Car Insurance in Helena, MT

If you own a vehicle in Helena, Montana, you need car insurance. A good policy can shield you from significant financial losses whether you are in a multi-car collision on Interstate 15, get T-boned on Prospect Avenue, or find yourself in a fender bender in a grocery store parking lot.

Finding the best and most affordable car insurance is easy with the help of a local independent agent. These local agents can help you obtain and compare customized car insurance quotes from multiple insurers. Consult an independent insurance agent in Helena to get started.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Helena, MT?

The average cost of car insurance in Montana is higher than the national average, and in Helena, rates tend to be even higher. Taking the time to compare rates from a few different insurance providers can save you a lot of money.

• National average annual car insurance cost: $1,311
• Montana's average annual car insurance cost: $1,476
• Helena's average annual car insurance cost: $1,670

An average rate can only give you a general idea of what you might be expected to pay. If you are an experienced driver with a safe driving record, your rates are likely to be lower than this average cost.

Car insurance companies base their premiums on several factors such as:

• Information about your car, such as its make, model, year, and value
• Your age, gender, occupation, claims history, and credit score
• Details about the other licensed drivers in your household
• The auto theft and accident rate in the vicinity of your home
• Whether you own or rent your home
• The amount of coverage you are purchasing
• Your deductible amount

Independent insurance agents make comparison shopping easy because they can contact insurance companies and gather a selection of policies and quotes on your behalf.

Are There Car Insurance Discount Opportunities in Helena, MT?

Typically, you will be able to earn rate reductions if you bundle your car insurance with other policies like homeowners insurance or renters insurance.

Other potential money-saving incentives you may come across include:

• Safe driver discounts
• Good student discounts
• Military discounts
• Multiple vehicle discounts
• Policy renewal discounts

Be sure to ask about all offered car insurance discounts when requesting car insurance quotes.

Is Car Insurance Required in Helena, MT?

It is illegal to drive an uninsured vehicle in Helena. To comply with Montana law, you must have a car insurance policy with 25/50/20 coverage. This means that your car insurance policy must include:

• Car liability coverage: This covers other people's property damage and medical bills if you are at fault for a collision. Your policy must provide you with at least:
  • $25,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per person
  • $50,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per accident
  • $20,000 in property damage liability insurance per accident

Additionally, though it is not required by law, you may be required to carry physical damage coverage by your lender if you are still paying for your vehicle or by the dealership if you are leasing it. Physical damage coverage includes:

• Collision coverage: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled in a collision, regardless of fault.
• Comprehensive coverage: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled by a non-collision event such as a hailstorm or theft.

A local independent agent can help you find a competitively priced policy that meets or exceeds all of your coverage requirements.

What Else Does Car Insurance Cover in Helena, MT?

In addition to the mandatory coverage mentioned above, most car insurance companies in Montana offer additional coverage. Some of the options frequently purchased by residents of Helena include:

• Medical payments coverage: This can help cover the cost of medical treatment for you and your passengers if you are injured in a collision, regardless of fault.
• Uninsured motorist coverage: This can compensate you for your injuries and property damage if an uninsured driver is at fault for a collision with you.
• Windshield and glass replacement coverage: This can pay to replace the safety glass in your windshield and windows if it is cracked or broken. This coverage often has no deductible.
• Towing and roadside assistance coverage: This can cover the cost of service if your car becomes disabled and you need to call for help, such as if your car's engine overheats or you run out of gas.
• Gap insurance: This covers the gap between your car's assessed value and how much you still owe for it. It can buy out your lease or pay off your car loan if your vehicle is totaled in a covered event and you still owe more than the car is worth.
• Rental car reimbursement insurance: This can cover the cost of renting a car while your own is being repaired for damage caused during a covered event.
• Umbrella insurance: This enables you to affordably boost your liability coverage well beyond the limitations of your car insurance policy.

Be sure to review the details and costs of every available coverage option so you can make an informed decision about which choices are a good idea for you and your family.

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What Is the Penalty for Driving without Insurance in Helena, MT?

Driving without insurance is a misdemeanor in Montana. If convicted of this crime for the first time, you may only be penalized with a fine of $250 to $500. If you are caught a second or subsequent time, however, you can face:

• A court surcharge of $35
• A $500 fine or incarceration for ten days to six months, or both
• The suspension of your vehicle registration for 90 to 180 days
• Temporary revocation of your driver's license if you are facing a fourth or subsequent conviction
• Fees to get your vehicle registration and driver's license reinstated
• The requirement to maintain an SR-22 for three years
• Five points on your driver's license
• Higher car insurance rates

Even though it is against the law, nearly one in ten drivers in this state are in uninsured vehicles.

• Percentage of US drivers who are uninsured: 13.0%
• Percentage of Montana drivers who are uninsured: 9.9%

If you are in an accident caused by an uninsured driver, that person is responsible for covering your property damage and injuries. However, collecting this money can be a lengthy process involving courts and wage garnishments, so it can take a long time to get the compensation you are due.

However, if your car insurance policy includes uninsured motorist insurance, you should be okay. In this case, your insurance company will provide you with the compensation you are entitled to right away and will then take over the difficult task of collecting what is owed from the at-fault driver.

How High Is Helena, Montana's Auto Theft Rate?

The auto theft rate in Helena is similar to the national average rate. Residents of this city report around 90 stolen cars a year.

• National auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 2.29
• Montana auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 2.63
• Helena auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 2.26

As a vehicle owner in Helena, you should know that you can only receive compensation for a stolen vehicle if your car insurance policy includes comprehensive (or "other than collision") coverage.

If you are financing or leasing your vehicle, you probably have comprehensive coverage already. If not, you may want to find out how much it would cost to add it to your car insurance policy to decide if it is a good fit for you.

What Are the Best Car Insurance Companies in Helena, MT?

Attributes that make insurance companies stand out above the rest include responsive customer service, consistent reliability, rapid claims processing, and competitive rates.

Independent insurance agents with offices in Helena have teamed up with some of the best car insurance companies in Montana. This lets you be sure that any policies your agent may recommend to you are offered by companies you can count on if you ever need to file a claim.

How Can an Independent Agent in Helena, MT Help Find the Right Car Insurance?

Independent agents take the guesswork out of finding the best car insurance policy. These agents are available to explain your various coverage options, answer your insurance-related questions, and help you compare policies and rates from a selection of competing providers.

It doesn't cost anything to work with one of these experienced insurance professionals. Contact an independent insurance agent in Helena to get more information and to start comparing customized car insurance quotes.