Cheapest Auto Insurance in Helena, Montana (2024)

Helena drivers can find the cheapest car insurance rates from State Farm. The insurer’s liability rates start at just $47 per month.

Kim Porter
Written byKim Porter
Kim Porter
Kim Porter
  • Co-authored the book “Future Millionaires’ Guidebook”

  • 13 years writing personal finance content

A former chief copy editor at Bankrate and past managing editor at Macmillan, Kim specializes in writing easy-to-understand, actionable personal finance content.

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Danny Smith
Edited byDanny Smith
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Danny Smith
  • Licensed auto and home insurance agent

  • 4+ years in content creation and marketing

As Insurify’s home and pet insurance editor, Danny also specializes in auto insurance. His goal is to help consumers navigate the complex world of insurance buying.

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Updated March 26, 2024

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Helena’s car insurance rates average $126 per month, less than the state and national averages of $146 and $157, respectively. These lower rates can be partly explained by Helena’s relatively low population density.[1] However, a few factors keep average auto insurance costs in Helena from dropping further.

For instance, the state capital welcomes more than a quarter-million visitors each year, thanks to its proximity to national parks.[2] [3] Additionally, snow and ice present dangerous driving conditions for Montana drivers during the winter.

So, when you’re buying car insurance, it’s important to compare quotes from multiple insurers. Here’s what you should know about finding cheap car insurance in Helena, Montana.

Quick Facts
  • USAA is the best insurer for active military and veterans in Helena, Montana.

  • Montana is an “at-fault” state, which means the driver who causes a crash is responsible for paying the other driver’s repair bills and medical expenses.

  • The state allows car insurance companies to use your credit history when calculating premium rates.

3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Helena

The cheapest car insurance companies in Helena may offer discounts or incentive savings that could influence rates, making one insurer’s premium less expensive than another. The best auto insurance company for you will depend on your financial situation and insurance needs, so it’s important to shop around and compare quotes.

The following companies offer the best rates:

Insurance CompanyIQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
Full CoverageLiability OnlyBest for
State Farm4.5$95$40Affordability
USAA4.5$103$43Veterans, active military, and their families
Safeco3.8$95$45Good drivers
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
  • Insurify uses an in-house, proprietary method to rate and review the best car insurance companies. The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 crucial criteria, including average premiums, customer satisfaction, discounts, third-party ratings, and more, to calculate a final score for a company.

    Criteria are weighted by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings. With the IQ Score, Insurify is able to provide quantitative ratings for drivers to better compare car insurance companies and make informed decisions to meet their coverage needs.

Best insurer for affordability: State Farm

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.4
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
842
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$53/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$116/mo

State Farm started in 1922 and now sells auto insurance in every U.S. state except Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The company offers some of the lowest auto insurance rates in Helena but also has a robust menu of discounts and customization options to help you save further. You even have the option of adding rideshare coverage to your policy.

Pros
  • Strong customer service ratings

  • Low premiums

Cons
  • Accident forgiveness not available

  • Diminishing deductible not available

Craig - March 26, 2024
Verified

I called three times to talk with an agent, but he never called back. It was a very disappointing experience!

I called three times to talk with an agent, but he never called back. It was a very disappointing experience!

David - March 26, 2024
Verified

Considering Expanding Coverage

I was never informed that my rate would increase every month for some reason. No one told me about it. I received a notice in the mail stating that what I was supposed to pay that month was always 10 or 20 dollars more than it was the previous month. I would have liked to have been informed about this.

Beverly - March 26, 2024
Verified

Unsatisfactory Experience

A kid threw a rock through my window and I was blamed for the claim. What is the purpose of having insurance?
Read our State Farm review

Best insurer for veterans, active military, and their families: USAA

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.3
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
880
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$46/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$100/mo

The United Services Automobile Association (USAA) debuted in 1922 and now offers insurance and banking products to current military members, former members, and their families.

USAA’s car insurance customers pay low rates in Helena and have access to a number of discounts to boost their savings further. The company earned an Insurify Quality (IQ) Score of 4.5 and has the highest rating of all insurers in every region in J.D. Power’s 2023 Customer Satisfaction Study.[4]

Pros
  • Excellent customer service

  • Accident forgiveness available

Cons
  • Limited to service members, veterans, and their immediate family members

  • No 24/7 customer phone support

Roy - March 21, 2024
Verified

My Review

USAA is the best.

Gary - March 18, 2024
Verified

Poor

Too darn high.

Gabrielle - March 16, 2024
Verified

Just Don't! Save Yourself!

Absolutely terrible. This company left me without a car for 8 months. They couldn't decide whether or not to total my car after it was already repaired. There were so many mistakes on their end and all I received at the end was a voicemail acknowledging their mistakes and an apology. This was literally the worst experience I've had with an insurance company. I'm traumatized!
Read our USAA review

Best insurer for good drivers: Safeco

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
3.7
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
825
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$43/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$91/mo

Safeco opened in 1923 and joined Liberty Mutual in 2008. It now sells car insurance, homeowners insurance, renters insurance, pet insurance, and other insurance products.

Several of the company’s discounts are geared toward customers with a good driving record. So, you may save money with options like accident forgiveness, a diminishing deductible, and a cash-back program for customers who remain claims-free for six months.

Pros
  • Pays cash back to customers who remain claims-free

  • Diminishing deductible and accident forgiveness available

Cons
  • Limited number of available discounts

  • Must buy a policy through an independent insurance agent

Glen - March 22, 2024
Verified

Great until...

SAFECO has been my insurer since we moved to Las Vegas in 2010. Their customer service has been great. I haven't had a claim against them since my wife was tragically killed in an auto accident in 2014, which they handled magnificently. If their rates hadn't skyrocketed, I'd stay with them.

Kurt - March 19, 2024
Verified

Good Until They're Not

I have been with them for over 20 years, never missing a payment. However, I got sick for a few months and missed two payments. Consequently, they decided to drop me and would not renew my policy. Moreover, they did not inform me that my policy was being canceled.

Duane - March 3, 2024
Verified

Looking for Something Cheaper, I Check Every 3 Years

Good.
Read our Safeco review

How to get the cheapest car insurance in Helena

You have several options for getting more affordable car insurance in Helena. Here are a few tips for saving money on your policy:

  • Bundle your policies. Many insurers give you a price break when you buy their car insurance policy along with another insurance product, like pet insurance or homeowners insurance.

  • Shop around for car insurance. Comparing multiple car insurance quotes is one of the best ways to ensure you’re getting the lowest premium. Because rates can change over time, comparing car insurance policies once a year is a good idea.

  • Check for discounts. Car insurance companies typically offer several ways to save. You may be able to lower your premium when customizing your coverage, going claims-free for a certain number of months, insuring multiple cars, maintaining good grades, and more.

  • Raise your deductible. The deductible is the amount of money you’re responsible for paying when filing a claim. Generally, a higher deductible can help lower your premiums. Consider raising your deductible if you’re a safe driver with no traffic accidents on your record. 

Find Cheap Car Insurance in Helena, Montana

Liability rates start at $40 per month

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Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Helena: State Farm

Liability car insurance is required for all cars registered in Helena, Montana. Liability insurance covers your legal and financial responsibilities if you cause a car accident, so it pays for any damage to the other person’s vehicle, along with their medical costs.

But liability insurance won’t cover these costs for you or your passengers. Because it only comes with minimum coverage, liability-only insurance is the cheapest type of car insurance policy you can get. The table below shows which car insurance companies in Helena have the most affordable liability-only insurance quotes.

Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
State Farm$40
USAA$43
Safeco$45
Progressive$51
Farmers$74
GEICO$74
Allstate$79
Bristol West$79
The General$85
Foremost$96
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Helena: State Farm and Safeco

Insurance companies may define their full-coverage car insurance policies differently, but they always start with state-required liability insurance coverage. It also usually includes collision insurance, which pays for any damage to your vehicle after an accident, and comprehensive coverage, which pays for non-collision incidents such as theft.

Full coverage is optional for most drivers, but your lender may require it if you lease or finance your car. The below companies have the cheapest average car insurance rates for full coverage in Helena.

Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
State Farm$95
Safeco$95
USAA$103
Progressive$120
Farmers$169
The General$172
GEICO$184
Allstate$189
Bristol West$206
Foremost$210
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

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Car insurance requirements in Montana

Car insurance is legally required in Montana, where vehicle owners must carry a minimum amount of bodily injury and property damage liability insurance. The state is a tort state, which means the at-fault driver in a crash is responsible for paying the other driver’s repair bills and medical expenses.[5]

Here are the minimum required coverage limits you’ll need:

CoverageMinimum Requirements
Bodily injury liability$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property damage liability$20,000 per accident

In addition to these coverages, most insurance companies also sell endorsements that can fill gaps in your basic policy. Here are some of the coverage options you might want to get:

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/5285c4cd74/uninsured-or-underinsured-motorist-coverage.svg

    Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage

    Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage pays for car repairs and medical bills if someone causes an accident and lacks car insurance or you’re the victim of a hit-and-run accident. Car insurance companies are required to offer uninsured motorist coverage, but you don’t have to buy it.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/abffe6238f/financial-protection.svg

    Gap insurance

    If your car is totaled in an accident, gap insurance pays the difference between the car’s diminished value and what you owe on your car loan or lease.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/100x100/9997698e9e/emergency-roadside-service.svg

    Roadside assistance

    Roadside assistance pays for services when you’re stranded on the roadside. Services may include flat tire changes, fuel delivery, towing, and more.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/100x100/31bb162db0/accident-forgiveness.svg

    Accident forgiveness

    If your insurance company offers accident forgiveness, it waives your first accident. This helps you save money because the accident won’t affect your premium.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident

Having an incident on your driving record, like a speeding ticket or an at-fault accident, can increase your rates for several years. Some insurance companies may decide not to renew your policy if your record includes several incidents or driving under the influence (DUI) violation. The exact rate increase depends on several factors, like your insurance company’s policies and the specific violation.

These incidents may increase your car insurance rates because you either drove in an irresponsible way that increases your likelihood of an accident or you were in an incident that caused your insurer to pay for a claim.

You may also need to file an SR-22 certificate that states you have a car insurance policy. Having an SR-22 on file can increase your rates.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, March 26 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyClean Driving RecordWith Speeding TicketWith At-Fault AccidentWith DUI
Safeco43616369
Bristol West80106107128
The General88119122141
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Average cost of car insurance by age

Age also influences car insurance rates because it signals your driving experience and accident risk. Generally, younger drivers pay the most for car insurance because they have limited experience and a much higher accident rate compared to older, more experienced drivers.

Rates start to drop when drivers reach their 20s and 30s because they’ve built up several years of experience and are less likely to take risks. Then, rates continue to steadily decline throughout the driver’s life.

Here are the average monthly car insurance quotes for drivers in Helena by age.

AgeAverage Monthly Quote
Teens$273
20s$338
30s$315
40s$268
50s$200
60s$141
70s$105
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

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Helena car insurance quotes by credit tier

Montana allows insurers to use your credit history to determine your risk level. So if you have poor credit scores or you’ve filed for bankruptcy in the past, you may pay higher rates. The opposite is true, too. Customers with excellent or good credit scores typically pay less for car insurance because they pose less of a risk to the insurance company.

Rates by Credit Tier

Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Helena car insurance FAQs

Finding the right car insurance can be challenging. Below, you’ll find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about car insurance in Helena.

  • How much is car insurance in Helena?

    The average cost of car insurance in Helena is $122 per month. Helena drivers pay $98 per month for liability coverage and $153 for full-coverage car insurance, on average. Your exact auto insurance premium depends on your driving record, age, credit history, and other factors.

  • Which company has the cheapest car insurance in Helena?

    State Farm offers the cheapest liability car insurance in Helena, at $40 per month. USAA is the second-cheapest insurer in the city, with a rate of $43. The third-cheapest insurer, Safeco, has a liability-only rate of $45 per month. 

    Comparing quotes from multiple car insurance companies is the best way to find the cheapest car insurance for your needs.

  • What are the best car insurance companies in Helena?

    State Farm is the best car insurance company in Helena, with an Insurify Quality (IQ) Score of 4.5 out of 5, an AM Best financial strength rating of A++ (Superior), and high customer satisfaction ratings. Other top insurers include USAA and Safeco.

Methodology

Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.

Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).

Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:

  • Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
  • Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
  • No additional coverage
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
  • Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
  • Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible

Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.

Sources

  1. Census.gov. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Helena city, Montana." Accessed December 12, 2023
  2. Montana Fish, Wildlife &Parks. "2021 Montana State Parks Annual Visitation Report." Accessed December 12, 2023
  3. Montana Department of Transportation. "Custer Avenue Improvements - Quarterly Update: Helena Research." Accessed December 12, 2023
  4. Jdpower.com. "2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study." Accessed December 12, 2023
  5. Office of the Montana State Auditor. "Auto Insurance." Accessed December 12, 2023
Kim Porter
Kim Porter

Kim Porter is a writer and editor who's been creating personal finance content since 2010. Before transitioning to full-time freelance writing in 2018, Kim was the chief copy editor at Bankrate, a managing editor at Macmillan, and co-author of the personal finance book "Future Millionaires' Guidebook." Her work has appeared in AARP's print magazine and on sites such as U.S. News & World Report, Fortune, NextAdvisor, Credit Karma, and more. Kim loves to bake and exercise in her free time, and she plans to run a half marathon on each continent.

Danny Smith
Edited byDanny Smith
Photo of an Insurify author
Danny Smith
  • Licensed auto and home insurance agent

  • 4+ years in content creation and marketing

As Insurify’s home and pet insurance editor, Danny also specializes in auto insurance. His goal is to help consumers navigate the complex world of insurance buying.

Featured in

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