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Drivers in Montana pay $1,025.46 annually or about $85 monthly for car insurance, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). This means that driving in Big Sky Country costs 14% less for insurance than the national average, which is $1,190 per year.
That said, the NAIC includes both state minimum car insurance policies alongside those with higher coverage added, like comprehensive and collision. You could end up paying less than Montana’s average depending on your exact car, driving record, ZIP code and other factors.
In at-fault states, the driver who caused the accident pays for damages.
Every Montana driver is required to carry a minimum level of liability coverage. You’ll see this coverage written as 25/50/20. Though Montana doesn’t require it, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage could protect you from someone who doesn’t have enough insurance to cover the damages in an accident.
Let’s take a closer look at what’s covered by Montana’s state minimum requirements.
Montana requires you to keep at least 25/50 for bodily injuries, which pays up to $25,000 if you cause injuries to one person and up to $50,000 total if you injure more than one person. You’ll see this as a common requirement in other states too.
Bodily injury liability kicks in for other drivers, passengers or pedestrians in accidents that you cause. Because it protects you from paying for someone else’s medical bills or pain and suffering, consider buying plenty of bodily injury coverage — above what Montana requires.
For property damage, you’ll need at least $20,000 in coverage. This type of liability pays if you damage someone else’s car or other property, like custom car accessories, poles or fencing. Montana falls on the low end of what other states require for property damage liability.
Like most states, Montana’s barebones liability requirements won’t pay for damage that costs more than the 25/50/20 coverage limits. It also won’t pay for your car’s damage or medical expenses when you’re at fault or when you’re hit by an underinsured driver. Try balancing higher liability and adding more coverage as your budget allows.
Montana is an at-fault state, which means that the driver who causes the car accident pays for the damage. Your insurance company and legal authorities will determine who’s at fault, based on the accident details.
However, Montana also considers whether both drivers are partially at fault under its modified comparative fault law, according to the legal website Nolo. Under this law, drivers can get reimbursed for their damages as long as their share of fault isn’t greater than the other driver’s share.
For example, if you’re 80% responsible for an accident, your insurance will pay for the other driver’s damages. However, since your level of fault is greater than the other driver’s, that driver isn’t required to pay for your damages.
Geico lays out the cheapest insurance cost by far, costing as much as $50 cheaper than Allstate. We based this information on sample quotes from Savvy.
Company | Allstate | Progressive | Geico | USAA |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rate | $158.32 | $131.07 | $107.49 | $140.71 |
Your best bets in Montana are big car insurance brands like Progressive and State Farm.
Check out all of our top picks that we vetted for coverage, perks, discounts and ratings from organizations like J.D. Power, Better Business Bureau and AM Best.
Finder rating 4 / 5 ★★★★★
We've also found Progressive to be one of the cheapest national brands for many drivers. The cost of car insurance averages 31% less for safe drivers, and nearly everyone will qualify for at least one of its many discounts.
Telematics | Snapshot |
---|---|
Gap insurance | loan/lease coverage |
Finder rating 4 / 5 ★★★★★
In short, American Family offers the service and coverage that keeps its customers happy. You'll save the most money by having a vehicle well-equipped for safety or by signing up for its KnowYourDrive program. KnowYourDrive tracks your driving and offers discounts up to 20% for staying safe.
Finder rating 4 / 5 ★★★★★
This unique policy is backed by a reputable brand with decades of experience. Nationwide is the eighth-largest car insurance company in the US, showing that many people trust it for their insurance needs.
Telematics | Yes |
---|---|
Gap insurance | Yes |
Finder rating 3.5 / 5 ★★★★★
You'll see nearly 5 stars out of 5 in app stores for the company's main app. It also offers options like rideshare coverage that you won't find everywhere. Plus, if you join its Drive Safe and Save program and track your driving, you could save up to a third off your insurance bill for driving safely.
Telematics | Drive Safe and Save |
---|---|
Gap insurance | No |
Factors are characteristics specific to you that car insurance companies use to set how much you’ll pay for car insurance. The less risky each of your factors is the less you pay, the riskier you are the more you’ll pay. We’ll break down Montanan’s rating factors to keep in mind.
Factor | How it affects your rates |
---|---|
![]() Age | How old you are is a top factor in determining your car insurance rates. With each passing year, you earn more experience on the road. More experience can equal cheaper rates. Teen drivers pay the most, but rates begin to level off around your 20’s with drivers over 50 paying the least. |
![]() Gender | Montana is one of seven states that bans the use of gender in calculating car insurance premiums. Insurers rely on factors such as age, location, driving record and what type of car you drive. |
![]() Location | Where you live affects your rates, including where you park your car. High theft rates, high traffic and a high number of uninsured drivers could mean higher rates. Montana vehicle theft rates stand at 247.6 vehicle thefts per 100,000 inhabitants, according to the FBI’s most recent report on vehicle theft rates. That’s slightly above the national average of 246 vehicle thefts per 100,000 inhabitants. As for uninsured drivers, 8.5% of Montanans on the road are uninsured. That’s less than average for the percent of uninsured drivers in a state according to Insurance Information Institute, with the national average standing at 12.6%. |
![]() Driving Record | The better your driving record, the lower your premium. If you’re in an at-fault accident you could see rates increases from 20% to 50%. And DUI’s in Montana can increase your rate by around 39%. These types of violations typically stay on your record for about three years. |
![]() Vehicle and mileage | Your car’s make, model and trim directly affect how much you’ll pay for car insurance. Things like its cost, safety ratings, the likelihood of theft and sportiness all help insurers determine its cost to insure. Safer and cheaper vehicles score the lowest rates, with luxury vehicles with higher repair costs resulting in higher premiums. And, the more you’re on the road, the more at-risk you are to get in an accident, which means higher premiums. However, according to the Bureau of Transportation, Montanans drive an average of 28.2 miles per day, that’s below the average across the US of 36.1 miles per day. |
![]() Credit score | Your credit score is included in your credit-based insurance score which insurers use to help calculate rates. According to the Insurance Information Institute, there is a strong correlation between your insurance score and claims filings. A good credit-based insurance score could mean lower rates. Montana drivers have protections under state laws that regulate the use of your credit history when issuing car insurance policies. Credit score can’t be the only factor used to determine your rates. |
![]() Coverage | The more coverage you get and the higher limits you choose, the more protection you’ll have and the more you’ll pay in monthly premiums. And, if you opt for full coverage car insurance that includes comprehensive and collision, the amount of your deductible weighs into your costs too, higher deductibles mean lower monthly premiums. |
The purpose of car insurance is to help you recover financially after a car accident. Since Montana requires a low amount of coverage, consider add-ons that offer you wellrounded protection on the road.
Since Montana requires a 25/50/20 for liability coverage, think about raising your liability limits. You may need higher protection after an accident, especially if another driver or passenger takes you to court. Go over how much liability coverage makes sense for you with your insurance agent or financial adviser.
After an at-fault accident, liability coverage doesn’t pay for your car damage. It pays for damage to someone else’s property.
Instead, your collision coverage pays for your own car’s damage, but only if you add this optional coverage to your policy.
Consider collision coverage if . . .
Montana drivers experience an average number of thefts compared to the nation’s average. Comprehensive coverage helps you recover after vehicle theft or other noncollision damage, like weather events, windshield cracks or hitting an animal.
Consider this coverage if . . .
An optional coverage in Montana, think about adding personal injury protection to help if you or your passengers get injured. PIP kicks in no matter who’s at fault in an accident. It pays for medical expenses as well as lost income and home services during your recovery.
Consider this coverage if . . .
Montanans keep the proper car insurance more often than not. However, consider adding uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage in case you get in an accident with an uninsured driver. This coverage pays for your car damage or medical expenses in place of the other driver’s liability coverage.
Consider this coverage if . . .
Compare the top car insurers by market share that serve in Montana, according to S&P Global. To help you decide on the right insurer, we list each company’s ratings side by side from top rating agencies, including:
![]() | ★★★★★ 4/5 | |||||
![]() | ★★★★★ 4/5 | |||||
![]() | ★★★★★ 4/5 | |||||
![]() | ★★★★★ 4/5 | |||||
![]() | ★★★★★ 4/5 | |||||
![]() | ★★★★★ 4/5 | |||||
![]() | ★★★★★ 4/5 ; | |||||
![]() | ★★★★★ 4/5 | |||||
![]() | ★★★★★ 4/5 | |||||
![]() | ★★★★★ 4/5 |
Of Montana’s largest cities, Great Falls has the cheapest rates and Billings has the most expensive car insurance rates. Billings drivers could face rates 2 times more than Great Falls drivers.
Company | Annual car insurance rate |
---|---|
Allstate | $922 |
21st Century | $929 |
Farmers | $424 |
Metromile | $811 |
Geico | $638 |
Company | Annual car insurance rate |
---|---|
Allstate | $852 |
21st Century | $857 |
Farmers | $440 |
Metromile | $754 |
Geico | $543 |
Company | Annual car insurance rate |
---|---|
Allstate | $922 |
21st Century | $932 |
Farmers | $424 |
Metromile | $754 |
Geico | $638 |
Company | Annual car insurance rate |
---|---|
Allstate | $927 |
21st Century | $844 |
Farmers | $434 |
Metromile | $800 |
Geico | $558 |
Company | Annual car insurance rate |
---|---|
Allstate | $739 |
21st Century | $811 |
Farmers | $454 |
Metromile | $805 |
Geico | $592 |
If you have trouble finding cheap car insurance or were rejected because you’re considered a high-risk driver, you can find coverage with Western Association of Automobile Insurance Plans (WAAIP). WAAIP assigns you an affordable provider in its network of insurance companies to guarantee coverage for any driver.
You won’t need to file for SR-22 insurance in Montana unless you have an out-of-state SR-22 and you’re moving to Montana. You might need this special type of coverage if you’ve been convicted of a DUI, if you’ve accumulated too many violation points on your driving record or if you were caught driving without the legal minimums for car insurance.
Insurance protects you, your passengers and the drivers around you. If you plan to drive in Montana, be sure to carry the minimum liability required. To find the best coverage for the best prices, compare your options.
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