In a Nutshell
The average cost of car insurance in Montana varies based on several factors, such as your vehicle, driving history, age and credit score. We’ve researched insurance companies across the state to find some of the lowest-cost minimum-coverage options for drivers with different credit outlooks, ages and driving records.Note from our editor: Maybe you’re searching for car insurance for the first time or want to do some insurance shopping to help lower your monthly premium? This article can serve as a starting point for your car insurance research. There are a lot of factors when it comes to the cost of car insurance, so while you may not see the exact premiums we’ve researched, they can give you an idea of some of the insurers offering the cheapest rates in your state.
Big Sky Country offers countless roads to explore. So it’s best to make sure your ride is protected with the right car insurance.
We estimated car insurance rates from several car insurance companies in Montana to calculate the average cost of insurance and find out which insurers offer the cheapest rates for basic coverage.
Unless otherwise noted, we based our calculations on a relatively neutral driver profile — no accidents, tickets or claims, for example — so we could evenly compare and get a baseline view of insurers’ minimum rates (see our full methodology).
But note that your rates could be higher or lower based on several circumstances that affect car insurance, like your age, vehicle type, mileage and coverage options. That’s why we also calculated rates for a number of different driver profiles — including for people of different ages, with different credit scores and who choose different kinds of insurance. Read on to learn about Montana’s average car insurance rates for basic coverage and our findings for the cheapest options.
- Cost of car insurance in Montana
- 5 cheapest car insurance companies in Montana
- Cheapest state-minimum car insurance in Montana
- Cheapest car insurance for good credit in Montana
- Cheapest car insurance for poor credit in Montana
- Cheapest car insurance for drivers with multiple claims in Montana
- Cheapest car insurance for young drivers in Montana
- Montana auto insurance requirements
- Is usage-based insurance available in Montana?
- FAQs about the cheapest car insurance rates in Montana
- Methodology
Cost of car insurance in Montana
Average monthly premiums for car insurance in Montana range from just over $33 a month up to around $65, depending on type of coverage and driver profile.
Average monthly auto insurance premiums in Montana
| Driver or coverage | Avg. monthly cost |
|---|---|
| State-minimum car insurance in Montana | $33.89 |
| Drivers with poor credit in Montana | $54.31 |
| Drivers with multiple claims in Montana | $64.63 |
| Young drivers in Montana | $52.73 |
5 cheapest car insurance companies in Montana
Here’s what we learned about Montana’s five cheapest car insurance companies. These rates are for basic coverage based on a specific Montana driver profile (check out our methodology), so your rates may vary. Unless otherwise noted, this Montana driver is 36 to 45 years old, has a 680 to 719 credit score, has no tickets or coverage gaps and drives a car worth $20,000 to $30,000.
1. USAA
With USAA, our Montana driver profile could pay just $17.81 monthly for minimum car insurance. To qualify for USAA car insurance, you’ll have a USAA membership, which is open to U.S. military members and their spouses and children. USAA offers all the standard coverage options like collision, comprehensive and liability insurance, as well as discounts for safe driving, having good grades and storing your car in a garage on a military base.
Read reviews of USAA auto insurance2. State Farm
Our Montana driver profile could find a policy from State Farm and pay as low as $20.38 per month for basic car insurance. State Farm provides all the standard coverage options and some extras like rideshare insurance. It also offers several possible discounts, including lots of perks for maintaining a history of safe driving habits.
Read reviews of State Farm auto insurance3. Progressive
With Progressive, our Montana driver could pay as little as $21.98 per month for minimum-coverage car insurance. Progressive offers standard coverage options and extras like loan/lease payoff, rental car reimbursement, rideshare coverage and roadside assistance. Plus, with its Name Your Price tool, drivers can determine the pricing and coverage options that best suit their needs.
Read reviews of Progressive auto insurance4. General Casualty
Our Montana driver profile could pay as little as $22.33 per month for General Casualty’s minimum car insurance coverage. General Casualty is a subsidiary of QBE. This insurer offers bodily injury, property damage, medical payments, physical damage, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and optional coverages like towing and transportation expenses. Plus, QBE reviews your driving record every time you renew your policy, so it pays to be a safe driver.
5. Geico
Finally, our Montana driver profile could pay about $27.88 per month for basic-coverage car insurance with Geico. With Geico, drivers can choose from a wide range of coverage options and possible discounts for safe driving, safety features, and more. In addition, customers can use Geico’s robust mobile app to manage their policies, view ID cards, request roadside assistance and even get an estimate for car damage.
Read reviews of Geico auto insuranceCheapest state-minimum car insurance in Montana
State-minimum insurance is the lowest level of coverage you can carry, as determined by your state. Because the coverage is more basic, it is often one of the cheapest options.
Drivers shopping for state-minimum coverage may find the best deals at these five insurers.
5 cheapest car insurance companies in Montana for state-minimum coverage
| 1 | USAA | $17.81 |
| 2 | State Farm | $20.38 |
| 3 | Progressive | $21.98 |
| 4 | General Casualty | $22.33 |
| 5 | Geico | $27.88 |
Cheapest car insurance for good credit in Montana
Your credit is one factor that insurers look at when determining the cost of your insurance. Generally speaking, drivers with good credit will pay less for coverage than drivers who are considered to have poor credit.
These companies may offer the lowest minimum-coverage insurance rates for Montana drivers with good credit scores.
5 cheapest car insurance companies in Montana for those with good credit
| 1 | USAA | $15.79 |
| 2 | State Farm | $15.83 |
| 3 | Progressive | $16.76 |
| 4 | General Casualty | $20.72 |
| 5 | Geico | $25.26 |
Cheapest car insurance for poor credit in Montana
Conversely, drivers with lower credit scores often pay more for car insurance. But credit isn’t the only thing insurers look at when calculating the cost of insurance. Maintaining a clean driving record is one way to lower your car insurance premium, even with less-than-stellar credit.
According to our study, the following companies have the lowest estimated rates for minimum coverage for drivers considered to have poor credit.
5 cheapest car insurance companies in Montana for those with poor credit
| 1 | General Casualty | $30.25 |
| 2 | Progressive | $33.11 |
| 3 | USAA | $33.74 |
| 4 | Geico | $38.58 |
| 5 | State Farm | $41.63 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with multiple claims in Montana
5 cheapest car insurance companies in Montana for multiple claims
| 1 | General Casualty | $28.00 |
| 2 | State Farm | $34.17 |
| 3 | USAA | $34.77 |
| 4 | Geico | $49.22 |
| 5 | Progressive | $53.77 |
Cheapest car insurance for young drivers in Montana
Insurance companies tend to consider younger drivers riskier (and, therefore, more expensive) to insure. Drivers’ rates should decrease as they age, provided they maintain a relatively safe driving record.
These five companies may have the lowest estimated rates for minimum coverage for young drivers between the ages of 18 and 21.
5 cheapest car insurance companies in Montana for young drivers
| 1 | State Farm | $29.96 |
| 2 | USAA | $30.24 |
| 3 | Progressive | $34.83 |
| 4 | General Casualty | $38.17 |
| 5 | Geico | $39.08 |
Montana auto insurance requirements
Montana law requires $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury insurance, and $20,000 for property damage. If you have a car loan or lease, you may have to carry additional collision or comprehensive coverage.
Is usage-based insurance available in Montana?
Usage-based insurance is a type of vehicle insurance that allows customers to pay premiums based on their driving behavior. In Montana, drivers may be able to save money on their car insurance by enrolling in their insurance company’s UBI program.
FAQs about the cheapest car insurance rates in Montana
Montana is an at-fault state, which means if you’re found to be at fault in an accident, your insurance will be responsible for covering the other driver’s costs for damage and medical care.
One of the best ways to save money on your car insurance is to maintain a clean driving record. Not only will this lower your premium, but you may qualify for additional discounts for remaining accident-free. You could also qualify for discounts by bundling multiple insurance policies, insuring several cars with the same provider, having good grades or taking a defensive driving course.
Driving without car insurance in Montana is considered a misdemeanor and could result in a fine between $250 and $500, or up to 10 days in jail for a first offense. Repeat offenders may face a steeper fine or time in jail and may lose their license for a period of time.
Methodology
This article’s estimated rates are the lowest for basic coverage based on the profile of a driver aged 36 to 45 living in Montana. Unless otherwise noted, the rates displayed assume a single driver on the insurance policy with no tickets on their driving record and no claims or coverage lapses. The vehicle used in this estimate is valued between $20,000 and $30,000 and has annual mileage of 12,000 to 15,000.
Note that the rates are provided every six months by Quadrant Information Services. Quadrant Information Services doesn’t include all insurance companies in its rate data. These are estimated rates meant only to provide a frame of reference and comparison. Your rates may vary depending on a range of factors, such as your age, vehicle driving habits and history.
The average monthly premium for full coverage car insurance includes bodily injury, property damage, uninsured motorist, personal injury protection, collision and comprehensive coverages. The average monthly premium for state-minimum car insurance includes a Montana-mandated 25/50/20 insurance policy.
Estimated rates for insurance for good credit apply to scores of 720 or higher. Estimated rates for insurance for poor credit apply to scores from 350 to 579. Estimated rates for young drivers include those aged 18 to 21. Estimated rates for those with multiple claims are calculated based on two claims.