Montana Auto Insurance

Last updated : August 2024

Published By : Direct Auto

Whether you’re driving to work in Billings or driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, affordable auto insurance coverage can help protect you, your loved ones and your vehicle on every Montana adventure. So, take a few minutes to learn about cheap car insurance in Montana, including which coverages are mandatory and which ones are optional.

Montana Car Insurance Laws

Do you have to have car insurance in Montana?

Montana requires its drivers to carry a car insurance policy that at least meets the state’s minimum liability coverage limits. These limits are typically expressed as three numbers representing thousands of dollars. For example, the liability limits in Montana are 25/50/20, as shown below under Montana Minimum Car Insurance Requirements.

Montana Minimum Car Insurance Requirements

Wondering what your insurance policy needs to fulfill Montana’s insurance requirements? Here’s a quick breakdown by coverage type.

Coverages	Is It Required by Law?
Bodily Injury Liability Coverage provides financial protection if you cause an accident that injures another person. It helps pay for their medical expenses and your legal services (if necessary).	Yes. $25,000 bodily injury per person/$50,000 bodily injury per accident.
Property Damage Liability Coverage helps pay to repair or replace other people’s property that is damaged in an accident you cause. It typically involves damage to another vehicle, but it could help pay to repair a house, fence, mailbox and more.	Yes. $20,000 property damage per accident.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage helps pay for your medical bills and related expenses if the other driver has no coverage, insufficient coverage or can’t be identified due to hit and run. In some states, uninsured motorist coverage can also help pay for property damage.	Not required. Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage must be offered, but it can be rejected.
Medical Payments Coverage (Med Pay) helps pay for your medical and related expenses stemming from an accident, regardless of fault.	Not required.
Collision Coverage helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle if you collide with another car, tree, guardrail or another object, regardless of fault.	Not required.¹
Comprehensive Coverage helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it’s damaged by something other than a collision, like fire, floodwaters, falling branches, vandalism or contact with an animal.	Not required.¹

IMPORTANT NOTE: While purchasing minimum liability coverage ensures you satisfy Montana’s laws, it doesn’t protect you or your vehicle in every circumstance. You might need to add additional coverage, like uninsured motorist, comprehensive and collision, to protect yourself and your vehicle more fully.

¹Your lender may require these coverages if you lease or finance your vehicle.

Are there additional coverage options?

For greater peace of mind, Montana drivers may have access to add-on services and other coverages depending on the insurer:

Montana Proof of Financial Responsibility and Penalties

What if I don't meet Montana’s minimum car insurance requirements?

Montana takes a strict stance on vehicle owners who don’t meet insurance requirements. The fines and other penalties for driving without insurance vary depending on the nature of the violation, according to ValuePenguin. However, you could be forced to pay up to $500, face jail time and have your license or registration suspended depending on your circumstances and which offense it is.

Penalties for Driving with a Suspended License in Montana

Driving without a valid license can lead to harsh penalties in Montana. If you’re caught operating a vehicle while suspended, revoked or otherwise unlicensed, the National Conference of State Legislatures reports you could be facing a steep fine and potential jail time depending on your specific circumstances and which offense it is.

SR-22 Insurance in Montana

Some states require high-risk drivers to keep an SR-22 (also known as a certificate of financial responsibility) on file with the state verifying they have purchased auto insurance coverage that satisfies the state’s minimum coverage requirements. Depending on your current state, if you recently moved from out of state or if you’re planning to move out of state soon, you could be required to keep an SR-22 on file if:

You have committed serious driving violations.
You have failed to maintain proper liability coverage or have broken state insurance laws.
You were convicted of a DUI/DWI.

High-Risk Auto Insurance in Montana

Many individuals do not have a perfect driving record, and after a certain number of violations or a serious enough violation, drivers can be considered a major risk to insure. Some insurance companies won’t insure high-risk drivers, but non-standard insurance (another name for high-risk auto insurance) is often available elsewhere to provide financial protection for these drivers.

Where can I find the cheapest car insurance rates in Montana?

Car insurance costs vary depending on a number of factors, including:

The amount and type of coverage you choose
The year, make and model of the vehicle you drive
How much you drive, where you drive and where you live
Your demographics
Your driving record
Your credit history

Other Montana Auto Insurance Resources

*Roadside Assistance is not insurance and is administered through Nation Safe Drivers, Boca Raton, FL. Not all benefits available in all states.

** The “Direct Auto Insurance” brand is used by insurers in the National General Group, Winston-Salem, NC to describe their direct-to-consumer auto insurance programs. Direct Auto Insurance branded policies are produced by Direct General Insurance Agency, Inc. dba “Direct Auto Insurance” and by National General Insurance Marketing Inc.