Updated March 2026
State Requirements
Montana requires minimum liability coverage of 25/50/20: $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $20,000 for property damage. SR-22 certification is mandated for DUI convictions, license suspensions for accumulating excessive points, driving without insurance, and certain repeat violations. Drivers with points from standard violations like speeding tickets or at-fault accidents typically do not need SR-22 unless their license is suspended. Montana operates on a point system where 30 points in 36 months triggers license suspension.
Cost Overview
High-risk auto insurance premiums in Montana are driven by violation type, time since the offense, and carrier underwriting guidelines. Drivers with a DUI pay the highest premiums—often 2.5–3.5 times the standard rate—while those with speeding tickets or at-fault accidents see increases of 20–60%. Rates decline as violations age off your record, with the steepest drops occurring after the first year and again when points fully expire at 3 years.
What Affects Your Rate
- Type of violation: DUI convictions increase premiums more than speeding tickets or at-fault accidents
- Time since offense: Rates drop significantly after the first year and again when violations age off at 3 years
- SR-22 filing requirement: Adds $15–$35 filing cost and restricts carrier options to those offering SR-22 in Montana
- Age and driving history: Younger drivers with violations face steeper increases than drivers over 25 with otherwise clean records
- Location: Urban areas like Billings and Missoula see higher premiums than rural counties due to accident frequency and repair costs
- Non-standard vs. standard market: Drivers who can access standard carriers after 1–2 years pay 30–50% less than those in the non-standard market
Compare rates from carriers that work with drivers who have points
Standard carriers surcharge heavily after violations. These specialists price your specific record differently.
Get Your Free QuoteCoverage Types
Liability Insurance
Covers bodily injury and property damage you cause to others. Montana's 25/50/20 minimum may not cover a serious accident, leaving you personally liable for the difference.
SR-22 Insurance
Certificate filed by your insurer proving you carry Montana's minimum liability. Required for DUI, license suspension, or 30+ points in 36 months.
Full Coverage
Combines liability, collision, and comprehensive. Required by lenders and recommended for newer or financed vehicles.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Protects you if you're hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver. Not required in Montana but offered by all carriers.
Non-Standard Auto Insurance
Policies designed for drivers with DUIs, lapses, suspensions, or multiple violations. Non-standard carriers accept risk that standard insurers decline.
Collision Coverage
Pays for damage to your vehicle after an at-fault accident, regardless of who caused it.
