Posts Tagged ‘Oregon Car Insurance’

Oregon Auto Insurance Coverage and Credit History

Friday, September 23rd, 2011

Oregon auto insurance companies consider a number of factors when determining whether to issue a policy to an applicant, including:

  • Vehicle make and model
  • Applicant’s driving record
  • Whether any prior gaps in coverage have occurred
  • Credit history

An insurance company in Oregon can pull an applicant’s credit history as part of its underwriting process to determine whether to issue a policy and how much to charge for it. This practice is known as “insurance scoring” and is a common, albeit controversial, practice. In this state, insurance companies are restricted in how they can use the information gleaned from a credit report. The insurance company cannot decide to increase a policyholder’s rates  or cancel the policy entirely based on his or her credit report.

In the case of new auto insurance customers, Oregon companies can only use the information contained in a credit report to help them calculate potential claim costs. The company cannot rely on this one factor when making  coverage decisions.

Before an Oregon auto insurance company runs a credit check on a car insurance applicant, the consumer must be informed that a credit check will be performed. If the company uses the information contained in the report to decide not to extend coverage to the applicant, he or she must be informed of this fact. An Oregon driver who is looking for auto insurance coverage may wish to check his or her own credit rating beforehand to avoid any surprises when buying a policy.

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Posted in Oregon, USA |

Oregon Drivers Save with Free Car Insurance Quotes

Monday, July 4th, 2011

Oregon drivers want to be sure they are not overpaying for their coverage, and checking out free car insurance quotes is a great strategy for people who want to find affordable protection. Many companies are willing to provide pricing information at no charge to consumers and shopping around before buying or renewing an insurance policy is a great money-saving strategy.

Going online is an easy and effective way to find no-cost quotes for car insurance. A consumer can visit individual company web sites to learn about the products they offer and request a quote for coverage. This approach is an effective one for people who want to investigate an insurance company as part of the process.

Reviewing company web sites will reveal how long the insurer has been in business, as well as the types of protection it offers. It may also indicate whether the insurance company offers discounts to customers in certain circumstances. Before asking for a free car insurance quote, check out the company’s financial situation by looking at the level of financial reserves it has available to pay out on its policyholders’ claims.

Getting a quote is a relatively easy process. In most cases, the customer fills out an online form and answers a few questions. The insurance company will ask about the applicant’s driving record, as well as the make and model of the car before providing a quote.

 

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Posted in Free Car Insurance Quote, Oregon, USA |

How Oregon Auto Insurance Companies Set Rates

Monday, June 20th, 2011

Oregon auto insurance companies consider several factors when determining how much to charge policyholders for their coverage. Each one determines how much risk it is prepared to assume on behalf of its customers, which means that rates will vary for drivers with the same profile.

When a driver applies for coverage from an insurance company, the insurer will pull that individual’s driving record. The company will want to know how long the person has been licensed and whether he or she has been involved in any at-fault accidents over the past few years. An individual who has been licensed for a number of years with a clean driving record will be able to qualify for low rates on his or her insurance coverage.]

The insurance company also considers an applicant’s age, gender and marital status when setting rates. Young drivers are considered high risk for insurance purposes, and young males pay some of the highest rates of all for coverage. The combination of a lack of experience behind the wheel and a high tolerance for risk taking means that drivers fitting this profile are more likely to be involved in accidents than people who have been on the road for a number of years. Marital status is considered because married drivers are considered to be more responsible and present a lower car insurance risk than people who have not said “I do.”

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Posted in Car Insurance Rates, Oregon, USA |

How to Find Cheap Oregon Car Insurance Coverage

Monday, June 6th, 2011

If you are looking for cheap Oregon car insurance coverage, start by studying your current policy provisions carefully. You will want to determine whether you are covered adequately. This exercise will also reveal whether your policy includes any extras that you may be able to eliminate as a cost-saving measure.

Once you know how much coverage you need, you can start getting quotes from different car insurance providers. Rates can vary significantly between companies, even for the same type and level of protection. By spending some time getting prices from different ones, an Oregon car insurance customer can find the lowest rates for the type and level of protection that he or she needs.

Going online is an effective way for consumers to get quotes for coverage. A consumer can take the time he or she needs to learn about the different companies offering coverage in the state before requesting a quote. While finding cheap car insurance coverage is desirable, an inexpensive policy that does not provide the type and level of protection that a buyer needs is not a bargain.

Increasing the policy deductible is an effective way to keep coverage costs down. When a policyholder is prepared to pay a higher amount toward the cost of a claim, the insurance company is not assuming as high a level of risk for that customer. As a result, the company charges lower rates for coverage.

 

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Posted in Car Insurance Rates, Oregon, USA |

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