Montana drivers pay an average of $1,346 per year for full coverage car insurance and $528 for minimum coverage. Keep in mind these rates are based on a 40-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving record, so your actual costs will vary based on your personal details.
Average Cost of Car Insurance in Montana
Updated: August 19, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Depending on driver profile, coverage and location, car insurance costs can be between $528 and $6,650 per year on average in Montana.
With rankings of 15th for minimum coverage and 24th for full coverage, Montana offers some of the most budget-friendly car insurance rates in the nation.
To secure the cheapest car insurance in Montana, start by deciding your coverage requirements, then research various companies before comparing quotes extensively.
Average Car Insurance Cost In Montana
| Full Coverage | $112 | $1,346 |
| Minimum Coverage | $44 | $528 |
*Rates are based on a 40-year-old driver with good credit and a clean record driving a 2012 Toyota Camry LE. Minimum coverage means basic liability required by state law. Full coverage includes 100/300/100 liability limits plus comprehensive and collision with $1,000 deductibles.
Average Montana Car Insurance Cost By Category
Your individual characteristics, geographic location, and vehicle choice all play major roles in determining car insurance costs. Below, you'll find average rates for various driver categories and profiles.
| Young Drivers | $110 | $267 |
| Adult Drivers | $45 | $111 |
| Senior Drivers | $62 | $143 |
| Drivers With An Accident | $62 | $159 |
| Drivers With A DUI | $64 | $170 |
| Drivers With A Speeding Ticket | $51 | $131 |
| Drivers With Bad Credit | $150 | $340 |
| Drivers With Low Income | $96 | $213 |
| Drivers With Newer Cars | $62 | $159 |
| Drivers With Old Cars | $40 | $102 |
*We modified rates based on the same 40-year-old driver profile with these changes: young drivers (16 to 25), adults (26 to 64), seniors (65+), low income (fair credit), bad credit (poor credit), newer cars (2025 Toyota Camry LE), older cars (2007 Toyota Camry LE). Driving violation profiles include only that specific violation.
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Personalized Average Montana Car Insurance Costs
These general driver categories may not match your situation. Our filterable table below lets you see average costs based on your personal details.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
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Coverage Level:100/300/100 Full Cov. w/$1,000 Ded.
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Age Group:Adult Drivers
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Gender:Female
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Credit Alignment:Below Fair
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Driving Record:At Fault Accident ($1000-$1999 Prop Dmg)
| 100/300/100 Full Cov. w/$1,000 Ded. | 419 | 5031 |
*Rates for the age groups are based on the following assumptions: young drivers (16 to 25), adults (26 to 64), seniors (65+).
Average Montana Car Insurance Cost By City
Where you live in Montana makes a big difference in your car insurance costs. Annual rates for full coverage range from $516 in Glen to $1,514 in Zurich. Below you can compare both full and minimum coverage rates for your city and other areas across the state.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
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City:Absarokee
| Full Coverage | $117 | $1,404 |
| Minimum Coverage | $49 | $583 |
*Rates are based on a 40-year-old driver with good credit and a clean record driving a 2012 Toyota Camry LE. Minimum coverage means basic liability required by Montana law. Full coverage includes 100/300/100 liability limits plus comprehensive and collision with $1,000 deductibles.
Is Montana Car Insurance Expensive?
In our 2025 study, Montana shows strong affordability with rankings of 24th for full coverage and 15th for minimum coverage policies, placing it among the more budget-friendly states for car insurance. But these statewide averages only tell part of the story because your specific city's insurance costs can vary significantly from Montana's overall rankings when compared to other locations across the country.
Why Is Car Insurance More Expensive In Montana?
Here's why Montana car insurance remains affordable:
Mandatory Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Montana law requires all auto policies to include uninsured motorist coverage equal to your liability limits, unless specifically rejected in writing. This coverage provides important protection given Montana's rural driving conditions and the potential for accidents with uninsured drivers. The mandatory nature of this coverage adds to base premium costs but provides valuable financial protection.
Severe Weather and Hail Damage
Montana's diverse climate brings severe summer storms with damaging hail, requiring comprehensive coverage for financial protection. The state experiences weather-related insurance claims, with eastern counties seeing some of the highest rates due to frequent hail damage. Hail-related auto claims are more costly to repair than average claims, driving up comprehensive coverage costs.
Tort-Based Insurance System
Montana uses a traditional tort system rather than no-fault insurance, meaning the at-fault driver's insurance covers damages after an accident. This system can result in more complex claims processes and potential rate increases after an at-fault accident. Montana applies a modified comparative negligence standard, where you can only recover damages if you're less than 50% at fault for the accident.
High Wildlife Collision Risk
Montana drivers face a 1 in 77 chance of hitting a deer, higher than surrounding states like Wyoming and Idaho. Montana ranks second in the nation for animal-vehicle collisions, with thousands of claims filed annually. These collisions occur most frequently on rural roads during dawn and dusk hours, particularly between October and December.
Rural Driving Challenges
Montana's rural roads and mountainous terrain increase accident risks, especially during harsh winter conditions with snow, ice and wildlife crossings. Rural areas typically offer lower insurance rates than urban centers, but the vast distances and limited emergency services can complicate claims processing. Montana's geography and weather conditions contribute to higher accident rates compared to more urbanized states.
High DUI Rates and Penalties
A DUI conviction in Montana increases car insurance rates substantially, with penalties including fines and mandatory SR-22 insurance filing. Montana requires SR-22 insurance for license reinstatement after DUI convictions, with ignition interlock devices mandatory for repeat offenders. Montana ranks among states with higher DUI-related risks, making it important for drivers to understand the severe financial consequences.
Low Minimum Coverage Requirements
Montana requires minimum liability coverage of 25/50/20 ($25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, $20,000 for property damage). These minimum limits can be quickly exceeded in serious accidents, as the per-person limit may not cover even a single emergency room visit after a major crash. Property damage limits don't even cover the cost of most new cars today.
Agricultural and Ranching Risks
Montana's agricultural industry creates unique driving hazards, including farm equipment on public roads, livestock crossings and rural road conditions that can affect car safety. These agricultural activities can increase comprehensive claims for car damage from livestock encounters or debris from farming operations. Seasonal agricultural activities also contribute to varying traffic patterns and road conditions throughout the year.
Limited Public Transportation
Montana's vast rural landscape and limited public transportation options mean most residents depend heavily on personal cars for daily transportation. This dependency, combined with long commuting distances in rural areas, increases overall driving exposure and potential claims frequency. The state's sparse population density means fewer repair facilities and longer distances to services, which can increase comprehensive and collision claim costs.
How To Lower Car Insurance Costs In Montana
Want to save even more on those already-low premiums? Here's how to lower your car insurance costs:
- 1
Decide on coverage needs beforehand
Deciding on your coverage needs is important so you're not oversold on too much coverage. Consider your financial situation, driving habits, car details and risk tolerance when making this decision.
- 2
Research costs and discounts
To save money for your profile, know the average costs for your preferred coverage level. Research car insurance discounts you may qualify for and look into the best home and auto insurance bundles for the most balanced perspective.
- 3
Look into company reputations and coverage options
Cost isn't everything. Consider add-on coverage options and customer experiences with different providers to help narrow down which companies you'd like to compare quotes from. Use resources like industry studies, review forums and public forums like Reddit.
- 4
Compare quotes through multiple means
Compare quotes from multiple companies to find the best deal possible. Use different means of getting quotes, such as comparison sites and independent agents, since pricing varies widely by method.
Cost of Car Insurance in Montana: Bottom Line
Montana car insurance costs are among the most affordable in the United States, but smart shopping can still help you save even more. Decide on your coverage needs beforehand, do thorough research and compare quotes from the right insurers.
Cost of Car Insurance in Montana: FAQ
Below we answer common questions about Montana car insurance costs:
How much is Montana car insurance per month?
Per month, Montana car insurance costs $44 for minimum coverage and $112 for full coverage policies. However, rates can range anywhere from $40 to $340 monthly depending on your unique driver profile and coverage choice.
What factors affect Montana car insurance costs?
Primary factors include driving history, age and location. Drivers with accidents, violations or those who are young face higher rates, while urban areas cost more than rural ones. Car type, coverage amounts, credit score and annual mileage also impact premiums, along with factors like gender and marital status in some states.
Why is Montana car insurance so expensive?
Montana operates a tort-based system with modified comparative negligence rules and faces extremely high wildlife collision risks. The state ranks second nationally for animal-vehicle collisions and experiences severe weather including hail damage. DUI convictions increase rates significantly, and Montana requires SR-22 filing for license reinstatement after serious violations.
How expensive is Montana car insurance?
With rankings of 15th for minimum coverage affordability and 24th for full coverage, Montana stands out as one of the more budget-friendly destinations for auto insurance across the U.S.
How We Determined Montana Car Insurance Costs
We used the following profile and modifications of this profile to determine Montana auto insurance costs across all available zip codes and cities in the state:
- 40-years-old
- Clean driving record
- Good credit
- 2012 Toyota Camry LE
Minimum coverage was defined as a state's minimum liability coverage and full coverage is a policy with 100/300/100 liability limits and a $1,000 deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.
sources
- Nolo. "Montana Car Insurance Requirements." Accessed August 29, 2025.