Montana is an at-fault (tort) state with 25/50/20 minimum liability. Here's exactly what the law demands, what it costs to ignore it, and how SR-22 filings work — with statutes cited.
| Coverage MT law requires | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability — per person | $25,000 |
| Bodily injury liability — per accident | $50,000 |
| Property damage liability | $20,000 |
| UM/UIM | Offer requirement only, not a purchase mandate: Montana auto liability policies must inclu |
Effective Current 25/50/20 limits under MCA 61-6-103, last substantively amended in 2015 and unchanged in the 2025 Montana Code Annotated. Source: Montana Code Annotated 2025 - MCA 61-6-103 (minimum limits) · Montana Mandatory Liability Protection Act, MCA 61-6-301 through 61-6-304 (minimum limits at MCA 61-6-103)
First offense: A first conviction is punishable by a fine of not less than $250 and not more than $500 (MCA 61-6-304, Montana Code Annotated 2025).
Repeat offenses: A second conviction brings a $350 fine plus court-ordered surrender of the vehicle's registration and license plates (restricted, work-only registration available for 90 days); a third or subsequent conviction brings a $500 fine and/or up to 10 days in county jail with a 180-day restricted registration period; on a fourth or subsequent conviction the court also orders surrender of the driver's license (MCA 61-6-304).
License impact: License plates and registration are suspended on second and subsequent convictions until proof of insurance is furnished, and the driver's license itself is surrendered on a fourth or subsequent conviction; law enforcement verifies coverage in real time through MTIVS during stops (MCA 61-6-304; Montana Motor Vehicle Division). (source: Montana Code Annotated 2025 (MCA 61-6-304); Montana Motor Vehicle Division)
When Montana revokes a license, it stays revoked until the driver files a certificate of insurance (SR-22) as proof of financial responsibility (MCA 61-6-131, 61-6-133); the proof requirement can be waived after three years without qualifying convictions (MCA 61-6-142). The filing is maintained for three years, and non-owner SR-22 policies are available for drivers without a vehicle (ValuePenguin).
Typically required after: license revocation or suspension (including after DUI convictions), driving-record events that trigger Montana's proof-of-financial-responsibility requirement. Filing period: 3 years in most cases. Non-owner option: available — you can file without owning a car.
Need one filed? Our SR-22 service page explains the process; a licensed professional at (866) 370-6395 can usually file the same day.
Montana is a tort state and does not require personal injury protection (PIP); medical payments coverage is optional (Montana Motor Vehicle Division).
Uninsured motorist coverage must be included in every Montana policy unless rejected by the named insured, so drivers who do not want it must actively decline it in writing (MCA 33-23-201).
Drivers and law enforcement can confirm a vehicle's insurance status in real time through the Montana Insurance Verification System (MTIVS) using the vehicle and plate numbers (Montana Motor Vehicle Division).
License and registration consequences: License plates and registration are suspended on second and subsequent convictions until proof of insurance is furnished, and the driver's license itself is surrendered on a fourth or subsequent conviction; law enforcement verifies coverage in real time through MTIVS during stops (MCA 61-6-304; Montana Motor Vehicle Division).
Drivers and law enforcement can confirm a vehicle's insurance status in real time through the Montana Insurance Verification System (MTIVS) using the vehicle and plate numbers (Montana Motor Vehicle Division).
| City | Population | Median income | 30+ min commute | No-vehicle households |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | 119,434 | $73,712 | 9.8% | 5.1% |
| Missoula | 76,514 | $70,392 | 10.3% | 6.7% |
| Great Falls | 60,329 | $63,373 | 7.6% | 7.1% |
| Bozeman | 56,114 | $85,747 | 9.9% | 3.9% |
| Butte-Silver Bow | 35,052 | $61,857 | 11.6% | 6.4% |
| Helena | 33,639 | $71,036 | 7.9% | 8.6% |
| Kalispell | 28,504 | $63,415 | 12.2% | 7.7% |
Source: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-year estimates.
Montana driving is measured in hours, not miles: I-90 from Missoula through Butte to Bozeman, I-15 up to Great Falls and Helena, and US-93 north to Kalispell with Glacier traffic in summer. Wildlife is the coverage headline — deer and elk at dawn and dusk on every route, and locals treat comprehensive coverage as animal-strike insurance first. Black ice on mountain passes, gravel that chips windshields all winter, and sanded roads make glass coverage a running expense question. Bozeman's growth has brought real congestion to a town that never planned for it. Long gaps between services make roadside and UM choices worth genuine thought.
Billings drives I-90 past the refineries, under the Rims, and out King Avenue, with I-94 peeling off toward long, empty eastern Montana miles where the next town is a commitment. Weather turns fast here: hail off the plains, spring snow that arrives after the flowers, black ice on the interchanges, and wind that makes lane discipline a genuine skill. Deer and antelope at dusk are the region's signature hazard, and an animal strike is a comprehensive claim, not collision, which surprises people at the worst time. Distances make towing and roadside coverage practical rather than optional. An agent who knows Montana miles can help set deductibles for hail-and-wildlife country.
Every legal claim on this page traces to:
Laws change. We refresh state pages on a rolling schedule and date-stamp every change; verify with your state before acting.