Car Insurance in Montana
Montana drivers spend an average of $975 a year on auto insurance according to the NAIC — ▼ −24% versus the national average of $1,282, ranking 38th most expensive of 51. The state requires 25/50/20 liability coverage and follows an at-fault system.
Average car insurance cost in Montana
The NAIC average expenditure is what insured drivers actually paid on average, including people who carry only liability. For those who buy each coverage, the average premium was $472 for liability, $346 for collision and $365 for comprehensive ($1,184 combined, versus $1,439 nationally). That average expenditure is 10% higher than the NAIC's previous data year ($885). Comprehensive coverage costs notably more than the U.S. average here, which usually reflects weather (hail, wind, flooding) and theft losses.
Minimum car insurance requirements in Montana
Montana's minimum is written as 25/50/20: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability and $20,000 in property damage liability. Those limits are low compared with the cost of a serious injury claim, so many drivers choose 100/300/100 — we estimate that "standard" level at about $570 a year here, $175 more than the minimum.
| Coverage | Required? | Minimum | What it pays for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | Yes | $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident | Injuries you cause to other people |
| Property damage liability | Yes | $20,000 | Damage you cause to other vehicles and property |
| Personal injury protection (PIP) | No | — Montana does not require personal injury protection. | Your own medical bills and lost wages, regardless of fault |
| Uninsured motorist (UM) | No | — Uninsured motorist coverage must be provided unless the insured signs a form rejecting it. | Your injuries when the at-fault driver has no insurance |
| Underinsured motorist (UIM) | No | — Underinsured motorist coverage is not required. | The gap when the at-fault driver’s limits are too low |
| Medical payments (MedPay) | No | — Medical payments coverage is optional. | Medical bills for you and your passengers |
Compare with another state
Is Montana a no-fault state?
No — Montana is an at-fault (tort) state. Montana is an at-fault (tort) state: the driver responsible for a crash, through their liability insurance, pays for the other party's injuries and property damage. Injured people can claim against the at-fault driver's insurer, use their own coverage, or sue.
Uninsured drivers in Montana
The Insurance Research Council estimates 7.2% of Montana drivers are uninsured — 47th highest in the country, compared with 15.4% nationally. That's roughly one uninsured driver in every 14 on the road. Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage isn't mandatory here (Uninsured motorist coverage must be provided unless the insured signs a form rejecting it), but it is still inexpensive protection against hit-and-run and uninsured drivers.
SR-22 requirements in Montana
Drivers who must prove financial responsibility after a DUI, an uninsured crash or a serious violation file proof of insurance through their insurer. Confirm the exact form and how long it must be kept with the Montana Office of the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance or your state motor vehicle agency.
By our model, a driver in their 30s with a DUI would pay about $750 a year for minimum coverage in Montana, versus $395 with a clean record. What is SR-22 insurance?
Estimate your premium in Montana
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Car insurance by city in Montana
We cover 8 Montana cities. Estimates are for full coverage for a driver in their 30s with a clean record; hover a city to find it on the map. The lowest estimate is in Butte-Silver Bow ($1,215) and the highest in Belgrade ($1,660).
- BillingsPop. 121,483 · Yellowstone County$1,560+22% vs state
- MissoulaPop. 78,204 · Missoula County$1,495+17% vs state
- Great FallsPop. 60,013 · Cascade County$1,525+19% vs state
- BozemanPop. 57,894 · Gallatin County$1,530+20% vs state
- Butte-Silver BowPop. 35,480 · Silver Bow County$1,215−5% vs state
- HelenaPop. 34,729 · Lewis and Clark County$1,455+14% vs state
- KalispellPop. 31,296 · Flathead County$1,490+16% vs state
- BelgradePop. 12,741 · Gallatin County$1,660+30% vs state
Estimated cost by driver profile in Montana
Age and driving record move premiums more than almost anything else. A teen on their own policy pays about 2.8× what a driver in their 30s pays for the same full coverage in Montana.
| Driver | Minimum | Standard | Full coverage | Full / month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teen driver (18, own policy) | $1,080 | $1,570 | $3,525 | $294 |
| Young adult (22) | $630 | $910 | $2,050 | $171 |
| Adult in their 30s | $395 | $570 | $1,280 | $107 |
| Adult in their 50s | $360 | $525 | $1,180 | $98 |
| Senior (72) | $440 | $640 | $1,435 | $120 |
| 30s, one at-fault accident | $570 | $825 | $1,860 | $155 |
| 30s, DUI on record | $725 | $1,055 | $2,370 | $198 |
By coverage level
| Coverage level | What it includes | Per year | Per month | Typical range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State minimum liability | Only the liability (and PIP/UM where required) limits your state mandates. No coverage for your own car. | $395 | $33 | $320–$465 |
| Standard liability (100/300/100) | Higher liability limits plus uninsured motorist coverage. Still no coverage for damage to your own car. | $570 | $48 | $470–$675 |
| Full coverage | Standard liability plus collision and comprehensive, typically required on a financed or leased car. | $1,280 | $107 | $1,050–$1,515 |
Cheapest and most expensive cars to insure in Montana
Full-coverage estimates for current models, using HLDI insurance-loss data where available. Vehicle choice alone can swing the premium by more than $3,085 a year here.
| Model | Segment | Est. / year |
|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Traverse | Midsize SUV | $795 |
| GMC Acadia | Midsize SUV | $900 |
| Subaru Crosstrek | Small SUV | $935 |
| Honda CR-V | Small SUV | $955 |
| Subaru Forester | Small SUV | $955 |
| MINI Cooper | Subcompact car | $960 |
| Honda Pilot | Midsize SUV | $970 |
| Subaru Outback | Wagon | $975 |
| Ford Bronco | Midsize SUV | $990 |
| Jeep Wrangler | Midsize SUV | $1,000 |
| Model | Segment | Est. / year |
|---|---|---|
| Lamborghini Urus | Luxury SUV | $3,880 |
| BMW M4 | Luxury sports car | $3,525 |
| BMW M3 | Luxury car | $3,515 |
| BMW 7 Series | Luxury car | $3,255 |
| Mercedes-Benz S-Class | Luxury car | $2,870 |
| Mercedes-Benz G-Class | Luxury SUV | $2,560 |
| Audi RS 7 | Luxury car | $2,255 |
| Lucid Air | Luxury car | $2,250 |
| Mercedes-Benz SL-Class | Luxury sports car | $2,175 |
| Land Rover Range Rover | Luxury SUV | $2,145 |
Cheap car insurance in Montana: how to lower your rate
- Raise your deductible. Going from $500 to $1,000 on collision and comprehensive saves about $100 a year on a typical Montana full-coverage policy.
- Match coverage to your car's value. On a 10-year-old car, dropping collision and comprehensive could cut the bill from about $960 to $570.
- Drive less, pay less. Low-mileage and usage-based programs can save around $90 a year if you drive under 7,500 miles.
- Protect your record. A single speeding ticket adds roughly $285 a year in our model; an at-fault accident adds much more.
- Shop at renewal. Rates for the same driver differ widely between insurers. Compare identical limits and deductibles.
- Ask about discounts — bundling home and auto, good student, safe-driver, paid-in-full and defensive-driving course discounts. See common discounts.
Complaints and help: Montana Office of the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance
The Montana Office of the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance licenses insurers and agents, reviews rates and handles consumer complaints about claims, cancellations and billing — free of charge.
- Website
- csimt.gov
- File a complaint
- Consumer complaint page
- Consumer helpline
- 1-800-332-6148
Montana vs. neighboring states
| State | NAIC avg. | Minimums | System | Uninsured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | $975 | 25/50/20 | At-fault (tort) | 7.2% |
| Idaho | $864 | 25/50/15 | At-fault (tort) | 6.4% |
| North Dakota | $808 | 25/50/25 | No-fault | 10.6% |
| South Dakota | $937 | 25/50/25 | At-fault (tort) | 9.4% |
| Wyoming | $948 | 25/50/20 | At-fault (tort) | 6.7% |
Frequently asked questions
How much is car insurance in Montana?
NAIC data puts the average Montana auto insurance expenditure at $975 a year, 24% less than the national average of $1,282 (rank 38 of 51, where 1 is the most expensive). Our estimate for full coverage for a driver in their 30s with a clean record is about $1,280 a year ($107 a month); state-minimum liability is about $395.
What is the minimum car insurance required in Montana?
Montana requires at least 25/50/20 liability coverage: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $20,000 for property damage.
Is Montana a no-fault state?
No. Montana is an at-fault (tort) state: the driver responsible for a crash, through their liability insurance, pays for the other party's injuries and property damage.
How many drivers in Montana are uninsured?
The Insurance Research Council estimates that about 7.2% of Montana drivers are uninsured, ranking 47th in the nation (national estimate: 15.4%).
Which Montana city has the cheapest car insurance?
Among the 8 cities we cover, Butte-Silver Bow has the lowest full-coverage estimate at about $1,215 a year, while Belgrade is the highest at about $1,660. Differences come from population density, commute length and local weather risk.
How much does car insurance cost for a teen driver in Montana?
An 18-year-old on their own full-coverage policy would pay roughly $3,525 a year in Montana by our estimate, or about $1,080 for minimum coverage. Joining a parent's policy usually costs less.
How do I file a complaint against a car insurance company in Montana?
Contact the Montana Office of the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance (consumer line 1-800-332-6148). It handles consumer complaints about claims, cancellations and rates at no cost.
How we estimate this
We start from the state's average liability, collision and comprehensive premiums published by the NAIC, then apply a location factor (population density and commute time from the Census ACS, weather hazard scores from FEMA's National Risk Index), a vehicle factor (HLDI insurance-loss data where available, otherwise vehicle segment), and a driver-profile multiplier. Results are rounded ranges for comparison, not quotes. Read the full methodology.
- Montana CSI: Auto insurance
- MCA 61-6-103 (motor vehicle liability policy minimum limits)
- MCA 33-23-201 (uninsured motorist coverage, rejection by insured)
- Montana CSI: File a Complaint
- NAIC 2022/2023 Auto Insurance Database Report
- NAIC Homeowners Insurance Report: Data for 2023
- Insurance Research Council uninsured motorist estimates (via Triple-I)
- IIHS Fatality Facts: state by state
- FBI Crime Data Explorer: Crime in the United States 2025 (Table 4)
- NICB 2022 Vehicle Theft Data: top 10 stolen vehicles by state
- FHWA Highway Statistics 2024, Table DL-1C (licensed drivers)
- FHWA Highway Statistics 2024, Table MV-1 (registrations)
- FHWA Highway Statistics 2024, Table VM-2 (vehicle-miles traveled)
- U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2024 population estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau: population estimates and American Community Survey
- FEMA National Risk Index