Temporary Auto Insurance For Oregon: Where To Get Covered

If you're looking for temporary auto insurance in Oregon, you might be out of luck. Most large insurance companies in Oregon don't offer temporary car insurance policies, instead opting for six-month or 12-month terms. However, there are still ways to get temporary coverage. One way is to purchase a standard six-month policy and cancel it early when you no longer need coverage. You may have to pay a cancellation fee, but you can usually get a refund for any unused coverage. Another option is to look into rental or non-owner insurance if you don't own a car but frequently rent or use car-sharing services. Non-owner insurance provides liability insurance that covers you if you get in an accident in a vehicle you don't own. Additionally, pay-per-mile insurance is a great option for people who want continuous coverage but don't drive very often.

Temporary car insurance in Oregon: what you need to know

In Oregon, temporary car insurance is typically achieved by purchasing a six-month or 12-month policy and cancelling it early. This is because most large insurance companies in the state don't offer temporary car insurance policies, instead opting for longer-term plans.

The cost of temporary car insurance in Oregon depends on the company and the driver's circumstances. For example, GEICO offers an average rate of $82 per month, while the average car insurance company in Oregon charges $67 per month. Mile Auto provides the cheapest six-month policies in Oregon.

There are several alternatives to temporary car insurance in Oregon. These include:

• Rental car insurance: If you're renting a car in Oregon, you can get coverage from rental companies, which typically offer basic liability insurance with the option to add collision damage waivers, supplemental liability insurance, and personal accident insurance.
• Non-owner car insurance: This type of insurance is designed for drivers who don't own a car but frequently borrow or rent vehicles. It provides liability insurance that covers you in the event of an accident in a vehicle you don't own.
• Pay-per-mile insurance: This type of insurance bases your rates on the number of miles you drive per month, making it a good option for those who don't drive often but want continuous coverage.

Driving without insurance in Oregon can result in several penalties, including fines ranging from $130 to $1,000, suspension of your license and registration, impoundment of your car, and high-risk insurance requirements. It is illegal to drive without insurance in Oregon, and you can be personally sued for damages if you injure someone in an accident.

How to get temporary insurance in Oregon

Temporary car insurance in Oregon is typically available for a minimum of six months. However, there are a few ways to get a shorter policy or find an alternative solution. Here are some options to explore:

Buy and Cancel a Policy:

Purchase a six-month policy and cancel it before the term ends. This option provides flexibility, but be aware of potential consequences, such as early termination fees and increased premiums in the future. In Oregon, paying for three months of a six-month policy costs approximately $295.

Rental Car Insurance:

If you don't own a car and only need temporary coverage for a rental vehicle, consider buying rental car insurance. Rental car companies offer basic liability insurance and additional options like collision damage waivers, supplemental liability insurance, and personal accident coverage. The cost for these coverages ranges from $48 to $60 per day in Oregon.

Non-Owner Car Insurance:

If you don't own a car but need insurance for driving borrowed or rented vehicles frequently, consider non-owner car insurance. This type of policy provides liability coverage when driving a car you don't own. It is typically available for six or twelve-month terms and can be more affordable than standard insurance.

Rideshare Insurance:

If you work for a rideshare company in Oregon, you may have a temporary gap in coverage between accepting fares. To fill this gap, you can purchase rideshare insurance, but note that not all policies are available in all states.

Temporary Policy Adjustments:

If you need to make short-term changes to your existing policy, such as adding or removing a driver, contact your insurance company. You may be able to request a discount or temporarily remove a driver (e.g., a student who is away at college).

Shop Around:

Compare quotes from different providers to find the best deal. MoneySuperMarket's directory of short-term car insurance providers is a good starting point for your research.

Remember that temporary car insurance is not always a viable option, and reputable insurers typically offer policies for a minimum of six months. Always ensure you have adequate coverage to comply with Oregon's insurance requirements and avoid penalties.

Alternatives to temporary car insurance in Oregon

If you need temporary car insurance in Oregon, you can purchase a regular policy and cancel it early. You can also consider rental or non-owner insurance if you don’t own a car but frequently rent or use car-sharing services.

Non-owner car insurance

Non-owner car insurance is for those who don't own a car but may frequently borrow a vehicle or rent cars. It provides liability insurance that covers you if you get in an accident in a vehicle you don't own. It's typically cheaper than standard car insurance but doesn't cover damages to your vehicle or injuries you sustain if you're at fault.

Rental car insurance

If you're renting a car in Oregon, you can get coverage from rental companies, which offer basic liability insurance with the option to add collision damage waivers, supplemental liability insurance, and personal accident insurance. The average cost of adding these coverages ranges from $48 to $60 per day. However, you may already have coverage through your existing car insurance policy or credit card benefits.

Being added as a named driver

If you're borrowing a friend's car occasionally, they can add you to their policy as a named driver. However, this could be more expensive, especially for young drivers, and it may affect their no-claims bonus if you have an accident.

Courtesy car cover

If your car is being repaired and your insurance provider has lent you a courtesy car, you may already be covered by your insurance policy or the garage. Be sure to check what you're covered for.

Comprehensive car insurance

If you have comprehensive car insurance, check your policy to see if it covers driving another car. Even if it does, it's likely to only provide third-party cover.

Temporary car insurance in Oregon FAQs

Most large car insurance companies in Oregon don't offer temporary car insurance policies. A typical car insurance policy in Oregon is sold in six-month or one-year increments. However, you can get a shorter policy by purchasing a standard policy and cancelling it early.

If you don't own a car but need coverage, you can opt for non-owner car insurance. This is also the cheapest insurance option if you need proof of insurance and SR-22 insurance to get your license reinstated. Rental car insurance is another alternative if you're only visiting Oregon or don't own a car but need to drive.

The cheapest temporary car insurance in Oregon is offered by GEICO, with an average rate of $82 per month or $245 per 90 days. The average six-month car insurance policy in Oregon costs $591.

Most major insurance companies in Oregon will provide a full refund for the unused months of your term. Many don't charge a fee for cancelling your policy.

It's illegal to drive without liability insurance in Oregon. If you've just bought a car, you should notify your insurance company as soon as possible, and within 14 days at most.

Short-term car insurance in Oregon

Short-term car insurance is typically defined as an auto insurance policy lasting fewer than six months. In Oregon, car insurance policies usually last for six months or a year. However, there are a few ways to get short-term car insurance.

Buying a standard policy and cancelling it early

If you need short-term car insurance in Oregon, you can buy a standard six-month or annual policy and cancel it before the term ends. Most major insurance companies in Oregon don't offer policies shorter than six months, and reputable companies rarely offer policies lasting less than 30 days. However, most major insurers in Oregon will provide full refunds for the unused months of your term, and many don't charge a cancellation fee.

Rental car insurance

If you don't own a car in Oregon and only need short-term insurance, rental car insurance may be a better option. Rental car companies typically offer basic liability insurance with the option to add collision damage waivers, supplemental liability insurance, and personal accident insurance. This type of insurance usually costs between $48 and $60 per day. However, you may already have rental car insurance through your credit card company or existing car insurance policy.

Non-owner car insurance

Non-owner car insurance is another option for short-term insurance in Oregon if you don't own a car. This type of insurance provides liability coverage when driving a vehicle you don't own. It's typically cheaper than standard car insurance but doesn't cover damages to the vehicle you're driving if you're at fault in an accident.

Temporary car insurance companies

While major insurance companies typically don't offer short-term policies, some smaller companies do. These include American Hallmark Insurance Co. of Texas, Dairyland, First Chicago Insurance Co., National Unity Insurance Co., Old American County Mutual Fire Insurance Co., and Young America Insurance Co. Hugo is another company that offers on-demand car insurance for periods as short as three days.

Temporary coverage for specific situations

In some cases, you may not need to purchase short-term car insurance. For example, if you're test-driving a car, borrowing a friend's car, or driving a new car, you may already be covered by the car owner's insurance policy. Additionally, if you're a student who only needs a car during breaks from school, you can be added to your parents' policy during those periods and removed when you're away at school.

Frequently asked questions