Montana Auto Insurance Guide

Whether you’re hunting big game near Livingston, fly fishing on the Big Horn River, going to the Bear Paw Roundup in Chinook, doing business in Helena or camping in Yellowstone, there’s plenty of open roads and natural beauty in Big Sky Country. From Cut Bank to Bozeman, Missoula to Wolf Point, Glacier Park to Makoshika, sightseeing or commuting, car insurance is crucial to being a responsible Montana driver.

 

Auto Insurance Resources for MT State Residents

As of 2010, there were over 700,00 licensed driver in the Treasure State. The Insurance Research Council estimates that 15% of Montana drivers are uninsured. The 2009 Montana Highway Patrol Annual Report showed a 3.5% decrease in total traffic accidents from the previous year. However, there were still 20,929 car crashes with 198 fatalities and 5,326 injuries. Alcohol was the leading cause of traffic fatalities. Uninsured and alcohol-impaired drivers are good reasons to make sure you have enough car insurance while living and driving in the Treasure State.

 

Montana State Minimum Car Insurance

Montana state law requires you to carry a minimum amount of car insurance or face severe penalties. The Treasure State has a tort-based system. That means if you cause an accident, you can be sued. While Montana does not require you to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, additional personal liability or Collision and Comprehensive, if you own property or other valuable assets, you would be wise to supplement the minimum requires shown below:

• $25,000 bodily injury per person per accident
• $50,000 bodily injury for all persons per accident
• $10,000 property damage liability

 

Montana Car Insurance Laws

Montana law requires that you carry proof of Montana auto insurance in your vehicle and produce it if a law enforcement officer asks to see it. Driving without car insurance in Montana is a misdemeanor. The penalty for a no-insurance citation is between $250 and $500, or up to 10 days in jail, for a first offense.

A second offense will get you a minimum $350 fine or 10 days in jail. Your driver’s license will be revoked for 90 days. You will also get 5 points on your driving record; a total of 30 points in Montana will result in the revocation of your driver’s license.

 

Regulating Agency and References

Office of the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, Montana’s State Auditor
This agency is responsible for regulating vehicle insurance policies sold in Montana. For more information, visit their website at http://sao.mt.gov/

Montana Department of Justice/Motor Vehicle Division
This is the agency responsible for licensing drivers and registering vehicles. You can learn more about Montana auto insurance requirements, penalties and related information at http://www.doj.mt.gov/driving/

National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
This is an organization of insurance regulators from the 50 states, District of Columbia and the five U.S. territories. NAIC provides a forum for the development of uniform policies when appropriate. NAIC members are elected or appointed state government officials who regulate the conduct of insurance companies and agents in their respective states or territories. Visit NAIC at http://www.naic.org

Insurance Information Institute (III)
This organization’s mission is to improve public understanding of insurance – what it is and how it works. Visit III at http://www.iii.org/

 

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