Average cost of car insurance in Montana for 2024

How much is car insurance in Montana?

Montana car insurance rates are comparatively low, relative to the national annual averages of $2,321 for full coverage and $396 for minimum insurance. You may be able to save further on Montana auto insurance rates if you understand the factors that affect the cost of car insurance. If you’re wondering,“How much is car insurance in Montana per month,” be sure to consider how your age, carrier, type of vehicle, elected coverage amount, driving record and ZIP code play a factor.

Key takeaways

• Drivers in Montana pay an average annual rate of $2,321 for full coverage, which includes collision coverage and comprehensive coverage, while drivers pay an average rate of $396 per year for minimum coverage.
• Montana drivers with excellent credit pay 15 percent less than average per year for full coverage.
• Drivers who have a DUI on their license pay a premium rate that is 58 percent more per year than average in Montana.
• Based on Bankrate's data, Milltown is the cheapest Montana city for car insurance, while Wyola is one of the most expensive.
• The average rate for a 16-year-old driver in Montana is $4,789 annually. By age 60, the average premium rises again to $2,122.

Montana car insurance rates by city

Car insurance rates in Montana can change significantly over a few miles of distance compared to the state average, as indicated in the table below. There are several reasons why your location matters. For example, if you live in a congested urban area where heavy traffic leads to frequent fender-benders and subsequent claims, you may pay more than the state average for your policy. Here are average rates for some of Montana's largest cities:

Average car insurance costs by age and gender in Montana

Age plays a role in determining your annual rate. Younger drivers usually face higher rates, regardless of their driving record, due to their lack of driving experience and correlated higher risk. Fortunately, drivers generally see a considerable drop in their Montana auto insurance rates as they age and gain more driving experience, decreasing until drivers reach about age 70, when the rates begin to increase again. Gender may also play a role in determining rates in many states, including Montana. In the meantime, taking advantage of good student or youth discounts could help lower rates.

The following Montana car insurance rates showcased are grouped by age and gender. Keep in mind that Montana’s ban on insurers’ use of gender as a rating factor was recently overturned in 2021 and went into effect in 2022. The average rates shown below may not show rate differences between male and female drivers in the state, as policies renew at different times and will take time to reflect the overturn.

Cost considerations for young drivers in Montana

Drivers must remain on their parents' policy until they reach the age of 18. Once drivers reach age 18, their rate will vary depending on whether they remain on their parents' policy or purchase their own insurance. The latter has higher rates on average.

How does driving record impact the cost of car insurance in Montana?

The average cost of car insurance in Montana varies greatly depending on your driving history. Having a clean driving record is effectively the best way to see the lowest rates, in most cases. Avoiding tickets and accidents not only helps keep your vehicle insurance premiums lower, but also saves you the cost of the violation itself along with the cost of a potential SR-22 that you may be required to file. Until recently, the state of Montana had no speed limit. But if caught speeding now, Montana drivers may now expect to pay upwards of $70 for a ticket. In addition, Montana drivers with a speeding ticket on their driving record may pay 15 percent more than average for car insurance, based on average quoted premiums. Other incidents affected rates even more, on average.

Here are the average rates for a drivers with one of a variety of convictions on their record:

Car insurance rates in Montana by credit tier

Your car insurance rates in Montana are also impacted by your credit tier. Insurers view drivers with excellent credit as less likely to file future claims based on actuarial data. Someone with poor credit, on the other hand, may pay higher rates because of their higher risk of claims.

Montana car insurance rates by vehicle type

The make and model of your car plays an important role in determining average car insurance cost in Montana. Cars that are more expensive to repair, or which have poor safety records, are likely to cost more than cars that have a high safety rating and can be repaired domestically rather than with imported parts. Here are average car insurance rates for a sampling of common vehicles in Montana:

Estimate your car insurance cost in Montana

It can be challenging to estimate how much you might pay for car insurance because there are so many different factors to consider. Fortunately, Bankrate created the helpful tool below. Enter some basic information and you’ll quickly see a rough estimate of what you might pay for insurance coverage. Keep in mind that this is not an actual insurance quote, but it can help you get a sense of what you might be expected to pay.

How to save on car insurance in Montana

While Montana car insurance rates are lower on average than other states, you can typically earn extra savings in a few ways.

• Driving school: Points from moving violations remain on your record for three years in Montana, potentially affecting your car insurance rates for that period of time or longer. The state does not automatically allow you to attend traffic school in exchange for a points reduction. But you could attend court for the ticket and request traffic school authorization from the judge.
• Shop around for car insurance: Getting multiple car insurance quotes to compare is vital to finding the lowest premiums. Fortunately, nearly every carrier has a short, easy online quoting tool available to help you round up the information you need in just a few minutes.
• Look for discounts: Car insurance companies offer a few discounts to policyholders that could potentially help you save on coverage. These range from college and youth discounts to low-mileage or safety equipment discounts. For younger drivers facing higher rates, this can be particularly helpful.
• Raise your deductible: The deductible on your policy is the amount of money you need to pay after a covered event before your insurance coverage kicks in. As a general rule, the higher your deductible is, the lower your monthly premium is. Remember that you shouldn’t raise your deductible too high if you can’t afford a large lump-sum payment after an accident or other claim.

Frequently asked questions