Car insurance in Montana (25/50/20)
- Minimum car insuranceMontana requires liability coverage of $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident and $20,000 for property damage. PIP is not required, and insurers must offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, but drivers may decline it. Source
- Fault systemMontana is an at-fault (tort) state: the driver who causes a crash is responsible for the resulting injuries and damage. Source
Business insurance rules in Montana
- Workers’ compensationMontana's Workers' Compensation Act applies to all employers and employees, so coverage is generally required from the first employee, with listed exemptions such as sole proprietors, casual and domestic work, and independent contractors who hold an exemption certificate. Montana is not monopolistic: employers may self-insure, buy from a private insurer, or buy from Montana State Fund. Source
- Contractor licensingSince January 1, 2026, construction contractors with employees must hold a Construction Contractor License from the Montana Department of Labor & Industry, which replaced the old registration program; proof of Montana workers' compensation coverage is required. Independent contractors with no employees are exempt but generally need an Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate. Source
Home insurance in Montana
- Home insurer of last resortWildfire and flooding are the main concerns; the State Auditor warns that wildfire coverage is becoming less common and more expensive in standard homeowners policies, and flood insurance is separate and does not take effect right away. Source
Disasters, floods, hail, tornadoes and earthquakes in Montana
| Measure | Montana | Rank among the states | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal major disaster declarations since 2000 | 30 | #24 of 51 | Most often for severe storm (11), flood (10), fire (3). Blaine County has been in 8 of them. |
| National Flood Insurance Program claims, 2005–2025 | 921 | #46 of 51 | $13.8 million paid; 48% of claims with a known flood zone were outside FEMA’s high-risk zones. |
| Homes in high-risk flood zones with a federal flood policy | 14% | #42 of 50 | 1,969 policies for 13,743 homes in the counties FEMA can measure; US: 40%. |
| Hail reports, 2016–2025 | 1,850 | #14 of 51 | 186 of them 2 inches or larger. Largest stone 4 inches, Carter County, August 2016. |
| Tornadoes, 2016–2025 | 38 | #36 of 51 | 3 rated EF2 or stronger; 444 recorded since 1950. |
| Earthquakes of magnitude 4.0+, 2000–2025 | 31 | #10 of 51 | Largest: magnitude 5.8, 11 km SE of Lincoln, Montana, July 6, 2017. |
From the public FEMA, NOAA, Storm Prediction Center, USGS and FMCSA records behind each linked report; ranks count all 50 states and Washington, DC unless noted.
Look up the storm history of any county in Montana.
Worth knowing in Montana
Montana's insurance regulator is the elected State Auditor, who also serves as Commissioner of Securities and Insurance.
Montana’s insurance regulator
Insurance in Montana is regulated by the Office of the Montana State Auditor, Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, which handles consumer complaints and licenses insurers and agents.
Sam Alishahi holds a nonresident insurance producer license in Montana (NPN 21022298), so requests from Montana are handled by him directly.
Common questions
What is the minimum car insurance in Montana?
Montana requires liability coverage of $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident and $20,000 for property damage. PIP is not required, and insurers must offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, but drivers may decline it.
Is Montana a no-fault state?
Montana is an at-fault (tort) state: the driver who causes a crash is responsible for the resulting injuries and damage.
Do employers in Montana need workers’ comp?
Montana's Workers' Compensation Act applies to all employers and employees, so coverage is generally required from the first employee, with listed exemptions such as sole proprietors, casual and domestic work, and independent contractors who hold an exemption certificate. Montana is not monopolistic: employers may self-insure, buy from a private insurer, or buy from Montana State Fund.
What can a Montana homeowner do if no insurer will write the house?
Wildfire and flooding are the main concerns; the State Auditor warns that wildfire coverage is becoming less common and more expensive in standard homeowners policies, and flood insurance is separate and does not take effect right away.
Sources
- Montana: Minimum car insurance
- Montana: Fault system
- Montana: Workers’ compensation
- Montana: Home insurer of last resort
- Montana: Contractor licensing
- Montana: insurance regulator
General information as of October 2026, not legal advice; confirm current rules with the agency.