27+ years writing about personal finance
Bylines in numerous notable publications
Geoff is a freelance personal finance journalist and author. He’s been published in top outlets such as The Wall Street Journal and CNN Money.
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15+ years in content creation
7+ years in business and financial services content
Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.
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Updated November 21, 2024
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Table of contents
If you live in Portland, Oregon, and are looking for a new car insurance company, you’ll want to consider insurers like State Farm, USAA, and GEICO. Each is a top insurer in the Portland area and a good place to start if you’re looking for affordable rates.
The average car insurance rate in Portland is $165, which is higher than the average American driver pays, at $154 a month. Portland is also the third most-expensive city for insurance in the state, according to Insurify data. This could be due to the crime rate in the city or an increased accident rate due to the large population and influx of tourists.
Fortunately, the information presented here can help you find affordable insurance that matches your needs.
Portland drivers pay on average $133 per month for liability coverage, and $198 per month for full coverage.
Some companies offer cheap insurance in Portland, including State Farm, USAA, and GEICO.
It’s legal for insurers to review your credit score when determining your quote in Oregon.
Best car insurance companies in Portland
If you’re looking to save money, you’ll want to start by researching your options with the insurers below.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Best For ▲▼ |
---|---|---|---|---|
Safeco | 9.3 | $144 | $95 | Cheap rates |
USAA | 9.4 | $100 | $46 | Military community |
GEICO | 9.0 | $119 | $54 | Discounts |
Our editorial team spent more than 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. The team weighted criteria by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.
We rate each company on a 1 to 10 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
- Third-party financial ratings: Insurify uses data from AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
- Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 28,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also consider third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
- Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the U.S., as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
- Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
- Availability and reach: Insurify scores availability and reach by identifying the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share.
Best insurer for low rates: State Farm
User Reviews | 4.5 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 8.3 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $117/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $177/mo |
Drivers appreciate the polite and helpful customer service and fair pricing but dislike the significant rate increases and difficulty reaching agents.
Drivers appreciate the polite and helpful customer service and fair pricing but dislike the significant rate increases and difficulty reaching agents.
Sarah
November 10, 2024
Too Expensive
Bonnie
November 2, 2024
The Price of Car Insurance
Harris
October 31, 2024
Just Fine
Safeco, a Liberty Mutual company, has been in business for nearly 100 years. Safeco stands out for some of its optional offerings. If your new car is less than a year old with under 150,000 miles, Safeco’s new vehicle replacement coverage pays the value of a comparable new car if yours is stolen or totaled. Safeco also offers cash back for policyholders who remain claims-free over a six-month review period, as well as a diminishing deductible for being claims-free. The company also scored above average for customer satisfaction in J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study.
Pays cash back to customers who remain claims-free
Many options for customizing car insurance
Accident forgiveness available
May not be the cheapest option for drivers with infractions on their records
Customer reviews indicate room for improvement in customer service
Higher-than-average number of complaints with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners
Best insurer for military members: USAA
User Reviews | 4.9 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.4 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $45/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $99/mo |
Drivers appreciate the ease of working with the carrier, competitive rates, and responsive service but dislike the price increases and lack of rideshare add-ons in some areas.
Drivers appreciate the ease of working with the carrier, competitive rates, and responsive service but dislike the price increases and lack of rideshare add-ons in some areas.
Gloria
November 15, 2024
Not Good for Claims
Martin
November 11, 2024
Price Shopping
Rena Sabine
November 8, 2024
Disappointing and inflexible service
Whether you’re active or reserve military personnel, a veteran, or a family member, USAA offers exclusive benefits and discounts, specialized coverages, and user-friendly digital tools. Eligible members can save money with good driver, bundling, and loyalty discounts, as well as through the company’s safe driving program, USAA SafePilot.
Low premiums for all types of drivers, including those with speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, and DUIs
With the SafePilot program, good drivers can lower their auto insurance costs by up to 30%
Discounts available for bundling, being a good student, enrolling in automatic payments, and more
Car insurance only available to active military members, veterans, and their families
No gap insurance
24/7 live customer support not available
Best insurer for discounts: GEICO
User Reviews | 4.0 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.0 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $54/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $119/mo |
Drivers appreciate the excellent customer service and initial low prices but dislike the frequent price increases.
Drivers appreciate the excellent customer service and initial low prices but dislike the frequent price increases.
George
November 19, 2024
Service
James
November 19, 2024
Unsatisfactory Experience with Geico
Edward
November 18, 2024
Experience with Geico
GEICO offers more discounts than most companies, including a 22% discount for good drivers, a 15% military discount, and a 25% multi-vehicle discount. GEICO also had relatively few complaints about car insurance with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) in 2022.
Competitive rates and numerous available discounts
Intuitive website and app
24/7 customer service
Rideshare and gap insurance not available
Doesn’t offer life insurance bundling
Limited agent network
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Portland
Finding cheap insurance rates in Portland depends largely on how much comparison shopping you’re willing to do and your unique personal factors. Here are a few rules of the road to keep in mind as you look for cheap car insurance:
Liability-only coverage is always going to be cheaper than full coverage. Liability only means that you, instead of your insurer, will pay for your own damages and medical bills if you or your vehicle is in an accident where you’re at fault.
If you decide to pay a higher deductible, you’ll pay lower auto insurance rates. However, make sure to never set your deductible so high you can’t afford to pay it should you need to file a claim.
Check with your insurer to see if it has any discounts you qualify for that can bring your rates down.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Portland: Mile Auto
Liability-only car insurance protects you financially if you cause an accident that damages another person’s car or injures the other driver or passengers. All drivers in Oregon must carry at least liability-only coverage that meets the state’s minimum coverage requirements.
Portland drivers can find the cheapest liability coverage from Mile Auto for $74 per month.
In the table below, you can see the average quotes for liability-only coverage from many of the state’s top insurers.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
Mile Auto | $74 |
National General | $115 |
Safeco | $117 |
Root | $122 |
Direct Auto | $148 |
Dairyland | $149 |
Liberty Mutual | $156 |
Bristol West | $161 |
The General | $186 |
GAINSCO | $196 |
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Portland: Mile Auto
While liability-only insurance generally covers the expenses incurred by others in an accident you cause, full-coverage car insurance goes beyond this to cover damage to you and your vehicle as well. Because of this, you may consider full-coverage car insurance if you have an expensive car or if you would find it a challenge to replace or repair your car if it were wrecked. Full-coverage insurance in Oregon also includes personal injury protection. If you think it would be hard to pay for hospital bills after an accident, you may want to consider full coverage.
“In today’s environment, older cars are holding their value a lot longer,” says Loretta Worters, vice president of media relations at the Insurance Information Institute. “So check with Kelley Blue Book or your bank to determine the car’s value. Auto dealers and banks can also tell you the worth of cars. Typically, if your car is worth less than 10 times the premium, purchasing full coverage may not be cost-effective.”
On average, full-cover insurance in Portland costs $198 per month. Portland drivers can find the cheapest full-coverage insurance from Mile Auto for $91 per month.
Here you can see a collection of average monthly quotes for full-coverage insurance in Portland.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
Mile Auto | $91 |
Safeco | $177 |
Root | $184 |
National General | $208 |
Liberty Mutual | $238 |
Direct Auto | $272 |
Bristol West | $313 |
The General | $351 |
Dairyland | $357 |
GAINSCO | $403 |
Cheapest recent rates near Portland, Oregon
Drivers using Insurify have found quotes as cheap as $40/mo for liability only and $43/mo for full coverage in Portland and other Oregon cities.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Portland, Oregon within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 21, 2024
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Portland, Oregon within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 21, 2024
Car insurance requirements in Oregon
To drive legally in Oregon, you need at least a liability-only car insurance policy that meets the requirements listed below.
Coverage ▲▼ | Minimum Requirements ▲▼ |
---|---|
Bodily injury liability |
|
Property damage liability |
|
Personal injury protection |
|
Uninsured motorist coverage |
|
This coverage threshold meets the minimum requirements in Oregon. But you can always enhance your coverage with any of the following:
Comprehensive coverage
This covers you if you have damage to your vehicle that may not be related to an accident. For instance, if your car is stolen, it catches on fire, a rock smashes through the windshield, or an animal hits your vehicle, your insurance would pay for repairs or replacement.
Collision coverage
Collision coverage fixes your vehicle when it’s damaged by another vehicle or an object, such as a tree or building.
Underinsured motorist coverage
This protects you if you’re in an accident and the other driver is at fault but isn’t carrying enough insurance.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
When a driver has an incident on the road — such as an at-fault accident, speeding ticket, DUI, or some other type of moving violation — it almost always leads to a spike in their premiums. Insurers see problematic driving behavior as a sign of increased risk and charge accordingly.
If you have an incident on your record, comparison shopping becomes even more important in order to find the best rates. In the following sections, you’ll see what you can expect to pay for car insurance based on your record.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: Mile Auto
If you live in Portland and get a speeding ticket on I-84, for example, expect your car insurance premiums to go up. Oregon takes speeding seriously, and the state recently passed a law allowing every city to install speed cameras to enforce speed limits.[1] Portland, meanwhile, has had speed cameras in the city for some time.
On average, Portland drivers with a speeding ticket pay $195 for liability insurance. But, they can still find cheap rates from Mile Auto for $99 per month.
Below is a look at the average monthly quotes you can expect to receive with a speeding ticket on your record.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Mile Auto | $122 | $99 |
Safeco | $238 | $158 |
Root | $262 | $174 |
National General | $278 | $154 |
Liberty Mutual | $340 | $223 |
Direct Auto | $362 | $197 |
Bristol West | $419 | $215 |
Dairyland | $474 | $198 |
The General | $475 | $252 |
GAINSCO | $575 | $280 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: Mile Auto
If you have an at-fault accident on your record, your premiums will climb, as insurers will see you as a higher risk. Fortunately, if you maintain a spotless record going forward, your rates should decrease after a couple years, depending on your insurer.
Mile Auto offers the cheapest coverage to Portland drivers with an accident on their record for $104 per month.
The table below provides you with an example of the average monthly quotes you can expect to receive with an at-fault accident on your record.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Mile Auto | $128 | $104 |
Safeco | $241 | $159 |
Root | $270 | $179 |
National General | $285 | $158 |
Liberty Mutual | $348 | $228 |
Direct Auto | $382 | $208 |
Bristol West | $429 | $221 |
Dairyland | $486 | $203 |
The General | $491 | $260 |
GAINSCO | $530 | $258 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: Mile Auto
Insurers generally view DUIs as the most serious of incidents, and if you have one on your record, you can expect your rates to jump dramatically. Some insurers may even drop you if you’re cited for DUI.
Drivers in Portland with a DUI typically pay $223 for liability coverage, and $332 for full coverage.
The table below shows what monthly quotes you would see, on average, for your insurance premiums with a DUI on your record.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Mile Auto | $151 | $123 |
Safeco | $273 | $180 |
Root | $274 | $182 |
National General | $346 | $191 |
Liberty Mutual | $395 | $259 |
Direct Auto | $452 | $246 |
Bristol West | $520 | $268 |
The General | $583 | $309 |
Dairyland | $593 | $248 |
GAINSCO | $670 | $326 |
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: Mile Auto
Insurers calculate premiums based on many factors, including age. Teens pay some of the highest premiums before rates drop, often around age 35. However, those rates start increasing again as drivers reach senior status. The exact age for this status varies by insurer. This increase in premiums is due, in part, to the slower reflexes common with the aging process, as well as the increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Mile Auto offers the cheapest insurance for Portland seniors at $53 per month.
If you’re a senior, the table below shows what you would pay monthly, on average, for your insurance premiums.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Mile Auto | $65 | $53 |
Safeco | $144 | $95 |
Root | $147 | $97 |
National General | $151 | $83 |
Liberty Mutual | $190 | $124 |
Direct Auto | $201 | $109 |
Bristol West | $238 | $122 |
Dairyland | $270 | $113 |
The General | $270 | $143 |
GAINSCO | $321 | $156 |
Cheapest car insurance for teens: Mile Auto
Because teenage drivers don’t have much driving experience, and because research shows that they’re more likely to have accidents, insurers charge higher premiums for this age group. Fortunately, you can find ways to reduce rates. For instance, a teenager driving a model that an insurer considers a safe vehicle would pay less than they would behind the wheel of a vehicle considered unsafe. Insurers also charge less when a teenage driver stays on their parents’ policy, and many insurers offer discounts for good grades.
Teen drivers can find the cheapest rates from Mile Auto for $153 per month.
Here’s a look at the average monthly quotes for teens in Portland.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Mile Auto | $188 | $153 |
Root | $298 | $198 |
Safeco | $364 | $240 |
National General | $437 | $241 |
Liberty Mutual | $439 | $288 |
Direct Auto | $532 | $290 |
Bristol West | $567 | $292 |
The General | $602 | $319 |
Dairyland | $621 | $259 |
GAINSCO | $747 | $363 |
Is car insurance more expensive in Portland?
Yes, insurance coverage is more expensive for drivers in Portland than in many other parts of the country. The U.S. national average is $104 a month for liability-only coverage and $204 for full coverage. In Portland, Oregon, you’ll pay considerably more. On average, a Portland driver will pay $133 for liability-only coverage and $198 for full coverage.
Rates may be higher in Portland due to the increased risk of crimes or accidents, as well as the higher cost of repairs after an accident.
More cities in Oregon
How does car insurance in Portland stack up against other cities across the state? The table below should give you an idea. On average, drivers pay $198 a month for full-coverage car insurance in Portland, which is higher than many other cities in Oregon.
City ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Beaverton | $197 | $132 |
Corvallis | $141 | $91 |
Eugene | $145 | $93 |
Grants Pass | $139 | $85 |
McMinnville | $138 | $113 |
Medford | $133 | $90 |
Salem | $184 | $118 |
Springfield | $90 | $135 |
Portland car insurance FAQs
Looking for more information on how to find the most affordable car insurance in Portland? Find answers to your questions here.
How much is car insurance in Portland?
Drivers pay an average of $133 for liability-only coverage and $198 for full coverage in Portland. This is considerably higher than the U.S. national average of $104 for liability-only coverage and $204 for full coverage.
What are the best car insurance companies in Portland?
The best insurance companies in Portland include State Farm, USAA, and GEICO. State Farm offers the lowest rates and has award-winning customer service. USAA also provides low rates and offers numerous benefits to military members and their families. Finally, GEICO offers scores of discounts that could allow you to reduce your car insurance premium by more than you would have expected.
Why is car insurance so expensive in Portland?
Car insurance in Portland could be expensive for several reasons, including a higher risk of crime and accidents due to its large population. The city’s higher cost of living could also make repairs more expensive, inflating rates.
Can auto insurers in Portland use your credit history to determine rates?
Yes. Insurers are legally allowed to review your credit history when determining your rates in Oregon. Insurers generally view those with lower credit as being more risky to insure. As such, if you have low credit, you can expect to receive a more expensive quote than you would if you had a higher credit.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Related articles
More cities in Oregon
Sources
- Bike Portland. "Governor Kotek just gave all Oregon cities permission to install speed cameras."
Geoff Williams is a freelance journalist who has written personal finance articles for most of his career and for numerous publications, including U.S. News & World Report, The Wall Street Journal, Bankrate, CNNMoney.com and Forbes.com. He is also the author of several books, including “C.C. Pyle’s Amazing Foot Race” and “Washed Away,” and writes a classic TV blog called “The TV Professor.”
15+ years in content creation
7+ years in business and financial services content
Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.
Featured in