Cheap Montana Car Insurance

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

Cheap 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%.

Cheap Insurance for Young Drivers in Montana

Young drivers (those between the ages of 16 and 25) pay extraordinarily high auto insurance rates, with those aged 16-19 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, which aligns closely with the national average for all teen drivers. It's still more than double the average for all drivers in Montana.

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.

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.

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.

Car Insurance Laws

State minimum insurance requirements in Montana

In Montana, the state minimum coverage requirement is liability with limits of:

• 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

Liability coverage is legally required in Montana and pays for injury and lost wages that you cause to another driver or their passengers as well as damage to the other driver’s vehicle in the event that you are considered “at fault” in an accident. The coverage limits are determined by each individual state and normally split into three categories. In Montana, the minimum is listed as 25/50/10 and explained below:

• $25,000 bodily injury coverage per person. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for a single person that you injure in an auto accident.
• $50,000 bodily injury coverage per accident. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for all injuries that you cause in an accident if more than one person is hurt.
• $20,000 property damage per accident. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for damage that you cause in an accident.

These numbers reflect the minimum limits required in Montana but higher coverage amounts are available with most companies.

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.

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.