What You Need to Know About Uninsured Motorists in Oregon

Accidents are stressful enough, but imagine getting hit by someone who doesn’t even have insurance. Unfortunately, this isn’t just a hypothetical situation. According to the Insurance Research Council, 1 in 8 drivers in Oregon are uninsured. That means 12% of the cars on the road have no coverage to pay for the damage they cause.

So what happens if one of them hits you?

Your Insurance Might Not Cover It

If the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance, you’re left depending on your own policy. But here's the catch: you may not be covered unless you have the right add-ons.

Two types of coverage can help in these situations:

• Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD): Covers damage to your vehicle caused by an uninsured driver.

• Collision Coverage: Pays for damage to your car regardless of who is at fault.

Without one of these, you could be stuck paying out of pocket even though you weren’t the one who caused the crash.

Is Uninsured Motorist Protection Required in Oregon?

Oregon requires Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury coverage (which covers medical expenses), but UMPD is optional. That means it’s up to you to ask for it and many people don’t even realize they don’t have it.

It’s Usually Affordable

The good news? UMPD coverage is typically inexpensive to add to your policy. In many cases, it costs less per month than a coffee habit and it could save you thousands in the event of a hit-and-run or uninsured driver collision.

What Should You Do?

Take a minute today and call your insurance agent. Ask one simple question:

“Do I have Uninsured Motorist Property Damage or Collision coverage?”

If the answer is no, or you’re not sure, now’s the time to make a change. It’s a small investment for a big peace of mind.

Need help navigating repairs after a collision? At Professional Auto Body & Paint, we work with all major insurance companies and are happy to walk you through the process. Whether the other driver is insured or not, we're here to help.

Give us a call or text at 503-281-1103 to schedule an appointment or get advice.