Short answer: Oregon drivers must carry liability coverage of at least $25,000 per person, $50,000 per crash for injuries and $20,000 for property damage. Every policy also needs $15,000 of personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured motorist coverage of 25/50. Oregon PIP pays medical bills, lost income and several other benefits for you and your passengers.
The three required pieces
Oregon DMV's insurance requirements page lists the minimums, which come from ORS 806.070 and the Insurance Code:
| Coverage | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury, per person | $25,000 |
| Bodily injury, per crash | $50,000 |
| Property damage, per crash | $20,000 |
| Personal injury protection, per person | $15,000 |
| Uninsured motorist, per person / per crash | $25,000 / $50,000 |
The DMV says driving without liability coverage is illegal (ORS 806.010). You must give your policy number each time you register a vehicle or buy a light vehicle trip permit. A few vehicles are exempt under ORS 806.020.
What Oregon PIP actually pays
ORS 742.524 spells out the benefits for each injured person:
- Medical: reasonable and necessary medical, hospital, dental, surgical, ambulance and prosthetic expenses incurred within two years of the injury, up to $15,000.
- Lost income: 70% of lost income if you usually work and the disability lasts at least 14 days, up to $3,000 a month for up to 52 weeks.
- Essential services: if you don't work for pay and are disabled at least 14 days, up to $30 a day for 52 weeks to hire help with things you would have done yourself.
- Funeral: up to $5,000 incurred within one year.
- Child care: $25 a day after the first 24 hours of hospitalization for a parent of a minor child, up to $750.
Insurers may offer deductibles of up to $250 on some of those benefits for the named insured and household family members.
PIP covers you, family members who live with you, your passengers, and pedestrians struck by your car. The Division of Financial Regulation's auto FAQ adds that health insurance usually won't pay crash-related medical bills until PIP is used up.
How UM limits are set
Under ORS 742.502, your uninsured motorist limits must match your bodily injury liability limits unless you choose lower UM limits in writing, and they can't go below 25/50. In Oregon, UM also includes underinsured motorist coverage. If you buy 100/300 liability and sign nothing, your UM will be 100/300.
Two policy timing rules worth knowing
The DFR FAQ flags:
- New cars. You typically have 14 days to tell your insurer about a newly acquired vehicle, but only four days if you don't already carry physical damage coverage on another insured car. Policies vary.
- Late payments. An insurer can cancel for nonpayment with just 10 days' notice if the warning is printed on your bill.
Fault: the 51% bar
Oregon uses modified comparative fault. ORS 31.600 lets you recover if your fault is not greater than the combined fault of the people you're suing, with damages reduced by your share. At 51% at fault, you recover nothing from them, though your own PIP still applies.
What the minimums don't cover
- Your car. Collision and comprehensive are optional unless a lender requires them.
- Serious injury claims. $25,000 per person may not go far after a serious injury.
- Property damage over $20,000. A crash involving a newer vehicle can exceed that.
Scenarios
Your car strikes a pedestrian in a Portland crosswalk. Your PIP can pay the pedestrian's medical expenses within its limits, and your liability coverage responds to a claim against you.
You miss two weeks of work after a crash on I-5. PIP income benefits can pay 70% of lost income, up to $3,000 a month, because the disability lasted at least 14 days.
You buy a second car in Bend with no collision coverage on your first car. Call your insurer within four days.
Bottom line
Oregon's required policy has three parts: liability, PIP and UM. Raising liability raises UM automatically unless you sign to lower it. Compare states on our car insurance minimums by state page.
Contact Alishahi Insurance or call (877) 711-4545. See insurance in Oregon and auto insurance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum car insurance in Oregon?
25/50/20 liability, $15,000 personal injury protection, and 25/50 uninsured motorist coverage.
Is PIP required in Oregon?
Yes. Every Oregon auto policy must include at least $15,000 of PIP per person.
What does Oregon PIP cover?
Medical expenses within two years, 70% of lost income, essential services, funeral costs and child care, subject to limits in ORS 742.524.
Is underinsured motorist coverage included in Oregon?
Yes. Oregon's required UM coverage includes underinsured motorist coverage.
Can I recover if I'm partly at fault in Oregon?
Yes, if your fault isn't greater than the combined fault of those you sue. Your damages are reduced by your share.
Alishahi Insurance · 439 N Canon Dr, Penthouse, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 · (877) 711-4545 · CA License #4348151. General information only. This isn't legal, tax or financial advice or a coverage determination. Coverage depends on policy language and underwriting, and rules vary by state.