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Montana is an at-fault (tort) state. Drivers must carry at least 25/50/20 in coverage, and the average full-coverage premium is $2,319 a year, 21% below the national average of $2,922. This guide covers what Montana requires, what drivers pay, the rules on fault, uninsured drivers, penalties, teen drivers and phone use, and how to pay less.
| Minimum coverage | 25/50/20 |
| Fault system | At-fault (tort) |
| Average full coverage | $2,319 a year ($193 a month), 21% below the national average of $2,922 |
| Uninsured drivers | 7.2% (2023), the 47th highest rate of 51 |
| Filing after serious violations | SR-22 |
Montana requires $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 per accident, and $20,000 property damage liability (Montana Code Annotated §61-6-103).
The minimums are a legal floor, not a recommendation. Property damage limits in particular don't go far when a new car can cost more than the limit to replace, and anything above your limits is your personal responsibility. See how limits and deductibles work and every type of coverage explained.
The average full-coverage premium in Montana is $2,319 a year, 21% below the national average of $2,922. That makes Montana the 15th cheapest of 49 (48 states plus D.C.; Alaska and Hawaii aren't in the data) (Experian, "Car Insurance Average Costs by State," published September 9, 2026; full coverage, 12 months to August 2026).
Within Montana, prices still vary a lot by ZIP code, driving record and car, and 7.2% of drivers on Montana roads were uninsured in 2023, so the coverage you choose matters as much as the premium.
Your own price depends on your ZIP code, age, driving record, car and coverage. Try our car insurance calculator with Montana preselected for a personal estimate, and see what determines your car insurance cost.
Montana uses modified comparative fault with a 51% bar: your damages are reduced by your share of the blame, and you recover nothing if you are more than 50% at fault. (Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer, "Contributory Negligence/Comparative Fault Laws in All 50 States," updated June 10, 2026)
An estimated 7.2% of Montana drivers were uninsured in 2023, the 47th highest rate among the 50 states and D.C. (Insurance Research Council, uninsured motorist estimates for 2023, via Insurance Information Institute "Facts + Statistics: Uninsured motorists"). Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects you when one of them hits you. See coverage types.
Every Montana vehicle must carry liability insurance, and you must be able to show proof when asked. (Montana Code Annotated §61-6-301)
A first conviction for driving without insurance carries a fine of $250 to $500. A second conviction carries a $350 fine, and a third or later conviction a $500 fine, up to 10 days in jail, or both. After a second or later conviction, the vehicle's registration is restricted for 90 days (180 days after a third). (Montana Code Annotated §61-6-304)
A conviction for driving uninsured also follows you into your next policy. In CarInsurance.com's rate analysis, it raised the average full-coverage premium in Montana from $2,193 to $2,696 a year, an increase of 23% (CarInsurance.com, "Penalty for driving without insurance in every state," updated March 24, 2026; rate analysis).
Beyond the penalties, driving uninsured leaves you personally liable for any damage you cause. See what happens if you drive without car insurance.
Montana uses the SR-22 for drivers who must prove future financial responsibility, typically after certain suspensions.
Montana uses graduated driver licensing (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, "Graduated licensing laws" table):
Adding a teen is usually the biggest single increase in a family's premium. Keeping them on the family policy, a good-student discount and a safe, modest car help most.
A distracted-driving ticket can count against your record and your premium. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, "Electronic device laws" table)
See how to compare car insurance quotes, or get quotes for your ZIP code.
For questions about a policy, a claim or an insurer's conduct, contact the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance. It handles consumer questions and complaints about insurers in Montana.
AutoInsuranceQuery editorial team. Last reviewed: September 29, 2026.
