Average Cost of Car Insurance in Montana in 2026

By Coverage Level

The average cost of auto insurance in Montana is $2,397 annually for full coverage. This is comparable to the national average cost of full coverage. Minimum coverage in Montana costs $533 on average, which is more affordable than many other states.

More coverage translates into higher premiums, but it’s usually wise to buy more than the state minimum for auto insurance to ensure you are protected financially after a serious accident.

By Company

Because carriers use different methods to determine rates, the cost of auto insurance can vary widely by company. On average, USAA provides Montana residents with the lowest cost for insurance, but it’s only available to military-affiliated drivers. State Farm has the next-cheapest rates at $1,536 annually.

By Age

Montana teens pay more than any other age group, which is standard given their lack of experience. The average annual premium for 16-year-olds is $5,199, which is 117 percent more than the average rate for drivers in their 30s. 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 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 — Billings has the most expensive rates, on average, while Missoula has the cheapest.

By Violation

Keeping a clean driving record means lower premiums. However, if you do commit a traffic violation, your rates will likely increase. In Montana, a DUI can increase your annual premiums to over $3,900 per year.

If you’re interested in the cheapest auto insurance in Montana, check out these companies for your specific demographic. USAA and State Farm lead most categories.

*After USAA

Most auto insurance companies have multiple ways you can save on premiums. Try maximizing these strategies to lower your bill:

• Take a defensive driving course. The Montana Department of Transportation has a list of approved defensive driver courses for drivers age 55 and older to get an auto insurance discount.² In addition, the state offers a four-hour general defensive driving course anyone may take.
• Get multiple insurance quotes. Shopping around is the single most effective way to lower your rate. Each insurer weighs risk differently, so comparing at least three quotes allows you 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 deductibles. Safe drivers with no claims or traffic accidents might benefit from having higher auto insurance deductibles for comprehensive and collision coverage. This lowers your monthly premium, but remember you will have to pay more out of pocket if you do need to file a claim.

Montana residents are required to have bodily injury liability and property damage liability with at least the following limits:

• Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
• Property damage liability: $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. The state operates under modified comparative negligence laws, which determine eligibility for 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 51 percent at fault for the incident. If you are determined to be 51 percent or more responsible for the crash, you cannot get any payments from the other driver.

In Montana, you must file an SR-22 form with the state to prove you carry the minimum required liability insurance 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.

On average, Montana drivers can expect to pay rates that align with the national average for both full coverage, with cheaper rates for minimum coverage. Teens and drivers with a poor credit score can expect some of the highest rates in the state. State Farm and USAA have some of the cheapest rates, on average.

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: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
• Comprehensive and collision: $500 deductible