INSURANCE - CAR INSURANCE

Best Car Insurance in Montana for 2024

Updated April 12, 2024
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USAA generally has the cheapest car insurance in Montana.

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With beautiful scenery and historic sites, Montana has much to explore along its almost 75,000 miles of public roads. Thankfully, the best car insurance in Montana is affordable, making a road trip through Big Sky Country an easy decision.

In this article

Key takeaways

  • The best car insurance in Montana is USAA, which costs $769 per year for comprehensive coverage.
  • In Montana, drivers with a clean driving record pay an average of $114 monthly.
  • Butte drivers pay the most in the state, with a yearly average of $1,734.

Best car insurance companies in Montana

The best car insurance in Montana is generally USAA, which costs an annual average of $769 for full coverage and $174 for minimum coverage. Farmers has the most expensive coverage in Montana by far, costing a yearly average of $2,454 for full coverage and $731 for minimum coverage.

Provider J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating Estimated annual full coverage Estimated annual minimum liability coverage
USAA 875/1,000 $769/year $174/year
State Farm 821/1,000 $836/year $289/year
Progressive 807/1,000 $952/year $393/year
GEICO 797/1,000 $1,643/year $362/year
Farmers 796/1,000 $2,454/year $731/year
Allstate 783/1,000 $1,636/year $691/year

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USAA: Highest customer satisfaction

USAA earned the highest customer satisfaction scores in Montana, 875 out of 1,000. However, its policies are only available to military members and their families. If you qualify, USAA’s pricUSAA’s hard to beat; its full coverage averages $769 a year, and its minimum coverage is just $174 yearly.

Pros
  • USAA has multiple discounts, including up to 15% savings for garaging your car on base
  • It offers the best pricing in Montana if you qualify
Cons
  • Only current and former military members can apply for USAA policies
  • You may find more optional or add-on policies with a competitor

Get a quote now | USAA review

State Farm: Most affordable coverage

State Farm’s full and minimum car insurance is the cheapest available to everyone in Montana. State Farm earned the second-highest customer satisfaction score in the state, behind USAA. It offers standard coverages like collision and comprehensive and some specialty policies like rideshare coverage.

Pros
  • State Farm offers multiple discounts, including up to 25% for new drivers
  • It had the best pricing and customer service scores available to the general public
Cons
  • You may find more specialty policy options like gap insurance with a competitor
  • State Farm requires that you work with an agent to complete a quote and start a policy

Get a quote now | State Farm review

Progressive: Best for lowest deductible

Progressive is a more expensive option in Montana, averaging $952 annually for full coverage and $393 per year for minimum coverage. Its disappearing deductible program can also help safe drivers lower their deductible by $50 every six months they drive without an accident.

Pros
  • Progressive earned relatively high customer satisfaction scores in Montana
  • It has multiple policy options, including loan/lease payoff coverage
Cons
  • Progressive’s minimum coverage was the second most expensive in the state
  • You can likely find cheaper full coverage with a competitor

Get a quote now | Progressive review

GEICO: Best for drivers with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit (generally considered credit scores below 670) tend to pay more for car insurance than drivers with higher credit scores. Although GEICO was a more expensive option for good drivers in Montana, it may offer better rates to those with bad credit than some competitors. While GEICO has many policy options and discounts, it earned below-average customer service scores.

Pros
  • GEICO has multiple policy options, including rental reimbursement and mechanical breakdown coverage
  • Its minimum insurance costs less than both Progressive and Farmers
Cons
  • GEICO earned lower-than-average customer service scores
  • Its full coverage was the second most expensive option in Montana

Get a quote now | GEICO review

Allstate: BAllstate’sw cars

Drivers with a new car may find Allstate’s new car replacement, repair provision coverage, and gap insurance policies helpful if they’re in an accident involving the new car. However, it earned the lowest customer service scores on our list and was one of the more expensive carriers.

Pros
  • Allstate has extensive policies, including some options not found with competitors
Cons
  • You may find more discount options with a competitor
  • Allstate earned the lowest customer satisfaction scores on our list

Get a quote now | Allstate review

Montana auto insurance requirements

Most states require drivers to carry a minimum amount of insurance to drive legally. In Montana, those minimums are:

  • $25,000 in bodily injury liability for one person in an accident
  • $50,000 in bodily injury liability for two or more people in an accident
  • $20,000 in property damage liability

How to choose a car insurance provider in Montana

Finding a new car insurance provider takes some research, but keeping a few things in mind can help:

  • Compare quotes: Get pricing from at least three companies. Before signing up, double-check that the coverage options and limits are comparable to what you currently have and that you get every discount you qualify for.
  • Check financial ratings: Research a company's ability to pay claims on a website like Standard & Poor’s or AM Best. Confirm that a company is licensed to do business in Montana by checking the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance or the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
  • Read reviews: Check review websites like the Better Business Bureau to see what problems existing customers are having with the carrier and how the company solves the problem. Ask friends and family for recommendations, especially if you just moved to the area.

How much does car insurance cost in Montana?

The average cost of car insurance in Montana is $1,375 per year for full coverage. Minimum insurance in Montana costs an average of $486.

Drivers in Butte tend to pay the most for car insurance, averaging $1,734. Missoula drivers, home to the University of Montana, pay an annual average of $1,581.

Montana car insurance rates by city

The crime rate where you live influences what you pay for car insurance. According to the analytics website NeighborhoodScout, Butte drivers have a one-in-23 chance of experiencing a property crime like car theft, which may help explain why Butte has the state's highest average car insurance rates.

City Avg. annual full-coverage premium
Butte $1,734/year
Great Falls $1,701/year
Bozeman $1,689/year
Billings $1,685/year
Helena $1,590/year
Missoula $1,581/year

Methodology

Our analysis was conducted using six different auto insurance marketplaces to determine the best auto insurance in each state. The data we analyzed included coverage premiums from up to 10 different insurance providers. We looked at rates by city, driver profile, and credit score, as well as factored in the impact of driving violations. This data is for comparative purposes only. Your actual quote may be different.

FAQs about car insurance costs in Montana

What are the minimum car insurance coverage requirements in Montana?

The minimum car insurance requirements in Montana are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per two or more people in bodily injury liability coverage. Drivers must also have $20,000 in property damage liability. 

How much does car insurance cost in Montana?

Car insurance in Montana costs an average of $1,375 per year for full coverage and $486 annually for the state's minimum coverage.

Which car insurance companies cover Montana?

Many nationally known companies cover Montana, including USAA, State Farm, Allstate, GEICO, and Progressive. 

What is the cheapest car insurance company in Montana?

The cheapest car insurance in Montana is USAA, which costs an annual average of $769 for full coverage and $174 for minimum coverage. 

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