The best car insurance in Montana

The average cost of full coverage car insurance in Montana is $1,888, but costs vary widely depending on where in the state you live. Things like your age, credit score and driving history will also affect how much you pay.

Ready to start shopping? Policygenius can help you see rates from top companies so you can compare options and choose the best policy for you.

Cheapest car insurance companies in Montana

Finding an affordable car insurance provider can be tricky. Each car insurance company will use the same factors — vehicle type, driving history, driver age, even credit score — to help determine your rates. But companies all have different methods for crunching the numbers, which is why rates can vary so widely.

Cheapest car insurance companies by age in Montana

A driver's age will also have a big impact on car insurance rates. Younger drivers pay more for insurance because of their inexperience on the road. As they age and gain experience, drivers can expect to see their rates drop each year until they turn 25.

Choosing the right car insurance company in Montana

Choosing the right insurance company may seem complicated, but it comes down to a few key factors. 

• Cost: Companies charge different rates for similar coverage. That's why it's important to shop around and make sure you’re not missing out on better rates.

• Coverage: Higher limits means more protection in case of an accident, so figure out how much coverage you can get while still staying in your budget.

• Customer service: Make sure the company you choose scores well for claims satisfaction ratings, and see if they offer perks like a mobile app for on-the-go claims filing.

If you're ready to start shopping, Policygenius can help you compare quotes from top car insurance companies and choose the coverage that’s right for you.

Car insurance rates for drivers with driving violations in Montana

Driving history is another factor used by car insurance companies to help determine rates and coverage. Insurance companies will review the past 3 to 5 years of a drivers Motor Vehicle Report (MVR). This report is the culmination of a driver's history and records any reports traffic accidents or driving violations.

Insurance companies will note any driving violations as potential risk. These violations can range from failure to stop at a red light to an at-fault accident or even a DUI/DWI violation. How much each of these violations affects your potential rates will vary, but any of them will have negative impacts.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in Montana

A bad credit score can also negatively affect your car insurance rates. Most states, including Montana, allow car insurance companies to use your credit scores as one of many determining factors when setting prices.

Car insurance costs in Montana cities

Car insurance companies consider factors like population density and crime rates when determining insurance rates, which is why costs vary from city to city.. 

Here's how the ten biggest cities in Montana stack up:

• Billings: $1,648

• Missoula: $1,466

• Great Falls: $1,582

• Bozeman: $1,606

• Helena: $1,510

• Kalispell: $1,753

• Butte: $1,652

• Havre: $1,912

• Miles City: $1,852

• Belgrade: $1,607

Buying car insurance in Montana

Montana requires minimums at least $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage and $10,00 property in damage liability coverage. 

Car insurance companies in Montana are required to offer uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to drivers, but drivers aren’t required by law to have it. If drivers want to decline or opt out of this coverage they must do so in writing. 

Montana is also an at-fault state. That means that the insurance company of the driver deemed responsible for an accident must pay for the victim’s medical bills and repairs, up to the limits of the policy.

How to get cheap car insurance in Montana

Car insurance can be expensive, but there are some simple ways to find cheaper coverage.

• Ask about bundling multiple types of insurance, like home and auto 

• Find out what discounts are offered, like paid-in-full discounts or savings for safe drivers

• Reduce coverage on older cars

• Maintain a good credit score or repair low credit

• Take driver’s education courses

• Reshop your insurance yearly to make sure you’re not missing out on better rates

Methodology

Policygenius has analyzed car insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services for every ZIP code in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. For full coverage policies, the following coverage limits were used:

• Bodily injury liability: 50/100

• Property damage liability: $50,000

• Uninsured/underinsured motorist: 50/100

• Comprehensive: $500 deductible

• Collision: $500 deductible

In some cases, additional coverages were added where required by state or insurer.

Rates for overall average rate, rates by ZIP code, and cheapest companies determined using averages for single drivers ages 30, 35, and 45. Our sample vehicle was a 2017 Toyota Camry LE driven 10,000 miles/year.

Rates for driving violations and “Poor” credit determined using average rates for a single male 30-year-old driver with a credit score under 578.

Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.