To Drive in Missoula, You Must Carry the Minimum Insurance

Montana’s auto insurance liability requirements

People who wish to register and operate their car or truck in Montana must purchase at least the minimum liability coverage required by the state. The minimum auto insurance you must carry is:

• $25,000 for bodily injury coverage per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury coverage per accident
• $20,000 for property damage per accident

These numbers are the amounts an insurance company will pay should you be at fault in an accident and claims are filed by another party for injuries or vehicle damage. The property damage insurance will also cover things like fencing, mailboxes, or landscaping.

Liability insurance violations and penalties

If you are in an accident, or even if you are pulled over by law enforcement, and you don’t have the required auto insurance, you can face stiff penalties:

• First offense - a fine of $250 to $500 and up to 10 days in jail
• Second offense - a minimum fine of $350, 10 days in jail, revocation of your driver’s license for 90 days, 5 points added to your driving record
• Third offense - a $500 fine and imprisonment up to 6 months

Additional Coverage Offers Better Protection

Increased liability coverage

At Compass Insurance Group, we make it easy for drivers in Missoula to comply with the state’s auto insurance requirements. Our auto insurance policies all cover the minimum required in Montana.

You may wish to increase your coverage, however, for better protection. For example, carrying more liability insurance can be smart if you hit someone whose vehicle costs more than $20,000 and it needs to be replaced. In that scenario, minimum insurance would only cover $20,000; you’d be responsible for the remainder, which most folks can’t afford. The additional liability insurance is also often recommended by households with new or young drivers.

Collision and comprehensive coverage

We recommend full coverage auto insurance to our clients in Missoula as well, which means getting collision and comprehensive insurance. In most cases, you can’t finance a new vehicle or drive one off the dealer’s lot without this coverage.

Comprehensive insurance protects your vehicle in the event of theft, vandalism, and damage or loss because of fire, storms, and most natural disasters. Collision coverage pays for repairs to or replacement of your vehicle if you’re at fault in an accident, which is not covered by liability insurance.

Insurance perks worth requesting

Your auto insurance can also give you some great perks, if you purchase the right policy. Be sure to ask about:

• Coverage of a rental car while yours is in for repair after damage
• Roadside assistance if you’re stranded
• Medical payments for you and your passengers

Get Auto Insurance with Personalized Service

Independent agents with more options

You will appreciate the difference when you work with Compass Insurance Group instead of those big name insurance companies. Not only do we have far more auto insurance options available for you, but we also offer personalized service and policies tailored to your unique needs.

It’s not worth the penalties and financial risk of being caught without proper Montana auto insurance. Give us a call at 406-493-5726 with your questions, or get in touch online for a quick quote today.

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