Cheap Car Insurance in Montana (2023)

Montana is in the top 35% most-expensive states for car insurance, according to our data. Drivers only pay slightly more than the national average of $233 per month, with a state average rate of $241 per month. 

Spanning more than 147,000 square miles, Montana is the fourth-largest state in the nation. But it ranks 43rd for population density, with around 1,104,000 people in the state.^[1] To find affordable car insurance in the Treasure State, you should compare quotes from multiple auto insurance providers that align with your coverage needs.

Best cheap car insurance in Montana: Travelers

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Travelers

Best Cheap Car Insurance in Montana

Drivers in Montana pay an average monthly premium of $241, but rates vary widely across car insurance companies. For example, average monthly rates start as low as $115 with Travelers and go up to $235 per month with Progressive. Auto insurers use different methodologies when calculating auto insurance premiums, but check out average quotes from top insurers below.

Insurify Composite Score (ICS)

To calculate the Insurify Composite Score, a proprietary rating, Insurify data scientists weigh multiple factors that reflect the quality, reliability, and health of an insurance company.

Inputs to the score include J.D. Power ratings, Consumer Reports customer satisfaction surveys and customer complaints, mobile app reviews, user-generated company reviews, and financial strength ratings from A.M. Best, Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, and Fitch.

Minimum car insurance requirements in Montana

All motor vehicles operated or parked on Montana roadways are required to be insured. Proof of insurance must be carried in your car at all times and must be available when:

• Requested by law enforcement

• Renewing vehicle registration

• The vehicle is involved in a car accident

The minimum liability insurance requirements for private passenger vehicles in Montana^[2] are:

• $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury: As a major part of your liability insurance, bodily injury coverage covers medical bills for people other than the policyholder who are injured during an accident. Montana is an at-fault state, meaning the driver who is responsible for the collision is also responsible for paying for any resulting expenses, either through their car insurance provider or out of pocket.

• $20,000 per accident for property damage: If it’s determined that an insured driver is at fault for an accident, this coverage pays for repairs to the property of the other involved parties. Additionally, property damage coverage can cover legal costs if the insured driver is involved in a lawsuit following the accident.

• $50,000 per accident for uninsured/underinsured motorists: Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage pays for costs caused by a driver with little or no insurance after a car accident. In Montana, this coverage is required to be offered, but drivers can reject it if they don’t want it.

Montana DMV information

The Montana Department of Motor Vehicles is a state government agency that handles driving regulations. On the DMV website, Montana drivers can check the status of their license, renew vehicle registration, look up vehicle records, determine required documents for in-person appointments, and more.^[3] Physical locations are spread throughout the state.

Public transportation in Montana

Public transportation in Montana is limited but includes passenger trains, planes, buses, and vans. Specialized services and agencies are available for seniors and people with disabilities. Amtrak is the passenger train service, and numerous international and smaller airports operate within the state.^[4]

Tips for getting cheap car insurance in Montana

Insurance companies look at a lot of information, such as your age and credit history, when determining your premiums. Each insurance company looks at these risk variables slightly differently, so shopping around to compare car insurance quotes is a good strategy for finding a good deal. Compare quotes from multiple insurers quickly to find the right insurance policy.

You can also take other steps to reduce car insurance costs, including:

• Seek discounts, such as good driver or good student discounts.

• Bundle your homeowners or renters insurance with your car insurance.

• Maintain a good credit score.

Liability-only vs. full-coverage insurance in Montana

If you live in Montana, you can opt to carry liability-only auto insurance, which pays for expenses related to injuries and damage to the other party’s car if you cause an accident. Each state sets its own minimums for how much liability insurance it requires drivers to carry. Liability-only insurance can make sense if:

• You have a low-value vehicle.

• You can afford to repair or replace your car out of your own pocket.

• Getting the cheapest insurance possible is your top priority.

For a higher level of protection, you can choose full-coverage insurance, which includes basic liability plus collision and comprehensive coverage. Collision coverage pays for damages to your car, even if you’re at fault for an accident. Comprehensive pays for damages caused by events out of your control, like vandalism, weather, and animals. Auto lenders and leasing companies typically require drivers to carry full coverage on a car they’ve financed.

You may also opt for full coverage if:

• You have a high-value vehicle.

• You wouldn’t be able to afford to repair or replace your car out of pocket.

• Your car’s actual cash value (the payout you’d likely get if your car is totaled) exceeds your annual premium to carry full coverage.

Here’s a look at the cheapest auto insurance in Montana by policy type.

How your driving history affects Montana car insurance rates

Your driving history is the factor that most influences your car insurance costs. Good drivers — whose records are free of serious traffic violations like speeding tickets or reckless driving — tend to get the best car insurance rates in Montana. But infractions like driving under the influence or at-fault accidents can significantly increase insurance costs.

Here’s a look at average monthly quotes for the cheapest car insurance in Montana based on driving and accident history.

SR-22 insurance in Montana

If your driver’s license was suspended after a DUI or another serious reckless driving incident, you’ll need to file proof of insurance before legally driving your vehicle again. You can accomplish this by filing an SR-22 form through your auto insurance company with Montana’s Department of Motor Vehicles.^[5]

How credit scores affect Montana car insurance quotes

Insurance companies in Montana can take your credit score into account when determining rates. Generally, people with excellent or good credit scores can qualify for lower car insurance premiums than people with average or poor credit scores.

How your city affects Montana insurance quotes

Car insurance premiums vary based on where you live in the state, and drivers in urban areas generally pay more than rural drivers. The difference comes down to factors like population density, crime rates, and more. In Montana, drivers will find the highest rates in the relatively small areas of Laurel and Anaconda. Drivers in Missoula and Butte have below-average rates.

How your age affects your Montana car insurance rates

Because insurers generally equate age with experience level, your age will significantly affect how much you pay for car insurance. New drivers, who tend to be teens or people in their early 20s, typically pay more for insurance than drivers 25 and older.

The following table gives a high-level view of how age can affect insurance rates.

Quotes for young drivers

Multiple other factors influence how much drivers in each age group will pay for car insurance. Some increase rates for one age group more than another, while others impact all age groups evenly.

The following table compares how different insurance factors affect average monthly rates for drivers younger than 30. Like in most other states, teenagers and drivers under 25 pay the highest rates by age group in Montana because auto insurers account for less driving experience. Still, both Nationwide and Travelers offer a low monthly average rate of just $136 for full-coverage car insurance.

Quotes for middle-aged drivers

The following table compares how different insurance factors affect average monthly rates for drivers between 30 and 59. On average, middle-aged drivers in Montana spend between $123 and $209 per month. With an average premium of $96 per month, Travelers provides the cheapest option for full-coverage car insurance. 

Quotes for senior drivers

Different insurance factors affect average monthly rates for drivers 59 and older. Senior drivers in Montana tend to find lower rates in their 60s and 70s than in their 80s and people who choose full coverage. Depending on varying financial situations, drivers in this age group save by choosing liability-only insurance over a full-coverage policy. And drivers with clean records pay less for coverage than those with an accident or DUI in their driving history.