Best Car Insurance in Montana
As we reviewed and ranked the best car insurance providers in Montana, we examined industry standing, coverage options and customer experience. We also used average cost data from Quadrant Information Services to enhance our research.
Compare Montana Auto Insurance
Progressive is our top choice for car insurance in the Treasure State. Montana drivers can also find a strong balance of auto coverage and value with USAA, Nationwide, State Farm and Geico.
Each of these reputable insurers offers the following basic auto coverage types:
Compare our top five picks for Montana car insurance below.
| Best Car Insurance in Montana |
Our Score |
Industry Standing |
Availability | Coverage | Cost and Discounts |
Customer Experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Progressive | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 9.5 | 7.8 | 8.7 |
| 2. USAA | 9.2 | 8.9 | 8 | 9.5 | 9.7 | 8.9 |
| 3. Nationwide | 9.1 | 8.5 | 9.8 | 8.9 | 9.7 | 8.9 |
| 4. State Farm | 9.4 | 10 | 9.8 | 9.2 | 9.3 | 9.3 |
| 5. Geico | 9.1 | 9.7 | 10 | 8.4 | 9.1 | 8.8 |
**We reached out to Progressive for a comment on our cost and discounts rating but did not receive a response.
Montana Car Insurance Customer Experience
When evaluating auto insurance companies for industry standing and customer experience, we considered these factors:
- AM Best financial strength ratings
- Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings
- Ratings from the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study℠, which surveyed policyholders on their satisfaction with their insurer’s billing process, claims, interactions, policy offerings and price and broke down ratings by region. For this article, we look at results from the Northwest, which includes Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming.
We also weighed the feedback we received from customers in our August 2022 car insurance survey. Nearly 7,000 drivers gave us their opinions of the service they receive from auto insurers.
Best Car Insurance Companies in Montana
Below are further details on each of our top-ranked Montana auto insurance providers.
#1 Progressive: Best for Tech-Savvy Drivers
J.D. Power score: 807/1,000
AM Best financial strength rating: A+ (Superior)
BBB rating: A
Progressive takes our Best for Tech-Savvy Drivers award due to its Name Your Price® Tool, which makes it easy to find a policy that matches your coverage needs and budget. The company offers a range of unique add-on protections and a popular usage-based program.
A+ financial strength rating from AM Best
Wide selection of coverage options
Usage-based insurance discount
Average customer service ratings
Snapshot program can raise rates for some drivers
Coverage
You’ll find all the standard types of auto insurance with Progressive. The provider also offers coverage for aftermarket components like audio systems and custom paint. You get pet injury assistance with a comprehensive insurance policy, and there’s also a diminishing deductible option.
Progressive’s usage-based program is called Snapshot. The company claims average savings of $231 per year for safe drivers. Just keep in mind that your rates can go up with Snapshot if it detects too much rapid acceleration or hard braking.
Reputation
Progressive was right around average in the Northwest region of the J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study and slightly below average in the 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study™, which polled customers on their experience with claims service, the estimation process, the repair process and more. In our car insurance survey, the company came in just below average with an overall customer satisfaction rating of 4.1 out of 5.
Read more: Progressive Insurance Review
#2 USAA: Best for Military Members
J.D. Power score: 875/1,000
AM Best financial strength rating: A++ (Superior)
BBB rating: Not Rated
There’s no questioning the quality or affordability of USAA auto insurance. The only issue is that its policies are only available to active military, veterans and their immediate family members. If you qualify for USAA car insurance, you’d be hard-pressed to find better coverage at a lower price.
High performance on J.D. Power customer surveys
Not available to everyone
Not the cheapest option after a DUI
Coverage
Optional coverages from USAA include roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and accident forgiveness. The provider also features an array of discounts that include savings for good students, those who complete defensive driving courses and service members who garage their vehicles while stationed far from home.
SafePilot®, USAA’s usage-based program, can save good drivers up to 30% when they renew their policy. There’s even a 10% discount for just signing up.
Reputation
USAA typically ranks at or near the top in J.D. Power consumer studies. Though technically unranked due to its eligibility requirements, USAA had the highest score in the Northwest region of the J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study. The company also had the third-highest overall customer satisfaction score in our car insurance survey.
Read more: USAA Insurance Review
#3 Nationwide: Best for Usage-Based Insurance
J.D. Power score: Not rated
AM Best financial strength rating: A (Excellent)
BBB rating: A+
Nationwide earned our Best for Usage-Based Insurance award for offering two types of telematics programs. The company also features a variety of add-on protections to complement its standard auto insurance products.
Car insurance coverage available in 46 states
Many standard and add-on car insurance options
Offers usage-based insurance
A+ rating form the BBB and A from AM Best
Higher average insurance costs
Coverage
Roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and accident forgiveness are among the optional coverages Nationwide offers. The company features guaranteed asset protection, or GAP insurance, that covers the difference between your vehicle’s assessed value and what you owe on it in the event of a total loss.
Nationwide’s traditional usage-based program is called SmartRide® and can save good drivers up to 40% upon policy renewal. The company also offers a pay-per-mile telematics program called SmartMiles® that’s ideal for those who don’t drive very often.
Reputation
Nationwide nearly matched the industry average score in the J.D. Power Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. In our car insurance survey, the company came up just short of the average overall customer satisfaction score of 4.2 out of 5 with its own score of 4.1.
Read more: Nationwide Insurance Review
#4 State Farm: Best Customer Experience
J.D. Power score: 821/1,000
AM Best financial strength rating: A++ (Superior)
BBB rating: C-
State Farm is the most popular auto insurer in the state of Montana and in the U.S. as a whole according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). We gave the provider our Best Customer Experience award and recognized it for its broad range of generous discounts.
A++ financial strength rating from AM Best
Good discount opportunities for students and teens
Strong reputation in consumer studies
Mixed State Farm insurance reviews
Coverage
In addition to the standard types of auto insurance, State Farm also offers the following policy add-ons:
- Roadside assistance: Includes towing, fuel delivery, spare tire changes, lockout services and battery jump-starts
- Rental car reimbursement: Covers a rental car to use while your car is in the shop for covered repairs
- Travel expense coverage: Pays $500 toward food and lodging if your car is in the shop for covered repairs when you’re 50 miles or further from home
- Rideshare insurance: Provides extra coverage for Uber and Lyft drivers
State Farm’s usage-based program is called Drive Safe & Save™ and can save good drivers up to 30% on their premiums upon policy renewal. There’s also the Steer Clear® telematics program, which helps drivers under the age of 25 sharpen their driving skills and save on their car insurance premiums.
Reputation
State Farm had the third-highest score in the Northwest region of the J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study. The company also had an impressive showing in the Auto Claims Satisfaction Study with an above-average score of 891. In our car insurance survey, it received an average overall satisfaction score of 4.2 out of 5.
Read more: State Farm Insurance Review
#5 Geico: Best for Budget-Conscious Drivers
J.D. Power score: 797/1,000
AM Best financial strength rating: A++ (Superior)
BBB rating: A-
Geico earned our Best for Budget-Conscious Drivers award thanks to its reliably low coverage rates and many discounts. The company is the third-largest auto insurer in the country, according to NAIC.
A++ financial strength rating from AM Best
Low car insurance rates for most drivers
Usage-based insurance discount
Average J.D. Power claims ratings
Not always the cheapest for people with poor credit or recent accidents
Fewer local agents than other companies
Coverage
Geico offers all the standard auto insurance products you’d expect, but it stands out by providing mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI). Like an extended warranty, an MBI policy protects you against breakdowns that occur due to defective parts or flawed workmanship.
Geico’s many discount opportunities include savings for good students, federal employees, military members and those who complete defensive driving courses. You can save up to 25% by including multiple vehicles on your policy and up to 22% if you go five years without an accident.
Reputation
Geico came in right below average in the J.D. Power Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. In our car insurance survey, Geico was the fifth-most likely provider to be recommended to family and friends.
Read more: Geico Insurance Review
How Much Coverage Do Montana Drivers Need?
Montana drivers need to carry a certain amount of liability auto coverage, but you may want to go beyond these minimum requirements.
Montana Car Insurance Requirements
Montana’s minimum liability car insurance is 25/50/20. Here’s how that breaks down:
- $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $20,000 property damage liability per accident
Keep in mind that the coverage limits shown here only apply to other drivers’ medical costs and vehicle damage. To fully protect yourself and your vehicle from at-fault accidents, you’ll need a full-coverage policy with both comprehensive and collision insurance included.
You’ll also need collision and comprehensive coverage if you’ve financed or leased your car. Lenders want to know the vehicle is protected while you’re making payments on it.
Average Cost of Car Insurance in Montana
According to 2023 data from Quadrant Information Services, Montana drivers with good credit and clean driving records pay about $1,979 per year or $165 per month for full-coverage auto insurance. This is right in line with the national average rates of $2,008 per year or $167 per month.
What Montana drivers pay for car insurance depends on a variety of factors, including:
- Age: Young drivers are more likely to cause accidents, which means they pay higher insurance rates.
- Location: Living in a densely populated area likely means higher premiums than those in a remote area with fewer drivers.
- Driving record: A clean driving history helps you pay less for car insurance than high-risk drivers with speeding tickets, DUIs or at-fault accidents on their records.
- Credit score: In many states, including Montana, your credit score can affect how much you pay for auto coverage. Those with a strong credit history get the best rates.
- Vehicle: Luxury cars that have high repair costs are pricey to insure. The same is true for performance autos with powerful engines.
- Deductible: If you choose a higher deductible, you’ll see lower premiums, but you’ll pay more out of pocket for covered repairs.
Montana Car Insurance Cost by City
In the table below, you’ll find the average cost of full-coverage car insurance for 35-year-old Montana drivers with good credit and clean driving records.
| City | Monthly Average | Annual Average |
|---|---|---|
| Anaconda-Deer Lodge County | $158 | $1,898 |
| Belgrade | $156 | $1,876 |
| Billings | $164 | $1,969 |
| Bozeman | $156 | $1,876 |
| Butte-Silver Bow | $157 | $1,878 |
| Evergreen | $170 | $2,038 |
| Great Falls | $159 | $1,911 |
| Havre | $185 | $2,223 |
| Helena | $142 | $1,703 |
| Helena Valley Southeast | $142 | $1,700 |
| Helena Valley West Central | $141 | $1,697 |
| Kalispell | $170 | $2,039 |
| Laurel | $165 | $1,984 |
| Lewistown | $183 | $2,200 |
| Livingston | $159 | $1,911 |
| Lockwood | $165 | $1,979 |
| Miles City | $178 | $2,134 |
| Missoula | $139 | $1,671 |
| Sidney | $176 | $2,117 |
| Whitefish | $170 | $2,034 |
**This cost data is from 2022.
Car Insurance Discounts in Montana
Exploring the many car insurance discounts providers offer is a great way to find the cheapest car insurance rates in Montana. Here are a few of the most common savings opportunities our recommended auto insurers provide:
- Good driver discounts: Criteria for this type of discount varies, but going three to five years without a car accident is a common prerequisite.
- Defensive driving course discounts: Completing a defensive driving course can earn you a discount from many providers.
- Good student discounts: Full-time students who maintain a B average can save up to 25% on their premiums.
- Payment discounts: Setting up automatic payments and paying your entire premium up front are two common ways policyholders can save money.
- Bundling discounts: You’ll usually be rewarded for combining your auto coverage with your life, homeowners or renters insurance.
Best Montana Car Insurance: The Bottom Line
Progressive, USAA, Nationwide, State Farm and Geico are our top picks for auto insurance in the Treasure State. You can get excellent coverage and customer service from any of these providers, but it’s always best to compare car insurance quotes from several companies to find the right match for your budget.
Best Auto Insurance in Montana: FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the best car insurance in Montana.
State Farm is the most popular auto insurer in Montana, according to the NAIC. It’s also the biggest car insurance provider in the U.S. overall.
The average cost of a full-coverage car insurance policy in Montana is $1,979 per year or $165 per month. This is very close to the national average cost of $2,008 per year or $167 per month.
Montana drivers are required to have bodily injury liability coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. State minimum coverage also mandates property damage liability coverage of $20,000 per accident.
Our Methodology
Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car insurance companies. We collected data on dozens of auto insurance providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the insurers that scored the most points topping the list.
Here are the factors our ratings take into account:
- Industry standing (20% of total score): Our research team considered market share, ratings from industry experts and years in business when giving this score.
- Availability (10% of total score): Auto insurance companies with greater state availability and few eligibility requirements scored highest in this category.
- Coverage (30% of total score): Companies that offer a variety of choices for insurance coverage are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Cost and discounts (25% of total score): Auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services and discount opportunities were both taken into consideration.
- Customer experience (15% of total score): This score is based on volume of complaints reported by the NAIC and customer satisfaction ratings reported by J.D. Power. We also considered the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each insurance company’s customer service team based on our own shopper analysis.
Our credentials:
- 800 hours researched
- 45 companies reviewed
- 8,500+ consumers surveyed
*Data accurate at time of publication.
Short Bio: Daniel Robinson is a writer based in Greenville, N.C. with expertise in auto insurance, loans, warranty options and more. Away from the keyboard, Daniel spends time with his wife and son, plays guitar, and obsesses over the Beatles and Baltimore Orioles.
Clinton Mora is a reporter for Trending Insurance News. He has previously worked for the Forbes. As a contributor to Trending Insurance News, Clinton covers emerging a wide range of property and casualty insurance related stories.