Average Cost of Car Insurance in Montana in 2024

The average auto insurance cost in Montana is $1,937 annually for full coverage. If you’re one of the approximately 800,000 residents with a driver’s license, we’ll show you the averages for various demographics and situations, plus give you tips on discounts and state-specific insurance information.

By City

While Montana is the eighth-least-populous state, it still has plenty of cities amidst its wide-open spaces in Big Sky Country. Here’s a look at the average cost of full coverage car insurance in 10 Montana cities.

By Age

Montana teens pay some of the highest premiums in the country, with the average teenager paying $5,131 annually for car insurance. The good news is this drops significantly for drivers in their 20s and older. Remember to take advantage of discounts for young drivers to save.

By Gender

On average, women living in Montana pay a few dollars less than their male counterparts for auto insurance.

By Marital Status

While residents in some states pay more if they’re not married, in Montana, single, married, divorced, or widowed drivers all pay, on average, the same rates.

By Coverage Level

More coverage translates into higher premiums, but it’s usually wise to buy more than the state minimum for auto insurance.

By Violation

Keeping a clean driving record means lower premiums. Montana allows drivers to take defensive driving courses to receive a discount on their auto insurance.¹

By Company

Because all carriers have different ways of determining rates, the cost of auto insurance can widely vary by insurance company. USAA, on average, provides Montana residents with the lowest cost for insurance.

By Credit Score

Montana residents with good or excellent credit will pay less for auto insurance.

If you’re interested in the cheapest auto insurance rate in Montana, check out these companies for your specific demographic.

Most auto insurance companies have multiple ways you can save on premiums. Here are some of the most popular ones:

• Go to driving school. The Montana Department of Transportation has a list of approved defensive driver courses² for drivers age 55 and older to get an auto insurance discount. In addition, the state offers a four-hour general defensive driving course anyone may take.
• Get multiple insurance quotes. This helps you compare policies to locate the best one for the best cost for you.
• Take advantage of discounts. Popular discounts include multi-car, multi-policy, good student, low mileage, paperless, automatic bill pay, and safety equipment.
• Increase your deductible. Safe drivers with no claims or traffic accidents might benefit from having a higher auto insurance deductible since they would be less likely to file a claim.

Montana residents are required to have bodily injury liability and property damage liability:

• Bodily injury liability insurance: $25,000 per person
• Bodily injury liability insurance: $50,000 per accident
• Property damage liability coverage: $20,000 per accident

Montana does allow motorists to self-insure instead of buying a policy.³ To do so, the driver must file a $55,000 deposit with the state treasurer for a certificate of deposit for their proof of financial responsibility.

Montana is an at-fault state, meaning whoever caused the accident is responsible for paying all the damages. It also has modified comparative negligence laws, determining payments in personal injury claims. For example, if you’re hurt in an accident, you may receive compensation from the other party only if you were less than 50 percent at fault for the incident. If you are determined to be 55 percent or more responsible for the crash, you cannot get any payments from the other driver.

In Montana, you must file an SR-22 if you meet one of the following criteria:

• Convicted of a DUI
• Caught operating a motor vehicle without insurance
• Have excessive points on your license
• Have a serious traffic violation
• Have child support or other judgments against you

You typically would have to file an SR-22 for three years. After you file your SR-22 form, your license can be reinstated.

For those who live in Big Sky Country, driving along one of the many state highways brings gorgeous scenery and wide-open spaces. Because Montana is an at-fault state, you should insure your vehicles for more than the required minimum for better protection. AutoInsurance.com can assist you in finding the right coverage for you.

AutoInsurance.com has more than 20 years’ experience working with the best insurance companies in the country. We use this proprietary data about carriers and customers relating to the car insurance industry to bring you the best information on how much insuring your car in Montana will cost. We also look at state-specific information, such as minimum coverage, fault systems, and SR-22s, to give you all the data you need to purchase car insurance.