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Oregon pairs standard liability limits of 25/50/20 with two mandatory first-party coverages: $15,000 in personal injury protection and uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash. Even so, Oregon remains an at-fault state for liability claims.
Oregon's rules around uninsured driving changed on January 1, 2026 under Senate Bill 840. A conviction for driving uninsured now requires an SR-22 for one year instead of three, and the mandatory one-year suspension after an uninsured accident was repealed, although a three-year SR-22 requirement remains for those drivers. For disputed accidents, DMV will not reverse an uninsured finding after an insurer denies coverage unless you provide a signed statement on the insurer's letterhead. Oregon also tightly limits credit in insurance rating: insurers can only use non-credit factors when rerating at renewal, and they may not cancel or non-renew a policy of more than 60 days based on credit.
| Minimum liability | 25/50/20 (BI per person / BI per accident / PD, in $1,000s) |
|---|---|
| Other required coverage | Personal injury protection (PIP): $15,000 per person; Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per crash |
| Fault system | At-fault (tort) |
| Credit-based insurance scores | Restricted |
| SR-22 / proof of financial responsibility | For convictions on or after January 1, 2026, driving uninsured requires an SR-22 for one year, down from three. Drivers involved in uninsured accidents still need an SR-22 for three years, and a DUII conviction also requires one. |
Oregon minimum liability limits
To register and drive a car in Oregon you need at least this much liability coverage:
- $25,000 for injuries to one person in an accident you cause.
- $50,000 in total for injuries to everyone in that accident.
- $20,000 for damage to other people's property, such as their car.
Tip: The minimum is a legal floor, not a recommendation. If a serious crash costs more than your limits, you could be personally responsible for the rest. See how much liability coverage you may need.
Other required and offered coverage
Besides liability, Oregon requires:
- Personal injury protection (PIP): $15,000 per person
- Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per crash
Learn more about uninsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection.
Is Oregon a no-fault state?
Oregon is an at-fault (tort) state. The driver who causes a crash is responsible for the other people's injuries and property damage, which is normally paid by that driver's liability insurance. Injured people can claim against the at-fault driver's insurer or, in some cases, sue.
Oregon requires PIP but remains an at-fault state for liability. It uses modified comparative negligence (ORS 31.600): your recovery is reduced by your share of fault and barred if your fault is greater than the other party's.
Read more: at-fault vs. no-fault states explained.
Can insurers use your credit in Oregon?
Status: Restricted. Under ORS 746.661 insurers cannot cancel or non-renew a policy in force more than 60 days based on credit, may only use non-credit factors when rerating at renewal, and must let you request a rerate once a year. Absence of credit history and non-consumer-initiated inquiries cannot be used against you.
See how credit affects car insurance for the bigger picture.
Penalties for driving uninsured in Oregon
Driving without liability coverage is illegal (ORS 806.010). DMV suspends you if you fail to file a required SR-22, and for accidents on or after January 1, 2026 the mandatory one-year suspension for uninsured accidents was repealed in favor of the three-year SR-22 requirement.
Oregon DMV sends insurance verification notices to insurers after accidents. For accidents on or after January 1, 2026, it will not change an uninsured determination after an insurer denies coverage unless you provide a signed statement on insurer letterhead.
For convictions on or after January 1, 2026, driving uninsured requires an SR-22 for one year, down from three. Drivers involved in uninsured accidents still need an SR-22 for three years, and a DUII conviction also requires one.
If you are ordered to file proof of insurance, see what SR-22 insurance is.
Tips for Oregon drivers
- Confirm your policy includes PIP. Oregon requires $15,000 per person in personal injury protection in addition to liability and UM.
- Keep proof of coverage after an accident. For accidents on or after January 1, 2026, DMV requires a signed statement on insurer letterhead to overturn an uninsured finding after an insurer denies coverage.
- Use the rerate right. ORS 746.661 lets you request a rerate once a year if credit was used, and the insurer cannot use the rerate to raise your premium.
- Know the new SR-22 timeline. For uninsured convictions on or after January 1, 2026, the requirement is one year, but for uninsured accidents it is still three years.
- Provide your policy number when you register a vehicle. Oregon DMV requires it, and some vehicles are exempt under ORS 806.020.
When you shop, compare quotes from several insurers using the same limits and deductibles, so the prices are like-for-like.
Official resources
- Insurance regulator: Oregon Division of Financial Regulation
- Motor vehicle agency: Oregon DMV
Your state insurance department can answer questions about your rights and handle complaints about insurers.
Frequently asked questions
What car insurance does Oregon require?
Oregon requires liability of $25,000 per person, $50,000 per crash for bodily injury and $20,000 for property damage, $15,000 per person in personal injury protection, and uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash. Driving without liability coverage is illegal under ORS 806.010, and you must provide a policy number to register a vehicle.
What changed in Oregon's uninsured driving rules in 2026?
Under SB 840, effective January 1, 2026, an uninsured driving conviction requires an SR-22 for one year instead of three, and the mandatory one-year suspension for uninsured accidents was repealed. Drivers in uninsured accidents still need an SR-22 for three years, and DMV suspends drivers who do not file one when required.
Can Oregon insurers use my credit?
Only in limited ways. Under ORS 746.661, insurers cannot cancel or non-renew a policy in force more than 60 days based on credit and may use only non-credit factors when rerating at renewal. You can request a rerate once a year, and certain credit items such as absent history cannot be used against you.
What if my insurer says I wasn't covered at the time of an accident?
For accidents on or after January 1, 2026, Oregon DMV will not change an uninsured determination after an insurer's denial unless you provide proof of coverage in a statement on insurer letterhead signed by an authorized employee. Previously, you could recertify coverage using different proof, so keep your policy documents organized.
Sources
- Oregon DMV – Insurance requirements
- Oregon DMV – SR-22 information
- Oregon DFR – Memo on SB 840 insurance provisions (Dec. 9, 2025)
- Oregon Public Law – ORS 746.661 (credit history in personal insurance)
- Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer – Contributory negligence/comparative fault laws in all 50 states
General information only. State rules change. Confirm current requirements with the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation or your insurer before you buy. This page is not insurance or legal advice.