insure logo

Why you can trust Insure.com

quality icon

Quality Verified

At Insure.com, we are committed to providing the timely, accurate and expert information consumers need to make smart insurance decisions. All our content is written and reviewed by industry professionals and insurance experts. Our team carefully vets our rate data to ensure we only provide reliable and up-to-date insurance pricing. We follow the highest editorial standards. Our content is based solely on objective research and data gathering. We maintain strict editorial independence to ensure unbiased coverage of the insurance industry.

In Montana, the cheapest SR-22 insurance options are offered by Progressive at $1,335 per year and State Farm at $1,482 per year. The cost of SR-22 insurance depends on your location, driving history, and insurance provider.

An SR-22 isn’t a type of insurance. It’s a certificate of financial responsibility that proves you meet your state’s minimum car insurance requirements. It’s often required after serious driving violations, such as a DUI, reckless driving, or driving without insurance. If you’ve been ordered to file an SR-22, you might be worried about the impact on your car insurance costs.

Unfortunately, having an SR-22 on your record usually leads to higher premiums, and some carriers won’t cover such drivers, so finding affordable options is essential.

Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly policy or just trying to learn more about SR-22s, this guide has the information you need to get back on the road without breaking the bank.

What is an SR-22?

An SR-22 is a Certificate of Financial Responsibility (CFR) that proves you’ve bought the minimum liability auto insurance your state requires. If you’re considered a high-risk driver due to traffic violations, a DUI/DWI, or other reasons, your state or a court may require you to obtain an SR-22-a certificate filed by your insurance company that proves you carry the minimum required auto insurance coverage.

While it’s not a type of insurance, filing an SR-22 is often mandatory after serious offenses and it can lead to higher insurance premiums due to your increased risk profile.

Key Takeaways

  • The average cost of SR-22 car insurance in Montana is $1,966.
  • Progressive offers the most affordable SR-22 insurance policies in Montana at $1,335 per year.
  • An SR-22 isn’t a separate insurance policy; it’s a form your insurer files to the state DMV on your behalf to confirm you have the required minimum coverage.

Do I need to buy SR-22 insurance in Montana?

As mentioned before, an SR-22 isn’t an insurance policy. It’s a form your insurance company files with your state’s DMV to show that you have the required minimum coverage, even with certain driving offenses on your record. The filing fee is usually low, but insurance with an SR-22 can be expensive.

Here are few offenses that might require an SR-22:

  • DUI, DWI or other serious moving violations
  • Reckless driving
  • Accidents resulting in suspension or revocation
  • Accumulation of too many driving violation points
  • Driving without insurance

If you are convicted of any of these violations, you might need an SR-22. After buying an insurance plan that meets your state’s requirements, ask your insurance company to send the SR-22 form to the DMV.

You usually have to keep the SR-22 for at least three years. If you don’t, your license could be suspended.

Average SR-22 car insurance cost in Montana

The average cost of SR-22 car insurance in Montana is $1,966.

This is $951 more expensive than the SR-22 insurance in New Hampshire, the least expensive state.

However, it’s also $2,075 cheaper than in Michigan, the most expensive state for SR-22 insurance.

However, several factors can affect the cost of SR-22 insurance, including why you need the SR-22, your driving history and your city.

Our agents make it hassle-free to get the right quote.

Call (844) 814-8854
ethan-avatar
Ethan Available Now
jack-avatar
Jack Available Now
robbie-avatar
Robbie Available Now
ellie-avatar
Ellie Available Now

Cheapest SR-22 insurance companies in Montana

Insurance rates typically increase if you have an SR-22, but not all insurance companies charge the same rates for SR-22 holders. The companies listed below offer some of the lowest rates in Montana.

CompanyAverage annual premiumAverage monthly premium
Progressive$1,335 $111
State Farm$1,482 $124
Nationwide$1,637 $136
GEICO$1,969 $164
Allstate$2,698 $225
Farmers$2,803 $234
Kemper Insurance$2,888 $241
USAA*$915 $76
*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
Powered by:

Cheap SR-22 insurance in Montana by city

As mentioned earlier, where you live can also make a big difference in the cost of SR-22 insurance. Below, you’ll find the cheapest rates for SR-22 insurance for most cities in Montana.

CityAverage annual premium
Missoula$1,212
Butte$1,252
Flaxville$1,258
Belgrade$1,261
Anaconda-Deer Lodge County$1,284
Plains$1,340
Geraldine$1,374
Hardin$1,399
Kalispell$1,409
Billings$1,417
Powered by:

SR-22 insurance requirements in Montana

The Montana DMV mandates all drivers in Montana to have the following minimum car insurance coverage:

  • $25,000 for injury or death per person
  • $50,000 for injury or death per accident
  • $20,000 for property damage per accident

These are only the minimum requirements. Experts suggest getting more coverage than the mandated coverage levels. While it might increase your premium, the extra coverage can be very helpful if you’re in a costly at-fault accident.

How much does SR-22 in Montana cost with a DUI?

Insurance companies charge different premiums for drivers with a DUI.

Note: In the table below, “filing only” means the cost of a policy that includes the SR-22 filing fee but doesn’t take into account why you need the SR-22.

CompanySR-22 with 1 DUISR-22 Filing only
State Farm$1,580 $1,482
Progressive$1,672 $1,335
Kemper Insurance$3,026 $2,888
Nationwide$3,113 $1,637
Allstate$3,448 $2,698
Farmers$3,796 $2,803
GEICO$5,380 $1,969
USAA*$1,785 $915
*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
Powered by:

How to get the cheapest SR-22 insurance in Montana

If you have an SR-22 in Montana, you might think you are doomed to pay inflated insurance rates. But just because you need an SR-22 doesn’t mean you’ll end up paying the highest rates.

First, shopping around is always a good idea. There can be an enormous difference in the rates you will get from different insurance companies. Some companies might even specialize in high-risk drivers and be able to offer you better SR-22 rates.

Another way to get the cheapest insurance with an SR-22 is to improve your driving record. Sure, that might be easier said than done, but it can be worth putting in the time if you want a better rate. You can get a quick win by taking a defensive driving course. Ask your insurer if they offer any of these courses and if they can help you qualify for a discount.

You can also ask about safe driving programs. These usage-based programs track your driving habits and may reward you with lower premiums for safe driving.

There are a few ways someone required to get SR-22 insurance can find the most affordable policy while still meeting all the legal requirements.

Sebastian Hov, CEO of 18 Insurance, an insurance agency based in Sacramento, Montana, recommends the following:

  • Shopping around: Different insurance companies offer varying rates for SR-22 insurance. It’s crucial to compare quotes from multiple providers to find the best option.
  • Pay upfront: If possible, paying your premium in full rather than in monthly installments can sometimes result in lower overall costs.

Opt for non-owner insurance: If you don’t own a vehicle but want to maintain SR-22 coverage, non-owner car insurance can be a cost-effective option as it is typically 5% to 15% cheaper than a standard policy. Keep reading for more information on non-owner insurance options.

Non-owner SR-22 insurance in Montana

Some states may require you to obtain an SR-22 even if you don’t own a car. This filing ensures you meet the state’s minimum liability coverage requirements, which is often necessary to reinstate your driver’s license after a suspension or revocation resulting from violations like a DUI or multiple traffic offenses.

Non-owner insurance policies are for individuals who don’t own a vehicle but must fulfill SR-22 requirements or want to maintain continuous coverage. This type of coverage provides liability protection when driving a car you don’t own and helps you meet state mandates for reinstating your license after violations such as a DUI or multiple traffic offenses.

It’s often a more affordable option than a standard policy since it only covers liability.

Read more about how non-owners car insurance works in Montana

Who needs SR-22 insurance?

Remember that an SR-22 is not a separate insurance policy. Instead, it’s a certificate that shows your state’s DMV that you have at least the minimum insurance coverage required.

For instance, if you have a DUI, the state will require you to prove you have enough insurance to be financially responsible.

Keep in mind that not all driving offenses require an SR-22. You will be notified if you require an SR-22. If you aren’t sure if you need one, ask your local DMV or an attorney with traffic law experience.

How long do you need SR-22 insurance in Montana?

You typically need to maintain an SR-22 for three years.

During this period, you must maintain continuous coverage without any lapses. If your policy is canceled or lapses, your insurer must notify the state, which could result in further penalties or a license suspension.

The bottom line on SR-22 in Montana

The average SR-22 insurance rate in Montana is $1,966, while the average cost of car insurance in Montana is $1,766. This means SR-22 insurance in Montana costs $200 more per year.

Keep in mind that there are numerous factors that affect the auto insurance premiums.

expert

What our expert says

Q: How can you save on SR-22 insurance?

expert-image
Sebastian HovCEO, 18 Insurance.
“Shop around: Different insurance companies offer varying rates for SR-22 insurance. It’s crucial to compare quotes from multiple providers to find the best option.”

Resources and Methodology

Sources:

Methodology

Insure.com gathered rates from Quadrant Information Services for all states, including Washington, D.C. The rates are based on a sample driving profile of a 40-year-old male and female who drives a Honda Accord LX and opts for a full-coverage policy with coverage limits of 100/300/100 and a $500 comprehensive and collision deductible across most ZIP codes. We analyzed 5,000,736 insurance quotes from 27 companies.

author image
Bob Haegele
Contributing Researcher

 
|
  

Bob Haegele is a personal finance writer. He covers car insurance, health insurance and life insurance. While working in the corporate world he started a personal finance blog. He later left his corporate job and began freelance writing full-time. Since then, he has made it his mission to help people master their money. His work has been featured in Business Insider, Forbes Advisor, Bankrate, FinanceBuzz and others.

Compare SR-22 insurance rates with other states

Alabama$1,702/Year
Alaska$1,419/Year
Arizona$1,916/Year
Arkansas$1,618/Year
California$2,238/Year
Colorado$2,177/Year
Connecticut$1,654/Year
Florida$3,288/Year
Georgia$1,795/Year
Hawaii$1,523/Year
Idaho$1,115/Year
Illinois$1,380/Year
Indiana$1,418/Year
Iowa$1,363/Year
Kansas$1,581/Year
Louisiana$3,390/Year
Maine$1,141/Year
Maryland$2,020/Year
Massachusetts$1,900/Year
Michigan$4,041/Year
Mississippi$1,502/Year
Missouri$2,504/Year
Nebraska$2,001/Year
Nevada$2,632/Year
New Hampshire$1,015/Year
New Jersey$2,370/Year
North Dakota$1,315/Year
Ohio$1,240/Year
Oregon$1,653/Year
Rhode Island$1,887/Year
South Carolina$1,998/Year
South Dakota$1,681/Year
Tennessee$1,458/Year
Texas$2,113/Year
Utah$1,816/Year
Vermont$1,140/Year
Virginia$1,343/Year
Washington$1,473/Year
Washington, D.C.$2,065/Year
West Virginia$1,520/Year
Wisconsin$1,738/Year
Wyoming$1,808/Year
Show more
ZIP Code Please enter valid ZIP