What Used Cars Are the Cheapest to Insure in Montana?
Want to know the cheapest pre-owned vehicle to insure in Montana? We researched insurance quotes in the state to save you the effort!
This article covers insurance basics for the state of Montana and tips to save money on premiums. We also found the best insurance companies and answered frequently asked questions!
Montana Cheapest Used Cars to Insure
The cheapest used cars to insure from the IIHS 2021 Top Safety Pick+ list in Montana are the 2021 Volvo XC40, the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, and the 2021 Mazda CX-3. Using a basic driver profile and an in-state address, we determined the monthly costs for full coverage and liability-only insurance.
1. 2021 XC40 by Volvo
The 2021 Volvo XC40 is the cheapest used car to insure in Montana. The XC40 costs $352 per month to insure with a full-coverage policy. Liability-only coverage costs $156 per month.
This four-door SUV has two potential engine offerings, with the highest providing 248 horsepower. You can find this model with all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive options.
The IIHS gave the Volvo XC40 its highest ratings in crash avoidance and mitigation, and it received the best scores in all but one of the IIHS’s crashworthiness tests. It gets a combined 26 mpg.
2. 2021 Bronco Sport by Ford
The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport is the second-cheapest used vehicle to insure in Montana. It costs $371 per month to insure the Ford Bronco Sport with a full-coverage policy. A liability-only policy costs $127 per month.
The Bronco Sport is a four-door SUV with off-road capability, capable engine options reaching up to 245 horsepower, and up to 2,200 pounds of towing capacity.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the Bronco Sport a five-star overall safety rating. Additionally, this vehicle can give drivers gas savings at the pump with its EPA-estimated 25 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.
3. 2021 CX-3 by Mazda
The third cheapest used car to insure in Montana is the 2021 Mazda CX-3. It costs $390 per month for a full-coverage policy. A liability-only policy for the CX-3 costs $158 per month.
This four-door, subcompact SUV is powered by a 146-horsepower engine.
The IIHS gave the CX-3 its highest score of good in all of its crashworthiness tests and a superior score in vehicle-to-vehicle front-crash prevention. Standard safety features include lane-departure warning, blind-spot detection, and daytime running lights.
The 45 Cheapest Used Vehicles to Insure in Montana
Using 45 award-winning vehicles on the IIHS 2021 Top Safety Pick+ list, we collected policy estimates for full coverage and liability-only coverage in Montana. We ranked costs from lowest to highest for full-coverage policies. We also provided liability-only quotes for comparison.
| Year | Make | Model | Full Coverage | Liability Only |
| 2021 | Volvo | XC40 | $352 | $156 |
| 2021 | Ford | Bronco Sport | $371 | $127 |
| 2021 | Mazda | CX-3 | $390 | $158 |
| 2021 | Honda | Insight | $397 | $173 |
| 2021 | Mazda | CX-5 | $403 | $158 |
| 2021 | Mazda | CX-30 | $406 | $166 |
| 2022 | Hyundai | Tucson | $411 | $155 |
| 2021 | Acura | RDX | $417 | $161 |
| 2021 | Subaru | Forester | $418 | $140 |
| 2021 | Subaru | Outback | $420 | $146 |
| 2021 | Chevrolet | Trailblazer | $423 | $168 |
| 2022 | Hyundai | Santa Fe | $423 | $166 |
| 2022 | Honda | Civic | $434 | $149 |
| 2021 | Subaru | Legacy | $442 | $156 |
| 2021 | Mazda | CX-9 | $444 | $141 |
| 2021 | Mazda | 3 | $449 | $170 |
| 2021 | Nissan | Murano | $454 | $157 |
| 2021 | Volkswagen | ID.4 | $456 | $160 |
| 2021 | Toyota | Highlander | $460 | $161 |
| 2021 | Kia | K5 | $466 | $184 |
| 2021 | Toyota | Camry | $474 | $152 |
| 2022 | Mitsubishi | Outlander | $475 | $171 |
| 2021 | Audi | Q5 | $476 | $137 |
| 2021 | Subaru | Ascent | $479 | $169 |
| 2021 | Nissan | Altima | $483 | $170 |
| 2021 | Honda | Accord | $508 | $147 |
| 2021 | Acura | TLX | $524 | $192 |
| 2021 | Genesis | GV80 | $542 | $176 |
| 2021 | Genesis | G80 | $555 | $184 |
| 2021 | Volvo | V60 | $559 | $177 |
| 2021 | Genesis | G70 | $568 | $188 |
| 2021 | Volvo | S60 | $575 | $160 |
| 2021 | Cadillac | XT6 | $576 | $197 |
| 2022 | Genesis | G70 | $588 | $185 |
| 2022 | Kia | Stinger | $598 | $173 |
| 2021 | Audi | A6 | $609 | $164 |
| 2021 | Lexus | ES 350 | $612 | $161 |
| 2022 | Lexus | ES 350 | $634 | $158 |
| 2021 | Volvo | S90 | $644 | $148 |
| 2021 | Nissan | Maxima | $657 | $179 |
| 2021 | Tesla | Model 3 | $699 | $161 |
| 2021 | Audi | A7 | $725 | $162 |
| 2021 | Volvo | V90 | $730 | $148 |
| 2021 | Audi | A6 allroad | $738 | $156 |
| 2021 | Genesis | G90 | $882 | $160 |
Full Coverage vs. Liability Insurance Costs
Liability-only insurance is usually cheaper than full coverage. This is because liability-only coverage provides minimum financial protection if a vehicle incurs loss, theft, or damage. The following shows the average cost of both policy types in Montana:
|
Full-coverage policy |
Liability-only policy |
| $101.33 a month |
$46.83 a month |
The Best Montana Car Insurance Companies
The three best automobile insurance companies in Montana are Travelers, Farmers Insurance, and State Farm.
To compare these companies, we found their market share percentages and provided national complaint index data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Companies with a lower complaint index indicate fewer complaints and happier claimants. The average complaint index is 1.0, so companies with results below this represent below-average numbers of complaints, demonstrating higher customer satisfaction. You can see the rankings below:
|
Insurance Company |
Market Share (%) | Percent of Total Complaints |
Complaint Index |
| Travelers | 3.9 | N/A | 0.11 |
| Farmers Insurance | 8.5 | N/A | 1.09 |
| State Farm | 22.04 | N/A | 1.18 |
| Progressive | 13.67 | N/A | 1.45 |
| USAA | 7.49 | N/A | 2.27 |
| Liberty Mutual | 12.41 | N/A | 2.66 |
| Allstate Corp. | 3.97 | N/A | 2.73 |
Disclaimer: Figures in the Complaint Index column are national NAIC ratings.
Tips to Lower Insurance Premiums in Montana
Drivers in Montana can follow these tips to maximize discounts and minimize insurance premiums:
- Maintain a clean driving record.
- Boost your credit score.
- Compare insurance prices before purchasing a vehicle.
- Request higher deductibles.
- Limit your mileage.
- Opt for bundle policies (e.g., home and auto insurance).
Research Methodology
Using an in-state address and basic driver profile, we input 45 award-winning models from the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ list through an insurance quote generator to identify the cheapest used cars to insure. Limiting the search to Montana provided the most relevant and accurate data for in-state drivers.
The results offered full-coverage and liability-only coverage quotes. We used the following hypothetical profile in our research:
Basic Driver Profile
- 35-year-old male with a bachelor’s degree
- Single and employed full time
- Homeowner but did not bundle policies
- Owns the vehicle rather than leases or finances it
- Has been with the current insurance carrier for five or more years
We used vehicles on the IIHS 2021 Top Safety Pick+ 2021 list. The IIHS is an independent, nonprofit organization that collects safety data for cars on the market.
We used the following limits for liability-only quotes:
- $100,000/$300,000 liability limits
- $100,000 property damage limits
- $10,000 personal injury protection
For the full-coverage quotes, we included the following coverages with the liability selections:
- $1,000 deductible on collision coverage
- $1,000 deductible for comprehensive coverage
- $50/$1,500 rental reimbursement
- $100 roadside assistance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest SUV to insure in Montana?
The 2021 Volvo XC40 is the cheapest used SUV to insure in Montana. It costs $352 per month for a full-coverage policy. Liability-only coverage costs $156 per month.
Are older cars cheaper to insure?
Older vehicles are generally cheaper to insure because they are less valuable, making them a lower financial risk.
How much liability insurance is required in Montana?
According to Montana law, in-state drivers require the following minimum coverage: $25,000 bodily injury limit per person, $50,000 bodily injury coverage per accident, and $20,000 property damage coverage.
What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Montana?
For first-time offenses, individuals pay a fine of between $250 and $500 and risk up to 10 days in prison. Depending on the number of offenses, repeat offenders pay between $350 and $500 and face between 10 days and six months in jail.
What is the basic insurance for a car?
Liability insurance is the most basic insurance plan. Liability-only policies cover injuries and property damage resulting from an at-fault accident. Auto lenders may require individuals to arrange full-coverage premiums, which include comprehensive and collision insurance.
What car has the highest insurance rates?
High-value vehicles, like luxury vehicles and classic cars, usually demand the highest insurance rates. This is because they cost more to repair and replace, making them a greater financial liability.
References
- (2021.) 2021 Top Safety Picks. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Retrieved April 18, 2023, from https://www.iihs.org/ratings/top-safety-picks/2021?tspPlusOnly#award-winners
- (2023.) How Much Is Car Insurance in Montana? (2023 Averages) . MoneyGeek. Retrieved April 18, 2023, from https://www.moneygeek.com/insurance/auto/average-cost-car-insurance-montana/
- (2019.) Largest Auto Insurance Companies in Montana. EverQuote. Retrieved April 18, 2023, from https://www.everquote.com/blog/car-insurance/largest-companies-montana/
- (2023.) Farmers Car & Home Insurance Review: Good Support at a Cost. ValuePenguin. Retrieved April 18, 2023, from https://www.valuepenguin.com/farmers-insurance-review
- (2023.) State Farm Insurance Review. WalletHub. Retrieved April 18, 2023, from https://wallethub.com/profile/ci/statefarm-13017237i
- (2023.) Progressive Insurance Review. WalletHub. Retrieved April 18, 2023, from https://wallethub.com/profile/ci/progressive-insurance-13015814i
- (2023.) Liberty Mutual Insurance Review. WalletHub. Retrieved April 18, 2023, from https://wallethub.com/profile/ci/liberty-mutual-13015271i
- (2023.) Farmers Insurance Review. ValuePenguin. Retrieved April 18, 2023, from https://www.valuepenguin.com/farmers-insurance-review
- (2023.) USAA Insurance Review. WalletHub. Retrieved April 18, 2023, from https://wallethub.com/profile/ci/usaa-insurance-13303847i
- (2023.) Allstate Insurance Review. WalletHub. Retrieved April 18, 2023, from https://wallethub.com/edu/ci/allstate-car-insurance-review/62759
- (2023.) Travelers Insurance Review . WalletHub. Retrieved April 18, 2023, from https://wallethub.com/profile/ci/travelers-insurance-13303756i
- (2021.) Motor Vehicle Liability Policy Minimum Limits—Other Requirements . Montana Code Annotated 2021. Retrieved April 18, 2023, from https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0610/chapter_0060/part_0010/section_0030/0610-0060-0010-0030.html
- (2023.) Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Montana. ValuePenguin. Retrieved April 18, 2023, from https://www.valuepenguin.com/auto-insurance/montana/penalties-driving-without-insurance
- (n.d.) 2021 Volvo XC40. Car and Driver. Retrieved April 24, 2023, from https://www.caranddriver.com/volvo/xc40-2021.
- (2021.) Used 2021 Volvo XC40. Kelley Blue Book. Retrieved April 24, 2023, from https://www.kbb.com/volvo/xc40/2021/.
- (2023.) 2021 Volvo XC40. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Retrieved April 24, 2023, from https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/volvo/xc40-4-door-suv/2021.
- (n.d.) 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. Car and Driver. Retrieved April 24, 2023, from https://www.caranddriver.com/ford/bronco-sport-2021.
- (n.d.) 2021 FORD BRONCO SPORT SUV 4WD. National Highway Traffic Safety Authority. Retrieved April 24, 2023, from https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/FORD/BRONCO%252520SPORT/SUV/4WD.
- (n.d.) 2021 Mazda CX-3. Car and Driver. Retrieved April 24, 2023, from https://www.caranddriver.com/mazda/cx-3.
- (2023.) 2021 Mazda CX-3. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Retrieved April 24, 2023, from https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/mazda/cx-3-4-door-suv/2021
At FIXD, our mission is to make car ownership as simple, easy, and affordable as possible. Our research team utilizes the latest automotive data and insights to create tools and resources that help drivers get peace of mind and save money over the life of their car.
