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Montana Car Insurance Requirements

Last updated: 2026 · Data reflects current state minimums and industry averages.

Minimum Liability

25/50/20

Avg. Annual Premium

$1,310

Avg. Monthly

$109

Uninsured Drivers

13.7%

PIP Required

No

Minimum Coverage Requirements

Montana requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance of 25/50/20 — meaning $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $20,000 for property damage.

Average Car Insurance Costs in Montana

Drivers in Montana typically pay approximately $1,310 per year ($109/month) for car insurance, based on 2026 industry average data.

Car Insurance Rates by City in Montana

City Est. Annual Premium
Billings$1,390/yr
Missoula$1,290/yr
Great Falls$1,240/yr
Bozeman$1,310/yr
Helena$1,260/yr
Kalispell$1,280/yr

State Regulations and Key Rules

Montana is an at-fault state. Uninsured motorist coverage must be offered but is not required. Montana's vast rural areas and extreme weather conditions, including heavy snow, influence insurance costs.

What Makes Montana Unique

Montana's open roads and wildlife crossings create significant risk for deer and elk collisions. Comprehensive coverage is particularly valuable for drivers in rural areas of the state.

Uninsured Drivers in Montana

Approximately 13.7% of drivers in Montana are estimated to be uninsured.

Risk Factors Specific to Montana

Elk and deer collisions are a major hazard on Montana highways, particularly at dawn and dusk. Mountain passes close seasonally and ice is a serious year-round hazard at elevation. Wildfire smoke affects visibility during summer months in western Montana.

What Montana’s Minimum Actually Covers

Montana’s minimum is 25/50/20: $25,000 per injured person, $50,000 total per accident for injuries, and $20,000 for property damage. With new vehicles averaging roughly $50,000, the $20,000 property damage limit would leave about $30,000 unpaid if you totaled an average new car — and that gap becomes your personal debt.

No-Fault, PIP, and Required Add-Ons in Montana

Uninsured motorist coverage isn’t mandatory in Montana, though insurers generally must offer it and you may have to reject it in writing.

How Montana Compares: Uninsured Drivers and Price

An estimated 13.7% of Montana drivers are uninsured — roughly 1 in 7 — a middle-of-the-pack uninsured rate. At that rate, uninsured motorist coverage is one of the most valuable add-ons you can buy.

Our average premium estimate of $1,310 a year puts Montana below the national middle in our 50-state estimates (median $1,395).

How to Save on Car Insurance in Montana

Montana's rural character means low-mileage discounts are often available for drivers who don't commute long distances. Comprehensive coverage for wildlife collisions is strongly recommended — elk and deer collisions are frequent and can total a vehicle. Regional Montana insurers often offer competitive rates.

  • Montana's minimum liability requirement of 25/50/20 is the legal floor, not a safe target — since PIP isn't required in Montana, a separate medical payments (MedPay) add-on is worth pricing out.
  • With an estimated 13.7% of Montana drivers uninsured, carrying uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage above the state minimum is one of the highest-value add-ons you can buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum car insurance in Montana?

25/50/20: $25,000 of bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 per accident, and $20,000 of property damage liability.

Is Montana a no-fault state?

No. Montana is an at-fault state, so the driver who causes an accident is responsible for the resulting injuries and damage, usually through their liability insurance.

How many drivers are uninsured in Montana?

An estimated 13.7% of Montana drivers are uninsured, roughly 1 in 7.

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The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and reflects estimated industry averages and state requirements as of 2026. Insurance regulations and rates change periodically; always verify current requirements with your state's department of insurance or a licensed insurance professional before making coverage decisions. City-level and statewide premiums shown are approximations — individual rates will vary based on personal factors.