Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Best car insurance in Montana for 2023
The average cost of car insurance in Montana is $1737 for full coverage, according to Bankrate’s 2021 study of quoted annual premiums. In 2021, Montana had more than 1.8 million registered vehicles. Based on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics, 166 people died in traffic accidents in Montana in 2019, including 159 fatalities in rural areas. Alcohol impairment accounted for 36% of Montana’s 2019 fatalities.
Setting out on the open roads of Big Sky Country offers a wealth of cultural and natural adventures. In Virginia City, you can step back in time to learn how early settlers lived or explore the magnificent flora and fauna of Glacier National Park. However, before you hit the road, you need to purchase car insurance. This is the best car insurance in Montana for 2022 for you and your family based on reviews like third-party information, coverage options and average price.
Best car insurance companies in Montana
To find the best car insurance companies in Montana, we use our proprietary Bankrate Score, which we calculate by weighing several different factors for each company and assigning a rating, with five being the highest possible score. We choose the best options based on our knowledge of the insurance industry, rates provided by Quadrant Information Services, coverage options and discounts. We also look at sources that provide in-depth research into the insurance industry, including ratings from marketing research company J.D. Power’s 2021 U.S. Auto Insurance Study for performance in customer service. Based on these factors and more, these are the best car insurance companies for your Montana policy.
| Company insurance | Bankrate Score | Average annual full coverage premium | J.D. Power customer satisfaction score |
|---|---|---|---|
| USAA* | 4.8 | $1,225 | 884/1,000 |
| Geico | 4.6 | $1,405 | 821/1,000 |
| State Farm | 4.4 | $1,457 | 844/1,000 |
| Progressive | 4.1 | $1,509 | 817/1,000 |
| Allstate | 3.6 | $1,921 | 825/1,000 |
*USAA is not officially ranked by J.D. Power due to eligibility restrictions.
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Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Discover the best carrier for you
USAA
USAA is one-stop-shopping for financial products, which we consider a winning hand for military people. USAA’s portfolio includes home and renters insurance, along with checking and savings accounts, home mortgages, investment accounts and retirement plans. Only members of the military and their immediate family members are eligible for insurance coverage and USAA’s other products are designed to cater to military families.
Learn more: USAA Insurance review
Geico
Geico insures almost 28 million vehicles and is the second-largest auto insurance provider in the U.S. It is also accessible to almost everyone in the U.S. as it operates in all fifty states. Additionally, Geico offers all of the standard coverage options, add-ons and a long list of discounts. You can also save with Geico’s multiple bundling options if you need insurance policies for your vehicles and home.
Learn more: Geico Insurance review
State Farm
State Farm continues to operate local agencies, which offers you a dedicated person to contact when you need to file a claim or purchase additional insurance. With the handy State Farm mobile app, you can access your policy information, contact your agent and request roadside assistance.
Learn more: State Farm Insurance review
Progressive
Progressive is another well-known insurance company in the U.S. that provides auto insurance. Progressive has slightly more affordable rates than other insurance companies on our list with its average annual premium for full coverage at $1,419. Progressive also offers the standard auto insurance options, in addition to add-ons and discounts.
Learn more: Progressive Insurance review
Allstate
Allstate is one of the largest auto insurance companies in the U.S. It offers local agents to meet the needs of consumers in each state and area code. Although it sells home, life, and auto insurance, it specializes in auto as the fourth largest auto insurance provider with 9.3% of the market share. Allstate offers all of the basic coverage options and insurers have a long list of add-ons they can choose from, in addition to discounts.
Learn more: Allstate Insurance review
Average car insurance cost in Montana
The average cost of car insurance in Montana is $1,737 per year for full coverage. This is slightly more than the national average of $1,674 per year for full coverage. Montana drivers may or may not pay less than the national average though as your car insurance quote will depend on various personal and geographic factors. For example, if you live in an area with a higher crime rate, you may end up paying slightly more than the average.
State minimum insurance requirements in Montana
All states require car owners to carry minimum amounts of liability insurance. Liability insurance only pays for the bodily injury or property damage of other drivers and their passengers when you are at fault for an accident. In Montana, you must purchase at least:
- $25,000 in bodily injury coverage to pay for medical or death expenses of one person in a single accident.
- $50,000 in bodily injury coverage to pay the medical or death expenses of more than one person in a single accident.
- $20,000 in property damage insurance to pay for property damaged in a single accident.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverages must be offered but can be declined in writing. If you lease or finance your car, your lender will likely require you to purchase comprehensive and collision insurance.
How to get the best car insurance
With all of the car insurance companies out there and the different options offered to each driver, it’s important to find which car insurance company will be the best for you. Finding the best car insurance in Montana will be different for each person because of factors such as these: driving record, age, marital status, credit score, etc, as well as your geographic location. However, these are two things to think about when shopping around for auto insurance in Montana:
- Evaluate your needs: Your unique needs for car insurance help match you to the best provider for car insurance. The price you pay will depend on things like the make and model of your car, your age and whether you have any high-risk or teen drivers in the household that can increase your rate and change your coverage levels. For example, if you have a lower than average credit score, you’ll want to look for car insurance companies that are more lenient about credit history. Additionally, if you have a history of accidents, you’ll want to find an insurance company that provides accident forgiveness.
- Consider state factors: Where you live often plays an enormous role in how much you pay for car insurance. Montana is known for its glaciers and the Rocky Mountains, but if you live in the Western half of the state, you’ll definitely want to consider getting roadside assistance and wheel protection given the added road hazards. However, most car insurance companies have local agents in each area code that can help assist you.
Car insurance discounts in Montana
Car insurance discounts such as these help create some of the cheapest car insurance in Montana:
- Individual: There are many personal discounts that can save you money, such as exclusive savings for seniors, teen drivers, and good students. Some providers like USAA also offer special insurance for military members and veterans.
- Safety: You can save money with your vehicle’s safety features. Features such as anti-lock brakes and an anti-theft device help lower your risk and can earn you extra discounts on your car insurance.
- Payment: Montana drivers can save when you sign up for auto-pay or enroll in paperless billing. You could also benefit from an early signing discount when you renew your policy in advance.
- Safe driver: Many companies will reward you with discounts when you enroll in a telematic program, such as State Farm’s Drive Safe and Save program. Many insurance providers will also reward you with an extra discount when you complete a defensive driving course.
The chart below shows a list of common discounts and which car insurance providers offer them.
| Discount | Allstate | Geico | Progressive | State Farm | USAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-lock brakes | X | X | X | X | |
| Anti-theft devices | X | X | X | X | |
| Automatic payment/paperless billing | X | X | X | ||
| Defensive driving course | X | X | X | X | |
| Early signing | X | X | X | ||
| Full payment | X | X | X | ||
| Good student | X | X | X | X | X |
| Green vehicle | X | ||||
| Loyalty | X | X | |||
| Low annual mileage | X | ||||
| Military | X | X | |||
| Multiple policies | X | X | X | X | X |
| Multiple vehicles | X | X | v | X | X |
| Occupational or organizations | X | X | |||
| Safe driver/accident free | X | X | X | X | X |
| Safety features | X | X | X | X |
Frequently asked questions
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2021 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverages that meet each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2019 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
Bankrate Scores
Bankrate Scores primarily reflect a weighted rank of industry standard ratings for financial strength (AM Best, S&P, Moody’s) and customer experience (J.D. Power, NAIC), in addition to average quoted rates from Quadrant Information Services. The J.D. Power studies utilized include the 2020 Auto Insurance Study and the 2020 Auto Claims Study. Our Bankrate editorial team’s extensive research and analysis provided a secondary assessment of each insurer’s online and mobile resources and policy management options, which also contributed to overall ratings.