Best Car Insurance in Montana for 2026

State Farm earns Montana's top MoneyGeek score at 4.8/5 with a $19 per month minimum, while GEICO wins for bad-credit and low-income drivers.

Written by Mark Fitzpatrick

Updated: April 23, 2026

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Key Takeaways

State Farm ranks first in Montana’s MoneyGeek analysis at 4.8/5 with an affordability score of 5/5, leading every major best and cheapest profile: adults ($18 a month), DUI ($21 a month), speeding ($21 a month), accident ($22 a month), young drivers ($36 a month) and seniors ($21 a month).

GEICO wins best for bad-credit drivers at $105 per month and best and cheapest for low-income drivers at $70 per month, making it the alternative choice for Montana drivers in those profiles.

State Farm holds first place across all 10 Montana cities at 4.8/5, with rates ranging from $46 a month in Helena to $55 a month in Great Falls, a narrow range that reflects Montana's uniform low-density risk environment.

HOW MONEYGEEK CHOSE THE BEST CAR INSURANCE IN MONTANA

MoneyGeek analyzed quotes from six Montana insurers across every ZIP code in the state. Montana is an at-fault state with some of the lowest car insurance rates in the country, due to low population density, limited urban congestion and a highway driving pattern that reduces accident frequency compared to more densely populated markets.

Licensed insurance producers paid attention to Montana's at-fault liability system, the state's large geography and sparse population and the fact that credit scoring is permitted here, though the rate differences between credit profiles are smaller than in higher-rate states.

Affordability (60%): rate is the primary driver for most Montana drivers; Montana's low baseline makes affordability differences between insurers proportionally smaller than in most states.
Customer experience (30%): based on J.D. Power scores, NAIC complaint ratios, AM Best ratings and independent agent Google Business ratings.
Coverage options (10%): measures the range of optional coverages offered in Montana.

Best Car Insurance in Montana by Driver Profile

State Farm is the right choice for nearly every Montana driver. It comes out first for both best and cheapest across all standard profiles, with GEICO as the alternative for bad credit and low-income drivers.

State Farm earns Montana’s highest MoneyGeek score at 4.8/5 with an affordability score of 5/5 and takes every standard best and cheapest profile: adults at $18 per month, DUI at $21 per month, speeding at $21 per month, accidents at $22 per month, newer cars at $23 per month, older cars at $16 per month, seniors at $21 per month and young drivers at $36 per month. These rates are among the lowest MoneyGeek found for any insurer in any state and are tied to Montana’s low population density and limited urban congestion.

GEICO earns the best score for bad credit at $105 per month and also ranks best and cheapest for low-income drivers at $70 per month. Montana allows credit-based pricing, and GEICO’s bad-credit rate is the highest-scoring option MoneyGeek found in the state for that profile, though Kemper has a lower non-featured cheapest rate at $96 per month for drivers focused on cost.

Check the cheapest car insurance options in Montana for a complete rate breakdown.


Adult drivers (26-64), clean record	State Farm	$18	$80
Senior drivers (65+)	State Farm	$21	$86
After a speeding ticket	State Farm	$21	$89
After a DUI	State Farm	$21	$89
After an at-fault accident	State Farm	$22	$94
Young drivers (16-25)	State Farm	$36	$150
Low income	GEICO	$70	$154
Bad credit	GEICO	$105	$231

Montana allows credit scoring. GEICO's $105 a month bad-credit minimum is the best-scoring option in the state for that profile. Kemper has the lowest bad-credit rate at $96 a month but with lower scores.

Best Overall and Best for Young Drivers or Those With a Violation

State Farm

State Farm earns the top composite score in Montana at 4.8 out of 5, with an affordability score of 5 out of 5 and a 4.9 customer experience score. At $18 per month for minimum coverage for a clean-record adult, it is the best and cheapest option for that profile. Its pricing extends across every standard profile: DUI ($21 per month), speeding ticket ($21 per month), at-fault accident ($22 per month), newer cars ($23 per month), older cars ($16 per month), senior drivers ($21 per month) and young drivers ($36 per month), all best and cheapest in the state.

Its customer experience score of 4.9 out of 5 places second, behind only Progressive. The local agent network averages 4.6 stars nationally, J.D. Power claims satisfaction results are above the industry average and the NAIC complaint index is near baseline. State Farm offers roadside assistance, rental reimbursement and rideshare coverage.

The rideshare coverage is relevant for drivers working for gig economy platforms in Billings, Missoula or Bozeman, the state’s three largest rideshare markets.

Affordability (60%): 5.00/5
Customer Experience (30%): 4.9/5
Coverage Options (10%): 3.3/5

Don't pick State Farm if you need gap insurance or accident forgiveness. Neither is available. Progressive provides both alongside a diminishing deductible, though its $63 a month minimum runs $45 more a month than State Farm for a clean-record adult. For bad-credit or low-income drivers, GEICO prices those profiles more competitively.

Best Cheap for Drivers With Bad Credit or Low Income

GEICO

For bad-credit drivers, GEICO has the best score at $105 per month and also takes both best and cheapest for low-income drivers at $70 per month. Its pricing for these profiles comes in below most alternatives in the state for drivers managing bad credit or income constraints. Its score of 4.33/5 reflects a balance of competitive affordability and a solid customer experience record for a primarily online carrier.

GEICO places third for customer experience with a score of 4.8/5, behind only Progressive. Its phone-and-online service model is the trade-off compared with State Farm’s local agent network, though its J.D. Power results are above the industry average and its NAIC complaint index is near baseline.

GEICO includes roadside assistance, a vehicle service contract and rental reimbursement. It doesn’t include gap insurance, accident forgiveness or rideshare coverage.

Affordability (60%): 4.3/5
Customer Experience (30%): 4.8/5
Coverage Options (10%): 3.3/5

Don't choose GEICO if you have a clean driving record. State Farm's $18 a month minimum is $12 a month cheaper for that profile and scores higher overall. GEICO's advantage in Montana is specific to bad-credit and low-income pricing.

MONEYGEEK VERDICT

State Farm is the right pick for most Montana drivers, earning the highest composite score at 4.8/5 with a 5/5 affordability rating and sweeping every standard profile on best and cheapest, with some of the lowest rates found in any state.

GEICO is the alternative for bad-credit and low-income profiles, and both of those profiles are less expensive in Montana than in most other states even at the GEICO rate. Montana's rate environment is among the most affordable in the country, so the dollar difference between State Farm and GEICO for standard profiles is smaller here than it would be in a high-rate state.

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Best Car Insurance in Montana by City

State Farm leads all 10 of Montana's most populous cities at 4.8/5, consistent with its state-level result. Rate variation across the state is modest, with Helena at $46 a month and Great Falls at $55 a month, a spread that aligns with Montana's uniformly low-density risk environment.

Unlike states with a major metro that distorts city-level results, Montana's largest cities are all relatively comparable in claim frequency, and the state recommendation holds reliably across cities.


Billings	State Farm	4.8	$54
Missoula	State Farm	4.8	$48
Great Falls	State Farm	4.8	$55
Bozeman	State Farm	4.8	$51
Butte	State Farm	4.8	$51
Helena	State Farm	4.8	$46
Kalispell	State Farm	4.8	$54
Havre	State Farm	4.8	$48
Anaconda-Deer Lodge County	State Farm	4.8	$47
Miles City	State Farm	4.8	$48

Rates vary by ZIP code, and drivers in rural areas may see rates below the city averages shown here.

Summary: Best Car Insurance Providers in Montana

State Farm ranks first in Montana at 4.8/5 with a 5/5 affordability score and rates among the lowest found in any state, followed by GEICO at 4.33/5. The gap between State Farm and the remaining insurers, all at 4.04/5 or below, is one of the widest separations between the first-ranked insurer and the field in this analysis.


State Farm	4.8	$52	2	5
Geico	4.33	$68	3	5
Progressive	4.04	$95	1	2
Farmers	3.95	$95	6	1
Nationwide	3.9	$86	4	4

How to Find the Best Car Insurance in Montana for You

Montana provides some of the lowest car insurance rates in the country, but the right insurer makes a difference. Bad-credit drivers pay roughly six times what clean-record seniors pay, and the best option for each profile differs.

1
Understand Montana's minimum coverage requirements
Montana requires 25/50/20 liability minimums. The state operates under an at-fault system with no personal injury protection (PIP) requirement. To minimize costs, review the cheapest car insurance options in Montana for minimum coverage.
2
Factor in Montana's low rate environment
Montana consistently ranks among the cheapest states for minimum coverage, driven by low population density and limited urban congestion. Even violation-affected profiles in Montana price below what clean-record drivers pay in most states.
3
Consider violations and SR-22 requirements
Montana requires an SR-22 filing after a DUI conviction. State Farm wins every violation profile at $21 per month minimum. If you need an SR-22, review SR-22 insurance in Montana for filing details.
4
Account for credit scoring
Montana permits insurers to use credit scores as a rating factor. GEICO ranks best for bad-credit drivers at $105 a month, while State Farm sweeps clean-record and violation profiles. The rate difference between credit profiles is smaller in Montana than in higher-rate states.
5
Explore bundle savings
Bundle home and auto coverage to reduce your insurance costs. Make sure to review the best home and auto insurance in Montana to compare options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Insurance in Montana

Who has the cheapest car insurance in Montana?

State Farm offers the cheapest minimum coverage for a clean-record adult at $18 per month and also leads DUI profiles at $21 per month. GEICO has the lowest rate for bad credit at $105 per month and takes both best and cheapest for low-income drivers at $70 per month.

What is the average cost of car insurance in Montana?

Montana rates are among the lowest in the country. Drivers can review the average car insurance cost in Montana for a complete breakdown by coverage level and profile.

What car insurance coverage is required in Montana?

Montana requires minimum liability coverage of 25/50/20, meaning $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident and $20,000 in property damage. Montana is an at-fault state and does not require personal injury protection (PIP).

Is Montana a no-fault state?

No. Montana is an at-fault state, meaning the driver who causes an accident is responsible for the resulting damages. There is no PIP requirement, and injured parties must pursue compensation from the at-fault driver's liability coverage.

Does Montana allow credit scoring for car insurance?

Yes. Insurers in Montana can use credit scores when setting rates, which means drivers with lower scores may pay more. GEICO offers the lowest rates for bad-credit drivers at $105 per month, and while credit still affects pricing, the gap between profiles is smaller than in many higher-cost states.

Which insurer has the best customer service in Montana?

Progressive places first in MoneyGeek's Montana customer experience analysis at 5/5, followed by State Farm at 4.9/5 and GEICO at 4.8/5.

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for almost a decade, first with LendingTree and now with MoneyGeek, conducting original research on hundreds of insurance companies and millions of insurance rates for insurance shoppers.

He writes about economics and insurance on MoneyGeek, breaking down complex topics so people can have confidence in their purchase. Like all MoneyGeek analysts, Mark collects and analyzes independent cost and consumer experience data on insurance companies to provide objective recommendations in our content that are independent of any of MoneyGeek's insurance company partnerships.

His insights on products ranging from car, home and renters insurance to health and life insurance have been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among others.

Mark holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He started his career working in financial risk management at State Street before transitioning to the analysis of the personal insurance market. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

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