SR-22 insurance in Montana
What Montana requires after a DUI, a lapse or driving uninsured, how long the filing lasts, what it costs the state, whether a non-owner filing works, and which companies in Montana write the policies that carry it, from the state's own pages and the insurance company directory.
Montana uses the Insurer certificate (not called SR-22) filing. Who needs it: Anyone ending a license revocation: negligent homicide, a felony with a vehicle (including a 4th DUI), hit-and-run with injury, fleeing police, vehicular assault, or habitual offender status. A non-felony DUI is not a revocation. How long: Waived on request after 3 years from the date required, if no qualifying conviction in those 3 years; it does not end on its own. The insurer files it electronically with the state once the policy is bound; a non-standard auto policy with the filing is often cheaper than people expect. 0 companies write personal auto in Montana; the ones used to filings are tagged below.
By Sam Alishahi, independent insurance broker · Every state
What Montana requires
From Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division; sources at the bottom.
| Filing | Insurer certificate (not called SR-22) |
|---|---|
| Who needs it | Anyone ending a license revocation: negligent homicide, a felony with a vehicle (including a 4th DUI), hit-and-run with injury, fleeing police, vehicular assault, or habitual offender status. A non-felony DUI is not a revocation. |
| How long | Waived on request after 3 years from the date required, if no qualifying conviction in those 3 years; it does not end on its own. |
| State fees | No state fee for the certificate; insurer charges vary. License reinstatement: $100; $200 for revocations or test refusal. |
| Non-owner filing | Accepted by statute: an operator's policy covers vehicles you don't own at the same 25/50/20 limits. The MVD site does not mention it. |
| How it's filed | A Montana-authorized insurer files the certificate with the department. Documents can go to the Records and Driver Control Unit by fax, mail or upload. Insurer electronic filing: not stated. |
| If the policy cancels | Your insurer must give 10 days' notice before cancelling. A revoked license can't be restored without the certificate. Re-suspension and restart rules are not stated by the state. |
| Minimum liability limits | 25/50/20 (bodily injury per person / per accident / property damage) |
| Who handles it | Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division |
How to get it today
- Send the quote request with the reason for the filing (DUI, lapse, uninsured accident) and the date the state gave you; that goes to the companies above that take it.
- Bind the policy; the insurer sends the Insurer certificate (not called SR-22) to the state electronically the same day in most cases.
- Keep the policy paid for the whole period: a cancellation is reported to the state and usually restarts the suspension.
I'm licensed in 48 states and Washington, DC and your request stays with my agency, not passed to another agent. In Florida and Washington, where my licenses are still being issued, a partner agency in your state helps in the meantime.
Questions people ask
How long do I need an Insurer certificate (not called SR-22) in Montana?
Waived on request after 3 years from the date required, if no qualifying conviction in those 3 years; it does not end on its own.
Who needs an Insurer certificate (not called SR-22) in Montana?
Anyone ending a license revocation: negligent homicide, a felony with a vehicle (including a 4th DUI), hit-and-run with injury, fleeing police, vehicular assault, or habitual offender status. A non-felony DUI is not a revocation.
Can I get a non-owner Insurer certificate (not called SR-22) in Montana?
Accepted by statute: an operator's policy covers vehicles you don't own at the same 25/50/20 limits. The MVD site does not mention it.
What happens if my policy cancels during the Insurer certificate (not called SR-22) period?
Your insurer must give 10 days' notice before cancelling. A revoked license can't be restored without the certificate. Re-suspension and restart rules are not stated by the state.
Sources
- https://mvdmt.gov/suspensions-revocations/
- https://mvdmt.gov/vehicle-insurance-and-verification/
- https://mvdmt.gov/?s=SR-22
- https://mvdmt.gov/?s=SR22
- https://archive.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0610/chapter_0060/part_0010/section_0310/0610-0060-0010-0310.html
- https://archive.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0610/chapter_0060/part_0010/section_0320/0610-0060-0010-0320.html
Send it once. It gets filed.
A few minutes to request the quote; the companies that file Insurer certificate (not called SR-22) answer by email, and the filing goes to the state when you bind.
Get a reminder before your renewal.
Tell me when your policy renews and I’ll email you about six weeks before, when it’s worth comparing. One email, no calls.