Montana Car Insurance Laws: Minimum Coverage, Penalties and SR-22
Montana car insurance law: minimum liability limits, fault or no-fault, uninsured motorist coverage, proof of insurance, penalties for driving uninsured, SR-22, title and registration.
Quick answers for Montana
- Minimum coverage required
- Montana requires 25/50/20 liability coverage: $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people in one accident, and $20,000 for property damage. MCA 61-6-103; 61-6-301
- At-fault or no-fault
- Montana uses a fault-based system with modified comparative negligence (MCA 27-1-702): an injured party may recover damages only if less than 50% at fault, and the amount recovered is reduced in proportion to that party's own share of fault. Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance (CSI), Auto Insurance FAQs
- Driving without insurance
- Driving without insurance, or failing to carry or show proof, is punishable by a fine of $250 to $500 for a first conviction, $350 for a second, and $500 and/or up to 10 days in jail for a third or later conviction. MCA 61-6-304
Last verified: 2026-10-27
Required coverage
| Minimum coverage required | Montana requires 25/50/20 liability coverage: $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people in one accident, and $20,000 for property damage. Owners must continuously maintain this insurance, or hold a certificate of self-insurance. Continuous coverage: https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0610/chapter_0060/part_0030/section_0010/0610-0060-0030-0010.html Source: MCA 61-6-103; 61-6-301 |
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| At-fault or no-fault | Montana uses a fault-based system with modified comparative negligence (MCA 27-1-702): an injured party may recover damages only if less than 50% at fault, and the amount recovered is reduced in proportion to that party's own share of fault. For example, a driver found 20% at fault can collect 80% of their damages from the other driver. |
| Uninsured motorist coverage | Uninsured motorist coverage must be included in every auto liability policy for vehicles registered and principally garaged in Montana, at limits of at least 25/50, but the named insured has the right to reject it. According to the CSI, unless you sign a form stating you do not want uninsured motorist coverage, your agent is required by law to provide it. If the coverage was rejected, it need not be included in a renewal by the same insurer unless the named insured asks for it in writing. Signed form: https://csimt.gov/your-insurance/auto/ |
| Proof of insurance | Each owner or driver must carry in the vehicle either an insurance card issued by the insurer or an electronic device that can display the insurer's electronic proof of insurance, and show it on demand to a judge, peace officer, highway patrol officer, or Motor Vehicle Division inspector. Montana also uses the Montana Insurance Verification System (MTIVS), which checks registration records against insurer data so officers can confirm coverage electronically during traffic stops. MTIVS: https://mvdmt.gov/vehicle-insurance-and-verification/ |
Driving without insurance and SR-22
| Driving without insurance | Driving without insurance, or failing to carry or show proof, is punishable by a fine of $250 to $500 for a first conviction, $350 for a second, and $500 and/or up to 10 days in jail for a third or later conviction. On a second or later conviction, the court orders surrender of the vehicle's registration receipt and license plates and the registration is suspended until proof of insurance is provided (a restricted registration may be issued after 90 days, or 180 days for a third or later conviction). On a fourth or later conviction, the driver's license is surrendered and suspended until proof of insurance is provided. Source: MCA 61-6-304 |
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Your rights with insurers
| Cancellation and nonrenewal | After a policy has been in effect 60 days (or for any renewal), an insurer may cancel only for nonpayment of premium or because the driver's license or vehicle registration of the named insured or a household or regular driver was suspended or revoked during the policy period (or within 180 days before a renewal). The insurer must mail or deliver written notice at least 45 days before the cancellation date (10 days, with the reason, for nonpayment). On request, the insurer must give the reasons for cancellation within 15 days. A nonrenewal requires at least 45 days' advance notice, with a statement that the insurer will give the reasons on written request. Reasons: https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0330/chapter_0230/part_0020/section_0110/0330-0230-0020-0110.html ; nonrenewal: https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0330/chapter_0230/part_0020/section_0140/0330-0230-0020-0140.html |
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| What insurers can use to set rates | Montana prohibits discrimination solely on the basis of sex or marital status in any type of insurance, including in rates and premiums; however, the statute allows accepted ratemaking methodologies based on sex or marital status in setting premiums (except as barred by federal health-insurance rules). Insurers that use credit information may not use an insurance score calculated using income, gender, address, ZIP code, ethnic group, religion, marital status or nationality, and may not deny, cancel, nonrenew or set renewal rates for personal insurance based on credit information without considering other factors. Sex/marital status: https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0490/chapter_0020/part_0030/section_0090/0490-0020-0030-0090.html Source: MCA 49-2-309; MCA 33-18-605 |
| Total loss rules | Most auto policies pay the actual cash value (market value immediately before the accident) for a totaled vehicle, typically determined by a market survey of comparable vehicles, and the insurer must give you copies of the information it uses. When an insurer acquires a vehicle less than 15 years old that has been determined to be a salvage vehicle, it must apply for a salvage certificate, which the Motor Vehicle Division issues within 5 working days. Salvage certificate: https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0610/chapter_0030/part_0020/section_0110/0610-0030-0020-0110.html . |
| Complaints about an insurer | File an insurance complaint with the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance (CSI). Complaints must be in writing, using the online complaint form or a paper form. CSI Consumer Advocates answer questions at 800-332-6148 or 406-444-2040. |
Title and registration
| Transferring a car title | A buyer has 40 days from the sale date to transfer ownership by applying for title and registering the vehicle at the County Treasurer's office in the buyer's county of residence; a late fee applies after 40 days. The previous owner signs the current title over to the buyer, and the buyer provides the title, valid identification, and title and registration fees. A dealer sends the paperwork for dealer sales. In some cases (vehicle last titled and registered in Montana and sold to a Montana resident) the seller may provide a title application (MV1), bill of sale (MV24) or replacement title application (MV7). FAQ: https://mvdmt.gov/faqs/ |
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| Registering after you move | A new Montana resident transfers an out-of-state title by asking the County Treasurer for a Foreign Title Transfer form (MV63); if a lender holds the title, the form is sent to the lender asking it to release the out-of-state title to the county treasurer. A Montana driver's license cannot be issued until all driver's licenses from other jurisdictions are surrendered. License surrender: https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0610/chapter_0050/part_0010/section_0020/0610-0050-0010-0020.html |
Car Insurance & Vehicle Laws FAQ
What is the minimum car insurance required in Montana?
Montana requires 25/50/20 liability coverage: $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people in one accident, and $20,000 for property damage. Owners must continuously maintain this insurance, or hold a certificate of self-insurance.
Is Montana a no-fault car insurance state?
Montana uses a fault-based system with modified comparative negligence (MCA 27-1-702): an injured party may recover damages only if less than 50% at fault, and the amount recovered is reduced in proportion to that party's own share of fault. For example, a driver found 20% at fault can collect 80% of their damages from the other driver.
Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Montana?
Uninsured motorist coverage must be included in every auto liability policy for vehicles registered and principally garaged in Montana, at limits of at least 25/50, but the named insured has the right to reject it. According to the CSI, unless you sign a form stating you do not want uninsured motorist coverage, your agent is required by law to provide it. If the coverage was rejected, it need not be included in a renewal by the same insurer unless the named insured asks for it in writing.
Can you show proof of car insurance on your phone in Montana?
Each owner or driver must carry in the vehicle either an insurance card issued by the insurer or an electronic device that can display the insurer's electronic proof of insurance, and show it on demand to a judge, peace officer, highway patrol officer, or Motor Vehicle Division inspector. Montana also uses the Montana Insurance Verification System (MTIVS), which checks registration records against insurer data so officers can confirm coverage electronically during traffic stops.
What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Montana?
Driving without insurance, or failing to carry or show proof, is punishable by a fine of $250 to $500 for a first conviction, $350 for a second, and $500 and/or up to 10 days in jail for a third or later conviction. On a second or later conviction, the court orders surrender of the vehicle's registration receipt and license plates and the registration is suspended until proof of insurance is provided (a restricted registration may be issued after 90 days, or 180 days for a third or later conviction). On a fourth or later conviction, the driver's license is surrendered and suspended until proof of insurance is provided.
How much notice must an insurer give before canceling car insurance in Montana?
After a policy has been in effect 60 days (or for any renewal), an insurer may cancel only for nonpayment of premium or because the driver's license or vehicle registration of the named insured or a household or regular driver was suspended or revoked during the policy period (or within 180 days before a renewal). The insurer must mail or deliver written notice at least 45 days before the cancellation date (10 days, with the reason, for nonpayment). On request, the insurer must give the reasons for cancellation within 15 days. A nonrenewal requires at least 45 days' advance notice, with a statement that the insurer will give the reasons on written request.
Can car insurance companies use your credit score in Montana?
Montana prohibits discrimination solely on the basis of sex or marital status in any type of insurance, including in rates and premiums; however, the statute allows accepted ratemaking methodologies based on sex or marital status in setting premiums (except as barred by federal health-insurance rules). Insurers that use credit information may not use an insurance score calculated using income, gender, address, ZIP code, ethnic group, religion, marital status or nationality, and may not deny, cancel, nonrenew or set renewal rates for personal insurance based on credit information without considering other factors.
When is a car a total loss in Montana?
Most auto policies pay the actual cash value (market value immediately before the accident) for a totaled vehicle, typically determined by a market survey of comparable vehicles, and the insurer must give you copies of the information it uses. When an insurer acquires a vehicle less than 15 years old that has been determined to be a salvage vehicle, it must apply for a salvage certificate, which the Motor Vehicle Division issues within 5 working days.
How do you transfer a car title in Montana?
A buyer has 40 days from the sale date to transfer ownership by applying for title and registering the vehicle at the County Treasurer's office in the buyer's county of residence; a late fee applies after 40 days. The previous owner signs the current title over to the buyer, and the buyer provides the title, valid identification, and title and registration fees. A dealer sends the paperwork for dealer sales. In some cases (vehicle last titled and registered in Montana and sold to a Montana resident) the seller may provide a title application (MV1), bill of sale (MV24) or replacement title application (MV7).
How long do you have to register your car after moving to Montana?
A new Montana resident transfers an out-of-state title by asking the County Treasurer for a Foreign Title Transfer form (MV63); if a lender holds the title, the form is sent to the lender asking it to release the out-of-state title to the county treasurer. A Montana driver's license cannot be issued until all driver's licenses from other jurisdictions are surrendered.
How do you file a complaint against a car insurance company in Montana?
File an insurance complaint with the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance (CSI). Complaints must be in writing, using the online complaint form or a paper form. CSI Consumer Advocates answer questions at 800-332-6148 or 406-444-2040.
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