Oregon Auto Insurance - (OR)

As with every other state in the Union, Oregon has laws regarding how much and what types of insurance are required in order to be able to legally operate a motor vehicle on state roads and highways. In addition to laws mandating the use of insurance there are, of course, also laws specifying what punishments can be doled out for failing to comply with the insurance laws. Oregon is one of only a very few states that can actually jail violators of the state's driving insurance laws, so "risking it" in order to save money on insurance premiums is not particularly a good idea.

Oregon Insurance Requirements

Oregon law not only mandates minimums for liability insurance coverage in case of an accident, but also requires uninsured motorist coverage as well, which is protection from those few who choose not to follow the law and find themselves in an accident and financially unable to take responsibility for their accident. In these cases, rather than waste time in court with a lawsuit trying to get blood from a turnip, uninsured motorist coverage provides protection up to the limit as allowed on the policy.

The minimum levels of liability insurance coverage in Oregon are:

• $25,000 - Per person bodily injury liability
• $50,000 - Bodily injury liability per accident
• $10,000 - Property damage per accident
• $25,000 - Uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
• $50,000 - Uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident

Penalties for Noncompliance

The Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles sends out random requests to ensure compliance whereby you may receive notice in the mail requesting proof of coverage for your automobile. Failure to respond to these requests may result in your driver's license being suspended. In addition to this suspension, the DMV will send a notice to the local district attorney and you will be charged with a Class A misdemeanor which can result in fines, and a jail-sentence or possibly both. If you are subsequently convicted of this charge of driving without insurance you will have to spend a minimum of 3 days in jail in addition to paying fees and penalties.

Once you have been found to be without insurance, you will be required to keep proof of insurance on file with the state for a minimum of three years. This is an SR-22 filing that your insurance company will have to maintain with the state (resulting in higher insurance fees for you most likely) that certifies that you are insured. If you allow it to lapse, your driver's license will be suspended again with stiff penalties requiring payment in order to get it restored.

If you are involved in an accident and you don't have the required levels of insurance you will lose the right to drive for at least one year. After this suspension, you will have to maintain an SR-22 filing for three years in order t keep your license from being suspended again for non-compliance which, again, can result in hefty fines and penalties in order to have it restored.

Department Of Oregon (OR) State Government That Regulates Auto Insurance:

Web Site: www.cbs.state.or.us/external/ins
Email: dcbs.insmail@state.or.us

How To Contact Directly:
Physical Address:
Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, Insurance Division
350 Winter St NE, Room 440
Salem, Oregon 97301-3883

Mailing Address:
Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, Insurance Division
PO Box 14480
Salem, OR 97309-0405
Phone: 1-503-947-7980
Fax: 1-503-378-4351

Oregon (OR) Mandatory Auto Insurance Minimums

• Liability: 25/50/10 = Bodily Injury Individual/Bodily Injury Total Per Accident/Property Damage
• Other Mandatory Insurance: Uninsured Motorist, Personal Injury Protection
• Regulations Regarding Proof of Insurance: Proof Required - If Involved In An Accident, If Stopped By Authorities When Driving
• Penalties For Not Carrying Mandatory car insurance: License suspension or revocation

How To File A Complaint About An Insurer:

General Page For Consumer Insurance Complaint Information From the Oregon Insurance Division Online Complaint Form