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Last updated: May 8, 2025

Average Cost of Car Insurance in Montana in 2025

Montana drivers can expect to pay a little less than the nationwide average for auto insurance.

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Car insurance in Montana costs less than the national average for both full and minimum coverage. With more than 150,446 miles of public roads, including those winding through Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park, Montana residents have plenty of places to drive. Learn more about how much you might pay for car insurance, plus how to lower your premium.

Average Cost of Car Insurance in Montana

The average cost of auto insurance in Montana is $1,992 annually for full coverage. This is around 17 percent less than the national average cost of full coverage ($2,399). Minimum coverage in Montana costs $528 on average, cheaper than the national average of $635.

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 five Montana cities.

CityAverage annual rate for car insurance
Billings$1,630
Great Falls$1,570
Bozeman$1,546
Helena$1,467
Missoula$1,499

By Age

Montana teens pay some of the highest premiums in the country, with the average teenager paying $5,659 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.

AgeAverage annual rate for car insurance
16$6,619
17$6,634
18$6,375
19$4,300
20$3,709
25$2,787
Adults$1,992
Seniors$1,772

By Coverage Level

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

Coverage levelAverage annual rate for car insurance
Full$1,992
Minimum$528

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

Driving recordAverage annual rate for car insurance
At-fault accident$2,780
DUI conviction$3,266
Speeding ticket$2,350

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.

CompanyFull coverage averageMinimum coverage average
USAA $1,084$218
State Farm$1,139$245
Progressive$1,890$609
GEICO$1,957$426
Farmers$3,130$856
Allstate$2,650$899

By Credit Score

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

Credit scoreAverage annual rate for car insurance
Excellent$1,874
Good$2,236
Fair$2,562
Poor$3,967

TIP:

You can improve your credit score by paying your bills on time and keeping your credit card balances low.

Cheapest Car Insurance in Montana

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

DemographicCheapest Insurance CompanyAnnual rate
Minimum coverageUSAA$218
Full coverageUSAA$1,084
Poor creditUSAA$2,030
Speeding ticketState Farm$1,207
AccidentState Farm$1,333
DUIState Farm$1,679
TeensUSAA$3,353

OUR PICKS:

USAA and State Farm are two of our top picks for auto insurance in Montana.

How to Save on Car Insurance in Montana

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.

Minimum Car Insurance in Montana

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.

FYI:

With around 9 percent of Montana drivers uninsured, you should consider adding underinsured/uninsured coverage to your policy.

Fault Law in Montana

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.

SR-22s

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.

Recap

On average, Montana drivers can expect to pay slightly less than the national average for both full and minimum coverage. Teens and drivers with a poor credit score can expect some of the highest rates in the state, with policies averaging at $5,659 and $3,233, respectively. Helena and Missoula have some of the cheapest average rates in the state, Billings has some of the most expensive.

Methodology

We analyzed average auto insurance premiums in Montana for full and minimum coverage. We also analyzed the average auto insurance cost for different driver profiles, including good drivers, those with DUIs, accidents, low credit, and teenagers. Full coverage averages use the following limits:

  • Bodily injury liability: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
  • Property damage liability: $50,000 per accident
  • Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident
  • Comprehensive and collision: $500 deductible

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if you get pulled over without insurance in Montana?

Montana law mandates you have proof of auto insurance in your vehicle at all times. You must show this proof to any law enforcement officer who asks for it. If caught driving without car insurance, you face a misdemeanor. For a first offense, you could be fined between $250 and $500 or face up to 10 days in jail.

Is personal injury protection required in Montana?

No. Montana does not require drivers to have personal injury protection (PIP) coverage on their car insurance policy. PIP covers any medical expenses or lost wages because of an auto accident.

Do you need a police report to file an insurance claim in Montana?

No. Montana law does not require you to file a police report to put in an insurance claim on an auto accident. However, you must report a car accident if anyone involved is injured or killed or there is $1,000 or more in property damage.

What is diminished value in Montana?

Diminished value means the loss in market value when a vehicle is wrecked and then repaired. A person should not pay the same for a repaired car with an accident history as they would for a vehicle without accidents.

Sarah Hamaker Bio Pic
Written by:Sarah Hamaker
Writer
As a freelance journalist with more than two decades of experience, Sarah Hamaker has covered auto insurance, restaurant and convenience store industries, women in real estate, staffing/HR issues, parenting topics, and more. Sarah’s articles have appeared in a variety of publications and websites, including the Washington Post, NACS Magazine, and CREW Network. She has a bachelor’s degree in communications with a journalism emphasis and a Master of Arts in language and linguistics from Marymount University.

Citations

  1. Auto Insurance. Troy Downing CSI. (2024).
    https://csimt.gov/your-insurance/auto/

  2. Driving courses certified for the 55+ auto insurance discount as per MCA 33-16-222. Montana Department of Transportation. (2021, Nov 29).
    https://csimt.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/55-Certified-Courses-2021-1.pdf

  3. INTRODUCTION TO MOTOR VEHICLE LIABILITY INSURANCE LAWS. Montana Legislative Services. (2009, Sep).
    https://leg.mt.gov/content/Committees/Interim/2009_2010/Revenue_and_Transportation/Meeting_Documents/Sept%2017&18%202009/MVLIBACKGROUND_09SEPT.pdf