Auto Insurance in Albany, OR

Top 4 Facts to Know About Auto Insurance in Albany, Oregon

Moving to Albany, which is Willamette Valley’s County seat, gives you a chance to experience Oregon's rich history firsthand. From Timber Linn Memorial Park to the Albany Regional Museum, this town is full of opportunities to delve into your state history. As you drive around this historic town, it's important to keep road safety details in mind, including Albany auto insurance. Here are the top four facts to know before choosing your policy.

1. Car Insurance Comes in Different Forms

There are many kinds of car insurance, but the most common is liability coverage. Property damage and bodily injury policies fall under this category, and they help handle the costs of accidents for which you're liable.

Comprehensive coverage is another popular form of Albany, OR auto insurance. Liability policies only cover damages sustained when you cause an accident, so comprehensive coverage assists with costs unrelated to driving. If someone vandalizes your car when you're parked on Waverly Drive or Davidson Street or if excessive hail shatters your windshield, comprehensive insurance covers the repairs.

You can't control other people's driving, and if someone else causes an accident but doesn't have insurance, you might have to pay for the repairs. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects you in these circumstances.

Finally, personal injury protection and medical payments coverage cover you and your passengers' hospital bills after you get in an accident. From your initial trip to the emergency room to your diagnostic X-rays, it's easy for medical bills to stack up without these policies.

2. Oregon Requires Drivers to Have Car Insurance

Although all these forms of Albany, OR auto insurance are available, Oregon only requires you to carry liability, uninsured motorist, and personal injury protection insurance. For your liability plan, you must carry at least $20,000 in property damage coverage, $25,000 in bodily injury coverage, and $50,000 in non-passenger bodily injury coverage. Your uninsured or underinsured motorist plan must include $50,000 of coverage per crash and $25,000 for each injured person. For personal injury protection insurance, you need at least a $15,000 limit. 

If you don't follow these laws, your Albany law enforcement could fine you between $130 and $1,000. If you have multiple offenses, you could lose your driving privileges and must pay to have them returned.

3. You Must Keep Up with Your Policy

Once you sign up for Albany, Oregon auto insurance, it's critical that you abide by your contract's conditions. This means paying your premiums regularly and following common-sense safety tips:

• Wearing a seat belt
• Putting your phone away
• Driving sober
• Following all license and permitting requirements
• Using your turn signals and headlights

You also must always carry proof of your insurance with you. If you get pulled over and you can't prove that you have coverage, you could face the same penalties as uninsured motorists.

4. Your Premiums Are Based on Many Factors

Your insurance agent determines your premiums based on how likely you are to cause an accident, looking at factors such as your age, driving history, and credit score. Your limits also affect this payment, though; if you request more coverage than you're required to carry, your premiums go up. If you're liable for an accident, your premiums will probably go up again to account for your greater risk. As a result, driving safely before and after you apply for auto insurance in Albany is a necessity.

This information is intended for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice.