Montana auto insurance
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Preserve your experiences in the treasure state with Montana auto insurance
Though the rich mineral reserves and history of precious metals have earned Montana the nickname the Treasure State, driving here can actually cost you quite a bit. Montana has one of the highest numbers of being involved in a fatal car accident. Montana auto insurance can help pay for the related losses and damages in these tragedies.
The average driving experience
While you may plan to drive safely throughout the state, a mix of road and weather conditions can impact your experience. During the winter months, roadways become treacherous as they are covered with snow and ice and visibility is nearly eliminated during strong storms. A single storm could cause hundreds of accidents across the state, putting you in a risk category if you are on the roads.
While it can be beautiful to drive through this rugged state, there are several stretches of road known for increasing the risk of a serious accident. Interstate 90 is the most traveled road across the state, and you often encounter mountain passes along the roadway. Other deadly roadways include:
• S. Highway 191: This road is sometimes called the "gauntlet of death."
• S. Highway 12: The Lolo Pass is the most treacherous.
• S. Highway 93: Unpredictable animal crossings increase accident risk.
• S. Highway 2: Extreme remoteness means there is significantly delayed emergency response assistance.
Since the risks are great, Montana law requires all car owners to carry auto insurance. By getting Montana auto insurance quotes with VIU by HUB, you can get the best rate on the coverages you need.
Rates for Montana auto insurance
Although the average cost for minimum coverage in the state is $240 per year, Montana ranks slightly above the average of the nation’s most expensive states to buy auto insurance. The national average is about $230 a month.
Your car insurance rates are affected by a number of factors.
Personal attributes
Your credit score, age, choice of automobile, gender and driving history are just a few of the things that will impact your insurance rates. Those who have a driving record with past citations and accidents will find themselves paying more for insurance because they are a greater risk to the insurance company.
For example, a driver with a clean record can have rates well under the average rates, whereas a driver with an at-fault accident or traffic citations on their record can see rates 2-3 times higher than the Montana average rates. There are some insurers who work with drivers with a negatively-impacted driving record, and using VIU by HUB to compare Montana auto insurance can help you find affordable coverage.
Credit score is another key factor in determining your rates. A higher credit score will get you better Montana auto insurance quotes, while you can expect to pay a lot more if your score is poor. Depending on the insurer, you could pay almost $200 or $300 more per month if you have a low credit score than someone with an excellent credit score purchasing the same policy.
Uncontrollable factors
Insurance rates vary by location. Heavily populated areas present greater accident risks, so rates are typically higher if you live near a big city.
There are other influencing factors by region across Montana, such as terrain or driving history for a location. A comparison of Montana auto insurance quotes can highlight these differences.
Requirements for Montana auto insurance
Montana has minimum requirements for all car owners. It follows a 25/50/20 plan in Liability Coverage:
• Bodily Injury: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
• Property Damage: $20,000 per accident.
• Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
Unlike some states, a car owner can reject Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage. However, the law requires insurers to offer it at the time a policy is purchased. These coverages pay for expenses when you are hit by an at-fault driver who either didn’t carry insurance (uninsured) or didn’t carry enough insurance to address all the medical bills or car repair costs (underinsured).
Additionally, the law only mandates Liability Coverage, which addresses the injuries and damages to the other party when you are the at-fault driver. Liability insurance doesn’t cover your personal injuries or damage to your car.
The options for supplemental car insurance
Along with the liability requirements for car owners, you should consider adding additional coverage to take care of your car or injuries if something happens. While minimum coverage with a high deductible is usually the cheapest insurance, you can expand your coverage within your budget by comparing Montana auto insurance quotes.
Collision or Comprehensive Coverage
To pay for damage done to your vehicle in an accident when you are at fault, you would need to purchase Collision Coverage. For non-accident-related damage, consider purchasing Comprehensive Coverage, which pays for damage caused by things other than a collisions, like flood, theft, vandalism or falling trees.
Medical Payments
Medical payments is an optional coverage that helps with the medical and funeral expenses of the occupants of your vehicle, regardless of fault. It also applies when you or a family member is struck by a car as a pedestrian.
This information is intended for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice.