If you own a vehicle, that vehicle must be properly insured. Montana uses a system called the “Montana Insurance Verification System (MTIVS) to allow for the real-time verification of insurance status, ensuring that all vehicles on Montana roads are adequately insured according to state requirements.
Insurance requirements
In Montana, liability insurance is mandatory for all vehicles except motorcycles. Vehicle owners must maintain insurance coverage with minimum limits of:
- $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person in any one accident.
- $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two persons in any one accident.
- $10,000 for injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident.
Motorists must show proof of insurance during traffic stops or after being involved in a motor vehicle collision, alongside their driver's license and vehicle registration. It's required by law to carry evidence of insurance in the vehicle at all times.
Insurance penalties
Driving without a valid liability insurance policy is considered a misdemeanor. The penalties for this offense include:
- For the first offense, a fine ranging from $250 to $500, imprisonment in the county jail for up to 10 days, or both, in addition to 5 points against the driver's record.
- For a second or subsequent offense, a minimum fine of $350, imprisonment in the county jail for up to 10 days, or both, along with the suspension of the driver's license plates and registration for 90 days (180 days for the third or subsequent offense).
If a driver is involved in an accident and found responsible for the damages without paying the fine within 60 days, their license and registration will be automatically suspended. This suspension remains in effect until the fine is paid or after 6 years, and the driver will be required to provide proof of motor vehicle insurance.
Self-insurers
Montana law permits owners of more than 25 motor vehicles registered in the state to qualify as self-insurers, allowing them to self-cover rather than purchasing insurance from a provider.
- Non-resident owners or operators involved in accidents within Montana must have insurance issued by a company licensed in the state.
- Non-residents with vehicles in Montana are subject to the Safety Responsibility Law's requirements and penalties. Failure to comply with these regulations will result in the withdrawal of their driving privileges in Montana.
- Furthermore, if a non-resident violates these provisions, a certified copy of the record may be sent to their home state, provided it has laws enabling local authorities to take appropriate action based on the information received.
