OREGON CASE UPDATES
Oregon insurance decisions & court updates
EWC Law · Published October 2, 2026
Selected decisions that help explain Oregon insurance disputes, followed by the Supreme Court’s latest available opinion releases.
Sheppard: examine the right to use a work vehicle.
May 14, 2026 · 375 Or 262
In Sheppard v. Progressive Classic Insurance Co., the Oregon Supreme Court considered the regular-use exclusion in underinsured-motorist coverage. The inquiry centers on the insured’s right to use the vehicle; actual use alone does not decide it. Restrictions and the frequency with which the right arises can matter.
The court reversed summary judgment for the insurer and remanded. It also rejected the insured’s argument that work-only use necessarily defeats the exclusion. The practical lesson is to preserve the employer’s vehicle-use rules and assignment records. This was not a ruling that every work-vehicle injury is covered.
Moody: claim handling can raise a separate negligence question.
December 29, 2023 · 371 Or 772
In Moody v. Oregon Community Credit Union, the Oregon Supreme Court held that a surviving spouse had pleaded a viable common-law negligence claim for emotional-distress damages arising from a life insurer’s alleged failure to investigate and pay reasonably. The case returned to the trial court; the opinion did not itself award damages.
The court emphasized the narrow circumstances supporting its decision. It did not make every coverage denial or statutory violation a tort. For a disputed claim, preserve the policy, denial, supporting documents and a timeline of the insurer’s handling.
From the Oregon Supreme Court.
Official opinion releases across all practice areas. These links are a court listing, not a determination that each case concerns injury law or changes your rights.
Saved listing checked October 2, 2026. Checking the court for updates…
- State v. Solano
- Nelson v. Cain
- Sprague River Cattle Co. v. State of Oregon
- State v. Humphrey
- Lewis v. Dept. of Corrections
- State v. Sarria
- State v. Federico
- Roberts v. City of Cannon Beach
View the official Supreme Court opinion index · Court of Appeals opinions · Subscribe to the opinion feed (RSS)
Case notes describe the cited decisions. Later decisions and the facts of your claim may affect their application.
General information about Oregon law. Your facts and deadlines matter; this page does not create an attorney-client relationship.