Oregon Auto Insurance

Oregon is an at-fault (tort) state. Drivers must carry at least 25/50/20 + $15,000 PIP in coverage, and the average full-coverage premium is $2,518 a year, 14% below the national average of $2,922. This guide covers what Oregon requires, what drivers pay, the rules on fault, uninsured drivers, penalties, teen drivers and phone use, and how to pay less.

Oregon car insurance at a glance

Minimum coverage	25/50/20 + $15,000 PIP
Fault system	At-fault (tort)
Average full coverage	$2,518 a year ($210 a month), 14% below the national average of $2,922
Uninsured drivers	14.7% (2023), the 18th highest rate of 51
Filing after serious violations	SR-22

Minimum car insurance requirements in Oregon

Oregon requires $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 per accident, and $20,000 property damage liability, plus personal injury protection of $15,000 per person (Oregon DMV, "Insurance Requirements").

Uninsured motorist

At least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.

The minimums are a legal floor, not a recommendation. Property damage limits in particular don't go far when a new car can cost more than the limit to replace, and anything above your limits is your personal responsibility. See how limits and deductibles work and every type of coverage explained.

How much car insurance costs in Oregon

The average full-coverage premium in Oregon is $2,518 a year, 14% below the national average of $2,922. That makes Oregon the 22nd cheapest of 49 (48 states plus D.C.; Alaska and Hawaii aren't in the data) (Experian, "Car Insurance Average Costs by State," published September 9, 2026; full coverage, 12 months to August 2026).

Within Oregon, prices still vary a lot by ZIP code, driving record and car, and 14.7% of drivers on Oregon roads were uninsured in 2023, so the coverage you choose matters as much as the premium.

Your own price depends on your ZIP code, age, driving record, car and coverage. Try our car insurance calculator with Oregon preselected for a personal estimate, and see what determines your car insurance cost.

Fault rules after an accident in Oregon

Oregon uses modified comparative fault with a 51% bar: your damages are reduced by your share of the blame, and you recover nothing if you are more than 50% at fault. (Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer, "Contributory Negligence/Comparative Fault Laws in All 50 States," updated June 10, 2026)

Uninsured drivers in Oregon

An estimated 14.7% of Oregon drivers were uninsured in 2023, the 18th highest rate among the 50 states and D.C. (Insurance Research Council, uninsured motorist estimates for 2023, via Insurance Information Institute "Facts + Statistics: Uninsured motorists"). Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects you when one of them hits you. See coverage types.

Proof of insurance in Oregon

You must carry proof of insurance in the vehicle and show it when an officer asks. (Oregon DMV, "Insurance Requirements")

Penalties for driving without insurance in Oregon

Driving uninsured is a Class B traffic violation. If you're in a crash while uninsured, DMV can suspend your driving privileges. (Oregon DMV; ORS chapter 806)

A conviction for driving uninsured also follows you into your next policy. In CarInsurance.com's rate analysis, it raised the average full-coverage premium in Oregon from $1,678 to $2,130 a year, an increase of 27% (CarInsurance.com, "Penalty for driving without insurance in every state," updated March 24, 2026; rate analysis).

Beyond the penalties, driving uninsured leaves you personally liable for any damage you cause. See what happens if you drive without car insurance.

SR-22 in Oregon

After a conviction for driving uninsured, Oregon requires an SR-22 filed by your insurer. The requirement lasts three years, reduced to one year for convictions on or after January 1, 2026. (Oregon DMV; ORS chapter 806)

Teen drivers in Oregon

Oregon uses graduated driver licensing (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, "Graduated licensing laws" table):

• Learner's permit: from age 15; held for at least 6 months; supervised driving required: 50 hours (100 hours without driver education).
• Intermediate (provisional) license: from age 16. Night driving restriction: midnight-5 a.m. Passenger restriction: first 6 months–no passengers younger than 20; second 6 months–no more than 3 passengers younger than 20.
• When restrictions lift: night, licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17); passengers, licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17).

Adding a teen is usually the biggest single increase in a family's premium. Keeping them on the family policy, a good-student discount and a safe, modest car help most.

Phone and texting laws for Oregon drivers

• Hand-held calls banned: yes, for all drivers.
• Law specifically bans holding any electronic device: yes.
• Texting and other use banned: specifically applies to text messages, email and internet.
• Hands-free use allowed: device allowed if operated without use of either hand except a single swipe or tap to activate or deactivate feature or function.
• Total device ban for novice drivers: yes, drivers younger than 18.

A distracted-driving ticket can count against your record and your premium. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, "Electronic device laws" table)

How to pay less for car insurance in Oregon

• Compare several insurers on identical limits and deductibles. Prices for the same driver vary widely.
• Protect your driving record. A single speeding ticket or at-fault crash can keep your price higher for three to five years.
• Ask what discounts you qualify for: bundling home and auto, insuring several cars, a clean record, a student's grades, anti-theft devices, or paying the term up front.
• Match coverage to the car: on an older, paid-off car, collision and comprehensive may cost more than they could pay out.
• Never let coverage lapse. Besides the penalties, a gap raises the price of your next policy.

See how to compare car insurance quotes, or get quotes for your ZIP code.

Where to get help

For questions about a policy, a claim or an insurer's conduct, contact the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation. It handles consumer questions and complaints about insurers in Oregon.

Sources

• Oregon DMV, "Insurance Requirements"
• Experian, "Car Insurance Average Costs by State," published September 9, 2026; full coverage, 12 months to August 2026
• Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer, "Contributory Negligence/Comparative Fault Laws in All 50 States," updated June 10, 2026
• Insurance Research Council, uninsured motorist estimates for 2023, via Insurance Information Institute "Facts + Statistics: Uninsured motorists"
• Oregon DMV; ORS chapter 806
• CarInsurance.com, "Penalty for driving without insurance in every state," updated March 24, 2026; rate analysis
• Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, "Graduated licensing laws" table
• Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, "Electronic device laws" table

AutoInsuranceQuery editorial team. Last reviewed: September 29, 2026.