Montana Auto Insurance

Auto insurance in Montana

The law requires that all drivers have a valid insurance policy, which serves the purpose of helping them stay protected in case of accidents. Whether the vehicle is used for personal or professional purposes, having adequate insurance is a must. If the driver does not have insurance, he/she is liable to pay fines of up to $1,000. It is also possible that the driving documents, meaning the driver's license and vehicle registration, are suspended for up to six months. If you are looking to discover more information on the topic of auto insurance in Montana, all you have to do is keep on reading this article.

What type of car insurance do you legally need in Montana?

According to the Mandatory Liability Insurance Act, all Montana residents who operate a moving vehicle must have a liability insurance policy. Should this mandatory insurance be absent, the associated vehicle registration might be suspended for several months or more. There is also an online insurance verification system, which can be used to determine whether a vehicle is insured or not.

For a resident to operate a vehicle in the state of Montana, the associated car insurance must comply with specific guidelines. These might include the following: bodily injury liability ($50,000 per accident and $25,000 per person), property damage liability ($20,000 per accident), and uninsured motorist bodily injury ($50,000 per accident and $25,000 per person). It is worth mentioning get the full coverage insurance is superior to the minimum liability coverage, especially since drivers can opt for additional coverage, such as comprehensive and collision insurance. Specialists advise drivers on choosing a high coverage limit, in contrast to the one required by law in Montana. In this way, they will be protected should the worst-case scenario occur.

The sums mentioned above refer to the amount insurance providers are able to pay, should you be involved in an accident for which you are at fault. According to the current laws, all drivers should carry a copy of their insurance policy while driving. Of course, driving without a valid insurance policy is illegal in the state of Montana. Consequences include, as previously stated, legal fines and the suspension of one's driving documents. If the driver continues to operate the vehicle without insurance, jail time might be enforced through legal means.

Average cost of auto insurance in Montana

How much does car insurance cost in MT? The state minimum auto insurance policy in Montana has a value of $399. However, a full coverage insurance policy has an average value of $1,534. Collision and comprehensive insurance are not always included in the general policy, which means you have to pay extra for them. Among the factors that influence the overall insurance rates, there are: type of vehicle, presence of prior insurance, number of miles driven, location, driving record, age, gender, and marital status. It is recommended to select an insurance policy that offers the best possible coverage, not necessarily the one with the lowest value.

It is worth mentioning that the average cost of auto insurance differs from one state to the other. This is true for both the minimum coverage and the full insurance, especially if you add options, such as comprehensive and collision. The factors influencing these values include: weather-related accidents, at-fault accidents, number of drivers versus the general population, uninsured drivers in the respective location, and road conditions.

Montana has a lower rate for the average car insurance than the national median, which is around $1,770. Among the states with the highest rates, there are: California, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, Nevada, New York, and Pennsylvania. As for the ones with the most affordable auto insurance rates, these include: Maine, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin. The most expensive auto insurance is found in New York, with $2,996 for the full coverage and $1,339 for the minimum version. On the other hand, Maine is the most affordable, with $876 for the full coverage and $227 for the minimum one.

Within the state of Montana, you might also find differences between various cities. Missoula has some of the most affordable insurance policies, while Billings stands at the top of the list in terms of cost. The average annual premiums are as follows: Missoula - $1,524; Helena - $1,543; Great Falls - $1,665; Bozeman - $1,666; Billings - $1,737.

The age of the driver represents one of the chief factors considered when calculating the value of auto insurance. Typically, young drivers pay more for this type of insurance, as providers see them as less responsible than adults. For instance, a teenage driver with pay and annual premium of over $7,700, while a middle-aged driver will be accustomed to paying a premium close to $2,000. There are also differences between genders worth mentioning, with men benefiting from more affordable rates than women. Married couples often enjoy the most affordable coverages, in contrast to those who are divorced, widowed, or single.

Another factor considered is the driver's credit history. A driver with an exceptional credit can save important sums on his/her insurance premium, while someone with a poor credit history will struggle to meet the high rates offered. Prior driving offences, including DUI/DWI, at-fault accidents, speeding, reckless driving, will lead to higher rates to be paid as well. Vehicle owners are accustomed to the insurance rates varying in accordance with the type of coverage. They are also aware of the fact that they can add both comprehensive and collision insurance to the state minimum policy, in order to increase the level of protection they benefit from.

Did not find your city or county on the list? Please use our auto insurance companies search box at the top to locate all the best auto insurance quotes in Montana. Find car insurance in Montana by city, zip code or county name.

Finding the right auto insurance in Montana

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