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Montana is known for its wide open spaces, but car accidents and other mishaps can happen anywhere.

Drivers in this state are required to have at least a minimum level of liability auto insurance at all times to comply with the law and to ensure the financial means to pay for at least some of the expenses that may develop from an accident.

Some drivers also choose to purchase additional coverage to take advantage of the additional benefits it can provide.

A closer look at the types of car insurance available in Montana as well as the insurance requirements can help you to determine how much auto coverage you should buy.

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How to Read Car Insurance Requirements

One of the first questions you will need to answer when you start shopping around for new insurance rates in Montana relates to the type of insurance you want to buy.

Many insurance companies will ask if you want to buy the state’s minimum requirements for car insurance or if you are interested in expanding your coverage to include more types of insurance or higher limits.

By learning more about the coverage types available, you can more easily decide which coverage option is right for you.

• Bodily Injury Liability – Montana requires its drivers to purchase at least a minimum amount of bodily injury liability coverage. This type of insurance pays for the healthcare and medical expenses for other people if you cause their injuries.
• Property Damage Liability – Montana also requires its drivers to purchase property damage liability insurance. This coverage type pays for vehicle repairs or for a full replacement if you cause damage to someone else’s property or vehicle. Note that both of these liability coverage options do not pay for any of your own expenses.
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP) / Medical Payments – Some people have health insurance and do not necessarily need PIP, which pays for your own medical bills related to an accident. However, PIP can be used to pay for expenses not covered by your health insurance, so it can be financially beneficial for some Montana drivers to buy. This is optional for drivers in this state.
• Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage – This coverage is also optional for Montana drivers. It pays for your medical bills and vehicle repairs if you collide with an uninsured or underinsured motorist.
• Collision Coverage – If you are involved in a collision only, this type of auto insurance will pay for your car’s repairs or for a full replacement if the car is totaled.
• Comprehensive Coverage – This insurance pays for your car’s repairs or for a full replacement for damage caused by bad weather, criminal activity, an animal hit, and other events.

Both collision and comprehensive insurance are optional for drivers in Montana, but some car loan lenders may require them as a term of your car loan.

For each coverage type you choose, you will also choose a coverage limit. The limit is the maximum amount of money the insurance company will pay for that specific type of auto insurance.

Minimum Coverage for Montana

Montana drivers may face hefty penalties for driving without the minimum amount of car insurance at all times. With this in mind, you need to understand what the state’s insurance requirements are.

Before driving on Montana’s roads, you should ensure that your auto coverage contains these required elements to avoid legal issues:

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

Many drivers will choose to buy more than the minimum required type and amount of coverage.

Others will find that these requirements do not pertain to them. For example, if you drive your vehicle for business purposes, you may need to comply with a different set of auto insurance requirements in this state.

If You Drive Without Insurance in Montana

Driving without auto insurance in Montana can be risky and is illegal. You will have to pay all related expenses out of your own pocket if you are in an accident without insurance. You also may face these penalties:

• A monetary fine
• Imprisonment
• Points added to your driving record
• The suspension of your driver’s license

Minimum Requirement vs. Recommended Coverage

Many drivers who are shopping for auto insurance today are on a tight budget, so you may not be interested in buying more auto insurance than what is absolutely required by the state.

However, there are instances when drivers should consider paying more money for extra coverage and benefits.

Remember that an accident may cost tens of thousands of dollars or more, and any portion of that which is not covered under your car insurance policy is your financial responsibility to pay for out of your own funds.

Buying Car Insurance in Montana

All drivers in Montana need to buy auto insurance to comply with state law, and it makes sense to compare new rates from top providers every six months.

By doing so, you can potentially identify a lower rate on your car insurance, and you can also ensure that all of your auto coverage needs are met.

Requesting quotes for new car coverage online is one of the fastest ways to learn more about rates that may be available to you.

If you plan to buy car insurance in Montana soon, spend time learning more about the top insurance companies. Compare customer reviews and financial ratings online before you make any purchases.

Consider repeating this same process twice per year in order to stay on top of the best auto insurance rates available.

Start the search for auto insurance today by typing your ZIP code into our free comparison tool below.

Auto Insurance Laws / Auto Insurance Quotes

01.12.2017 / Montana / state minimum