What’s Full Coverage Car Insurance?

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If you just purchased a new vehicle, your lender might have recommended or even required that you have “full coverage” on your auto policy.

Full coverage car insurance primarily refers to the addition of collision and comprehensive coverage, added to your liability coverage:

Liability + Comprehensive/Collision = Full Coverage

Is Full Coverage Car Required by Law In Montana?

No, Montana car insurance laws do not mandate that you must have full coverage on your auto policy. What they do require, however, is that you at least have the state minimum liability coverage limits.

To drive legally on the roads in Montana, you must have the following coverage (protect for yourself if you are at fault in an accident) :

• $25,000 Bodily Injury Coverage per person
• $50,000 Bodily Injury Coverage per accident
• $20,000 Property Damage Coverage
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident bodily injury coverage

Sometimes liability only coverage is all you need. See if you could benefit from having liability only Montana car insurance, a budget friendly option.

How much is auto insurance in Montana?

When it comes to Montana car insurance, the cost can vary depending on several factors, including your driving history, age, and the coverage options you choose. On average, Montana drivers pay around $800 to $1,200 annually for auto insurance. However, rates may be higher or lower based on individual circumstances. To provide you with a clearer understanding, here’s a comparison of average annual premiums for auto insurance from some of our partnered insurance carriers in Montana:

Insurance Company	Average Annual Premium
Progressive	$850
State Farm	$950
Geico	$1,000

By comparing quotes from different carriers, you can find the best auto insurance option that suits your needs and budget.

List of Factors Affecting Premiums:

• Driving history
• Age
• Coverage options chosen

Does a Full Coverage Policy Mean It’s All Inclusive?

No, as mentioned above, all you need to add to your car insurance policy to make it “full coverage” is comprehensive and collision coverage. However there are multiple other optional coverages that won’t be on your policy unless you request them to be added.

Optional Coverage Type	What It Covers
Comprehensive Coverage	Covers damage caused to your vehicle by something other than a collision or accident like natural disasters, theft, etc.
Collision Coverage	As it’s name implies, this covers damages from collision with another vehicle, object, pothole, etc.
Medical Payments	This is a monetary amount you will set on your policy that will cover medical expenses to yourself and any passengers due to accident related injuries, regardless of who is at fault.
Roadside Assistance	Depending on the insurance company, you will receive covered assistance such as towing, tire change, gas refill, help if locked out of the vehicle, dead battery jump start, and more.
Rental Reimbursement coverage	If your car is in the shop being repaired due to and accident, this coverage will help pay for the cost of a replacement vehicle.
Gap Insurance	Once you drive your car off the lot, it’s value plummets. Without gap insurance, your insurance policy will only cover the car’s actual cash value, even if it’s less than what you purchased it for. Gap insurance will help pay for the difference or gap.

Montana Car Insurance

These are just some of the additional items you could potentially include on your auto policy

Call your agent now if you have mistakenly assumed that any of these items would be automatically added at the time your policy was started. They can help you figure out if a requested item is on there, and if not, can assist you in adding it to your coverage.

If Montana Car Insurance Laws Don’t Require Full Coverage, Why Would I Need It?

There are multiple reasons why you might want to consider having a full coverage policy, even if it’s not legally required, such as:

• You have financed your vehicle
• You are leasing your vehicle
• You want better coverage for potential non-accident related damages
• You have a newer, and more expensive vehicle

Full Coverage Car Insurance: What Are The Cheapest Rates By Company?

Montana car insurance does not have to break the bank. There are full coverage options out there that are surprisingly affordable.

One way that you can obtain better rates is by calling an insurance agent. Don’t count us out, since it is our job to search until we can get you the best rate possible.

We are trained to look for discounts at every opportunity. If applicable in your area and with the insurance company, some potential discount opportunities include:

Impact on Rates	Potential Discount
Mild	Multi Vehicle
Mild	Homeowners
Mild	Married
High	Advanced Quote
Mild	Multi Policy
Mild	Education Discount
Very High	Continuous Insurance
Mild	Military
Mild	Paperless Discount

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Take a look at some actual full coverage rates people have been able to find in Montana.

Insurance Company	Average Monthly Rate
National General	$137
Nationwide	$144
Bristol West	$146
Acceptance RTR	$150
Progressive Insurance	$151
Travelers	$151
Allstate	$161
Geico	$163
21st Century	$166
American Family	$168
GAINSCO	$168
Mendota Ins. Company	$168
Farmers	$170
USAA	$171

Sample rates only, as insurance premiums are based on multiple individual factors.

What Is the Cheapest Car Insurance In Montana?

Not all insurance companies are created equally.

Some companies might be better suited for a person with multiple vehicles and drivers, while another company might be better for a person with lot’s of violations on their record.

For example, for our drivers in Montana, we typically write Progressive policies. However note some things we have observed, especially when it comes to full coverage car insurance:

Best Rates If:

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• You plan on bundling your auto policy with another Progressive product such as homeowners or renters insurance.
• You are a homeowner
• You have a long history of prior insurance
• You are a safe driver and would benefit from the snapshot program
• You can afford to pay your premium in full

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Rates Might be High If:

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• You have multiple accidents
• You don’t have any prior insurance history
• You don’t bundle
• You are a young (especially male) driver, you might expect to pay higher rates than average.

What Is The Most Affordable Montana Car Insurance For Drivers With A Bad Driving Record?

Whether due to inexperience, youthfulness, or just having made some bad choices, you might find that your driving record has accumulated one too many violations.

If you are fearful that you will never find a full coverage policy, don’t worry! There is something out there for you. That’s why it’s so important to find an agent who can help do the shopping for you.

Take a look at what some drivers in Billings, Montana have been able to find:

Insurance Company in Montana	Avg. Monthly Rate
Dairyland	$151
The General	$159
National General	$170
21st Century	$175
Acceptance RTR	$176
Geico	$176
AssuranceAmerica	$182
GAINSCO	$186
Nationwide	$186
Mendota Ins. Company	$190
Progressive Insurance	$195
USAA	$195
Bristol West	$200
American Family	$204

Did You Know?

When first purchasing a policy, it’s tempting to stick with liability only insurance for the affordable rates, thinking…”I’ll just add full coverage later.”

However, there are a few things to know about auto insurance companies before you decide to do that:

• Not all companies let you add comprehensive and collision coverage mid policy, and you have to wait until renewal to make that change
• Some companies might be very affordable for liability only, but are not a good fit for full coverage policies, and end up charging more than what another company might charge you.
• Other companies might not even allow full coverage at all, or if they allow you to add comp/collision, they will tack a surcharge onto your premium, and then you will no longer be eligible for renewal with them.

Frequently Asked Questions about Montana Car Insurance

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Last Updated on April 25, 2024 by Marlon Moss