Montana Minimum Coverage Car Insurance: Requirements and Costs (2024)

Montana's minimum car insurance coverage is 25/50/20. The average cost is about $446 annually or $37 monthly.

Updated: December 10, 2024

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Montana requires drivers to have minimum car insurance, including $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $20,000 per accident for property damage. As an at-fault state, the driver responsible for the accident is financially liable for any damage.

Meeting these minimum car insurance requirements is relatively affordable, with the cheapest car insurance in Montana starting at around $37 per month. However, this rate covers only the damage you cause to others and doesn't include protection for your own vehicle.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Montana Minimum Coverage Requirements
Average Cost of Minimum Coverage Car Insurance in Montana
Cheapest Companies in Montana for Minimum Coverage
Add-On Coverages in Montana
Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Montana
FAQ

Why Trust MoneyGeek? We analyzed data from Quadrant Information Services and the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance to get the most accurate cost data for various Montana drivers.

These rates reflect the cost of minimum coverage car insurance requirements in Montana as of December 2024.

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Montana Minimum Coverage Car Insurance Requirements

In Montana, the law requires drivers to have minimum coverage auto insurance to operate a vehicle legally. This coverage includes:

$25,000 for bodily injury liability per person
$50,000 for bodily injury liability per accident
$20,000 for property damage liability per accident

Montana follows a fault-based insurance system, meaning the driver at fault for an accident is responsible for covering the other party's damage and injuries. Carry more than the minimum coverage to protect yourself from financial risks that may exceed the coverage limits, as accidents can lead to costs that surpass basic insurance limits.

DOES MONTANA REQUIRE COLLISION AND COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGES?

Montana doesn't mandate collision and comprehensive coverages as part of its minimum auto insurance requirements. However, if you're financing or leasing a vehicle, lenders usually require these coverages to protect their investment against accidents, theft or natural disasters. Carry collision and comprehensive coverage for added protection if you want to safeguard your vehicle from various types of damage.

What Does Minimum Coverage Cover?

What Liability Insurance Covers	What Liability Insurance Doesn't Cover
Injuries to others if you're at fault in an accident	Your injuries
Damage to another person’s property if you're at fault in an accident	Damage to your car
Some coverage for injuries caused by uninsured/underinsured drivers, depending on your policy	Repairs for weather-related accidents or if you were hit by an animal
	Property damage caused by uninsured/underinsured drivers, unless additional coverage is purchased

The table reflects Montana's minimum car insurance requirements, including liability coverage. Coverage specifics depend on your policy's terms and conditions.

Average Cost of Minimum Coverage Car Insurance in Montana

Montana drivers between the ages of 22 and 29 have the highest premiums due to their higher risk of accidents and lower driving experience.

The table below highlights the average minimum coverage cost per age group in Montana.


22-29	$515	$43
30-59	$446	$37
60 +	$434	$36

Cheapest Companies for Minimum Coverage Car Insurance in Montana

In Montana, the most affordable options for minimum coverage auto insurance are:

State Farm: $164 per year; $14 per month
GEICO: $371 per year; $31 per month

While finding a cost-effective minimum coverage insurance is important, consider the best car insurance in Montana that aligns with your needs.

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Age Group:30-59


State Farm	$164	$14
GEICO	$371	$31
Farmers	$409	$34
Progressive	$433	$36
Nationwide	$534	$44
Kemper	$564	$47
Allstate	$651	$54

Optional Add-On Coverages in Montana

In Montana, optional coverages include uninsured/underinsured motorist protection, comprehensive, collision, medical payments and rental reimbursement. These add-ons offer financial safeguards against common risks beyond minimum coverage. Determine how much car insurance you need to tailor coverage to your needs.

Add-On Coverage	What It Covers	What It Doesn't Cover
Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage	Medical expenses, lost wages and repair costs if you're hit by a driver with no or insufficient insurance	Damage to your vehicle if you're at fault or damage that exceeds policy limits
Personal injury protection (PIP)	Medical expenses, lost income and funeral costs for you or your passengers, regardless of who's at fault	Vehicle damage or injuries to the other driver
Roadside assistance	Services like towing, flat tire changes and jump-starts when your car breaks down	Cost of parts or repairs needed after the tow
Gap insurance	Pays the difference between your car's current value and what you still owe if it's totaled or stolen	Vehicle depreciation or overdue loan payments
Rental car reimbursement	The cost of a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired after a covered event	Fuel, insurance or other rental extras
Collision coverage	Repairs to your car after an accident, regardless of fault	Damage due to theft, vandalism or natural disasters
Comprehensive coverage	Repairs to non-collision damage from events like theft, fire or hail	Damages from a collision or personal injuries
Towing and labor coverage	Towing and basic roadside assistance labor costs at the site of your vehicle's breakdown	More extensive repairs needed at a garage
Custom parts and equipment coverage	Safeguards aftermarket enhancements like custom wheels or stereo systems	Original parts that came with your vehicle
Accidental death coverage	Offers a payout if you or a passenger dies or experiences certain injuries in a car accident	Non-accidental death or injuries
Classic car insurance	Agreed-upon values for your unique vehicle, tailored for vintage or collector cars	Regular use like your daily commute

Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Montana

In Montana, the cost of a ticket for driving without insurance depends on your history with this offense. First-time offenders may face a lighter penalty than those with prior incidents, while subsequent offenses could lead to more severe consequences.

Penalties for driving uninsured in Montana include:

Fines: The fines for driving without insurance may increase with repeated offenses.
License suspension: Your driving privilege may be temporarily revoked, and you must pay a fee to reinstate it.
SR-22 filing requirement: You might need to file an SR-22, a document your insurer files on your behalf to prove future financial responsibility.
Jail time: You may be jailed if you're uninsured during an accident.

Following Montana's laws by maintaining at least state minimum coverage on your vehicle is crucial. It ensures legal compliance and protects you from potential financial hardship if you're involved in an accident. The required insurance provides a safety net for you and others on the road.

What to Do if Your Policy Is Canceled

When your car insurance policy is canceled in Montana, immediately seek new coverage to avoid driving uninsured. Contact an insurance agent to discuss your options. The Montana Motor Vehicle Division will likely be notified of the cancellation, which could result in legal penalties if you drive without insurance.

You can find new coverage through other insurers or agents by comparing policies to find the best fit. The Montana Automobile Insurance Plan is available for high-risk drivers if you struggle to get insured.

Ensure you have at least the state's minimum coverage to drive legally and avoid serious consequences.

WHY WAS MY POLICY CANCELED?

Your car insurance policy in Montana may have been canceled for a few reasons:

Non-payment: If you miss paying your insurance premiums, your provider can cancel your coverage.
License suspension: Losing your driving privileges also means losing your insurance.
Fraud: Any deceitful activity, such as lying on your application, can lead to cancelation.
High risk: If you're involved in multiple accidents or violations, you might be considered too risky to insure.

FAQ: Montana Minimum Coverage Car Insurance

We answered common questions about minimum coverage in Montana to help you understand the car insurance needed to comply with state laws.

What is the minimum car insurance coverage in Montana?

In Montana, the required minimum car insurance coverage is $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident and $20,000 for property damage per accident. This basic coverage protects motorists against the costs of damage and injuries to others if they're at fault in an accident. However, minimum coverage may not fully cover all expenses if you're involved in a serious accident.

Why does Montana require minimum automobile liability coverage for motorists?

Montana requires minimum coverage auto insurance to ensure that drivers are financially responsible for damage and injuries they may cause in an accident. This coverage helps pay for the expenses of the affected party and protects the at-fault driver from significant out-of-pocket costs. Consistent coverage across drivers ensures smoother claims processing and supports legal driving practices in Montana.

Do you need comprehensive insurance in Montana?

Comprehensive insurance isn't mandated by law in Montana, but it's recommended for drivers who want protection against non-collision incidents such as theft, vandalism or environmental damage. Opting for comprehensive insurance can provide financial security, especially since Montana can experience harsh weather that might put vehicles at risk beyond standard traffic accidents. Carrying only the state minimum coverage may not cover these types of vehicle damage.

What happens if you drive uninsured in Montana?

Driving uninsured in Montana carries serious consequences. A first offense can result in a fine of $250, with penalties increasing to $500 for subsequent offenses. Drivers may also face imprisonment for up to 10 days and suspension of their license and registration until proof of insurance is provided. Repeat offenders may face heightened penalties and must carry SR-22 insurance to restore their driving privileges.

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.

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