Here's what you need to know when driving in Montana
Across the Treasure State, there are 151,209 miles of road just waiting to be driven. Below, The Zebra's experts analyzed average Montana car insurance rates for each of the most common rating factors. Read on to learn more, or submit your ZIP code above to discover which companies can offer you the most competitive quotes.
Affordable insurance companies in Montana
What's the cheapest car insurance in Montana?
| Rank | Company Name | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Safeco | $853 |
| 2 | USAA | $1,106 |
| 3 | National Farmers Union P&C | $1,145 |
| 4 | State Farm | $1,150 |
| 5 | MetLife | $1,163 |
| 6 | Allied | $1,362 |
| 7 | Progressive | $2,007 |
| 8 | Farmers | $2,082 |
| 9 | GEICO | $2,120 |
| 10 | Allstate | $2,551 |
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Cheap auto insurance for good drivers in Montana
Drivers with good driving records typically enjoy lower car insurance costs than drivers with histories of speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, or DUI citations. Montana drivers don't enjoy much of a rate discount for staying safe on the roads, as avoiding at-fault accidents is rewarded by just a 26% price cut, compared to 32% nationally. In addition to earning a cheaper premium for driving incident-free, you may qualify for a safe-driving bonus through your car insurance company. The amount of these discounts may vary, but they typically run between 5% and 10%.
| Rating Factor | $ Savings | % Savings |
|---|---|---|
| No Traffic Tickets | $339 | 17.29% |
| No Accidents | $570 | 26.00% |
| Good Credit | $1,652 | 50.46% |
Cheap auto insurance for young drivers in Montana
Drivers between the ages of 16 and 25 pay a lot for auto insurance, with those under the age of 20 paying the most expensive premiums of all. Because of the risk presented by inexperienced drivers, teens pay more than three times the national average for car insurance. In Montana, the typical teen driver pays $4,816 per year, aligning closely with the national average for all teen drivers. It's still more than double the average for all drivers in Montana.
| Age | Annual Rate with Parents | Annual Rate Alone |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | $4,250 | $7,249 |
| 17 | $4,055 | $6,141 |
| 18 | $3,947 | $5,655 |
| 19 | $3,947 | $3,290 |
Cheap auto insurance for bad drivers in Montana
If you have a clean driving record — no at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, or other recent citations — you'll probably enjoy relatively cheap car insurance rates. On the other hand, a bad driving record will cause your costs to skyrocket: car insurance premiums typically increase by 29% after a DUI, 26% after an at-fault accident, and 17% after a speeding ticket in Montana. The penalties assessed by car insurance companies after serious infractions like DUI and at-fault collisions in Montana are lower than in many other states. If you have a clean driving history, be sure to inquire about your insurance company's safe driver discount.
| Rating Factor | Annual Rate | % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| At-Fault Accident | $2,191 | 26.00% |
| DUI | $2,305 | 29.66% |
| Speeding Violation | $1,960 | 17.29% |
| Bad Credit | $3,273 | 50.46% |
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Top rated car insurance companies in Montana
Every car insurance company emphasizes its low prices. But as with any service, the cheapest auto insurance policy isn't always the best option. Considering the financial stakes, it's worth doing the research to find the policy that insures your car adequately in the event of an accident. Find a great value, rather than settling for the cheapest car insurance you find.
Use the table below to better understand the quality of service you'll receive. You'll see reviews for popular auto insurers' financial strength, claims satisfaction, and customer satisfaction including an internal satisfaction score from The Zebra's customers.
| Insurance Company | Claims Satisfaction (J.D. Power) | Customer Satisfaction (J.D. Power) | Financial Strength (A.M. Best) | Customer Satisfaction (The Zebra) |
| Allied | N/A | N/A | Average | N/A |
| Allstate | Above average | Average | Superior | 4.3 / 5 |
| Farmers | Average | Below average | Excellent | 4.3 / 5 |
| GEICO | Average | Average | Superior | 4.4 / 5 |
| MetLife | Excellent | Below average | Excellent | N/A |
| National Farmers Union | N/A | N/A | Superior | N/A |
| Progressive | Below average | Below average | Excellent | 4.3 / 5 |
| Safeco | Average | Average | Excellent | N/A |
| State Farm | Above average | Above average | Superior | 4.5 / 5 |
| USAA | Excellent | Excellent | Superior | 4.6 / 5 |
Montana auto insurance laws
In Montana, drivers are required to carry liability insurance coverage at or above the below minimums:
- Bodily Injury $25,000 per person
- Bodily Injury $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage $20,000 per accident
Optional coverage in Montana (varies by carrier):
- Comprehensive
- Collision
- Medical Payments
- Rental Car Reimbursement
- Roadside Assistance
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury
- Additional Liability
For the minimum required coverage in Montana, prepare to pay an average of $450 yearly. This is more affordable than the nationwide average by 32%. If you opt for better car insurance coverage, you can choose a policy with comprehensive and collision coverage, which will protect against damages caused by vehicle crashes, theft, or weather incidents. It's worth noting that better auto insurance coverage comes at a cost: in Montana, a comprehensive insurance policy with a $1,000 deductible costs $1,386, 208% more than basic insurance coverage. For a comprehensive policy with a $500 deductible, you can expect to pay 262% more than for a basic policy.
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How tickets change insurance rates in Montana
If you get a ticket, your car insurance premiums will probably rise. By how much depends on the severity of the violation, your insurer's pricing standards, and differing local insurance regulations and risks. That's why tickets may have a different impact on insurance in your state compared to the national average.
Below is a look at average auto insurance rates in Montana after a few common violations.
Montana car insurance FAQs
How much is car insurance in Montana?
Car insurance in Montana is 16% more costly than the national average, at $813 for a six-month policy (or $137 per month).
Who actually has the cheapest car insurance in Montana?
Safeco and USAA offer the cheapest rates in Montana. Drivers with typical driving histories can find six-month premiums for $426 from Safeco or $553 from USAA.
What vehicle insurance is mandatory in Montana?
Liability insurance is mandatory in Montana. This includes bodily injury and property damage.
How much does car insurance cost in Montana cities?
Car insurance companies calculate your rate based on many factors, location of the vehicle being an important one. The cheapest car insurance is found in Helena, Montana, and the most expensive in Columbia Falls, Montana.
| Rank | City | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia Falls | $1,592 |
| 2 | Evergreen | $1,584 |
| 3 | Whitefish | $1,576 |
| 4 | Havre | $1,549 |
| 5 | Billings | $1,471 |
| 6 | Great Falls | $1,435 |
| 7 | Belgrade | $1,433 |
| 8 | Bozeman | $1,424 |
| 9 | Missoula | $1,390 |
| 10 | Helena | $1,360 |
