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The Best Cheap Montana Car Insurance for 2024

Updated
David Chang, ChFC®, CLU®
By: David Chang, ChFC®, CLU®
David Chang, ChFC®, CLU®
David Chang, ChFC®, CLU®
Writer, Consultant

David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® is an award-winning entrepreneur, keynote speaker, author, and consultant. He has over two decades of experience in the wealth management space and has been featured in dozens of news, radio, and podcast programs nationwide. He currently works as Head of IoT for the West Region of a Fortune 200 company. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and currently a Lieutenant Colonel in the California Army National Guard. He is an East-West Graduate Degree Fellow and has an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management.

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Our Insurance Expert

Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures our experts’ opinions aren’t influenced by compensation. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.

Montana law requires that all drivers carry auto insurance. Finding the best car insurance in Montana -- that offers the best coverage affordably -- is not easy. This guide will explain how to find the right Montana auto insurance for every driver.

  • Cheapest for typical drivers: Progressive
  • Cheapest for young drivers: State Farm
  • Cheapest for drivers with prior accidents: State Farm
  • Cheapest for drivers with prior speeding tickets: State Farm
  • Cheapest for minimum coverage: Progressive

Cheapest for typical drivers

The cheapest car insurance in Montana for the typical driver is provided by Progressive. This insurer charges average annual car insurance premiums of $599. This is based on a comparison of premium quotes for male and female drivers, aged 35, with no accidents and who use their vehicles for personal use.

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Other Montana insurers offering cheap policies for drivers with the same profile include:

  • State Farm, which charges annual premiums of $731
  • USAA, which charges annual premiums of $745

Cheapest for young drivers

State Farm is the cheapest Montana auto insurance for young drivers. Policies are typically costlier for new motorists -- the accident risk is higher due to their lack of experience. Average annual premiums for young drivers come in at $1,538 with State Farm. This is based on an 18-year-old new driver.

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Best for bundling coverageState Farm
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5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Other Montana car insurers offering cheap coverage for young drivers include:

  • USAA, which charges annual premiums of $2,096
  • General Casualty Company of Wisconsin, which charges annual premiums of $2,130

Cheapest for drivers with prior accidents

The cheapest car insurance in Montana for drivers with prior accidents is provided by State Farm. Average premiums for a driver with one prior accident are $834. Costs are higher for drivers with an accident history, due to added risk.

Other Montana insurers offering cheap coverage for drivers with an accident history include:

  • Progressive, which charges annual premiums of $954
  • USAA, which charges annual premiums of $982

Cheapest for drivers with prior speeding tickets

State Farm also provides the cheapest car insurance in Montana for drivers with prior speeding tickets. Average premiums for a driver with one speeding ticket come in at $783 from State Farm.

Other Montana auto insurance companies offering cheap car insurance policies for drivers with a ticket history include:

  • Progressive, which charges average annual premiums of $787
  • USAA, which charges average annual premiums of $968

Cheapest for drivers looking for minimum coverage

How much is car insurance in Montana? The cost depends on how much protection drivers want. For drivers who want cheap liability car insurance in Montana, the lowest-cost insurer is Progressive, with average premiums of $127 for liability-only protection.

Some of the other best car insurance companies in Montana for drivers looking for minimum coverage include:

  • USAA, which has average premiums of $144
  • State Farm, which has average premiums of $161

Buying liability-only protection keeps Montana auto insurance costs down. But it is risky to have liability coverage only. Liability car insurance policies only pay for damages the covered driver causes to other motorists. If a driver has liability-only coverage, no personal losses are covered by the insurance. That means insurance provides no coverage for a car after an accident the driver causes. It also won't pay for car theft or other damage, such as hail damage.

Average car insurance cost in Montana compared to the national average

Montana auto insurance is slightly cheaper than the national average. In Montana, the average car insurance premium is $2,843. That is the overall average for motorists of various ages and driving records. By comparison, the national average annual car insurance premium is $2,875.

Average Rate Category Montana National Average
Overall $2,843 $2,875
Young drivers $6,401 $6,087
1 accident on driving record $3,123 $3,226
1 speeding ticket on driving record $2,830 $2,840
Data source: Quadrant data.

Montana auto insurance laws

Under Montana law, motorists stopped for a traffic violation or involvement in a collision are required to show proof of insurance to law enforcement, in addition to driver's license and vehicle registration.

Driving without car insurance in Montana is a misdemeanor for a first-time offender. The penalty for a no-insurance citation is $250 to $500, or up to 10 days in jail for a first offense.

A second offense results in a minimum $350 fine, or 10 days in jail. The driver's license is revoked for 90 days, and the driver gets 5 points added to their driving record. Getting 30 points results in the revocation of the driver's license. A third or subsequent conviction is punishable by a fine of $500, or by imprisonment for not more than six months (or both).

Montana minimum coverage requirements

State law requires that a motor vehicle operated on public roads be insured by a liability insurance policy that meets the Montana minimum car insurance coverage limits:

  • $25,000 in liability coverage per person
  • $50,000 in liability coverage per accident
  • $20,000 in property damage liability coverage

How to get cheap auto insurance in Montana

Auto insurance is an important purchase, but finding cheap car insurance in Montana isn't easy. The best way to find low-cost car insurance is to shop around with multiple insurers and maintain a good driving record. Prices vary between companies, so drivers looking for affordable car insurance in Montana should get quotes from several of the best car insurance companies.

Getting multiple car insurance quotes in Montana isn't the only way to save money. Drivers should also ask about discounts when shopping for cheap auto insurance coverage in Montana. Many insurers provide savings based on bundling different types of insurance policies with one company. Some also provide discounts based on group memberships.

Other things to consider when looking for car insurance in Montana

The Montana Automobile Insurance Plan helps cover drivers unable to obtain auto insurance in the open market. Montana is one of several states that are a part of the Western Association of Automobile Insurance Plans (WAAIP).

Need Homeowners Insurance? Check out The Ascent's guide to the best Montana homeowners insurance.