Skip to main content

Oregon Home Insurance

Oregon's lush green forests and landscapes have long been a draw for settlers and continue to provide a beautiful home for millions today. Whether you live in Portland, the state's most populated city, or the charming city of Klamath Falls, or anywhere else in this beautiful state, it's important to protect your home and belongings for the long term.

Is home insurance required in Oregon?

Oregon doesn’t legally require homeowners to have insurance on their property, but if you finance your home through a mortgage, your lender will likely require you to have homeowners insurance. Even if you own your home outright without a mortgage, it's still highly advisable to be insured. Home insurance is not a one-size-fits-all product. It should be tailored to your specific situation and needs.

Typical homeowners insurance coverages in Oregon

  • Coverage A – Dwelling:

    Coverage for your home and attached structures for damage caused by events such as fire, lightning, wind or hail.

  • Coverage B – Other structures:

    This covers damage to other structures on the property that are set apart from the dwelling, such as a fence, shed or detached garage.

  • Coverage C – Personal property:

    Coverage for your belongings, such as furniture, clothing and electronics, if they’re damaged by a cause listed in your policy.

  • Coverage D – Loss of use:

    This covers your temporary living expenses when a covered loss makes your home unfit to live in.

  • Coverage E – Personal liability:

    This covers damage or injury to another person or their property that you’re responsible for causing. It also covers legal assistance for claims made against you.

  • Coverage F – Medical payments to others:

    This coverage can pay for medical bills for people who are accidentally hurt on your property, not including members of your household.

Remember, each of these coverages is subject to a policy limit and exclusions, which are specified within your policy.

Your homeowners insurance won’t cover flood damages, so it helps to ensure you’re properly covered if there’s a flood. Flood insurance policies are available and are written through the federally backed National Flood Insurance Program. It’s common for mortgage companies to require flood insurance if your home is within or near a floodplain. Regardless, a flood can occur anywhere, and it’s a good idea to buy this additional coverage. 

Additional coverages in Oregon

You may find that the general coverages afforded in a basic Oregon homeowners policy don’t cover certain losses or types of property. Amica offers home insurance options in the form of policy endorsements that can fill in some of those gaps in coverage. Adding endorsements to your Oregon homeowners insurance policy can provide valuable additional coverage tailored to your specific needs. Here are a few endorsements you might consider:

  • Special computer coverage:

    Additional protection beyond what’s included in your policy for devices against direct physical loss, like accidental damage or theft. Devices covered under special computer coverage include:

    • Desktops
    • Laptops
    • Smartphones
    • Gaming devices
    • Smart TVs

  • Identity fraud expenses:

    Identity theft is a growing concern, and this endorsement can help cover expenses associated with restoring your identity, such as legal fees, lost wages and other related costs.

  • Water backup and sump overflow:

    Unexpected and accidental water damage, like from an appliance or burst pipes, is covered by most homeowners insurance policies. But, at the same time, they also exclude coverage for backed-up sewers and drains. This endorsement provides coverage for water that backs up through drains and sump pumps.  

  • Scheduled personal property:

    If you have high-value items such as jewelry, fine art or collectibles, a basic homeowners policy may not provide sufficient coverage. With this endorsement, you can insure specific items to make sure they're adequately covered against loss or damage.

  • Earthquakes:

    A standard Oregon policy excludes damage caused by earth movement, including earthquakes. This endorsement would extend coverage to damage caused by an earthquake.

How Oregon homeowners insurance rates are determined

Where you’re located is an important factor that impacts home insurance premiums. A home in Cannon Beach will have different insurance considerations than a house in The Dalles.

With forests covering nearly half of Oregon, wildfires are a significant risk that influences homeowners insurance rates. The risk of wildfires can also affect the availability of coverage and policy discounts. To learn more about wildfire risk classification and its impact on your policy, visit our Wildfire Risk Information page. For tips on reducing your risk, visit our Wildfire Preparation page.

Additionally, regularly reviewing and updating your coverage can ensure that your policy adequately reflects your current needs.

Save more on Oregon home insurance with discounts

There are several ways Oregon homeowners can save money on home insurance without compromising the quality of their coverage.1 We offer home insurance discounts for:

  • Alarm systems: Receive a discount when you insure a home with burglar alarms, sprinkler systems or fire alarms.
  • Automatic detection devices: Insure a home in Oregon with a temperature monitoring, water leak detection or gas leak detection system installed and receive a discount.
  • New or remodeled homes: Receive a credit when you insure a new or remodeled home.
  • Claim-free: Receive a discount when you’ve had no claims in the past three years.

If these don’t apply to you, we also offer discounts for: 

  • AutoPay: Receive a discount when you opt to pay your premium using automatic deductions.
  • E-discount: Receive a discount when you sign up to receive policy information and bills electronically.
  • Paid in full: Save money when you pay the entire balance of your Oregon policy premium up front. 

One of the best ways to conveniently manage all of your insurance needs and save money at the same time is to bundle your insurance coverages for home and auto with the same insurance company. In fact, Oregon homeowners who bundle home and auto insurance with Amica could save up to 20% with a multiline discount.

Facts and figures about Oregon

Common claims in Oregon:

Plumbing leaks are among the most common insurance claim in Oregon. Leaks can occur due to various reasons, such as:

  • Old or corroded pipes: In older homes or those with outdated plumbing systems, pipes may become worn out, corroded or weakened over time. This can increase the likelihood of leaks occurring, especially in areas with high water pressure or hard water.
  • Clogged drains or pipes: A buildup of debris, grease or mineral deposits can cause clogs in drains or pipes, leading to pressure buildup and potential leaks. Clogged pipes can also cause backups and overflows.

These leaks can lead to water damage to the structure of the home, as well as damage to personal property such as furniture, electronics and belongings. Common areas where plumbing leaks occur include bathrooms, kitchens, basements and crawl spaces.

Homeowners insurance typically covers sudden and accidental water damage caused by plumbing leaks. However, coverage may be subject to certain limitations and deductibles.

Fun facts about Oregon:

  • Oregon has several ghost towns spread throughout the state. Most historians attribute this to the rise and fall of the mining industry in the state.2
  • The movie “The Goonies” was filmed in Astoria.2
  • Check your local regulations! Some cities and towns in Oregon require a permit before installing a burglary or alarm system.2

How to get home insurance in Oregon

We’re here to guide you through the process of personalizing your homeowners insurance in Oregon. Here’s how to secure your policy in three easy steps:

  1. Assess your coverage needs:

    An Amica representative can provide personalized guidance and help you navigate your options to find the right coverage for your needs.

  2. Discover potential discounts:

    A representative can also assist you in exploring potential discounts or cost-saving measures available to Oregon homeowners based on your unique circumstances.

  3. Get a quote:

    Amica offers convenient options for getting a quote. You can either get a home insurance quote online or call 800-242-6422 today to speak with a representative.

With Amica, you can rest easy knowing that your home is safeguarded against the unexpected, allowing you to focus on what matters most – enjoying life in beautiful Oregon.

Get a home insurance quote

or call 833-513-3881

1 Discounts not available in all states and may vary.
2 55 Oregon Facts They Never Taught You in School
 

Your Policy, Policy Declarations or Amended Declarations in effect on the date of loss is the primary source of reference for your coverage, coverage limits and deductible amounts.

This inclusion of non-Amica companies, products, services or statement herein (“Third-Party Content”) is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement by Amica Insurance. Policies, views, opinions or positions of Third-Party Content expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the policies, views, opinions or positions of Amica Insurance. Amica Insurance makes no warranties, express or implies, as to the accuracy and reliability of Third-Party Content.

This content may contain helpful tips, explanation and advice. Your use of this information is voluntary and may not be effective in every circumstance. Amica encourages you to use good judgement and put safety first.

For more information on our editorial process and content standard, take a look at our editorial guidelines.

 

AMIC-01-082024