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.
Affordable Insurance Premiums 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 |
Compare cheap rates from top companies 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% |
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 |
See insurance rates for Montana's best 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 |
Montana Auto Insurance Laws
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.
Driving Laws in Montana
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
Ticket Impact on Auto 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.
| 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 |
Get Montana car insurance now!
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).
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.
Who has the cheapest car insurance?
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 | 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
How do I purchase insurance if I own a car but someone else will drive it?
If my teenager rear ended another car but we aren't filing a claim, will my insurance rate go up?
I cut down a big tree and it fell on my truck. Will insurance cover that?
Do I need a commercial or personal policy?
