Question 1

What is the minimum car insurance required in Oregon?

Accepted Answer

Oregon's minimum liability limits are 25/50/20: $25,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person, $50,000 for bodily injury to or death of two or more people in one accident, and $20,000 for property damage. Policies must also include personal injury protection (PIP), with up to $15,000 per person for medical and related expenses, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Financial responsibility can also be met through self-insurance certified by DMV.

Question 2

Is Oregon a no-fault car insurance state?

Accepted Answer

Oregon uses the at-fault (tort) system, with personal injury protection (PIP) available or required. The Alabama Department of Insurance's national table of state auto insurance laws lists Oregon among the "Tort States Where Personal Injury Protection is Available/Required." Every Oregon auto liability policy must include personal injury protection (PIP) benefits, which pay reasonable medical and related expenses incurred within two years of the injury up to $15,000 per person, plus 70% of lost income if disability lasts at least 14 days, and other listed benefits.

Question 3

Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Oregon?

Accepted Answer

Required. Every auto liability policy must include uninsured motorist coverage, with the same limits as the bodily injury liability coverage unless a named insured elects lower limits in writing; limits cannot go below the state minimum ($25,000/$50,000). Uninsured motorist coverage must include underinsured coverage.

Question 4

Can you show proof of car insurance on your phone in Oregon?

Accepted Answer

Proof of insurance must be carried in every vehicle operated in Oregon. Proof may be displayed on an electronic device, and showing it on a device does not give an officer consent to access other contents. The charge of failure to carry proof does not apply if an officer verifies coverage through the Law Enforcement Data System, and it is dismissed if the driver delivers proof to the court before the appearance date that coverage was in effect.

Question 5

What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Oregon?

Accepted Answer

Driving uninsured is a Class B traffic violation. A person convicted must file proof of financial responsibility (an SR-22-type future responsibility filing) with DMV and maintain it for one year; failing to file within 30 days after conviction is a separate Class A traffic violation and leads to license suspension. A driver involved in a crash while uninsured is subject to license suspension. Failure to carry proof of insurance is also a Class B traffic violation.

Question 6

When do you need an SR-22 in Oregon, and for how long?

Accepted Answer

Oregon calls these "future responsibility filings": a certificate of insurance (or DMV self-insurance certificate) filed with DMV. After a conviction for driving uninsured, the filing must be kept for one year. After a DUII conviction, the filing must show at least $50,000/$100,000 bodily injury and $10,000 property damage and be kept for three years from when the first filing is required. DMV ends the requirement after one year for filings required after a crash or a prior-violator conviction, or after three years otherwise; failing to maintain a required filing leads to suspension.

Question 7

How much notice must an insurer give before canceling car insurance in Oregon?

Accepted Answer

After a policy has been in effect 60 days (or for any renewal), an insurer may cancel only for nonpayment of premium; fraud, material misrepresentation or violation of policy terms; or suspension or revocation of the driving privileges of the named insured or a household or regular driver. Cancellation requires at least 30 days' notice with the reasons (10 days for nonpayment of premium). Nonrenewal requires at least 30 days' advance notice with the reasons.

Question 8

Can car insurance companies use your credit score in Oregon?

Accepted Answer

Insurers may not cancel or nonrenew personal insurance in effect more than 60 days based in whole or in part on credit history or insurance score, may use credit to decline new coverage only together with other substantive factors, and may not use certain credit items (such as consumer-initiated or insurance inquiries, clustered mortgage or auto loan inquiries within 30 days, or total available credit line) to set rates. Insurers may not rerate a customer based on credit when marital status changes due to death or divorce.

Question 9

When is a car a total loss in Oregon?

Accepted Answer

A "totaled vehicle" is one an insurer declares a total loss (or takes possession of or title to), an uninsured stolen vehicle not recovered within 30 days, or uninsured damage with estimated repair costs of at least 80% of pre-damage retail market value. The registered owner must surrender the title to DMV or the insurer within 30 days of the insurer's declaration (or otherwise notify DMV/surrender within 30 days). The salvage title fee is $27.

Question 10

How do you transfer a car title in Oregon?

Accepted Answer

A buyer has 30 days from the date of sale to apply for an Oregon title; late transfers cost $25 (31-60 days) or $50 (after 60 days). Mail or bring to DMV the original title or ownership document, an odometer disclosure if required, and a title application; vehicles with an out-of-state or foreign title need a $9 VIN inspection. If one or more owners have died, documents depend on whether the title shows survivorship and whether the estate is probated; for an estate not probated, each heir completes a notarized Inheritance Affidavit, or a simple estate affidavit filed with the county may be used.

Question 11

How long do you have to register your car after moving to Oregon?

Accepted Answer

Within 30 days of becoming an Oregon resident, you must get an Oregon driver license (if you want to drive) and title and register your vehicle. Out-of-state titled vehicles need a VIN inspection, and most vehicles registered in a DEQ area must pass an emissions test (newer vehicles are exempt).

Question 12

How do you file a complaint against a car insurance company in Oregon?

Accepted Answer

File a complaint online (or by print form by mail or fax) with the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation. Consumer hotline 888-877-4894 (toll-free); fax 503-947-7862.

Minimum coverage required	Oregon's minimum liability limits are 25/50/20: $25,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person, $50,000 for bodily injury to or death of two or more people in one accident, and $20,000 for property damage. Policies must also include personal injury protection (PIP), with up to $15,000 per person for medical and related expenses, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Financial responsibility can also be met through self-insurance certified by DMV. PIP and UM statutes: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors742.html Source: Or. Rev. Stat. §§ 806.060, 806.070, 742.502, 742.520, 742.524
At-fault or no-fault	Oregon uses the at-fault (tort) system, with personal injury protection (PIP) available or required. The Alabama Department of Insurance's national table of state auto insurance laws lists Oregon among the "Tort States Where Personal Injury Protection is Available/Required." Every Oregon auto liability policy must include personal injury protection (PIP) benefits, which pay reasonable medical and related expenses incurred within two years of the injury up to $15,000 per person, plus 70% of lost income if disability lasts at least 14 days, and other listed benefits. National table: https://aldoi.gov/consumers/StateAutoLaws.aspx Source: Or. Rev. Stat. §§ 742.520, 742.524
Uninsured motorist coverage	Required. Every auto liability policy must include uninsured motorist coverage, with the same limits as the bodily injury liability coverage unless a named insured elects lower limits in writing; limits cannot go below the state minimum ($25,000/$50,000). Uninsured motorist coverage must include underinsured coverage. Source: Or. Rev. Stat. § 742.502
Proof of insurance	Proof of insurance must be carried in every vehicle operated in Oregon. Proof may be displayed on an electronic device, and showing it on a device does not give an officer consent to access other contents. The charge of failure to carry proof does not apply if an officer verifies coverage through the Law Enforcement Data System, and it is dismissed if the driver delivers proof to the court before the appearance date that coverage was in effect. Source: Or. Rev. Stat. §§ 806.011, 806.012

Cancellation and nonrenewal	After a policy has been in effect 60 days (or for any renewal), an insurer may cancel only for nonpayment of premium; fraud, material misrepresentation or violation of policy terms; or suspension or revocation of the driving privileges of the named insured or a household or regular driver. Cancellation requires at least 30 days' notice with the reasons (10 days for nonpayment of premium). Nonrenewal requires at least 30 days' advance notice with the reasons. Source: Or. Rev. Stat. §§ 742.562, 742.564, 742.566
What insurers can use to set rates	Insurers may not cancel or nonrenew personal insurance in effect more than 60 days based in whole or in part on credit history or insurance score, may use credit to decline new coverage only together with other substantive factors, and may not use certain credit items (such as consumer-initiated or insurance inquiries, clustered mortgage or auto loan inquiries within 30 days, or total available credit line) to set rates. Insurers may not rerate a customer based on credit when marital status changes due to death or divorce. Source: Or. Rev. Stat. § 746.661
Total loss rules	A "totaled vehicle" is one an insurer declares a total loss (or takes possession of or title to), an uninsured stolen vehicle not recovered within 30 days, or uninsured damage with estimated repair costs of at least 80% of pre-damage retail market value. The registered owner must surrender the title to DMV or the insurer within 30 days of the insurer's declaration (or otherwise notify DMV/surrender within 30 days). The salvage title fee is $27. Duty to surrender title: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors819.html; fee: https://www.oregon.gov/odot/dmv/pages/vehicle/titlereg.aspx Source: Or. Rev. Stat. §§ 801.527, 819.012; Oregon DMV, Titling and Registering Your Vehicle
Complaints about an insurer	File a complaint online (or by print form by mail or fax) with the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation. Consumer hotline 888-877-4894 (toll-free); fax 503-947-7862. Source: Oregon Division of Financial Regulation, File a complaint

Oregon Car Insurance Laws: Minimum Coverage, Penalties and SR-22

Quick answers for Oregon

Required coverage

Driving without insurance and SR-22

Your rights with insurers

Title and registration

Car Insurance & Vehicle Laws FAQ

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