Car Insurance in Montana

Car Insurance in Montana

Montana prides itself in being “The Last Best Place"; however, it's still not immune to car accidents. To protect its residents from the overwhelming costs of these accidents, Montana requires all drivers to hold liability car insurance.

Montana Car Insurance Requirements

Montana law requires you to have liability insurance to help cover costs associated with injury and property damage in an accident for which you are at fault.

To meet the legal requirement for liability auto insurance, your coverage must meet at least the following minimums:

• $25,000 for bodily injury, per person.
• $50,000 for total bodily injury of multiple people hurt in an accident.
• $20,000 for total property damage.

Optional Coverages

Many drivers may feel that meeting the minimum car insurance requirements in Montana does not fully protect them.

If you would like to get more out of your car insurance, consider buying these common optional coverage types:

• Collision* – This will help pay for damages to your car in case of a traffic accident.
• Comprehensive* – This coverage will help pay for damages to your car that occur from several types of incidents that are not collision-related.
• Medical payments – This will help pay for your medical costs after an accident.
• Uninsured motorist** – Covers you in case you are involved in a car accident caused by an uninsured driver.
• Underinsured motorist** – Often bundled with uninsured motorist coverage, this will help with costs after an accident with a driver whose insurance is not sufficient to pay for your injuries.

* Collision and comprehensive coverages are generally required as part of a car loan or lease agreement.

** Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage must be offered as part of your liability car insurance. However, you have the option of declining it in writing.

Proof of Insurance

State law requires you to show proof of insurance to a police officer if you are:

• Pulled over.
• Involved in a car accident.

You can obtain a proof of insurance through your Montana car insurance company or agent. The most common form of proof of insurance is an insurance ID card.

Additionally, Montana keeps an electronic database accessible by most law enforcement agencies that can verify your car insurance status.

Violations and Penalties

Driving without car insurance is considered a misdemeanor in Montana.

You face penalties including:

• Fines.
• Jail time.
• Suspension or revocation of your driver's license.
• Points on your driving record.

Keep in mind that car insurance violations on your Montana driving record can make it harder for you to get car insurance and will most likely result in expensive car insurance premiums.

Montana Automobile Insurance Plan

Some drivers may have a difficult time finding a car insurance company willing to provide them coverage.

If you cannot obtain car insurance, you may apply for coverage through the Montana Automobile Insurance Plan.

Through the plan, car insurance companies within the state share the risk of providing insurance to high-risk drivers.

Western Association of Automobile Insurance Plans

Montana's automobile insurance plan is part of a grouping of plans that forms the Western Association of Automobile Insurance Plans (WAAIP).

For information on applying for insurance through the plan, contact WAAIP at (800) 227-4659.

Other Auto Insurance Issues

The Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance (CSI) offers services to the public to help with insurance-related issues such as consumer complaints and insurance fraud.

Consumer Complaints

The CSI encourages you to try to settle any disputes with your insurance company before filling a complaint. However, if you must file a complaint, you can do so through one of the following methods:

• By phone at (800) 332-6149.
• Online at the CSI website.

Determining Car Insurance Rates

There are several factors that affect your car insurance rates in Montana.

When shopping for insurance, remember that the following commonly factor into car insurance premiums:

• Your driving record.
• Credit history.
• Your car's:
  • Make.
  • Model.
  • Year.
• Age.
• Gender.
• Zip code.
• Deductibles:
  • This is the amount towards a claim for which you are responsible.
  • You can lower your rates by assuming higher deductibles.

MT Car Insurance Discounts

A great way to save on car insurance is to take advantage of any discount that can apply to your premium.

As you compare car insurance quotes, inquire about the following common discounts:

• Good driver.
• Good student.
• Multi-car.
• Homeowner's.
• Anti-theft.
• Safety-device.

Discounts can help you save a lot of money on car insurance. However, the best way to get low-cost Montana auto insurance is to obey traffic laws, avoid accidents, and maintain a clean driving record.

Most Stolen Cars in Montana

If you own a vehicle that is highly targeted for theft, you may face more costly car insurance rates.

The following is a list of the most stolen cars in Montana for 2013, according to www.nicb.org:

1. Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size).
2. Ford Pickup (Full Size).
3. Honda Accord.
4. Dodge Pickup (Full Size).
5. GMC Pickup (Full Size).
6. Chevrolet Pickup (Small Size).
7. Chevrolet Impala.
8. Toyota Camry.
9. Honda Civic.
10. Subaru Legacy.