Cheapest and Best Non-Owner Car Insurance in Montana (2024)


Non-owner car insurance in Montana provides liability coverage for drivers who don't own cars but still benefit from being financially protected on the road. It can be helpful for drivers who frequently borrow someone else's vehicle or require continuous auto insurance coverage. Having non-owner auto insurance may also help drivers with offenses like DUIs get their licenses reinstated after they have been suspended or revoked.

MoneyGeek found that State Farm provides Montana's best and most affordable non-owner auto insurance, striking a balance between costs and customer satisfaction. It also offers the least expensive non-owner auto insurance for Montana drivers with traffic violations on their records.

MoneyGeek Logo IconNon-OwnerCar InsuranceMontana
2024

Why Trust MoneyGeek? MoneyGeek sourced Montana data from Quadrant Information Services and examined customer and claim satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

128Plans Analyzed
 
7Providers Compared

Cheapest Non-Owner Car Insurance in Montana

State Farm offers Montana’s cheapest non-owner auto insurance for both drivers with clean records and drivers with an at-fault accident on their records.

  • Drivers with clean records: State Farm ($21 per month)
  • Drivers with violations: State Farm ($23 per month)

If you have a driving violation as a non-owner, you can anticipate paying slightly more for auto insurance in Montana. The least expensive insurance for a policyholder with a clean driving record is about $2 cheaper per month than the most affordable policy for a driver with a traffic offense on their record.

Cheapest Non-Owner Car Insurance With a Clean Driving Record in Montana

State Farm and Progressive provide Montana drivers with clean driving records with the most affordable non-owner auto insurance policies.

  • State Farm: $21 per month
  • Progressive: $21 per month

USAA provides Montana’s cheapest non-owner auto insurance at about $11 monthly. However, this company is exclusively accessible to veterans, active military personnel and their families.

The average monthly cost for cheap non-owner auto insurance policies in Montana is $21, considerably less than the national average of $43 per month.

State Farm$247$21
Progressive$255$21
GEICO$344$29
Unitrin$500$42
Kemper$500$42
Nationwide$555$46
Farmers$575$48
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MONTANA MINIMUM INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

Montana’s minimum coverage requirements for standard auto insurance also apply to non-owner insurance policies. The state’s mandatory minimum liability limits are as follows:

  • $25,000 for bodily injury liability per person
  • $50,000 for bodily injury liability per accident
  • $20,000 for property damage liability

While minimum coverage insurance is generally more affordable, it may not provide adequate financial protection for your needs. Understanding how much coverage you require is crucial before purchasing a policy.

Cheapest Non-Owner SR-22 Car Insurance in Montana

State Farm and Progressive offer Montana’s cheapest non-owner auto insurance for drivers with infractions requiring an SR-22.

Montana military personnel can purchase low-cost SR-22 insurance through USAA for around $15 monthly.

If you have a severe driving violation on your record, like a DUI or an at-fault accident, you may need to submit an SR-22. These traffic offenses can result in a significant increase in insurance rates. In Montana, cheap non-owner SR-22 insurance is available at an average of $28 monthly, while the national average cost for similar policies is $59 per month.

State Farm$274$23
Progressive$393$33
GEICO$527$44
Nationwide$636$53
Kemper$678$57
Unitrin$678$57
Farmers$825$69
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WHAT IS SR-22 INSURANCE?

You may hear the term "SR-22 car insurance," but this is a misnomer. An SR-22 is not a specific form of insurance and does not provide coverage in and of itself. An SR-22 is a document that an insurer submits to verify that a driver has the minimum insurance coverage that Montana requires, generally for drivers with a history of specific traffic violations or at-fault accidents.

What Is Non-Owner Car Insurance?

Non-owner auto insurance in Montana is liability-only coverage for consumers who drive but don't own a vehicle. These policies don’t cover your injuries or damage to the car you're driving since it lacks comprehensive and collision coverage. Instead, it covers bodily injuries and property damage you may be responsible for in an accident.

Non-owner car insurance might be wise if you frequently drive rental cars, borrow cars from friends or want to prevent a rate increase following an insurance coverage break after selling your vehicle. The table below explores the differences between non-owner and full coverage insurance.

Policy Coverage
Full Coverage
Non-Owner

Liability insurance

Medical payments

Personal injury protection

Uninsured/underinsured motorist

Rental car liability

Average Cost of Non-Owner Car Insurance in Montana

The average cost of non-owner auto insurance in Montana is $32 a month, cheaper than the national average of $43 monthly. Your car insurance premiums are affected by location, but other factors such as age, driving history and your car model make a more significant impact.

Non-Owner Car Insurance Cost Comparison: National vs. State

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National Average Cost

Monthly Premium

$43
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Montana Average Cost

Monthly Premium

$32
On average, non-owner car insurance in Montana is:$11 saved

This is 26% less expensive.

Best Non-Owner Car Insurance in Montana

The top three non-owner auto insurance providers in Montana are:

  • State Farm: MoneyGeek score 68 out of 100 ($21 per month)
  • Progressive: MoneyGeek score 64 out of 100 ($21 per month)
  • GEICO: MoneyGeek score 62 out of 100 ($29 per month)

To determine our rankings, MoneyGeek considered each provider’s relative affordability, customer satisfaction scores from J.D. Power and financial stability ratings from AM Best. Below, we provide an overview of each company to help you choose the ideal insurer for your needs.

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MoneyGeek Top Pick
State Farm

Our top pick, State Farm, has excellent customer satisfaction ratings and offers affordable policies, giving its clients excellent value for less. It also has a wide range of discounts to lower premiums, including deals for good students and good drivers.

State Farm provides standard coverage options like liability, comprehensive and collision insurance. Although it lacks other coverages like accident forgiveness and gap insurance, it does offer some of the most helpful auto insurance add-ons, such as roadside assistance and rental car and/or travel reimbursement.

Read the full State Farm car insurance review.

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Runner-Up
Progressive

Progressive is an excellent option for savings and financial security, but its customer satisfaction ratings could be better. Young drivers may pay higher rates, but the company’s premiums are otherwise reasonable.

While not extensive, its add-on coverage options include roadside assistance, deductible modification, rental car reimbursement, accident forgiveness and more.

Progressive also provides opportunities for savings that lower your auto insurance premiums. These include discounts for having multiple vehicles insured with the company, being a good student, driving safely, paying in full and going paperless.

Read the full Progressive car insurance review.

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Third Place
GEICO

GEICO is a company with robust financial stability and affordable rates. It also provides sizable discounts and exceptional customer service.

GEICO offers low-cost insurance rates for drivers of different profiles. Drivers looking for full coverage and minimum coverage policies, new drivers, teenagers and drivers with poor records will find accessible policies from this insurer.

Like other reputable companies, it provides standard coverages like liability, comprehensive and collision insurance. In addition, GEICO offers add-ons for accident forgiveness, rental car reimbursement and roadside assistance.

Read the full GEICO car insurance review.

Should You Get Non-Owner Car Insurance in Montana?

Non-owner auto insurance is the best option for drivers who don't own a car but frequently rent cars, borrow cars or who wish to avoid having extensive insurance history gaps. It can also be necessary if your driver's license has been suspended or revoked. Below, we explore driving profiles that may benefit from these policies.

Who Should Consider Non-Owner Car Insurance?

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    Car borrowers

    Non-owner auto insurance benefits drivers who borrow cars from friends or family regularly. This coverage can shield you from financial loss in an accident while driving someone else’s car, giving you and your friend peace of mind.

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    Occasional renters

    Non-owner auto insurance is beneficial for drivers who rent vehicles often. These policies offer liability coverage for property damage and bodily injury if you are at fault for an accident. Non-owner coverage will also usually offer more protection than insurance provided by a car rental company.

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    Drivers between cars

    Insurance providers typically charge you higher rates when there has been a gap in your coverage history. Non-owner car insurance is a cost-effective strategy to avoid paying higher insurance rates when you're ready for standard coverage again if you've just sold your car or don't have any plans to drive for a while.

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    License reinstatement seekers

    After a suspension or revocation, drivers who wish to get their driver's license back may need to submit an SR-22 form and obtain non-owner auto insurance to prove they meet the state’s minimum liability requirements.

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ONE-DAY CAR INSURANCE

Watch out for companies that advertise "one-day insurance," which is not a legitimate insurance product in Montana and might even be a scam. We advise obtaining car insurance from your rental car company if you only need coverage for a day or two. There are numerous options for getting short-term auto insurance in Montana.

Frequently Asked Questions About Non-Owner Car Insurance in Montana

We answered your most frequently asked questions about non-owner car insurance in Montana to help you determine the best policy for your needs.

Which company offers the cheapest non-owner car insurance in Montana?
Which companies offer non-owner car insurance with the best mix of quality and affordability in Montana?
How much does non-owner car insurance cost in Montana?

About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.