Car insurance in Oregon (25/50/20)
- Minimum car insuranceOregon requires $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash for bodily injury and $20,000 for property damage. Personal injury protection of $15,000 per person and uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000/$50,000 are also mandatory. Source
- Fault systemOregon is an at-fault state that also requires PIP, so your own policy pays initial medical costs while the driver who caused the crash remains liable for the rest. Source
Business insurance rules in Oregon
- Workers’ compensationAlmost every Oregon employer with one or more workers who are not independent contractors must carry workers' compensation. It can be bought from private insurers, including the state-chartered SAIF Corporation, or an employer can self-insure; Oregon is not monopolistic. Source
- Contractor licensingThe Construction Contractors Board licenses contractors, who must carry a surety bond and general liability insurance and show proof to the board at licensing and renewal. For example, a residential general contractor needs a $25,000 bond and at least $500,000 of liability coverage. Source
Home insurance in Oregon
- Home insurer of last resortThe Oregon FAIR Plan is the insurer of last resort for property owners who cannot get coverage in the standard market. Wildfire is the main concern; the plan raised its limits in 2023 citing increased statewide wildfire risk. Source
Disasters, floods, hail, tornadoes and earthquakes in Oregon
| Measure | Oregon | Rank among the states | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal major disaster declarations since 2000 | 24 | #28 (tied) of 51 | Most often for severe storm (17), flood (3), fire (2). Lincoln County has been in 13 of them. |
| National Flood Insurance Program claims, 2005–2025 | 2,307 | #39 of 51 | $57.1 million paid; 31% of claims with a known flood zone were outside FEMA’s high-risk zones. |
| Homes in high-risk flood zones with a federal flood policy | 23% | #26 of 50 | 9,342 policies for 41,466 homes in the counties FEMA can measure; US: 40%. |
| Hail reports, 2016–2025 | 141 | #42 of 51 | 7 of them 2 inches or larger. Largest stone 2.5 inches, Wallowa County, August 2022. |
| Tornadoes, 2016–2025 | 29 | #39 of 51 | 1 rated EF2 or stronger; 136 recorded since 1950. |
| Earthquakes of magnitude 4.0+, 2000–2025 | 307 | #3 of 51 | Largest: magnitude 6.3, 242 km WNW of Bandon, Oregon, January 10, 2008. |
From the public FEMA, NOAA, Storm Prediction Center, USGS and FMCSA records behind each linked report; ranks count all 50 states and Washington, DC unless noted.
Look up the storm history of any county in Oregon.
The property risks that matter in Oregon
Oregon faces a long-term Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake risk, and the 2020 Labor Day fires destroyed thousands of homes.
For homes in the Oregon wildland-urban interface, insurers increasingly use parcel-level wildfire scores. Document your mitigation work, keep your dwelling limit at full rebuild cost, and review extended replacement cost options.
Oregon has meaningful seismic exposure, but earthquake coverage must be added separately. Older unreinforced masonry and homes with raised foundations are most vulnerable; ask about retrofit credits.
Standard homeowners and renters policies exclude flood. In Oregon, flood coverage comes from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private flood insurer, and NFIP policies generally carry a 30-day waiting period, so buy before storm season. Check your address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Worth knowing in Oregon
Oregon is an at-fault state but still requires every auto policy to include $15,000 of personal injury protection, and every licensed contractor must carry both a bond and liability insurance.
Annual review checklist for Oregon
- Compare your auto liability limits with the Oregon minimum of 25/50/20 and with your actual assets.
- Document defensible space and home hardening work with dated photos for your insurer.
- Get an earthquake quote and compare the percentage deductible in dollars.
- Check your address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center and price an NFIP or private flood policy before storm season (NFIP usually has a 30-day wait).
- Condo owners: compare your HO-6 loss assessment limit with the HOA master deductible.
Oregon’s insurance regulator
Insurance in Oregon is regulated by the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation, which handles consumer complaints and licenses insurers and agents.
Sam Alishahi holds an Oregon nonresident insurance producer license (NPN 21022298) and places Oregon policies directly.
Common questions
What is the minimum car insurance in Oregon?
Oregon requires $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash for bodily injury and $20,000 for property damage. Personal injury protection of $15,000 per person and uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000/$50,000 are also mandatory.
Is Oregon a no-fault state?
Oregon is an at-fault state that also requires PIP, so your own policy pays initial medical costs while the driver who caused the crash remains liable for the rest.
Do employers in Oregon need workers’ comp?
Almost every Oregon employer with one or more workers who are not independent contractors must carry workers' compensation. It can be bought from private insurers, including the state-chartered SAIF Corporation, or an employer can self-insure; Oregon is not monopolistic.
What can an Oregon homeowner do if no insurer will write the house?
The Oregon FAIR Plan is the insurer of last resort for property owners who cannot get coverage in the standard market. Wildfire is the main concern; the plan raised its limits in 2023 citing increased statewide wildfire risk.
Why are insurers declining homes in parts of Oregon?
Wildfire risk models and rising rebuild costs have led some insurers to limit new business in high-risk areas.
More answers: Oregon homeowners insurance guide Oregon renters insurance and security deposit guide Oregon life insurance consumer guide Oregon flood risk and NFIP guide Portland home and auto insurance guide
Sources
- Oregon: Minimum car insurance
- Oregon: Workers’ compensation
- Oregon: Home insurer of last resort
- Oregon: Contractor licensing
- Oregon: insurance regulator
- NAIC: directory of state insurance departments
General information as of October 2026, not legal advice; confirm current rules with the agency.