The Best Motorcycle Insurance Companies in Montana
Progressive has Montana's best cheap motorcycle insurance, at $12 per month for full coverage.
Compare Motorcycle Insurance Quotes in Montana
Best cheap motorcycle insurance in Montana
ValuePenguin collected more than quotes to find the best motorcycle insurers in Montana. It's important to have motorcycle insurance, but it doesn't have to break the bank – Montana is one of the cheapest states for this type of insurance.
ValuePenguin collected more than 200 quotes from Montana's largest cities and towns to find the state's best cheap motorcycle insurance. Quotes are for a full coverage policy with higher liability limits than the state minimum, as well as collision and comprehensive coverage.
Our experts ranked the best motorcycle insurance companies in Montana based on customer service, cost and coverage availability. Full methodology.
Cheapest motorcycle insurance in Montana
Progressive offers Montana's cheapest motorcycle insurance.
Progressive's average rate in Montana is $12 per month. That's 44% cheaper than the state average of $22 per month. Harley-Davidson and Dairyland are the next-cheapest options.
Compare Motorcycle Insurance Quotes in Montana
Montana has the seventh-cheapest motorcycle insurance in the country, with an average rate of $22 per month. That's 33% less than the national average.
Cheapest motorcycle insurance companies in Montana
Company | Monthly rate | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $12 | |
| Harley-Davidson | $14 | |
| Dairyland | $14 | |
| Geico | $25 | |
| Markel | $26 | |
Best motorcycle insurance for most riders: Progressive
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Editor rating
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Monthly rate
$12 ?
Pros and cons
Progressive has the best motorcycle coverage for most riders in Montana, with the state's lowest rates, great coverage and above-average customer service.
The company's average rate of $12 per month is $2 per month less than the next-cheapest option, Harley-Davidson. You can also lower rates with Progressive’s discounts, including bundling with auto or home coverage, paying in advance and taking a motorcycle safety course.
Progressive's basic policy includes extra coverage, including custom parts and accessories and full replacement cost for parts. That means if you make modifications or add parts to your bike, Progressive will cover them. Most other companies charge extra for these perks.
Progressive also has a good customer service reputation, with 35% fewer complaints than the average company its size, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
The biggest drawback with Progressive is you can't get rental reimbursement coverage. That means you'll have to pay for your own rental if your bike is in the shop after a crash. That means if your motorcycle is your main vehicle, Progressive might not be the best choice.
Best motorcycle insurance discounts: Harley-Davidson
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Editor rating
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Monthly rate
$14 ?
Pros and cons
Harley-Davidson is a good option if you can take advantage of one of its many discounts and want good customer service.
Coverage from Harley-Davidson costs an average of $14 per month in Montana, well below the state average. And you can lower your rates much more because Harley-Davidson offers 13 discounts. A few of these are easy to get, such as a discount for having a motorcycle endorsement on your license, owning a home or making your payments on time.
One notable discount you can't get is one for bundling either home or auto coverage with your motorcycle policy. This is usually one of the best ways to save on your insurance.
Harley-Davidson is also a great option for riders who value excellent service. The company specializes in motorcycles and gets fewer complaints than expected. That means you're more likely to have a smooth process getting back on the road.
Best for military families: USAA
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Editor rating
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Monthly rate
$11 ?
Pros and cons
USAA is a top option for motorcycle coverage in Montana if you have ties to the military
USAA doesn't sell its own motorcycle insurance but instead partners with Progressive. As a USAA member, you'll get a 5% discount on Progressive policies. In Montana, that's about $11 per month.
Basic Progressive policies include extra coverages free of charge, such as replacement cost coverage. This coverage will pay for newer parts or raise your payout for a totaled car because it won't factor in your car's wear and tear. Most companies charge extra for this.
USAA also has some of the best customer service in Montana and the country. It regularly is at the top of J.D. Power's auto insurance customer satisfaction survey, although it's slipped a little in recent years. You'll also need to be a current service member, veteran or military family member to get coverage.
Montana motorcycle insurance cost by city
Pablo, a small town north of Missoula, has the most expensive motorcycle coverage in Montana, at $24 per month.
There isn't much difference between the cheapest and most expensive cities in Montana when it comes to motorcycle coverage. Rates are usually higher in dense urban areas, and Montana is one of the most rural states in the country.
City | Monthly cost | % from average |
|---|---|---|
| Belgrade | $22 | 1% |
| Billings | $22 | 1% |
| Bozeman | $22 | 1% |
| Browning | $22 | -1% |
| Butte | $22 | 1% |
Montana motorcycle insurance laws
Montana requires motorcycle riders to have a minimum amount of bodily injury and property damage liability insurance. This requirement is sometimes written as 25/50/25.
Montana motorcycle insurance requirements
Like all other motorists in Montana, motorcycle riders must carry liability insurance. That can cover the costs of bodily injury or death to other people or damage to property. The required limits are sometimes written as 25/50/20.
- Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $20,000
It's usually a good idea to buy more coverage than the minimum requirements. If you frequently ride in conditions that increase your risk of an accident, or if you have a lot of assets that could become the target of a liability lawsuit, you likely should purchase more liability coverage. It's also often a good idea to get collision or comprehensive coverage to protect your own vehicle.
How do you get a motorcycle license in Montana?
Riding a motorcycle in Montana requires both a valid driver's license and a motorcycle endorsement on that license. To get the endorsement, you must:
- Be at least 16 years of age, or 15 years of age and pass a state-approved driver's education course
- Have a valid Montana driver's license
- Pass written and road tests for motorcycles
- Pay an additional fee of $0.50 per year
Besides the written portion and the road test, the testing process for a Montana motorcycle endorsement also involves a review of your driving record, your physical ability to ride a motorcycle and your vision.
As for your bike, it must have the following features in order to be usable for the road test:
- Between one and two headlamps that illuminate out to at least 500 feet
- Tail light and reflector visible out to at least 500 feet
- Stoplight visible out to 100 feet in normal sunlight
- Rearview mirror providing a clear view of at least 200 feet of road behind you
- At least one brake (foot or hand)
- Muffler with no sound-amplifying modifications
- Passenger footrests or pegs
- Horn audible out to at least 200 feet
- License plate light
Frequently asked questions
How much is motorcycle insurance in Montana?
The average rate for Montana motorcycle insurance is $22 per month for full coverage. That's considerably cheaper than the national average. Progressive has the cheapest coverage at $12 per month.
What is the cheapest motorcycle insurance in Montana?
Progressive is the cheapest motorcycle insurance in Montana. The average rate is $12 per month, or $149 per year, for full coverage. That's 44% cheaper than the state average.
How much motorcycle insurance is required in Montana?
Montana riders need a minimum of $25,000 of personal injury liability coverage per person and $50,000 per accident and $20,000 of property damage liability. This is sometimes written as 25/50/25.
Compare motorcycle insurance in Montana vs other states
Methodology
ValuePenguin collected more than 200 quotes to find the cheapest motorcycle insurance in Montana. Quotes are for a 45-year-old single man who owns a 2018 Honda CMX500 Rebel.
Rates are for a full coverage policy that has comprehensive and collision coverage. It also includes more liability coverage than the state average.
- Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person; $100,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury: $50,000 per person; $100,000 per accident
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist property damage: $25,000 per accident
- Medical payments: $5,000
- Comprehensive and collision deductible: $500
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.