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Montana requires every driver to carry liability insurance of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $20,000 for property damage. Unlike some neighboring states, Montana does not make uninsured motorist coverage mandatory, but agents must provide it unless you sign a form declining it, so check what your policy actually includes.
Fault matters in a Montana claim. The state follows modified comparative negligence, so your share of blame reduces what you can recover, and the courts rather than the insurance commissioner settle disputes that insurers cannot resolve. Two other state rules are worth knowing: buying coverage after a loss is treated as insurance fraud, and insurers must give at least 10 days' notice to cancel for nonpayment and at least 45 days for other cancellations or non-renewals. Long rural drives and wildlife on the road are part of everyday life here, which is why many drivers look at collision and comprehensive coverage beyond the legal minimum.
| Minimum liability | 25/50/20 (BI per person / BI per accident / PD, in $1,000s) |
|---|---|
| Other required coverage | None beyond liability |
| Fault system | At-fault (tort) |
| Credit-based insurance scores | Allowed |
Montana minimum liability limits
To register and drive a car in Montana you need at least this much liability coverage:
- $25,000 for injuries to one person in an accident you cause.
- $50,000 in total for injuries to everyone in that accident.
- $20,000 for damage to other people's property, such as their car.
Tip: The minimum is a legal floor, not a recommendation. If a serious crash costs more than your limits, you could be personally responsible for the rest. See how much liability coverage you may need.
Other required and offered coverage
Montana's insurance commissioner says agents must provide uninsured motorist (UM) coverage unless the customer signs a form declining it.
Learn more about uninsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection.
Is Montana a no-fault state?
Montana is an at-fault (tort) state. The driver who causes a crash is responsible for the other people's injuries and property damage, which is normally paid by that driver's liability insurance. Injured people can claim against the at-fault driver's insurer or, in some cases, sue.
Montana uses modified comparative negligence (Mont. Code Ann. § 27-1-702): your recovery is reduced by your share of fault, and it is barred if your fault is too high. If insurers cannot settle a dispute, the courts decide fault; the insurance commissioner's office cannot.
Read more: at-fault vs. no-fault states explained.
Can insurers use your credit in Montana?
Status: Allowed. Insurers may use certain aspects of your credit to build an insurance score. The state insurance commissioner lists bad credit and bankruptcy among the factors insurers consider when deciding whether to non-renew a policy.
See how credit affects car insurance for the bigger picture.
Penalties for driving uninsured in Montana
Driving without the required liability coverage is a violation of Montana law and can lead to fines and registration action. Check the Montana Motor Vehicle Division or your local court for the current penalty schedule.
Montana law lets drivers show proof of insurance electronically, and the Montana Code includes a provision on law enforcement use of an insurance verification system (MCA 61-6-309).
If you are ordered to file proof of insurance, see what SR-22 insurance is.
Tips for Montana drivers
- Read your declarations page for a UM line. Montana agents must provide uninsured motorist coverage unless you signed a rejection, so a missing line may mean you declined it.
- Never buy a policy after an accident hoping it will respond. The Montana insurance commissioner calls this insurance after the fact, and says it is fraud and illegal.
- Keep your mailing address current with your insurer. Notices go to the last address on file, and cancellation notices are 10 days for nonpayment and 45 days for other cancellations or non-renewals.
- Know that the 25/50/20 minimum is low relative to many vehicle and medical costs. Anything above the limits is your responsibility, so ask a licensed agent how higher limits would work for your situation.
- Check that your policy includes comprehensive coverage if animal collisions worry you. Liability and collision alone do not pay for every kind of vehicle damage.
When you shop, compare quotes from several insurers using the same limits and deductibles, so the prices are like-for-like.
Official resources
- Insurance regulator: Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance
- Motor vehicle agency: Montana Motor Vehicle Division
Your state insurance department can answer questions about your rights and handle complaints about insurers.
Frequently asked questions
What are Montana's minimum car insurance limits?
Montana requires $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability, plus $20,000 for property damage liability. This is often written 25/50/20. These limits pay for injuries and damage you cause to others, not your own vehicle or your own injuries, so many drivers look at additional coverages beyond the legal minimum.
Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Montana?
It is not mandatory, but it must be offered. According to the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, agents are required to provide uninsured motorist coverage unless you sign a form stating that you do not want it. If you decline, that choice is in writing, so it is worth checking your policy paperwork.
How does fault work after a crash in Montana?
Montana is an at-fault state that uses modified comparative negligence. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, and you may be barred from recovery if your share is too high. If the insurers cannot agree, the courts make the final decision, and the state insurance commissioner cannot decide comparative negligence disputes.
Can I buy insurance after an accident to cover it?
No. Montana's insurance commissioner describes buying insurance after a loss, sometimes called insurance after the fact, as insurance fraud and illegal. Coverage only responds to losses that happen while the policy is in force, so keeping continuous coverage and avoiding any lapse is the safer approach for every driver.
Sources
- Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance – Auto insurance
- Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer – Contributory negligence/comparative fault laws in all 50 states
- Montana Legislature – MCA Title 61, Chapter 6, Part 3 section index
- Insurance Information Institute – Background on compulsory auto insurance
General information only. State rules change. Confirm current requirements with the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance or your insurer before you buy. This page is not insurance or legal advice.