Cheapest Auto Insurance in Helena, Montana (2025)

Helena’s car insurance rates average $126 per month, less than the state and national averages of $104 and $140, respectively. These lower rates can be partly explained by Helena’s relatively low population density and less congested roads.1 But a few factors keep average auto insurance costs in Helena from dropping further.

For example, Montana's capital city welcomes more than a quarter-million visitors each year, thanks to its proximity to numerous national parks.2 3 Additionally, snow and ice present dangerous driving conditions for Montana drivers during the winter.

So, when you’re buying car insurance, it’s important to compare quotes from multiple insurers. Here’s what you should know about finding cheap car insurance in Helena.

3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Helena

The cheapest car insurance companies in Helena may offer discounts or incentive savings that could influence rates, making one insurer’s premium less expensive than another. The best auto insurance company for you will depend on your financial situation and insurance needs, so it’s important to shop around and compare quotes.

The following companies offer the best rates:

Best insurer for affordability: State Farm

Best insurer for military members and their families: USAA

Best insurer for safe drivers: Safeco

How to get the cheapest car insurance in Helena

You have several options for getting more affordable car insurance in Helena. Here are a few tips for saving money on your policy:

• Bundle your policies. Many insurers give you a price break when you buy their car insurance policy along with another insurance product, like pet insurance, renters, or homeowners insurance.

• Shop around for car insurance. Comparing multiple car insurance quotes is one of the best ways to ensure you’re getting the lowest premium. Because rates can change over time, comparing car insurance policies once a year is a good idea.

• Check for discounts. Car insurance companies typically offer several ways to save. You may be able to lower your premium when customizing your coverage, going claims-free for a certain number of months, insuring multiple cars, maintaining good grades, and more.

• Raise your collision or comprehensive deductible. The deductible is the amount of money you’re responsible for paying when filing a collision or comprehensive claim. Generally, a higher deductible can help lower your premiums. Consider raising your deductible if you’re a safe driver with no traffic accidents on your record. 

Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Helena

Liability car insurance is required for all cars registered in Helena. Liability insurance covers your legal and financial responsibilities if you cause a car accident, so it pays for any damage to the other person’s vehicle, along with their medical costs.

But liability insurance won’t cover your property damage or injury costs, and could leave you financially vulnerable to substantial loss in an at-fault accident. Because it only comes with minimum coverage, liability-only insurance is the cheapest type of car insurance policy you can get.

The table below shows which car insurance companies in Helena have the most affordable liability-only insurance quotes.

Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Helena

Insurance companies may define their full-coverage car insurance policies differently, but they always start with state-required liability insurance coverage. It also usually includes collision insurance, which pays for any damage to your vehicle after an accident, and comprehensive coverage, which pays for non-collision incidents such as theft.

Full coverage is optional for most drivers, but your lender may require it if you lease or finance your car. The below companies have the cheapest average car insurance rates for full coverage in Helena.

Car insurance requirements in Montana

Car insurance is legally required in Montana, where vehicle owners must carry a minimum amount of bodily injury and property damage liability insurance. The state is a tort state, which means the at-fault driver in a crash is responsible for paying the other driver’s repair bills and medical expenses.5

Here are the minimum required coverage limits you’ll need:

In addition to these coverages, most insurance companies also sell endorsements that can fill gaps in your basic policy. Here are some of the coverage options you might want to get:

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident

Having an incident on your driving record, like a speeding ticket or an at-fault accident, can increase your rates for several years. Some insurance companies may decide not to renew your policy, or could even cancel it mid-term, if your record includes several incidents or driving under the influence (DUI) violation. The exact rate increase depends on several factors, like your insurance company’s policies and the specific violation.

These incidents may increase your car insurance rates for several years because you either drove in an irresponsible way that increases your likelihood of an accident or you were in an incident that caused your insurer to pay for a claim.

You may also need to file an SR-22 certificate that states you have a car insurance policy. Having an SR-22 on file can increase your rates.

Average cost of car insurance by age

Age also influences car insurance rates because it signals your driving experience and accident risk. Younger drivers pay the most for car insurance because they have limited experience and a much higher accident rate compared to older, more experienced drivers.

Rates start to drop when drivers reach their 20s and 30s because they’ve built up several years of experience and are less likely to take risks. Then, rates continue to steadily decline until around age 70, when rates may increase slightly due to a higher risk of accidents.

Below you can find the cheapest liability-only quotes offered for Helena teen and senior drivers:

Helena car insurance quotes by credit tier

Montana allows insurers to use your credit history to determine your risk level. So if you have poor credit scores or you’ve filed for bankruptcy in the past, you may pay higher rates. The opposite is true, too. Customers with excellent or good credit scores typically pay less for car insurance because they pose less of a risk to the insurance company.

Helena car insurance FAQs