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. We’ll get you prepped, then you take the wheel.
Cheap car insurance 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 |
| 11 | Metropolitan | $4,925 |
Compare rates now!
Cheap car 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 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 car 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% |
What are the best 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.
Compare local and national auto insurers' financial strength and claims satisfaction ratings to better understand the level of service they'll provide. Claims satisfaction — measured by J.D. Power — is rated on a scale of 2 to 5, with 5 being "among the best" and 2 being "the rest." Financial strength — calculated by A.M. Best and varying from "Superior" to "Poor" — assesses an insurance company's financial strength and ability to meet its contractual and policy obligations.
| Insurance Company | Claims Satisfaction (J.D. Power) | Financial Strength (A.M. Best) |
| Allied | 3 | Superior |
| Allstate | 3 | Superior |
| Cal Casualty | Not Rated | Excellent |
| Farmers | 3 | Excellent |
| GEICO | 3 | Superior |
| MetLife | 3 | Superior |
| National Farmers Union | Not Rated | Excellent |
| Progressive | 3 | Superior |
| Safeco | 3 | Excellent |
| State Farm | 3 | Superior |
| USAA | 5 | Superior |
Compare Montana's top insurance companies!
What is the best car insurance coverage in Montana?
The minimum insurance requirement in Montana is $25,000 Bodily Injury per person, $50,000 Bodily Injury per accident, and $10,000 Property Damage per accident.
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.
Compare average rates for liability-only and comprehensive coverage levels below.
| Location | Liability-Only | Comprehensive — $1,000 Deductible | Comprehensive — $500 Deductible |
| Montana | $449.56 | $1,385.56 | $1,627.05 |
| National Average | $657.66 | $1,241.26 | $1,397.94 |
Car insurance requirements
State minimum insurance requirements in Montana
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
Learn more about car insurance laws in the state of Montana.
Car Insurance FAQs
Are digital insurance cards accepted in Montana?
Yes — if you are pulled over by a police officer in Montana you won't have to rifle through your glovebox wondering if you remembered to replace that expired insurance card last month. Instead, you can provide proof of coverage with your smartphone.
Is Montana a no-fault state for car insurance?
No. You're only required to cover the damage for which you are deemed responsible. In this sense, Montana is a tort — or at-fault — state.
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 | Miles City | $1,527 |
| 6 | Polson | $1,524 |
| 7 | Lewistown | $1,522 |
| 8 | Glendive | $1,521 |
| 9 | Sidney | $1,518 |
| 10 | Livingston | $1,480 |
| 11 | Billings | $1,471 |
| 12 | Great Falls | $1,435 |
| 13 | Belgrade | $1,433 |
| 14 | Hamilton | $1,428 |
| 15 | Bozeman | $1,424 |
| 16 | Laurel | $1,417 |
| 17 | Missoula | $1,390 |
| 18 | Helena | $1,360 |
Recent Montana Car Insurance Questions and Answers
We had an accident while towing someone else's car. Whose insurance pays for the damage?
Whose company pays for the towing damage will be very specific to which insurer you have a policy with. Many companies will not cover any type of towing equipment without a special endorsement.
I cut down a big tree and it fell on my truck. Will insurance cover that?
Your insurance should cover the damages minus your deductible. In this case, you would file a comprehensive claim for the damage.
How do I purchase insurance if I own a car but someone else will drive it?
You may be able to find a company that will insure you without a license and you would then list the person who will be driving your car on the policy. If you can't find an insurer that will insure you without a license, then the person who will be driving can get a policy in their name and list you as an excluded driver and additional interest on the policy since you have a financial claim to the car.
Will being an older driver with poor credit affect my car insurance rates?
You are correct in that having a poor credit history will raise your rates. Age can be a factor as well.
Driving Laws
Montana Texting and Driving Laws
- There's no law against texting and driving in Montana, but we strongly urge you to keep it at 10 and 2!
Montana DUI Laws
There is a lookback period of ten years for a second DUI offense in Montana. There is no limited lookback period for subsequent offenses. Penalties are enhanced for repeated DUI offenses, driving with a suspended or revoked license, or for transporting passengers under 16 years old.
DUI with a BAC of 0.16% or higher is an “aggravated DUI” and results in harsher penalties.
First-time DUI offenses in Montana lead to:
- 24 hours to six months in jail $600 to $1,000 in fines
- 6-month license suspension
- Possible requirement to install and use an ignition interlock device
- Must fulfill the A-C-T requirements, including assessment, a chemical dependency course, and treatment 10 points added to driving record
How Do Tickets Affect Car Insurance Premiums 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.
| Violation | Avg. Annual Auto Insurance Rate | % Insurance Rate Increase | $ Insurance Rate Increase |
| Hit and Run | $2,130 | 54% | $743 |
| Refused Breathalyzer/Chemical Test | $2,000 | 44% | $613 |
| DUI | $2,000 | 44% | $613 |
| Racing | $2,121 | 53% | $734 |
| Reckless Driving | $2,070 | 49% | $682 |
| Driving with a Suspended License | $2,112 | 52% | $724 |
| At-Fault Accident | $1,991 | 43% | $603 |
| Driving with an Open Container | $1,887 | 36% | $500 |
| Operating a Vehicle Without Permission | $1,975 | 42% | $588 |
| Passing a School Bus | $1,903 | 37% | $516 |
| Improper Passing | $1,819 | 31% | $431 |
| Following Too Closely | $1,885 | 36% | $497 |
| Speeding | $1,758 | 27% | $371 |
| Failure to Stop at a Red Light | $1,819 | 31% | $431 |
| Illegal Turn | $1,821 | 31% | $433 |
| Driving Wrong Way/Wrong Lane | $1,819 | 31% | $431 |
| Failure to Yield | $1,819 | 31% | $431 |
| Speeding in a School Zone | $1,830 | 32% | $443 |
| Driving Too Slowly | $1,776 | 28% | $388 |
| Distracted Driving | $1,851 | 33% | $464 |
| Driving with Expired Registration | $1,635 | 18% | $247 |
| Failure to Show Documents | $1,635 | 18% | $247 |
| Not-at-Fault Accident | $1,443 | 4% | $55 |
| Failure to Use Child Safety Restraint | $1,488 | 7% | $100 |
| Failure to Wear a Seat Belt | $1,542 | 11% | $154 |
| Driving Without Lights | $1,480 | 7% | $92 |
Montana Tour Guide Scholarship
At The Zebra, we know better than most just what a pain buying car insurance can be. We also know that students suffer from higher-than-average policy rates. Talk about a double-whammy. That’s why, this year, we’ve decided to continue The Zebra’s annual scholarship with the goal of helping to alleviate the financial pressures of college-bound students in the Montana area, while also getting an insider view of the Treasure State.
Prompt
So, students, we want to see your favorite road trip destination(s) in your state— from your unique perspective. If it makes sense to hit the open road and be our virtual tour guide, that's great! But there are no limits to what we're looking for: a narrated animation, a slideshow of memorabilia, an illustrated map of the best roadside attractions on the way. This is a chance for you to showcase any place you love in as an original way as possible.
How do I choose a location?
The length of the road trip to your feature destination is inconsequential. So if you have an awesome spot in mind that's just two miles from home, we want to see it.
Qualifications
Applicants must be currently enrolled at or planning to attend a four-year university, graduate program, community college, or trade school located in the continental United States. Upon notification, winner(s) must supply a current proof of enrollment or letter of acceptance.
How to Apply
1. Create a video
Your original video should not exceed 2 minutes
2. Post online
The video must be hosted on YouTube or Vimeo
3. Submit by email
Email your submission to scholarships@thezebra.com
4. Please include...
your name, address, and phone number when you submit
Details
Award
Selected winner(s) will be awarded a check for $1,000
Deadline
Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. CST on December 31st, 2020
Notification
Winner(s) will be selected and notified by email by January 31st, 2021
Judges: The Zebra
The winner will be selected based on creativity in the content and presentation
*Upon notification, winner(s) must also supply a current proof of enrollment at a four-year university, graduate program, community college, or trade school located in the continental United States.
Fine Print
By participating, entrants represent that the video submitted is their sole and original work and does not infringe the intellectual property rights of any other party. In other words, no copyrighted music or images may be used.
Employees of The Zebra and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate in the contest.
Written credits for any technical or talent positions (e.g., editor, director, actors) should be included with your submission, along with any sources used to create the video.