state-minimum required car insurance in Oregon

The below rates in Oregon are estimated rates current as of: Wednesday, September 30 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

Insurance Company	Average Monthly Quote
State Farm	$56
USAA	$66
Mile Auto	$67
Sun Coast	$68
GEICO	$74
Progressive	$74
National General	$75
Country Financial	$83
The General	$84
Bristol West	$86
Safeco	$88
Allstate	$93
American Family	$95
Dairyland	$95
Root	$98
Direct Auto	$103
Farmers	$130
Liberty Mutual	$134
Travelers	$160

Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time Oregon car insurance quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual car insurance quotes in Oregon may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Penalties for driving without insurance in Oregon

If you drive in Oregon without an active auto insurance policy that meets state requirements or without proof of insurance, you could face the following penalties:^[8]

• License suspension: The ODOT will suspend your driver’s license if you don’t provide proof of insurance within 30 days. If you cause an accident while driving uninsured, the ODOT will suspend your license for a minimum of one year.

• A fine plus a license reinstatement fee: Driving uninsured is a Class B traffic violation with a minimum fine of $135. If you fail to provide proof of financial responsibility within 30 days of conviction, you’ll also be guilty of a Class A traffic violation with a minimum fine of $225. You’ll also pay an $85 fee if you need to reinstate your driver’s license.^[9]

• Needing to file an SR-22 certificate: After a conviction for driving without insurance coverage, you must file and maintain proof of financial responsibility (an SR-22 certificate) with Oregon Driver & Motor Vehicle Services for a minimum of one year.

• Liability in an accident: If you cause an accident while driving uninsured, you could be financially responsible for paying the other party’s auto repair, medical bills, and legal fees out of pocket.

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Other car insurance coverages worth considering in Oregon

Here are some optional car insurance coverages you may want to consider for added financial protection:

• Collision coverage: Oregon’s highways have a lot of traffic relative to other states, and winter weather increases the risk of crashes, according to state data. Collision coverage reimburses you for repairs to your vehicle that result from an at-fault accident or collision. It typically comes with comprehensive coverage as part of a full-coverage policy.

• Gap coverage: New cars depreciate quickly. If you total a new car, you might owe more on your auto loan than your car is worth. Gap insurance covers the difference.

• Roadside assistance coverage: Emergency roadside coverage gets you back on the road if you have car trouble.

• Rental reimbursement coverage: If you rely on your vehicle to get to work, consider buying rental coverage, a relatively cheap add-on. It pays for a rental vehicle while your car is getting repaired after covered damage.

Oregon car insurance requirements FAQs