Montana Car Insurance Requirements

Montana Minimum Car Insurance Requirements

As is the case with most states, Montana requires all drivers to carry liability insurance. Failure to do so can result in you facing some pretty hefty penalties. The mandatory minimum liability insurance for the state of Montana is as follows:

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

Keep in mind that if you are leasing your vehicle or have an auto loan, your leasing company or lender may require you to carry additional car insurance.

Montana Liability Coverage

Liability insurance is the only type of car insurance required in the state of Montana. It pays for injuries and damage that you cause to another driver if you are found to be responsible for an accident. Keep in mind that liability insurance will never cover your expenses. It is reserved for any driver you hurt in an accident you caused.

Car Insurance Limits in Montana

Limits are the maximum amount of money your insurance company will pay out in a filed claim. These also refer to the state-mandated minimums every driver much carry. In the state of Montana, those limits are 25/50/25. Liability insurance is usually presented as three numbers because each one focuses on a different aspect of coverage. What those categories exactly cover is explored below.

Bodily injury per person is the maximum amount of money your insurer will pay for one person’s injuries you caused in an accident.
Bodily injury per accident is how much your insurer will pay for all injuries you cause in an accident.
Property damage per accident is the amount your insurance company will pay for the property you damage in an accident.

Is Montana’s Mandatory Insurance Minimums Enough Coverage?

The mandatory liability insurance minimums for Montana are pretty average when compared to other states. However, average does not equal good. It is highly recommended that you increase coverage limits and consider policy add-ons when shopping for car insurance. If you put all hope in the required minimum amount, you could be leaving your finances in a vulnerable position. For example, if the other driver’s car ends up totaled in an accident you caused, $20,000 may not fully cover the cost of a new vehicle. Anything that is left over will end up coming back to you. Keep this in mind while shopping for car insurance.

Driving Without Insurance in Montana

Choosing to drive without insurance in the state of Montana can come with some pretty harsh consequences. The chart below outlines what you could be facing should you choose to drive without proof of insurance in Montana.

Consequences	1st Offense	2nd Offense	3rd Offense
Fines	$250-$500	$350	$500
Jail Time	Up to 10 days	Up to 10 days	Up to 10 days
Revoked Registration	N/A	90 days	180 days

On top of all the penalties outlined above, you will also have to maintain an SR22 certificate for 3 years. If you obtain more than three driving without insurance convictions, you could be facing 6 months in prison, more fines, and your licenses being suspended until you show proof of insurance. There is also the danger of points being added to your driving record.

Additional Types of Car Insurance in Montana

Since Montana only requires liability insurance, it would be in your best interest to utilize policy add-ons. Listed below are some common types of car insurance you can purchase in order to strengthen your coverage.

Collision: This covers any damage to your vehicle after an accident with another vehicle.
Comprehensive: Comprehensive coverage offers assistance after your vehicle sustained damage from a non-collision peril like theft or extreme weather.
Medical Payments: This coverage pays for medical expenses you and your passenger(s) accumulate after an accident.
Roadside Assistance: If your car breaks down, roadside assistance can help repair it to get you back up and running. Some mechanical issues it covers include a dead car battery and flat tires.
Gap Coverage: If your car was totaled before you could pay off your auto loan, gap coverage could help cover the difference between your vehicle's actual cash value and the remaining amount on your loan.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage: Despite car insurance being mandatory, many people hit the road without it. If you find yourself in an accident with such a driver, any expenses you accumulate can be covered by uninsured motorist insurance.

Car Insurance is Important For Any Montana Driver

Obtaining an auto insurance policy in Montana is not only required by law but also a very smart step to take to protect you and your assets. Accidents cannot be predicted, but they can be prepared for. Car insurance is your best way of going about that. Collisions can be very costly, and anything insurance cannot cover will more likely than not come back to you. You do not want to put yourself in such a position. It is best to really analyze insurance policies and find one that best fits you. One day, you may be thankful you did.

*This product may not be available in every state, please call an agent for more information.

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