What are Oregon's minimum auto insurance requirements?
Oregon requires drivers to carry liability coverage of at least 25/50/20: $25,000 in bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $20,000 in property damage. Oregon also requires Personal Injury Protection (PIP) of at least $15,000 per person, and uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) bodily injury coverage at minimum 25/50 limits is included on every Oregon auto policy. These are state minimums; most agents recommend carrying higher liability limits.
Why does Oregon require Personal Injury Protection (PIP)?
Oregon is one of a handful of states that mandates PIP coverage on every auto policy. PIP pays for medical expenses, lost wages, and related costs after an accident regardless of who was at fault, up to the policy's limits. The minimum required is $15,000, and higher limits are available. The goal is to ensure injured drivers and passengers can get medical treatment quickly without waiting for fault to be sorted out.
Does Oregon homeowners insurance cover wildfire damage?
Generally yes — fire is listed as a covered peril on standard homeowners policies in Oregon, and that coverage typically applies to wildfire, subject to the policy's terms, exclusions, and any applicable endorsements. After the 2020 Labor Day fires, several carriers tightened underwriting in higher-risk parts of the state, particularly in the Cascades, the Rogue Valley, and rural Central Oregon. Defensible space, roof type, and proximity to fire response can affect both pricing and availability.
Do I need earthquake insurance in Oregon?
Earthquake damage is excluded from standard homeowners policies in Oregon and must be added by endorsement or as a separate policy. Western Oregon sits along the Cascadia Subduction Zone, which the U.S. Geological Survey identifies as one of the highest-magnitude earthquake risks in the country. Earthquake coverage typically carries a percentage-based deductible (often 10% to 20% of dwelling coverage), so it is best treated as catastrophic-loss protection.
Are there special coverage considerations for Portland metro homes?
Portland metro homes often deal with water-related issues that homeowners policies handle differently than buyers expect. Standard policies cover sudden and accidental water damage (a burst pipe), but exclude flood, gradual leaks, and sewer backup. Sewer/drain backup is available as a low-cost endorsement and is worth adding for any home with a basement. Flood is sold separately through NFIP or private flood insurers.
What cities in Oregon does Maxwell Insurance Group serve?
We are licensed across all of Oregon and have clients in Portland, Salem, Eugene, Bend, Medford, and surrounding communities. Although our office is in Meridian, Idaho, the entire Oregon market is served remotely by phone, email, and video — most policy work, quotes, and claims coordination never required an in-person meeting in the first place.