You have to make a lot of decisions in a day, and the prospect of having to make one more can seem like the last straw. Unfortunately, your car insurance isn't as incidental as, say, what you're going to have for dinner! You have to have car insurance, and it has to be sufficient to meet both Oregon car insurance requirements and your own personal insurance needs. The question is, how low can you go?

Oregon Car Insurance Requirements

When it comes to car insurance requirements, Oregon is one of the most inflexible states in the continental 50. If you're busted driving the Oregon highways without insurance, even if you're driving on a light vehicle trip permit, you're going to be paying the consequences for years in the form of SR-22 compliance, fines and, in some cases, a complete suspension of your driving privileges. Local law enforcement may even decide to "relocate" your vehicle.

Needless to say, whatever they do it's not going to be good. When you register a vehicle with the Oregon DMV you're committing to carrying the minimum car insurance requirements on it at all times while it's on the road. Breaking that promise comes with stiff consequences. It's much easier for everyone to just pick up the phone, log on to the web and purchase your Oregon car insurance policy.

When you're in Oregon you're required to have a minimum of:

1. $25,000 per person bodily injury and property damage liability,
2. $50,000 per crash for bodily injury to others,
3. $10,000 per crash for anyone else's personal property that decides to get involved,
4. $15,000 in personal injury protection (to cover "reasonable and necessary medical, dental and other expenses one year after a crash"), and
5. $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash in uninsured motorist coverage.

Is This All I Need to Have?

With today's stiff economic hardships and the recession dragging on with no immediate end in sight it's very, very tempting to say good enough is good enough and stick with the bare minimum Oregon car insurance requirements (i.e. whatever isn't going to get you slapped with fines you'll be paying off for years). That doesn't mean you're going to be protected against whatever life and route 84 throw your way.

Who's going to pay for damages to your vehicle if hail the size of your fist starts falling from the sky? Or your car gets stolen while you're shopping at Lloyd Center? There are an infinite number of possibilities besides crashing that could cause damages to your car, and you don't want to be left without wheels for weeks while you try to come up with the money. That's why even though they're not technically part of Oregon's car insurance requirements, comprehensive and collision coverage for your vehicle should still be a part of your insurance policy.

But that's entirely between you and your budget.

When it comes to car insurance Oregon isn't playing around, so don't wait. Contact your Oregon car insurance dealer today to make sure you've got the insurance coverage you need at a price you can afford.

Cliff Berman
http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/oregon-car-insurance-requirements-and-how-much-coverage-you-really-need-884568.html

You have to make a lot of decisions in a day, and the prospect of having to make one more can seem like the last straw. Unfortunately, your car insurance isn't as incidental as, say, what you're going to have for dinner! You have to have car insurance, and it has to be sufficient to meet both Oregon car insurance requirements and your own personal insurance needs. The question is, how low can you go?

Oregon Car Insurance Requirements

When it comes to car insurance requirements, Oregon is one of the most inflexible states in the continental 50. If you're busted driving the Oregon highways without insurance, even if you're driving on a light vehicle trip permit, you're going to be paying the consequences for years in the form of SR-22 compliance, fines and, in some cases, a complete suspension of your driving privileges. Local law enforcement may even decide to "relocate" your vehicle.

Needless to say, whatever they do it's not going to be good. When you register a vehicle with the Oregon DMV you're committing to carrying the minimum car insurance requirements on it at all times while it's on the road. Breaking that promise comes with stiff consequences. It's much easier for everyone to just pick up the phone, log on to the web and purchase your Oregon car insurance policy.

When you're in Oregon you're required to have a minimum of:

1. $25,000 per person bodily injury and property damage liability,
2. $50,000 per crash for bodily injury to others,
3. $10,000 per crash for anyone else's personal property that decides to get involved,
4. $15,000 in personal injury protection (to cover "reasonable and necessary medical, dental and other expenses one year after a crash"), and
5. $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash in uninsured motorist coverage.

Is This All I Need to Have?

With today's stiff economic hardships and the recession dragging on with no immediate end in sight it's very, very tempting to say good enough is good enough and stick with the bare minimum Oregon car insurance requirements (i.e. whatever isn't going to get you slapped with fines you'll be paying off for years). That doesn't mean you're going to be protected against whatever life and route 84 throw your way.

Who's going to pay for damages to your vehicle if hail the size of your fist starts falling from the sky? Or your car gets stolen while you're shopping at Lloyd Center? There are an infinite number of possibilities besides crashing that could cause damages to your car, and you don't want to be left without wheels for weeks while you try to come up with the money. That's why even though they're not technically part of Oregon's car insurance requirements, comprehensive and collision coverage for your vehicle should still be a part of your insurance policy.

But that's entirely between you and your budget.

When it comes to car insurance Oregon isn't playing around, so don't wait. Contact your Oregon car insurance dealer today to make sure you've got the insurance coverage you need at a price you can afford.

Cliff Berman
http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/oregon-car-insurance-requirements-and-how-much-coverage-you-really-need-884568.html

Things parents can do to help reduce the costs of car insurance for teens:

According to a 2004 study released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly a third of all traffic-related fatalities are represented by teenagers. Further studies have shown that teen drivers are far more likely to commit errors behind the wheel, make poor decisions, and drive at unsafe speeds than any other age group. This is the main reason why car insurance companies attach high premiums to teen policyholders. Their business model is based upon risk management strategies, and teenage drivers clearly represent a significantly higher level of risk.

Fortunately, there are steps that parents can take in order to reduce their teen's auto insurance rates. Below, you'll learn 5 ways to control the costs of car insurance for teens while helping to ensure that your teenager also remains safe on the road.

#1 - Watch Their Grades

Auto insurers use profiles to determine the potential risk of underwriting a policy. Good grades usually reflect responsibility and good decision-making skills. As a result, carriers often reward teens - and their parents - with a rate reduction. Each insurance company has varying guidelines regarding discounts on premiums for good grades. Ask your car insurance company about their GPA requirements.

#2 - Encourage Traffic School

Teenage drivers tend to speed, attracting more than their fair share of traffic tickets. Unfortunately, traffic tickets cause their insurance rates to rise. The good news is that their driving record can remain clean if they agree to attend traffic school (if/when the judge offers them the option). However, left to their own devices, a lot of teenagers will avoid spending an entire Saturday in class. Make sure they attend. Not only will it give them the opportunity to reflect on their mistake, but a clean record helps keep premiums manageable.

#3 - Choose A Practical Car

Your 16-year-old son may want a red Corvette, but buying one for him will likely cause his insurance rates to rise. Car insurance companies consider teenagers with sports cars to represent a higher potential risk than otherwise. Opt for a 4-door vehicle that is safe to drive, fuel efficient, and comes equipped with safety features (i.e. airbags). Your teenager's insurance premiums will be lower.

#4 - Add Them To Your Policy

It's usually more cost-effective to add your son or daughter to your family car insurance policy than it is to open a new policy for them. If you can have them categorized as a "part-time" driver, you'll enjoy lower rates. Carriers consider full-time teenage drivers as a higher risk; the premiums will reflect that increased risk.

#5 - Cultivate The Right Attitude

Despite what a lot of parents think, their teenagers often become involved in traffic collisions because of their attitude toward driving, not a lack of skills. Young adults develop a sense of invulnerability. As a result, they often neglect to drive safely. This lack of concern while behind the wheel leads to traffic tickets and accidents.

Ride along with them. Take note of their driving skills, decision-making ability, and attitude. If you can nurture the right perspective in your son or daughter, they're more likely to drive safely and keep their record clean. And remember, a clean driving record leads to lower car insurance premiums.

Parents, Teenagers, and Premiums

Teenage drivers are at an immediate disadvantage. They've already been profiled by auto insurers as a high-risk group and are instantly saddled with higher insurance rates. That said, parents can take a few savvy steps in order to help manage the costs. By encouraging good grades, traffic school (when available), buying a practical car, and adding them to a family policy, they can keep the premiums at a reasonable level. Finally, they should invest time to cultivate the right attitude toward driving. By doing these 5 things, parents can significantly lower their - and their kids' - auto insurance rates.

Kade Phillips
http://www.articlesbase.com/insurance-articles/car-insurance-101-for-teenage-drivers-and-their-parents-1087958.html