Montana Car Insurance Requirements in 2026

Montana car insurance requirements at a glance

Coverage	Minimum Requirement in Montana
Bodily injury liability	$25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
Property damage liability	$20,000 per accident

Montana car insurance requirements explained

The 25/50/20 car insurance requirements in Montana are similar to those in nearby states, such as Wyoming, which requires drivers to carry the same minimum amount of liability coverage.

Here’s what you should know about each coverage requirement in Montana.

Montana bodily injury liability insurance requirements

After an accident you cause, bodily injury liability coverage can help you pay for resulting medical bills for the other driver and their passengers. In Montana, you’ll need a policy with at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage.^[1]

Although you can legally drive with this level of coverage, it likely won’t provide enough protection to your wallet after a serious accident. If you cause an accident that results in severe injuries, you may be on the hook for any remaining balance over the policy limits.

Montana property damage liability insurance requirements

Property damage liability coverage can help you pay to repair or replace the other driver’s vehicle after you cause a car accident.

Montana requires drivers to have at least $20,000 in property damage liability, which can help you cover some level of repairs after an incident. But it may not cover all the repair costs after a serious accident. If you’d face financial difficulties covering out-of-pocket costs for major repairs, it might be worth buying a policy with more coverage.

Montana uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) insurance requirements

Montana state law doesn’t require drivers to purchase uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance. But unless you inform your insurer in writing that you don’t want this coverage, Montana law requires your insurance agent to provide it.^[2]

If you have an accident with someone who doesn’t have any insurance or enough coverage, a UM/UIM policy can help cover costs. It can also kick in after a hit-and-run.

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Are Montana’s car insurance requirements sufficient for most drivers?

You only legally need a policy that meets the state’s minimum-coverage requirements in Montana, but this baseline coverage doesn’t offer enough financial protection for many drivers.

The cost of medical expenses and vehicle repairs can add up quickly after a car accident. If you have the minimum liability coverage limits, you risk having to pay out of pocket for any of the other driver’s remaining medical and property damage costs.

Beyond higher liability limits, many Montana drivers can benefit from a full-coverage policy, which includes comprehensive and collision coverage to help you repair or replace your own vehicle after an incident. For example, if you have a car accident or experience damage from a hailstorm, a full-coverage policy can help you pay to repair your car.^[3]

Take a look at these recommended coverage amounts for a policy to protect your vehicle and savings.

Coverage Type	Recommended Limit
Bodily injury liability	$100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
Property damage liability	$100,000 per accident
Comprehensive coverage	Enough to cover your car’s value
Collision coverage	Enough to cover your car’s value

Other car insurance requirements to be aware of in Montana

Montana law requires all drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage. But if you’ve financed or leased your vehicle, your lender may also require you to carry a full-coverage auto insurance policy. This requirement means you need to purchase collision and comprehensive coverage in addition to your liability coverage.

Your lender will likely require you to have this coverage to protect its investment in your vehicle, but it also protects you. If you have a car accident on Interstate 90, this coverage can help pay to repair or replace your vehicle without dipping into your savings.

How Montana’s car insurance requirements influence rates

The average cost of car insurance in Montana is $101 per month, which is less than the national average of $143. It’s likely that the state’s relatively modest liability limits help keep costs on the low end. The state’s landlocked location, away from damaging coastal storms, also plays into its relatively low rates.

If you have an expensive car accident in Montana, the state’s low liability limits may not be enough. In some cases, the at-fault driver might incur out-of-pocket costs after exceeding the minimum liability limits.

Cheapest state-minimum required car insurance in Montana

The below rates in Montana are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, November 1 at 12:28 AM PDT. 

Insurance Company	Average Monthly Quote
State Farm	$32
USAA	$35
Farmers	$58
Allstate	$60
Direct Auto	$60
GEICO	$62
Root	$66
Safeco	$68
Bristol West	$79
The General	$83

Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time Montana car insurance quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual car insurance quotes in Montana may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Montana car insurance laws and related programs

Montana drivers have access to assigned-risk car insurance through the Western Association Automobile Insurance Plan (WAAIP).^[4] The program can provide the state-required liability insurance to eligible drivers who can’t obtain coverage through the standard insurance market.

Montana doesn’t offer a state-sponsored car insurance program for low-income drivers.

Penalties for driving without insurance in Montana

You can face severe penalties for driving without insurance in Montana, and the consequences will increase for a second or subsequent offense.

You can see the potential penalties for uninsured driving in Montana below:^[1]

Offense	Fine	Jail Time	License Status
First	$250–$500	Up to 10 days	N/A
Second	$350–$500	Up to 10 days	Revoked for 90 days
Third or subsequent	$500	Up to 6 months	Revoked for 90 days

If you have insurance, make sure to carry your insurance card or other proof of insurance with you at all times. You’ll need to show it to law enforcement if requested.

Beyond the up front fines, you may also face reinstatement fees and paperwork to eventually reinstate your license. Plus, drivers caught without insurance may face higher insurance costs.

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Other car insurance coverages worth considering in Montana

If you want a policy that offers more financial protection than a minimum-coverage policy, you might consider purchasing additional coverage. Here are a few standard coverages to consider:

• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: An estimated 7% of Montana drivers don’t have insurance, according to Insurance Research Council data. If you have an accident with one of these uninsured drivers, this type of coverage can help pay for vehicle repairs to get back on the road.

• Comprehensive insurance: A history of damaging hailstorms, snowstorms, and tornadoes makes comprehensive coverage especially worthwhile in Montana.

• Collision insurance: About 4% of Montana drivers have a past at-fault accident in their driving history, according to Insurify data. If you’d struggle to pay for repairs on your own vehicle after an accident, collision insurance is a smart coverage to add.

• Gap insurance: If you have a vehicle loan or lease, you should buy gap insurance for protection in the event of a totaled vehicle. If you total your car, gap insurance can cover the difference between what your insurance pays out and what you still owe your lender.

Montana car insurance requirements FAQs