Average Cost of Car Insurance in Montana for 2023

Drivers in the Big Sky Country tend to pay less for car insurance than individuals in other states. The average cost of car insurance in Montana is $1,375 per year for full coverage policies, about $154 lower than the national average.

Plus, you may be able to save money on your premiums by completing a driving course, signing up for discounts, or enrolling in a usage-based insurance policy.

Key takeaways:

• The average cost of car insurance in Montana is $1,375 per year for full coverage insurance.
• State-minimum liability insurance averages $486 per year.
• Teen drivers cost $4,090 per year on average.

How much does car insurance cost in Montana?

Drivers shopping for car insurance in Montana may be in for a pleasant surprise. The average cost of car insurance is $1,375 per year for full coverage policies that include collision, comprehensive, and liability insurance — about 10% less than the national average. And state-minimum liability insurance averages just $486 per year.

Avg. cost for full coverage	Avg. cost for minimum coverage	Cheapest insurance provider
$1,375/year	$486/year	USAA

Avg. for young drivers	Avg. cost for seniors	Avg. for high-risk drivers
$4,090/year	$1,599/year	$2,184/year

Average cost of car insurance in Montana by provider

Rates, coverage options, and discounts vary by insurance company, so it pays to shop around. Montana residents can choose from various companies, including well-known insurers like GEICO or State Farm.

For those eligible for USAA membership, USAA's average premiums for full coverage and state-minimum coverage are significantly lower than the state average. However, not everyone will qualify for coverage.

After USAA, State Farm is the cheapest for both full coverage and state-minimum liability policies.

Provider	Full coverage	Minimum liability coverage
Farmers	$2,454/year	$731/year
Allstate	$1,636/year	$691/year
GEICO	$1,643/year	$362/year
State Farm	$836/year	$289/year
Progressive	$952/year	$393/year
USAA	$769/year	$174/year

How does credit score affect car insurance rates in Montana?

Although Montana has some restrictions on how insurers can use drivers' credit histories, your credit score can affect how much you pay for insurance. We found that drivers with poor credit — meaning score between 550 and 649 — pay an average of $2,616 per year for insurance, nearly double the state average.

Credit health	Avg. annual premium
Poor (550-649)	$2,616/year
Average (650-699)	$1,945/year
Good (700-749)	$1,734/year
Excellent (750+)	$1,381/year

Average car insurance rates for high-risk drivers in Montana

Whether you get a speeding ticket or run a stop sign and cause an accident, driving violations can impact your car insurance premiums. Drivers involved in at-fault accidents will see their premiums increase by an average of $981 per year, while driving under the influence (DUI) can increase premiums by an average of $1,515 per year.

Violation	Avg. annual premium before violation*	Avg. annual premium after violation	Avg. cost increase
At-fault accident	$1,734/year	$2,356/year	$981
DUI	$1,734/year	$2,890/year	$1,515
Speeding ticket	$1,734/year	$2,115/year	$740

*Assumes clean driving record with good credit

How does age affect car insurance rates in Montana?

Unsurprisingly, teen drivers in Montana pay significantly more for car insurance than other age groups. That's a common issue nationwide since teens have higher incidence rates of serious accidents than other drivers.

Drivers 18 years of age pay an average of $4,633 per year for coverage, more than three times the state average.

Age	Avg. annual premium
18	$4,633/year
25	$1,720/year
30	$1,578/year
40	$1,621/year
60	$1,488/year

Montana car insurance rates by city

If you live in a city, you're in closer proximity to other people — and other drivers — so you're more likely to be involved in accidents. And if you live in an area where property crime is common, you may also be at an increased risk of car theft and have to pay higher rates for car insurance.

Butte has the highest average premiums in Montana at $1,734 per year. Why is it so pricey? According to NeighborhoodScout, Butte has a crime rating of three, meaning that 97% of cities in the U.S. are safer. Residents of Butte are also far more likely to be property crime victims than those living in other parts of the state.

City	Avg. annual full-coverage premium
Billings	$1,685/year
Missoula	$1,581/year
Great Falls	$1,701/year
Bozeman	$1,689/year
Helena	$1,590/year
Butte	$1,734/year

MT's minimum car insurance requirements

Montana requires all drivers to have auto coverage, and your policy must meet the following minimum requirements:

• $25,000 in bodily injury protection for one person
• $50,000 in bodily injury protection for two or more people
• $20,000 in property damage insurance

How to save money on car insurance in Montana

If you're researching ways to save money on your car insurance premiums, these tips may help:

• Complete a driving course: In Montana, drivers that are 55 and older can take a qualifying driving course and get a discount on their policies.
• Call or email your agent: Contact your agent and explain that you're looking for ways to reduce your premiums. You may find that you're eligible for discounts you didn't know about, such as vehicle safety, accident-free, and multi-policy discounts.
• Sign up for usage-based insurance: Usage-based or pay-per-mile policies can be affordable alternatives to traditional car insurance. These policies base your premiums on your actual driving habits and the number of miles you typically drive. You could save money if you drive fewer miles than other drivers and maintain safe speeds. Several insurers in Montana offer pay-per-mile insurance, including Progressive, Root, and State Farm.
• Get quotes from other companies: When it comes to car insurance, doing some extra homework can pay off. Request quotes from multiple insurers to find the best car insurance rates for the coverage you need.

FAQs about car insurance costs in MT