Best Car Insurance in Oregon

No, Oregon is not a no-fault state. Oregon is a tort state that requires drivers to have no-fault insurance, which means drivers must use personal injury protection (PIP) insurance to pay for their own injuries after an accident but are not limited when it comes to suing an at-fault driver for compensation. As a result, Oregon is a type of tort state that is often referred to as an “add-on” no-fault state.

In tort states like Oregon that still require drivers to have no-fault insurance, you get the quick payout of a no-fault state while still being able to sue the at-fault driver for your expenses, including pain and suffering. However, Oregon's system also means that you could be stuck paying a higher premium if you file a personal injury protection claim, even if you didn't cause the accident.

How Fault Affects Lawsuits in Oregon

In Oregon, it's possible for fault to be shared by drivers. Specifically, Oregon has modified comparative negligence laws.

• If you are 50% or more at fault, you can't collect damages from the other driver.
• If you're less than 50% at fault, you can collect damages minus the percentage that you're at fault.

So, if you're 30% at fault, you can recover 70% of what you spent on damages after the crash. Oregon has a statute of limitations of 2 years after a car accident. That means you have 2 years from the time of the car accident to sue the at-fault driver, or vice versa.

Oregon vs. Other Tort States

No, you cannot insure a car with a salvage title in Oregon. Salvage vehicles are cars that have been declared a total loss, meaning they're too damaged to be worth repairing and cannot be driven legally. As a result, no legitimate car insurance company writes policies for them.

Although insurance companies in Oregon won't insure a car with a current salvage title, you can get coverage if you have the vehicle repaired and inspected by a state-certified mechanic. If it's declared safe to drive, the DMV will issue the car a rebuilt title. Several insurance companies, including Allstate and Geico, sell policies to vehicles with a rebuilt title.

Keep in mind that some insurers will only sell liability insurance for rebuilt cars, meaning that they won't pay for any physical damage to the vehicle. Even if you are able to get collision and comprehensive insurance, your policy may not cover the full value of the car if it's totaled again.

Insurance companies in Oregon have at least 60 days to acknowledge a claim and decide whether or not to accept it. Oregon does not have a specific timeframe in which the final payment must be made.

Insurance Claim Timeline in Oregon

• 30 days to acknowledge the claim and send the policyholder instructions and paperwork, including proof of loss forms, which serve as a sworn statement from the policyholder about the scope of the damage or injuries.
• 30 days to make a decision on the claim after receiving completed proof-of-loss forms.

Still, you are entitled to an efficient settlement. If you think that your insurance company is violating the law or operating unethically, you can file a “bad faith” lawsuit, which may award you the original settlement amount with added interest and penalties.

With that being said, it's important to remember that several factors can affect exactly how long it takes for an insurance company to settle a claim. For example, severe accidents, claims involving bodily injury, and poor communication between involved parties can all slow down the process.

No, you do not need uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) insurance in Oregon. In fact, drivers in Oregon do not even have the option to purchase UMPD coverage.

Instead of UMPD, you can purchase collision insurance, which is an optional type of coverage that pays to repair or replace your vehicle after any accident, regardless of fault.

Gap insurance in Oregon works the same way as gap insurance in the rest of the U.S., by paying the balance remaining on a car loan or lease contract after a liability, comprehensive, or collision policy pays out the actual cash value of a totaled vehicle. The state of Oregon doesn't require any driver to carry gap insurance. However, certain lenders in Oregon may require customers to carry gap insurance – short for guaranteed asset (or auto) protection insurance – if they get a car loan or lease.

Dozens of companies, including banks and dealerships, offer gap insurance in Oregon. While you should take your time deciding which one is right for you, you can also have confidence in the fact that gap insurance works the same way in Oregon as in the rest of the country.

Best Gap Insurance Companies in Oregon

• Esurance
• Nationwide
• The Hartford
• Progressive
• Allstate

It's worth noting that gap coverage is usually cheaper to purchase from an insurance company than a dealership. For more information, check out WalletHub's complete guide to gap insurance.