Car Insurance For College Students In Oregon 2024

Car insurance rates for college students in Oregon are much more expensive than other age groups in large part because popular universities are located in cities with the highest crash statistics.

Portland State University and Portland Community College have almost 90,000 students combined. Additionally, Portland is the most dangerous city in Oregon in terms of car accidents, with an average of well over 60 accidents and 60 fatalities every year.

In Eugene, the University of Oregon is home to over 24,000 students. This city has made the list of the top five most dangerous in terms of annual accidents and fatalities as well.

Thankfully, college students in Oregon can find ways to reduce their risk of accidents, claims, and high premiums. This guide will provide an overview of all the top companies, highlighting how different factors like location and age can affect car insurance rates for Oregon college students.

Average Cost Of Car Insurance For College Students In Oregon – By City

Average Rates For 18 Year Old College Students In Oregon

Car Insurance Rates For 19 Year Old College Students In Oregon

Average Car Insurance Rates For 20 Year Old College Students In Oregon

Car Insurance Costs For 21 Year Old College Students In Oregon

Average Cost Of Car Insurance For 22 Year Old College Students In Oregon

Average Rates For 23 Year Old College Students In Oregon

Rates For 24 Year Old College Students In Oregon

Average Rates For 25 Year Old College Students In Oregon

Average Rates On Family Policy vs. Individual Policy

Common Auto Insurance Claims In Oregon

Oregon generally has 4 common types of auto insurance claims, which consist of:

• Collision Claims (5.8 claims per 100 years of a car’s lifespan)
• Comprehensive Claims (2.81 claims per 100 years of a car’s lifespan)
• Bodily Injury Claims (0.95 claims per 100 years of a car’s lifespan)
• Property Damage Claims (3.36 claims per 100 years of a car’s lifespan)

Do College Students Need Their Own Insurance, or Can They Stay On A Parent’s?

The rules for whether college students need their own insurance or can stay on a parent’s policy are dictated by the vehicle ownership and living situation.

Where Do You Call Home?

If you live at home or you are a full-time college student and you continue to use your parent’s home address as your permanent address, you can typically stay on your parent’s policy. But, if you move out of your parents’ home permanently, then you’ll need to take out your own car insurance policy in Oregon.

Who Owns the Car?

If the vehicle is titled under your name you will need to take out your own policy. However, if the car is titled in your parent’s name or jointly titled, you will likely be able to remain under a parent’s policy.

How Can College Students Save Money On Car Insurance In Oregon

Unfortunately, car insurance rates for most college students are much higher than for drivers in their mid to late 20s. If you can’t stay on a parent or guardian’s insurance, you’ll need to explore ways to lower your monthly premium.

The upcoming strategies will give you ideas for making car insurance more cost-effective.

Vehicle Security Modifications

Major cities throughout Oregon especially where the top universities are have experienced a rise in car theft. The Honda Civic, Kia Soul, Hyundai Elantra, and Honda Accord were the top four most commonly stolen vehicles in 2023 in Oregon.

Car insurance companies will give you a discount for adding vehicle security modifications like anti-theft devices or alarms, even tracking systems, in the event that your vehicle is stolen.

Vehicle Safety Modifications

Oregon is a fault state which means that if you are found at fault, you could be responsible for all of the damages and injuries sustained by other people. However, that doesn’t mean that your vehicle will be covered, especially if it is damaged because of things like weather.

Winters in Oregon mean that there are snowy roads and icy weather both of which increase the risk of car accidents particularly for drivers from out of state. If you slide through icy intersections and damage your vehicle, your policy may not cover your claim.

However, with vehicle safety modifications like anti-lock brakes, you can reduce your risk of accidents like these and get a discount on your premiums. These save an average of 4% in Oregon per policy.

Used vs. New

The car type will directly influence premiums as well. While most parents think that a new car is safer and more energy efficient, those safety elements and security modifications won’t necessarily reduce the premiums on a new vehicle given that car insurance companies charge more for new vehicles because of the higher potential cost of repairs and replacements.

Affiliation Discounts

Membership in organizations like alumni groups, fraternities, and sororities can also reduce your monthly insurance premiums with insurance discounts offered by competing companies.

Student Discounts

The average potential savings for keeping good grades in Oregon is 14% off your premiums.

However, other student discounts include low annual mileage, which offers potential average savings of 6% in Oregon, and loyalty discounts, which average 12% in discounts.

Try Usage-Based Car Insurance

Usage-based car insurance tracks driving habits just like telematics, but it also comes with an extra feature that college students find particularly appealing.

Driving fewer miles each year can lead to discounts and lower premiums with usage-based car insurance. These “Pay-Per-Mile” plans are an excellent way to secure affordable coverage if your car is kept in the dorm lot or at home for most of the school year.

Telematics Car Insurance For College Students

As a college student, it’s essential to find creative ways to save on car insurance. Telematics is one of the best ways to effectively lower your monthly premium.

Insurance companies use telematics devices to observe and evaluate your driving. The safer you drive, the better your rates, and you’ll be more likely to receive discounts for safe driving.

How To Get Discounts

As a college student in Oregon, getting car insurance can be expensive, but you can take advantage of carrier-provided discounts. Each provider offers a different collection of discounts. Some examples include the following:

• Loyalty programs for those who have had the same coverage for several years
• Clean driver records
• Good grades
• Low mileage
• College students who leave their car at home
• Paying for premiums annually instead of monthly
• Being a part of affiliate groups
• Active duty military

Temporary Car Insurance

Not every car insurance company provides temporary coverage, but it can be an excellent solution for college students who don’t plan to drive frequently.

Temporary auto insurance policies generally cover six months, with the option to cancel when the period ends. This allows college students to avoid paying for unnecessary coverage while at school and works well for those planning to study abroad for a semester.

Oregon Car Insurance Requirements

Oregon law requires that drivers maintain three types of coverage:

1. Bodily injury and property damage liability at $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident, and 20,000 for property damage
2. Personal injury protection valued at $15,000 per person
3. Uninsured motorist coverage at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident

If you decide to buy a new car in Oregon, you may need additional coverage based on requirements from your lender and you must notify your insurance company or take out a new policy within 14 days.