What’s better than riding your motorcycle through winding Oregon roads on a nice, sunny day? Not much, but it can be nice knowing that you and your motorcycle are protected. Here’s what you need to know about motorcycle insurance in Oregon.
Oregon Motorcycle Insurance: An Overview
State minimum insurance requirements:
- Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person; $50,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $20,000 per accident
- Uninsured motorist coverage: $25,000 per person; $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
Average annual rate with a clean driving record: $700
Oregon Motorcycle Insurance Law Explained
There are several different mortgage insurance coverage types to choose from. Oregon’s minimum requirements include:
- Bodily injury liability insurance covers bodily injuries that you may cause to other people if you and your motorcycle are involved in an accident.
- Property damage liability insurance covers damage to another person’s property that is caused by your motorcycle.
- Uninsured motorist coverage pays for damages to yourself (also known as bodily injury) or your property if it’s caused by another driver who doesn’t have insurance.
In Oregon, you are legally required to have insurance for your motorcycle if you operate your motorcycle on any highway or premises that are open to the public.
There are also other types of motorcycle insurance coverage that you can purchase. These are not required by Oregon law, but they can help you get full coverage for your motorcycle.
- Motorcycle collision insurance covers damage to your motorcycle if you get into an accident with another vehicle. Your insurance company will pay out damages based on the book value of your motorcycle before the damages occurred.
- Comprehensive coverage adds even more coverage for your motorcycle. It covers damages that aren’t related to a collision. This includes damages due to a fire, theft or even vandalism.
- Customized parts or accessories can be important if you’ve spent a lot of time and money on customizing your motorcycle. Even if you have collision and/or comprehensive coverage, your customized parts and accessories may not be covered. Collision and comprehensive policies typically only cover your motorcycle’s factory standard parts.
- Medical payments, no-fault or personal jury protection coverage offers protection for yourself and your passengers. If you and your motorcycle are involved in an accident, this will provide medical coverage for yourself and your passengers.
- Towing and labor coverage can be used in a similar way to other roadside coverage options. You’ll be able to use it if your motorcycle needs a tow, jump start or other similar services.
While driving your motorcycle, you should always carry proof of an active motorcycle insurance policy. This could be an insurance card that was given to you by your motorcycle insurance company or a copy of the insurance policy itself. You may also be able to get an official signed letter from your insurance agent. This letter would need to include your name, motorcycle insurance policy number and your motorcycle’s license plate number.
If you are ever involved in an accident or pulled over while on your motorcycle for a traffic citation, you need to be able to show proof of having motorcycle insurance. If you don’t have insurance, you could be given fines or penalties, or have your license suspended. You may also need to file an SR-22 certificate to prove your financial responsibility with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for the following 3 years.
You should also be aware that random insurance checks by the DMV can happen. It’s possible that you will receive a letter in the mail asking you for your motorcycle insurance policy number and the name of your insurance company. The DMV will then call the insurance company you listed to confirm that you have a motorcycle insurance policy. If a letter is sent to you and you don’t respond, your license could be suspended. Be sure to keep your current address on file with the DMV and update this anytime your address changes. By keeping your address updated, you’ll be sure not to miss any letters that the DMV sends you.
Oregon Motorcycle Traffic Laws You Should Know
If you’re operating a motorcycle on public roads or in public spaces, you need to abide by the general traffic laws. There are also some traffic laws that are specific to motorcycles that you should be aware of:
- Everyone riding a motorcycle, moped or unenclosed autocycle needs to wear a helmet that is compliant to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) standards. To check if your helmet is DOT compliant, you can check the label that is attached to your helmet. The label may include information such as the manufacturer’s name and/or brand and model number. If it’s compliant, the label will also have DOT, FMVSS No.218 CERTIFIED on it.
- All motorcycles and mopeds must have between 1 and 3 white headlights. The headlight must be on at all times. Modulating headlights are allowed during daylight hours.
- To operate a motorcycle, you must have a motorcycle endorsement or instruction permit.
- When operating a motorcycle, you must share the road with others, including pedestrians, bicyclists and other vehicles.
- In some cases, motorcycles can proceed through an intersection even if the traffic control device (such as a traffic light) has not changed to green. This is only allowed by law if the traffic control device is controlled by a vehicle detection device and does not detect your motorcycle. You must wait for a complete cycle and stop for any pedestrians before cautiously proceeding through the intersection.
- Motorcycles and mopeds have the right to use a full traffic lane.
- Motorcycles can pass each other using the same lane or ride next to 1 other motorcycle in a lane.
- Motorcycles cannot pass other vehicles using an occupied lane on a multi-lane highway or on a one-way street.
Other legal requirements for your motorcycle include:
- At least 1 red taillight and at least 1 red brake light.
- If the motorcycle was built after 1972, it must have white or amber front turn signal lights. It must also have red, amber or yellow rear turn signal lights.
- The motorcycle must have at least 1 rear license plate and 1 white license plate light.
- You need at least 1 rearview mirror and 1 break operated either by hand or foot.
Oregon Motorcycle Insurance Rates per Bike
Several factors that can impact your insurance rate and the type of bike you drive is 1 of them. Some things that can increase your motorcycle insurance rate include having a bigger engine and driving a bike that is more likely to be involved in an accident.
- Cruiser and other touring model bikes may benefit from lower insurance rates. This is because these motorcycles are comparatively safer than some other models. Touring models are built for comfort and easy handling, making them a great option for everyday leisure and traveling use. Harley-Davidsons are a popular option, but most major bike manufacturers offer at least a few cruisers or other touring models.
- High-performance motorcycles have a greater risk of being involved in an accident. Since insurance companies weigh the risk of insuring a motorcycle when setting your rate, driving this type of bike may increase your insurance rate. Most high-performance bikes are modified racing bikes that are created by manufacturers for road use. They’re typically much lighter than the safer touring models and are built for speed, acceleration and braking. Examples of high-performance motorcycles include the Kawasaki ZX series and the Ducati Panigale.
Getting a quote for your motorcycle insurance rate is as easy as entering your ZIP code. After your quotes are generated, you should compare your options. Some terms to keep in mind while doing this are:
- Premium: Your premium is what is labeled as the cost or price of your policy. This is the amount of money that you must pay for your policy. If you don’t pay your premium, your policy will not stay active.
- Deductible: Your insurance policy will come with at least 1 deductible. Some policies may have separate deductibles for each type of coverage. The deductible is the amount of money that you must pay out-of-pocket for a covered claim before your insurance company will pay for the claim.
Motorcycle Insurance Quotes in Oregon
| Company | Quote for a 1-year policy | Price Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $970 | 3 |
| Dairyland | $194.80 | 5 |
| Harley Davidson Insurance | $1,062.49 | 2 |
| State Farm | $598 | 4 |
| Allstate | $499 | 5 |
Motorcycle Insurance Discounts
| Company | Discounts Offered | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | Transfer discount, multiple bike discount, homeowner discount, claims-free discount, anti-lock brake discount, safety course discount, motorcycle driver’s license discount | 4.3 |
| Dairyland | Multiple bike discount, loyalty discount, homeowner discount, riding group discount, safety course discount | 4.7 |
| Harley Davidson Insurance | Multiple bike discount, loyalty discount, homeowner discount, riding group discount, rider experience discount, anti-theft discount, safety course discount, motorcycle driver’s license discount | 3.7 |
| State Farm | Multiple bike discount, homeowner discount, claims-free discount, anti-theft discount, safety course discount | 4.7 |
| Allstate | Transfer discount, multiple bike discount, homeowner discount, riding group discount, claims-free discount, rider experience discount, anti-lock brake discount, safety course discount | 5.0 |
Best Motorcycle Insurance Providers in Oregon
After you get your quote, it’s time to compare motorcycle insurance companies. Here are some of the best companies Oregon has to offer.
Get a Free Motorcycle Insurance Quote
Getting your free motorcycle insurance quote is the easiest way to take the next step toward getting coverage. After you have your quote, compare your coverage and price options to find the best policy for your motorcycle.
Money-saving Motorcycle Insurance
Harley-Davidson Insurance Services provides services as a trusted motorcycle insurance agency that knows all about the motorcycle lifestyle. The company stands behind its policies with industry-leading services, coverage and support. You’ll also get money-saving motorcycle insurance discounts and experienced customer service and claims support.
You can get Harley-Davidson Insurance today with a free, quick quote.