Best car insurance in Portland, OR (2024)

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Lena BorrelliInsurance ExpertLena Borrelli is a freelance contributor at Policygenius. With a diverse professional background, Lena spent time in finance, web marketing, and hospitality before settling into full-time life as a freelance writer.&Rachael BrennanSenior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance ExpertRachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.

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Anna SwartzAnna SwartzSenior Managing EditorAnna Swartz is a senior managing editor who specializes in home, auto, renters, and disability insurance at Policygenius. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic and a writer at The Dodo. Her work has also appeared in Salon, HuffPost, MSN, AOL, and Heeb.
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Maria FilindrasMaria FilindrasFinancial AdvisorMaria Filindras is a financial advisor, a licensed Life & Health insurance agent in California, and a member of the Financial Review Council at Policygenius.

Updated|3 min read

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The average cost of car insurance in Oregon is $1,443 per year, but the average cost in Portland is more expensive at $1,881 per year. We found that the cheapest car insurance companies in Portland are USAA, State Farm, GEICO, COUNTRY Financial, and Travelers.

Ready to shop car insurance?

Rates vary across the city, though, based on factors like your ZIP code, age, and what car you drive. Policygenius can help you compare car insurance policies to find the right one for your budget and needs.

Key takeaways

  • USAA has the lowest average rate for car insurance in Portland at $1,197 per year

  • GEICO has the cheapest car insurance for Portland drivers with bad credit, at an average cost of $1,843 per year

  • Drivers in Portland are required to carry a minimum of bodily injury liability of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, as well as $20,000 in property damage liability and personal injury liability of $15,000 per person

  • Portland drivers must also carry the state’s minimum liability of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, which is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident

Methodology & why you can trust our rates

Policygenius has analyzed car insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services for every ZIP code in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. For full coverage policies, the following coverage limits were used:

  • Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident

  • Property damage liability: $50,000

  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident

  • Comprehensive: $500 deductible

  • Collision: $500 deductible

In some cases, additional coverages were added where required by state or insurer.

Rates for overall average rate, rates by ZIP code, and cheapest companies determined using averages for single drivers ages 30, 35, and 45. Our sample vehicle was a 2017 Toyota Camry LE driven 10,000 miles/year.

Rates for driving violations and “Poor” credit determined using average rates for a single male 30-year-old driver with a credit score under 578.

Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.

Cheapest car insurance companies in Portland, OR

Your car insurance premium is calculated based on a series of specific factors, such as your credit score, driving history, and the make and model of your vehicle. But rates also vary by company, which is why it's so important to shop around.

Here are the top five cheapest car insurance companies in Portland:

Company

Average cost

JD Power Rating

USAA

$1,197

890

State Farm

$1,210

882

GEICO

$1,328

874

COUNTRY Financial

$1,347

--

Travelers

$1,478

854

Cheapest car insurance rates by ZIP code in Portland, OR

Car insurance in Portland costs more on average than almost every other city in Oregon, but your rates may not be as high depending on your ZIP code.

Insurance companies consider your ZIP code when setting your premiums and certain areas may pay more because they have higher crime rates, a higher rate of uninsured drivers, or an elevated risk of damage from floods and wildfires.

ZIP code

Average cost

97201

$1,668

97219

$1,692

97221

$1,697

97210

$1,714

97258

$1,737

97239

$1,740

97209

$1,748

97205

$1,768

97214

$1,793

97232

$1,794

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Choosing the right car insurance company in Portland, OR

The average cost of car insurance in Portland is $1,881 per year, which is above average for the state of Oregon. With costs so high, it is imperative that you shop around and compare your options to find a policy offering all the coverage you need for an affordable price.

Insurers may also offer specific programs or discounts that could help you save. For example, some companies may discount your rates more than others if you don’t drive a lot.

Telematics have also become more popular, with discounted rates possible if you drive safely. People who are in military families or work in certain professions may have access to discounts from some companies.

Car insurance rates for drivers with driving violations in Portland, OR

Your driving record is one of the best ways for an insurance company to assess the risk of insuring you as a driver. If you have a history of serious offenses, it could increase how much you pay for insurance. Rates can still vary greatly by insurer, though. So if you have offenses on your driving record, it’s especially important to shop rates from multiple car insurance companies to find the best fit for you.

Violation

USAA

State Farm

GEICO

COUNTRY Financial

Travelers

At-fault accident

$1,859

$1,557

$2,254

$2,138

$2,097

DUI

$2,062

$1,315

$2,821

$2,241

$2,331

Suspended license

$1,958

$1,315

$3,277

$2,241

$2,331

Open container

$1,931

$1,315

$2,821

$1,910

$1,975

Expired registration

$1,587

$1,315

$1,437

$1,910

$1,975

Driving without lights

$1,242

$1,315

$1,742

$1,910

$1,975

Running a red light

$1,587

$1,315

$1,742

$1,910

$1,975

Following too closely

$1,587

$1,315

$1,742

$1,910

$1,975

Hit and run

$2,175

$1,315

$3,277

$2,241

$2,331

Not-at-fault accident

$1,242

$1,222

$1,487

$1,428

$1,557

Passing a school bus

$1,931

$1,315

$1,742

$1,910

$2,331

Reckless driving

$1,931

$1,315

$3,277

$2,241

$2,331

Speeding

$1,587

$1,315

$2,821

$1,910

$2,331

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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI in Portland, OR

Company

Rates for drivers with DUIs

State Farm

$1,315

USAA

$2,062

COUNTRY Financial

$2,241

Travelers

$2,331

GEICO

$2,821

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket in Portland, OR

Company

Rates for drivers with speeding tickets

State Farm

$1,315

USAA

$1,587

COUNTRY Financial

$1,910

Travelers

$2,331

GEICO

$2,821

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in Portland, OR

Your credit score is another factor that insurance companies can use in calculating car insurance. Insurance companies usually offer more competitive rates to those with good credit.

Company

Rates for drivers with bad credit

GEICO

$1,843

COUNTRY Financial

$2,484

Oregon Mutual

$2,494

Nationwide

$2,570

Travelers

$2,673

Ready to shop car insurance?

Buying car insurance in Portland, OR

Oregon is an at-fault state, which means that the driver found responsible for the accident is also responsible for paying any resulting damages. Drivers in Portland must also maintain a minimum amount of car insurance coverage to legally drive.

This includes many of the standard protections seen in other states, like bodily injury liability and property damage coverage. However, Portland car insurance policies must also include personal injury protection (PIP) with a specific amount of uninsured and underinsured motorist protection.

The minimum car insurance requirements in Portland are:

  • Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000

  • Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000

  • Property damage liability coverage: $20,000

  • Personal injury protection: $15,000 per person

  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Equal to the state’s liability minimums of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident

While you must always purchase the minimum insurance required, you should consider purchasing additional coverage to reduce your liability should you need to file a claim in the future.

How to get cheap car insurance in Portland, OR

There are several ways to lower the cost of your car insurance and save money on your annual premium.

  • Ask about discounts. Car insurance companies offer many ways to get discounts, like getting good grades in school, paying your annual premium in full upfront, or bundling your home and auto insurance.

  • Consider your mileage. When you lower the amount you drive each year, car insurance companies often lower your premium to reflect the reduced risk.

  • Practice safe driving. Many insurance providers will offer an additional discount when you successfully pass an approved defensive driving course.

Finally, our Policygenius car insurance shopping tool can help you compare rates from multiple providers in one place so that you can find the best car insurance for you.

Frequently asked questions

What is the average cost of car insurance in Oregon?

The average cost of car insurance in Oregon is $1,443 per year, although the cost of your insurance may vary based on the coverage you need and the provider you choose.

What is the average cost of car insurance in Portland?

The average cost of car insurance in Portland is $1,881 per year, which is $438 more than the average cost of car insurance in Oregon.

How do I save money on car insurance in Portland?

There are several ways to save on your car insurance, including car insurance discounts, increasing your deductible, and shopping around for the most affordable insurance coverage that meets your needs.

How much car insurance do I need in Portland?

Portland drivers must have a minimum of bodily injury liability of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, plus $20,000 in property damage liability and personal injury liability of $15,000 per person and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.

Authors

Lena Borrelli is a freelance contributor at Policygenius. With a diverse professional background, Lena spent time in finance, web marketing, and hospitality before settling into full-time life as a freelance writer.

Rachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.

Editor

Anna Swartz is a senior managing editor who specializes in home, auto, renters, and disability insurance at Policygenius. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic and a writer at The Dodo. Her work has also appeared in Salon, HuffPost, MSN, AOL, and Heeb.

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