Car Insurance

Like most other states, Oregon law requires all drivers to insure vehicles for use on roads and highways.

The minimum requirements for liability insurance are:

• At least $25,000 per person bodily injury and property damage liability

• At least $50,000 per crash for bodily injury to others, and

• At least $10,000 per crash for property damage.

The law, enforced by the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), also requires each liability policy to include personal injury protection, which is intended for required medical, dental and other expenses until a year after the incident. The minimum is $15,000 per person.

The legal insurance requirements for Oregon also include uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash for bodily injury.

Oregon motorists must certify they have the coverage described above each time they register a motor vehicle, or purchase a light vehicle trip permit. By doing so, Oregon drivers are agreeing that they will comply with the insurance requirements while the vehicle is registered or permitted.

To ensure compliance, the Oregon DMV randomly requests vehicle owners to provide insurance information, including company and policy number. Responses are verified, and if residents do not respond to these requests, driving privileges are suspended.

If a motorist does not have the insurance claimed, DMV will notify the local district attorney and the motorist will be charged with a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by fines, a one-year jail sentence, or both. A conviction of this charge also requires three days in jail for violators.

Those who do not have the coverage they claimed will also be subject to proving compliance with Oregon's insurance requirements and financial responsibility law for a period of three years. If you do not obtain at least the minimum coverage requirements and show proof, driving privileges are suspended.

The penalty for driving without the minimum required insurance may result in the following:

• Fines

• Suspension of driving privileges

• Vehicle towed, with fees

Those convicted of driving uninsured must file proof of compliance with Oregon's insurance and future financial responsibility law for three years. Otherwise, driving privileges will again be suspended.

Those involved in an accident without required insurance will lose driving privileges under suspension for one year. After the suspension, driving privileges may be reinstated if motorists file proof of future financial responsibility, which will be required for three years.

Proof of insurance, required for driving tests and some transactions, or the situations described above, consists of:

• Valid insurance card or copy

• Valid vehicle liability insurance policy

• Policy must include vehicle, insurance company name, policy number and expiration

• Letter from authorized agent or insurance company representative on company letterhead

• DMV Certificate of Self-insurance naming vehicle owner

• Displayed Oregon dealer plate

The Oregon DMV advises that motorists should check to ensure information on insurance cards, to be with registered vehicles, matches the actual vehicle information, including vehicle identification number (VIN). Insurance providers should be notified of any discrepancies.