Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in Salem, OR (2024)

In Salem, Oregon, COUNTRY Financial offers the lowest rates for full coverage and minimum coverage. Nationwide is the most affordable for families with teenagers. If service excellence is your priority, Capital Insurance Group provides a good balance of cost and quality. Your ideal insurer will depend on your specific preferences and coverage needs.

COUNTRY Financial offers the cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Salem, followed by Progressive.

• COUNTRY Financial: $544 per year
• Progressive: $581 per year

Dairyland has the priciest full coverage policy at $2,699 per year. This highlights the importance of comparing rates, as full coverage policies are more expensive due to their broader protection, including comprehensive and collision insurance.

In Oregon, all cities follow state minimum car insurance coverage requirements:

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
  
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
  
• $20,000 for property damage liability per accident
  
• $25,000 for uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
  
• $50,000 for uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
  
• $15,000 for personal injury protection (PIP) per person
  

For example, your insurance will cover up to $25,000 for injuries to one person in an accident. If multiple people are injured, it will cover up to $50,000. You'd be responsible for the additional expenses if the costs exceed these limits.

COUNTRY Financial provides the cheapest full coverage car insurance in Salem.

• COUNTRY Financial: $1,010 per year
• American Family: $1,027 per year

Dairyland has the most expensive full coverage policy at $4,071 annually, $3,061 more than COUNTRY Financial. This significant difference shows why it's crucial to compare rates to avoid paying too much for full coverage. Full coverage includes comprehensive and collision insurance, plus minimum coverage benefits.

A full coverage policy enhances protection with higher liability limits than minimum coverage: $100,000 for bodily injury per person, $300,000 for bodily injury per accident and $100,000 for property damage per accident.

Full coverage also includes these insurance types:

• Collision insurance covers vehicle repair costs after collisions, whether with another car or an object like a tree or light pole. It also covers rollover accidents and pothole damage.
• Comprehensive insurance provides financial protection from theft, weather damage, vandalism, fires, natural disasters and hitting animals like deer.

Full coverage insurance is typically required if you lease or finance a car. For new vehicles, full coverage provides financial protection for your investment. However, the additional protection may not justify the higher cost for older vehicles. Finding the right amount of car insurance involves balancing coverage against premiums to prepare for unexpected expenses.

American Family offers the cheapest car insurance for drivers with poor records in Salem across different driving offenses:

• Speeding ticket and DUI: $1,231 per year
• At-fault accident: $1,283 per year

Dairyland has the highest rates for all three violations, underscoring how offenses can affect car insurance premiums. After a speeding ticket or DUI, the cheapest option costs $1,231 annually, showing no price difference between the two offenses with American Family. However, more severe violations like an at-fault accident typically increase premiums.

Insurance premiums in Salem and elsewhere rise with the severity of driving offenses because insurers see serious violations as higher risks. For example, a speeding ticket can push rates to an average of $2,432, while a DUI can raise them further to $2,827. Comparing rates is critical for drivers with infractions to find the best price and manage the extra cost of a bad driving record.

Nationwide offers the cheapest car insurance for teens in Salem. Here are the lowest rates for a policy combining two parents and a teenage driver:

• Nationwide: $1,244 per year for female teens and $1,335 per year for male teens
• State Farm: $1,326 per year for female teens and $1,680 per year for male teens

Capital Insurance Group offers the most expensive policy for female teens at $3,088 annually. With a $1,844 difference between the cheapest and most expensive rates for young female drivers, comparing policies when adding higher-risk teenage drivers is critical to maximizing savings.

In Salem and elsewhere, teens face high costs when buying car insurance. The average individual premium is around $6,004 annually, compared to $2,078 when added to a family policy. This gap exists because insurers see teens as high-risk drivers who are more likely to have accidents. Teens struggle to secure individual policies due to their limited driving history and credit. Adding teens to a family policy is often more affordable and practical.

USAA has the cheapest car insurance for military backgrounds in Salem. Those who served in the military can consider the following affordable options:

• USAA: $870 per year
• COUNTRY Financial: $1,010 per year

USAA provides services tailored to the needs of active-duty military members. Known for its excellent customer service and comprehensive coverage options, USAA is a top choice for those seeking value and quality in their car insurance.

Comparing rates helps you save on car insurance in Salem. However, it can take about 15 minutes per insurer and up to over an hour for three or more companies. MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator can help make the process much easier. Enter key details like age, driving history, credit rating and coverage preferences to get an instant estimate.

Choosing the right auto insurance depends on how you prioritize factors like service, cost and coverage. In Salem, Capital Insurance Group leads in all categories and has top MoneyGeek scores.

• Best overall: 90 out of 100
• Best for service: 84 out of 100
• Best cheap: 89 out of 100

Capital Insurance Group stands out for its exceptional balance of overall value, quality service and affordability.

Capital Insurance Group offers the best car insurance in Salem. Drivers can find top-tier coverage and customer satisfaction from two leading providers:

• Capital Insurance Group: MoneyGeek score of 90 out of 100 ($1,129 per year)
• American Family: MoneyGeek score of 84 out of 100 ($1,027 per year)

Capital Insurance Group excels at customer satisfaction and claims handling. With the highest MoneyGeek score, it offers full coverage policies that ensure financial protection and a reassuring service experience for policyholders.

Capital Insurance Group is the best option in Salem for customer-focused car insurance.

• Capital Insurance Group: MoneyGeek score of 84 out of 100 ($1,129 per year)
• American Family: MoneyGeek score of 79 out of 100 ($1,027 per year)

Capital Insurance Group leads with the highest MoneyGeek score, reflecting exceptional satisfaction and claims service. This makes it the best option for those prioritizing service quality over cost.

Capital Insurance Group is the best option in Salem for affordable car insurance that doesn’t compromise quality. It provides an outstanding balance of cost, satisfaction and claims handling.

• Capital Insurance Group: MoneyGeek score of 89 out of 100 ($679 per year)
• American Family: MoneyGeek score of 84 out of 100 ($737 per year)

Capital Insurance Group's high MoneyGeek score in minimum coverage policies highlights its excellence in affordability and service. This makes it suitable for budget-conscious Gresham drivers who want reliable car insurance.

In Salem, Oregon, the average car insurance premium is $1,384, slightly below the state average of $1,430. This is significantly lower than the national average of $1,781, with Oregon's rates $351 cheaper.

Car insurance costs vary due to driving record, age and vehicle type. Location is also crucial, affecting risk exposure to accidents and theft. For instance, Eugene has the lowest premiums at $1,160, while Portland is the highest at $1,744, reflecting a $584 difference between cities. Less populated areas often see even lower rates due to fewer traffic risks.