“Current State Farm driving data and claims experience show a considerable decline in miles driven and fewer accidents,” said Tom Conley, SVP. “As a result, we’re looking for ways to continue supporting our Oregon customers while we monitor and adjust to trends.”

In addition to the auto rate reduction, the discount for participating in Drive Safe & Save™ is increasing to 10%, and empowers drivers to save more on their auto premiums through driving behaviors.

Rate changes in Oregon are subject to regulatory approval. Customer rate reductions will vary based on their individual renewals. Customers are encouraged to visit with their State Farm agent about individual policies, coverage and any opportunities for discounts, including Drive Safe & Save.

“The company’s financial strength is allowing us to pass along rate savings to our Oregon customers," said State Farm Senior Vice President Tom Conley. “We continually evaluate how we can best serve our customers and are very pleased to be able to offer this rate decrease in Oregon.”

Overall changes in premiums for individual motorists will vary depending on the specific details of an individual customer’s policy and chosen coverages. The average Oregon customer savings will be approximately $25 per year. The effective date for new and renewal business was April 30, 2018. Oregon customers with questions can contact their local State Farm agent to discuss their individual situation.

In addition to this rate reduction, State Farm agents are able to review with new and existing customers the many opportunities for additional discounts that may apply to an individual’s unique circumstances. A rate decrease combined with discounts offers an exceptional long-term value to State Farm customers.

Bloomington, Illinois (October 21, 2016) – State Farm is introducing a new coverage endorsement in several states to help fill insurance gaps for its policyholders who use their personal cars to provide rides for a Transportation Network Company (TNC), like Uber and Lyft. The TNC industry is rapidly changing the livery/taxi industry by using the latest mobile technology to facilitate rides for hire. With these new transportation services in the marketplace, drivers are exposed to new risks.

Insurance provided by TNCs may be limited in scope and coverage. Personal auto policies generally do not extend coverage to the use of personal cars as taxis or livery vehicles, including their use in TNC services.

To adapt to changing customer needs, beginning Monday, October 21, 2016, State Farm will offer a Transportation Network Company Driver Coverage endorsement in Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington and West Virginia.

The effective date for new and renewal for all states except GA: October 21, 2016. The effective date for new and renewal for GA: November 21, 2016

Ten jurisdictions obtained the endorsement earlier this year: Alabama, California, Colorado, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Tennessee and Wisconsin .

"Adapting and innovating to our customers' changing needs is critical," said Vicki Harper, State Farm Public Affairs Specialist. "This new product is an example of our commitment to our customers and provides them coverage, and peace of mind, when they use their personal cars to provide TNC services."

TNCs may provide high liability coverage limits while a paying passenger occupies the driver's vehicle or when the driver has been connected with a passenger and is on the way to pick that person up. But TNCs tend to provide a much lower limit of liability coverage when drivers are just available for hire and may not provide the drivers with any medical payments, comprehensive, or collision coverages at all. The TNCs may not be providing coverage for injuries to the driver or coverage for any damage to the driver's personal car.

The new, optional State Farm TNC Driver Coverage endorsement enables a policyholder to have his/her personal auto policy fill in the coverage gaps left by TNC-provided insurance. This cost-effective endorsement provides the driver with the full liability coverage limits carried on his/her auto policy during the period of time when the driver is available for hire, and provides the driver with all other coverages applicable to his/her auto policy during all periods of TNC driving.

Customers in these states who drive for a TNC should contact their local State Farm agent to learn more about the new State Farm TNC Driver Coverage endorsement.

In 2005, she co-founded Financial Beginnings and started delivering financial classes to schools. In addtion, Bell revived the Oregon Jump$tart Coalition in 2008 and helped develop new statewide education standards that include financial literacy as a Social Science Core Standard.

These accomplishments and her continued work teaching young adults about the importance of financial planning is why Bell was honored on the Together stage as Portland’s “Dream Achiever.”

“A ‘Dream Achiever’ is a woman who rejected the status quo and refocused her life to reflect her passion,” shared Michelle Hare from State Farm Marketing. “She is a woman who takes chances, follows her heart and believes in empowering others.”

Together is a six-city tour convening women across generations and backgrounds for evenings filled with storytelling focused on creating community, well-being, purpose and action. State Farm is a primary sponsor of the tour and will honor a Dream Achiever in each city.

“The Together tour is about bringing women together to celebrate love, build community and take action. Through storytelling, Together aims to help people feel less alone in their lives,” said Jennifer Rudolph Walsh, who leads WME’s Literary Division and is producing the tour. “Our work with State Farm to honor Dream Achievers is the ultimate culmination of the Together mission. Melody Bell is inspiring and courageous -- a true example of what it means to live in your purpose and follow your dreams.”

More than 2,000 women gathered at the Keller Auditorium for friendship, empowerment, and action. Core speakers included Glennon Doyle Melton, Seane Corn, Dr. Jacqui Lewis and Valarie Kaur, with celebrity guest appearances from Abby Wambach and Geena Rocero.

“Together is a movement bringing new ideas, influencers, and organizations together,” shared Hare. “Melody is the epitome of a Dream Achiever. She personifies what we hope for all the women attending the Together tour.”

In her next career role she helped people who had fallen behind on their financial obligations and save for retirement. But deep down, she felt she could do more. She wanted to help people before they fell into economic hardship.

Melody realized sound financial decisions are a result of early education. Unfortunately, the majority of the people she encountered did not have that education and were not equipped to make those important decisions. They not only struggled to make ends meet, but often were forced to put dreams and life goals on hold.

In 2005 Melody took a leap of faith. She left her secure job to start Financial Beginnings (FB).The non-profit provides unbiased, personal financial education to young people.

In 2015, the organization reached more than 34,000 youth and adults in Oregon and Washington. FB shares its financial literacy curriculum with 151 schools and 56 community organizations across both states.

Melody didn’t stop there. She revived the Oregon Jump$tart Coalition and took part in creating statewide financial education standards. Today, financial literacy is a Social Science Core Standard in Oregon.

Melody took a chance, rejected the status quo and followed her heart. Now her life reflects her passion for helping and empowering others. She is a Dream Achiever.

Clinton Taylor was a typical teen until his single mom lost her job. Then, he made choices that put him on a path to self-destruction. Luckily, his mom and other adults stepped up. They helped him make better choices and to take a brighter path.

The oldest of three children, Clinton was raised in a single parent home by his mother. His childhood was spent in some of the poorest, gang-infested neighborhoods in north and northeast Portland, Oregon. This was during the height of the crack epidemic in the early 1980’s.

For years, Clinton managed to avoid joining neighborhood gangs. The one thing he couldn’t avoid, was the heavy influence of street life.

After graduating from high school, Clinton found himself falling into a life of drugs and crime. At the urging of his mother, 19-year-old Clinton joined the United States Army. A few years later, he was in Iraq serving on the front lines in Operation Desert Storm.

Honorably discharged from the military, after five years serving his country, Clinton soon found himself back on the same streets in the same neighborhoods.

“I struggled for years to overcome my battles with drugs, alcohol, and crime,” Clinton shared. “The life I chose caught up with me; I was sent to prison for seven years.”

Once released, Clinton decided to turn his life around. He enrolled in college. He now has three degrees: an Associate’s Degree in General Studies, a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Human Development and Family Studies, and a Masters of Art Degree in Organizational Leadership.

In 2006, Clinton started his own motivational speaking and training business. Right State of Mind is an organization dedicated to helping others overcome barriers and obstacles in their personal and professional life. Clinton has led training sessions and presentations at all levels of education, drug/alcohol facilities, correctional institutions, and Fortune 500 companies across the country.

Clinton has also written successful training curriculums for life skills programs and workforce development programs. His programs have helped thousands of young people and adults enter education, employment and job programs. These programs, in turn, are putting young adults on the path to economic stability and positive contributions to their communities.

Currently, Clinton is the Program Manager in Tacoma and Seattle, WA, for Financial Beginnings, a nonprofit that empowers Pacific Northwest youth and adults to take control of their financial futures with State Farm support.

Clinton has successfully re-integrated himself into society. He has proven anyone can turn their life’s stumbling blocks into stepping stones.

“I believe the greatest tragedy in life is not the mistakes you make or how many times life knocks you down.” Clinton adds, “I believe the great travesty is to live your entire life and get to the end not knowing why you lived, and never discovering your purpose in life.”

Hope can come in many forms.

In Albany, Oregon, hope may show up in your driveway as a twelve-passenger, 2003 Lincoln Towncar driven by a charismatic, passionate and caring local insurance agent.

By day, Mike Speten can be found double-checking his customers’ coverages or helping them recover from the unexpected. However, by night, he is a willing chauffeur of families and individuals facing personal challenges in their lives.

Mike’s drive for helping his community is guided by more than a GPS. It is fueled by a combination of faith, positivity and an unwavering passion to assist.

Blessing others with a night out on the town

In March 2014, Mike and fellow insurance agent, Ron Brockman formed the nonprofit H.O.P.E. Albany. Typically the two are business competitors, but not in this effort. Together, their mission is to find people struggling. They then provide respite from illness, job worries, or a brush with tragedy by gifting folks a night on the town.

Focus on Community.

“A majority of my conversations with members of the community were about the negative things going on in the media. Crime, poverty, problems in schools, and family struggle were all reoccurring headlines in our community news. It weighs heavy on our hearts and minds,” says Speten.

H.O.P.E. Albany’s mission was born from the recognition of those challenges and takes action to help those in the community facing them.

Leads on who might need some H.O.P.E. come from the community. The organization is not only looking to help families with financial barriers, they look for where offering the gift of time together with family and friends can inspire hope. They then utilize the talent, resources, and goodwill of the community to make a special memory happen.

"Families and individuals facing challenges in life sometimes need a short break from it all which is exactly what H.O.P.E. Albany provides…along with a little bit of style and pampering,” says Speten.

The "P” in the organization’s name represents how these special occasions are realized. Partnering with local businesses and individuals is essential to success. H.O.P.E Albany’s partners - local, statewide and divine - are essential in making a request not just a reality but also a treasured memory.

No request has been more memorable than one made by the staff at South Albany High School. They were seeking help for a special student facing dire circumstances. Diagnosed with a brain tumor and given only months to live, the teen’s medical expenses were piling up. Her family could not afford for their daughter to attend her senior prom.

Not only did the organization help her and friends go to prom, but the school, police department and local businesses united to make sure they had a fancy dinner, limousine, and a fun activity to make it a special night for her and a cherished memory for the family.

Thanks are often paid to H.O.P.E. Albany with tears of joy, letters of gratitude, and long lasting friendships.

“After an event, emotions are all over the map. Sometimes, I get a chance to sit with these families for dinner and talk about life. Honestly, I feel I am more blessed spending time with them than they may feel after the event,” says Speten.

The goal is to make a difference in one family’s life when they are facing a tough time. However, it is often the case that theirs are not the only spirits lifted. After hearing about the experiences of those who get the H.O.P.E. treatment, others in the community are inspired.

"Sometimes a family we helped goes out and does something special for someone else that is struggling. At that moment we know we made an impact in this community,” concludes Speten.

Driving enthusiasts are inspired by something different. Top end speed, exotic styling, precise handling and premium performance brand names find their way in the dreams and garages of those who have a fascination with the sports car.

With price tags sometimes in the six-figure range, the dream of driving a high-end car remains just that, a dream. For a select few, the passion for these specialized vehicles becomes an obsession and reality.

For Eric Peterson and his wife Amity of Portland, Oregon their passion for exotic automobiles has led to a garage with a dozen luxury high-end sports cars. Their collection includes dream rides like the Ferrari F430 F1 Spider, the McLaren MP4-12C Spider, and the Mercedes SLS AMG Coupe. To own just one of these vehicles is special, but to have a collection of them is a phenomenal blessing.

For the blessings the Peterson’s have been afforded in life through personal business and career ventures, they are equally driven by their passion to give back to the community. One of the many reasons they founded the non-profit, Dream Drives for Kids.

“Amity and I believe Dream Drives for Kids is our vehicle to give back to our community which is something we feel strongly about. The initial response and support we received locally let us know that we were definitely onto something,” said Eric.

So how does a garage full of luxury cars give back? It has been the Peterson’s experience in collecting these amazing cars; children are drawn to them. The mission of the non-profit is to create the greatest amount of joy, for as many children and their families as possible with the cars.

“It’s really a simple thing that we do — show off some fancy cars, go for a short drive, and give out some cool presents — but the response we get lets us know that it is working for everyone involved,” said Eric.

The children served by the Dream Dives for Kids program are racing toward more than just a finish-line, but recovery from significant medical challenges and life-threatening illness. By participating in a dream ride, they get to trade in being sick for smiles, laughter and joy for several hours.

The children are able to select one of the cars from the garage on the day of their Dream Drive. The kids and their families are encouraged to explore, ask questions and take pictures of the entire collection during their visit to the Dream Drives garage.

During the child’s drive, safety is the number one concern. Younger children are carefully buckled in using appropriate booster or child safety seats to both the parent’s and Peterson’s satisfaction.

“Sometimes the kids and I talk about the cars, sometimes we talk about their health, doctors and hospitals, but more often than not we just talk about life, tell jokes, and enjoy the ride. It’s important to me to make a sincere connection with each child so that they are comfortable, able to relax and have fun,” said Eric.

Families participate in the Dream Drive by following along, ensuring that the kids are never far from their parents. Both the roar of the powerful engines and excitement from the child’s experience is captured on video to create a memory of the child’s special day.

“My goal on every single drive is to see big smiles, hear laughter, and return the child to mom and dad; having them excitedly tell about what a great time they had,” said Eric.

The Peterson’s drive to give back does not stop with their own garage. Dream Drives for Kids has started to expand their efforts outside of Portland through the “Sit and Snap” program. “Sit and Snap” connects generous car owners with families across the country and gives children amazing access to rare and exotic sports cars.

The Peterson’s Portland garage of trophy cars continues to help create a scrapbook of happy memories a community can share in cherishing. “We have moms and dads in tears seeing their child smile for the first time in years, but they are tears of joy,” said Eric.