Montana Minimum Insurance Requirements

Montana Auto Insurance Laws and Requirements

Introduction

Montana, like every state, has a motor vehicle financial responsibility law. This law ensures that if you own or drive a car in Montana, you’ll need proof that you can pay for at least some of the injuries and property damage you might cause in a wreck. Most people comply with this law by purchasing an auto insurance policy. Let’s explore Montana’s auto insurance requirements:

Minimum Liability Coverage: 25/50/20

Montana law requires that all drivers carry certain levels of car insurance coverage to be legal. Proof of this coverage must be carried when behind the wheel and shown upon request by any law enforcement official. The minimum liability coverage in Montana is as follows:

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

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is also legally required in Montana. It pays for injury and lost wages that you or your passengers may suffer in the event that you are in an accident with an uninsured driver who is at fault. The coverage limits are determined by each individual state and are normally split into two categories:

Bodily injury per person: The maximum dollar amount that will be paid for a single person that you injure in an auto accident.
Bodily injury per accident: The maximum dollar amount that will be paid for all injuries that you cause in an accident in which more than one person is hurt.

In Montana, the minimum coverage required is listed as 25/50/20.

Additional Resources

For more detailed information, explore these official sources:

Remember to consult a licensed insurance agent to tailor your coverage to your specific needs. Safe travels on Montana’s roads! 🛣️🌟

If you are a driver in Montana, you need to know the state's minimum auto insurance requirements and the laws that govern them. In this blog post, we will explain what you need to have in order to drive legally and avoid penalties in Montana, as well as the types of policies available and the local rates you can expect to pay.

Montana Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements

According to the Montana Department of Justice, Montana law requires that a motor vehicle operated on public roads be insured by a liability insurance policy that meets the state’s minimum coverage limits in § 61-6-103, MCA:

- $25,000 because of bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident and subject to the limit for one person;

- $50,000 because of bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one accident; and

- $20,000 because of injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident.

These limits are often written as 25/50/20 and they represent the maximum amount that your insurance company will pay for bodily injury and property damage that you cause to others in an at-fault accident. Liability insurance does not cover your own injuries or damages to your vehicle.

Liability insurance is the only type of insurance that is legally required in Montana, but it may not be enough to protect you financially in case of a serious accident. You may want to consider adding optional coverages such as:

- Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage: This pays for your medical expenses and property damage if you are hit by a driver who has no insurance or not enough insurance to cover your losses.

- Medical payments (MedPay) coverage: This pays for your medical expenses regardless of who is at fault for the accident.

- Collision coverage: This pays for the repair or replacement of your vehicle if it is damaged in an accident with another vehicle or object.

- Comprehensive coverage: This pays for the repair or replacement of your vehicle if it is damaged by something other than a collision, such as fire, theft, vandalism, hail, or animal collision.

Montana Auto Insurance Laws

Montana is a tort state, which means that the driver who causes an accident is responsible for paying for the injuries and damages of the other parties involved. The injured parties can file a claim with their own insurance company, the at-fault driver's insurance company, or sue the at-fault driver in court.

Montana also has a comparative negligence law, which means that the amount of compensation that an injured party can receive is reduced by their percentage of fault for the accident. For example, if you are 20% at fault for an accident and your damages are $10,000, you can only recover $8,000 from the other driver.

Montana requires all drivers to carry proof of insurance at all times and show it to law enforcement officials when requested. If you are caught driving without insurance in Montana, you can face the following penalties:

- A fine of $250 to $500 for the first offense and $350 to $500 for subsequent offenses within five years

- Up to 10 days in jail for the first offense and up to six months for subsequent offenses within five years

- Suspension of your driver's license until you provide proof of insurance

- Impoundment of your vehicle until you provide proof of insurance and pay towing and storage fees

Montana Auto Insurance Rates

The average cost of auto insurance in Montana is $32.19 per month or $386.28 per year, according to MoneyGeek. However, your actual rate may vary depending on several factors such as:

- Your age, gender, marital status, and driving record

- Your vehicle make, model, year, and safety features

- Your location, mileage, and usage of your vehicle

- Your credit score and insurance history

- Your coverage type, limits, and deductibles

- Your discounts and bundling options

To find the best auto insurance policy for your needs and budget, you should compare quotes from multiple insurers and shop around periodically. You should also review your policy regularly and update it if there are any changes in your personal or driving situation.

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