Answering 3 Common Auto Insurance Questions in Oregon

At Elliott, Powell, Baden & Baker, Inc., we’ve been helping individuals and businesses across Oregon navigate insurance decisions for decades. As an independent agency, we work with multiple top-rated insurance companies to help clients understand their coverage and clearly compare options.

Auto insurance policies can look similar, but the details matter, especially when you need to use your coverage. Below are answers to three of the most common questions we hear from Oregon drivers.

1. Does My Auto Insurance Cover Other Drivers Using My Car?

In most cases, yes, auto insurance typically follows the vehicle, not the driver.

If you give someone permission to drive your car, your policy is usually the primary coverage in the event of an accident.

What to know:

• The driver must have your permission
  
• Coverage is subject to your policy limits and deductibles
  
• The driver’s insurance may apply as secondary coverage
  

When coverage may not apply:

• The driver did not have permission
  
• The driver is excluded from your policy
  
• The vehicle is used for business purposes not covered by your policy
  

Coverage details vary by insurer and policy.

2. What Happens If I’m Hit by an Uninsured Driver?

If you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, your Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage may help cover your injuries.

In Oregon, uninsured motorist coverage is required and helps protect drivers when the at-fault party lacks insurance.

UM coverage may help pay for:

• Medical expenses
  
• Lost wages
  
• Injury-related costs
  

For vehicle damage:

• UMPD Coverage (Uninsured Motorist Property Damage coverage), although not required by law, is highly recommended. UMPD provides physical damage coverage for your vehicle if you are hit by an uninsured/underinsured motorist or phantom vehicle (hit-and-run). 
• The UMPD deductible is smaller ($200/$300 for hit-and-run) than most collision deductibles.
• If you carry collision (and no UMPD) you can use your collision coverage, subject to your collision deductible. 

Why this matters:

Even though insurance is required, not all drivers carry it. UM coverage helps reduce your financial exposure in these situations.

3. Will My Insurance Go Up After a Claim?

It depends on the claim and your situation. Insurance companies evaluate several factors when determining rates after a claim.

Key factors:

• Whether you were at fault
  
• The cost and severity of the claim
  
• Your claims history over time
  
• Your insurer’s underwriting guidelines
  

General Guidelines:

• At-fault accidents are more likely to increase premiums
  
• Not-at-fault claims may have less impact, but can still influence pricing
  
• Multiple claims can lead to higher rates
  

Maintaining a clean driving record over time is one of the most effective ways to manage insurance costs.

Understanding how your auto insurance works before you need it can help you make more informed decisions and avoid unexpected costs. Questions about permissive drivers, uninsured motorists, and how claims can impact your rates are common—and important.

At Elliott, Powell, Baden & Baker, Inc., we work with drivers across Oregon to review their policies, explain coverage in clear, straightforward language, and compare options across multiple carriers. Our goal is to help you understand what you have, identify any gaps, and choose coverage that truly fits your situation.