The words “low-priced” and “insurance” really don’t belong together, in particular when looking for the best coverage prices for active military. In an attempt to save some money, let’s open your eyes to some things that have an effect on auto insurance rates, and find out if we can help you lower the price of your next policy.
The type of vehicle you are insuring is probably the most important factor when looking for cheaper auto insurance for active military. Vehicles with limited top-end speed, a plethora of safety features, or a track record of few liability claims will cost less to insure than high performance models. The list below features coverage costs for some of the cheapest automobiles to insure in Oregon.
| Make, Model, and Trim Level | Estimated Cost for Full Coverage |
|---|---|
| Honda CR-V LX 2WD | $1,462 |
| Ford Escape XLS 4WD | $1,681 |
| Ford Edge SEL 2WD | $1,698 |
| Hyundai Elantra GLS 4-Dr Sedan | $1,821 |
| Volkswagen Jetta 2.0T 4-Dr Sedan | $1,854 |
| GMC Sierra 3500HD SLT Extended Cab 2WD | $1,890 |
| Ford Focus SES 2-Dr Coupe | $1,948 |
| Honda Odyssey EX | $1,954 |
| Toyota Camry Hybrid | $1,981 |
| Honda Accord EX-L 2-Dr Coupe | $1,990 |
| Toyota RAV4 Limited 2WD | $1,984 |
| Chevrolet Equinox LS 2WD | $1,992 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 2WD | $1,984 |
| Toyota Prius | $1,995 |
| Ford Explorer XLT 2WD | $2,014 |
| Start Your Quote Go | |
Prices based on single female driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1,000 deductibles, and Oregon minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, claim-free, safe-driver, multi-policy, and homeowner. Table data does not factor in specific zip code location which can influence premium rates considerably.
Based upon the table data, we can infer that models like the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, Ford Edge, Hyundai Elantra, and Volkswagen Jetta are most likely to be a few of the most affordable vehicles to insure for military personnel.
One of the many components that are used to help calculate the cost of insurance is the neighborhood you call home. Cities with more crime and/or more people will most likely pay more, whereas areas with less congestion tend to receive cheaper rates.
The information below rates the most expensive cities in Oregon for active military in which to purchase auto insurance. Portland ranks #2 with the yearly price of $1,529 for the average policy, which is around $127 monthly.
| Rank | City | Average Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gresham | $1,574 |
| 2 | Portland | $1,529 |
| 3 | Oregon City | $1,444 |
| 4 | Beaverton | $1,412 |
| 5 | Aloha | $1,391 |
| 6 | Forest Grove | $1,388 |
| 7 | Woodburn | $1,387 |
| 8 | Lake Oswego | $1,364 |
| 9 | Tigard | $1,362 |
| 10 | West Linn | $1,362 |
| 11 | Salem | $1,360 |
| 12 | Keizer | $1,351 |
| 13 | Hillsboro | $1,339 |
| 14 | Tualatin | $1,338 |
| 15 | McMinnville | $1,338 |
| 16 | Newberg | $1,337 |
| 17 | Redmond | $1,260 |
| 18 | Bend | $1,236 |
| 19 | Grants Pass | $1,191 |
| 20 | Roseburg | $1,185 |
| 21 | Albany | $1,177 |
| 22 | Springfield | $1,170 |
| 23 | Medford | $1,169 |
| 24 | Corvallis | $1,167 |
| 25 | Eugene | $1,135 |
| Quote Best Rates Go | ||
Table data uses estimated as the specific area where the vehicle is garaged can increase or decrease rates considerably.
Comparison of full coverage and liability-only policies
Lowering the price of car insurance is the goal of most vehicle owners, and one easy way to buy cheap insurance for active military is to only pay for liability coverage. The illustration below compares car insurance rates with full coverage and liability only. The premiums assume a clean driving record, no claims, $1,000 deductibles, drivers are single, and no discounts are taken into consideration.
On average, physical damage insurance costs an additional $1,791 per year more than carrying just liability coverage. Many of you may wonder if paying for full coverage is a waste of money. There is no written rule for dropping comp and collision coverage, but there is a guideline you can consider. If the annual cost of comprehensive and collision coverage is more than about 10% of any settlement you would receive from your insurance company, then it may be the right time to buy liability only.
For example, let’s say your vehicle’s replacement value is $9,500 and you have $1,000 full coverage deductibles. If your vehicle is severely damaged, the most you would get paid by your company is $8,500 after paying your deductible. If you are paying in excess of $850 annually for full coverage, then it may be the right time to buy liability only.
Tickets and at-fault accidents raise rates
The easiest method to score cheap car insurance prices in Oregon for military personnel is to be a cautious driver and have a clean driving record. The diagram below demonstrates how citations and at-fault accidents can drive up auto insurance costs for different age categories. The information is based on a married male driver, full coverage, $1,000 deductibles, and no additional discounts are factored in.
In the chart above, the average cost of car insurance per year with no violations or accidents is $1,144. Add in two speeding tickets and the average cost rises to $1,568, an increase of $424 each year. Now add one accident along with the two speeding tickets and the annual cost of car insurance for active military increases to an average of $1,996. That’s an increase of $852, or $71 per month, just for being a less-than-perfect driver!
Get discount Portland car insurance
Insurance providers that sell policies for active military may also provide rate discounts that could lower prices by 25% or more if you meet specific criteria. Popular car insurance companies and a selection of discounts are detailed below.
- GEICO may include discounts for federal employee, good student, driver training, anti-theft, seat belt use, multi-vehicle, and air bags.
- SAFECO may offer discounts for anti-lock brakes, safe driver, accident prevention training, teen safe driver, anti-theft, teen safety rewards, and bundle discounts.
- State Farm offers premium reductions for student away at school, Drive Safe & Save, passive restraint, driver’s education, Steer Clear safe driver discount, and safe vehicle.
- MetLife discounts include defensive driver, claim-free, good student, accident-free, multi-policy, good driver
- 21st Century offers discounts including theft prevention, driver training, anti-lock brakes, teen driver, and 55 and older.
- Progressive policyholders can earn discounts including multi-policy, homeowner, online signing, online quote discount, continuous coverage, and good student.
The diagram below compares annual premium costs with and without discounts applied to the policy premium. The price estimates are based on a female driver, no claims or driving citations, Oregon state minimum liability limits, comp and collision included, and $500 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows insurance cost with no discounts. The lower bar shows the rates with claim-free, homeowner, passive restraint, vehicle safety, marriage, and multiple policy discounts applied. When discounts are applied, the average amount saved each year on car insurance for active military is 28% or $541.
The agents listed below are willing to answer your questions and help you decide which insurance coverage will be best for you, as some drivers aren’t sure which coverage they need and prefer to get some help when shopping for the best coverage for active military. It can be challenging to find the best policy on your own, and getting advice from a licensed agent can provide you comfort knowing your policy gives you adequate protection in case of an accident or claim. To find a Portland insurance agency near you, click the button link following the list.
Mariko Locke – State Farm Insurance Agent
5048 SE Hawthorne Blvd a – Portland, OR 97215 – (503) 232-2444
Fox Insurance Agency
1819 SW 5th Ave – Portland, OR 97201 – (503) 277-2300
Pete Zavos – State Farm Insurance Agent
8305 SE Monterey Ave #102 – Portland, OR 97086 – (503) 653-6392
More insurance agents in Portland, OR
How to find economical auto insurance for active military
Lowering your rates is not difficult, and here are some thrifty ideas that can help drivers find more affordable coverage.
- Pay for small claims rather than turning them in to your insurance company
- Do not get into accidents
- Good credit can help you save money
- Save money by bundling your home and auto policies
- Increase the comprehensive and collision deductibles on your policy
- Ensure your driving record is clean
- Ensure you have the best deal by shopping around regularly
The last idea is especially crucial, as we discussed in the prior information. Coverage prices can be changed at any time, so drivers shouldn’t hesitate to buy from a different company if you can save money.
Being loyal to a particular company is commendable, but it isn’t a good idea if that loyalty ends up costing big bucks every year. In less than five minutes you could shop around and find cheaper car insurance for active military in Portland.