The Best Home Insurance in Montana for 2024

Nationwide and State Farm are among the best home insurance companies in Montana.

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Updated · 4 min read
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Written by Kayda Norman
Lead Writer
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Assistant Assigning Editor
Fact Checked
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Co-written by Sarah Schlichter
Lead Writer

The average cost of homeowners insurance in Montana is $2,605 per year, or about $217 per month, according to a NerdWallet analysis. For comparison, the national average is $1,915 per year.

NerdWallet analyzed data from numerous insurance companies to help you find the best home insurance in Montana in the following categories:

The rates in our analysis are estimates based on many factors, so your rate may differ.

Note: Some insurance companies included in this article may have made changes in their underwriting practices and no longer issue new policies in your state. Even if an insurer serves your state, it may not write policies for all homes in all areas.

Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our writing and data analyses. You can trust the prices we show you because our data analysts take rigorous measures to eliminate inaccuracies in pricing data and may update rates for accuracy as new information becomes available.

We include rates from every locale in the country where coverage is offered and data is available. When comparing rates for different coverage amounts and backgrounds, we change only one variable at a time, so you can easily see how each factor affects pricing.

Our sample homeowner had good credit, $300,000 of dwelling coverage, $300,000 of liability coverage and a $1,000 deductible.

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Best affordable homeowners insurance in Montana: Nationwide

insurance-product-card-logo

Nationwide

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
For shoppers seeking a broad range of coverage options, Nationwide may fit the bill.

Coverage options

About average

Discounts

Great set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected

Nationwide

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
For shoppers seeking a broad range of coverage options, Nationwide may fit the bill.

Coverage options

About average

Discounts

Great set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected

In Montana, the average annual premium for Nationwide is $1,425, which is well below the state average of $2,605.

We like Nationwide for its wide variety of coverage options. For example, its standard homeowners insurance policy generally includes ordinance or law coverage, which can help pay to bring your home up to current building codes after a covered claim. You can add other coverage for things like identity theft and damage from backed-up sewers and drains.

Depending on how much personal assistance you need, you can get a quote for homeowners insurance on the Nationwide website or work with a local agent instead. You can also use the website to pay bills, file claims or check claim status.


Best homeowners insurance in Montana for coverage: State Farm

insurance-product-card-logo

State Farm

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Well-established insurer with a lengthy list of coverage options.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected

State Farm

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Well-established insurer with a lengthy list of coverage options.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected

As America’s largest insurer, State Farm stands out for its long list of coverage options. Its policies generally include extra dwelling coverage in case it costs more than expected to rebuild your home after a covered disaster. You may also be able to add coverage for things like identity theft, damage from backed-up drains and personal injury liability.

State Farm offers a free Ting device as a perk for home insurance policyholders. Ting is a smart plug that monitors your home’s electrical network to help prevent fires.


Best homeowners insurance in Montana for consumer experience: Amica and Nationwide

insurance-product-card-logo

Amica

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Well-established insurer known for great customer service.

Coverage options

About average

Discounts

Great set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected

Amica

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Well-established insurer known for great customer service.

Coverage options

About average

Discounts

Great set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected

Amica stands out for its customer service and broad range of coverage options. The company has drawn far fewer consumer complaints to state regulators than expected for an insurer of its size, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, or NAIC.

You can customize your policy with extra coverage above your dwelling limit, in case your house costs more to rebuild than expected. You may also want to add coverage for damage from water backups or recovery from identity theft.

Get more information in our Amica homeowners insurance review.

Nationwide also earned high marks for consumer experience. Its website offers plenty of ways to manage your policy, including filing and tracking claims, paying bills and getting quotes. The company also has a comprehensive and highly rated mobile app.


Full list of the best homeowners insurance in Montana

NerdWallet analyzed home insurance companies across the state to find the best home insurance in Montana. Here are all of the insurers that received a NerdWallet star rating of 4.5 or higher:

Company

NerdWallet star rating

Average annual rate

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

Not available

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

Not available

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

Not available

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

$1,425

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

$1,775

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

$4,535

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

$2,365

*USAA homeowners policies are available only to active military, veterans and their families.


How much does homeowners insurance cost in Montana?

The average annual cost of home insurance in Montana is $2,605. That’s 36% more than the national average of $1,915.

In most U.S. states, including Montana, many insurers use your credit-based insurance score to help set rates. Your insurance score is similar but not identical to your traditional credit score.

In Montana, those with poor credit pay an average of $5,505 per year for homeowners insurance, according to NerdWallet’s rate analysis. That’s 111% more than what those with good credit pay.

Average cost of homeowners insurance in Montana by city

How much you pay for homeowners insurance in Montana depends on where you live. For instance, the average cost of home insurance in Billings is $2,975 per year, while homeowners in Missoula pay $2,535 per year, on average.

City

Average annual rate

Average monthly rate

Anaconda

$2,155

$180

Belgrade

$2,200

$183

Bigfork

$2,110

$176

Billings

$2,975

$248

Bozeman

$2,200

$183

Browning

$3,000

$250

Butte

$2,110

$176

Columbia Falls

$2,110

$176

Dillon

$2,455

$205

Glendive

$3,845

$320

Great Falls

$2,355

$196

Hamilton

$2,600

$217

Havre

$2,855

$238

Helena

$2,355

$196

Kalispell

$2,110

$176

Laurel

$2,770

$231

Lewistown

$3,005

$250

Libby

$2,470

$206

Livingston

$2,375

$198

Miles City

$3,815

$318

Missoula

$2,535

$211

Polson

$2,675

$223

Sidney

$3,370

$281

Stevensville

$2,575

$215

Whitefish

$2,110

$176

The cheapest home insurance in Montana

Here are the insurers we found with average annual rates below the Montana average of $2,605.

Company

NerdWallet star rating

Average annual rate

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

$1,425

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

$1,775

American Modern

Not rated

$2,110

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

$2,365

*USAA homeowners policies are available only to active military, veterans and their families.

What to know about Montana homeowners insurance

ou may face certain risks when living in Montana. Here are a few of the most common, along with steps you can take to insure your home properly against them.

Wildfire

Standard homeowners insurance typically covers damage caused by wildfire, though residents of high-risk areas may find exclusions in their policies. Pay particular attention to the dwelling coverage limit, which is how much the insurance company will pay to rebuild your house. Check with your insurer to ensure you have enough coverage to rebuild if necessary. To learn more, see our guide to wildfire insurance.

Flooding

Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage, so homeowners in flood-prone areas may need to purchase separate flood insurance.

To find out your risk, check out the Federal Emergency Management Agency's flood maps and RiskFactor.com, a website from the nonprofit First Street Foundation. Even if your property is deemed low risk, it may be worthwhile to purchase flood insurance for extra peace of mind.

Remember that while you can purchase flood coverage at any time, there’s typically a 30-day waiting period before the insurance takes effect. Here’s more information about flood insurance and waiting periods.

Winter weather

Homeowners insurance generally covers winter storm-related damage, but some types of winter weather damage may require extra coverage. For instance, you’ll typically need a separate flood insurance policy to cover flood damage caused by snowmelt.

Hailstorms

Home insurance generally covers hail damage, but make sure to read your policy carefully as you may also have a separate deductible for hail damage. These are often a flat rate, such as $1,000, or a percentage of your dwelling coverage. For example, your policy may have a $1,000 deductible for most claims and a 1% deductible for hail claims. So, if your house has $250,000 worth of dwelling coverage, you’d have to pay for the first $2,500 of hail damage yourself.

Montana insurance department

The Montana Commission of Securities and Insurance oversees the insurance industry in the state. In addition to practical regulation, such as licensing insurers, the commission provides consumer information on the insurance industry. It’s also the place to go if you’re having a dispute with your insurer, as you can file a complaint through its online form. You can also call the commission’s consumer advocate division at 800-332-6148.

Frequently asked questions

Homeowners insurance is not required by Montana state law. However, your mortgage lender may require you to purchase home insurance. For more information, read Is Homeowners Insurance Required?

There are several ways to save money on homeowners insurance in Montana.

  • Shop around to make sure you’re getting the best rate.

  • Choose a higher deductible. In case of any claims, you’ll pay more out of pocket, but your premiums will be lower.

  • Bundle your home and auto insurance for a lower overall rate. See the best home and auto insurance bundles.

  • Ask your insurer if you qualify for any home insurance discounts.

Amanda Shapland contributed to this story.

Methodology

NerdWallet calculated median rates for 40-year-old homeowners from various insurance companies in every ZIP code across the state. All rates are rounded to the nearest $5.

Sample homeowners were nonsmokers with good credit living in a single-family, two-story home built in 1984. They had a $1,000 deductible and the following coverage limits:

  • $300,000 in dwelling coverage.

  • $30,000 in other structures coverage.

  • $150,000 in personal property coverage.

  • $60,000 in loss of use coverage.

  • $300,000 in liability coverage.

  • $1,000 in medical payments coverage.

We made minor changes to the sample policy in cases where rates for the above coverage limits or deductibles weren’t available.

We changed the credit tier from “good” to “poor,” as reported to the insurer, to see rates for homeowners with poor credit.

These are sample rates generated through Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different.

Star rating methodology

NerdWallet’s homeowners insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, consumer complaints, coverages, discounts and online experience. These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our full homeowners insurance rating methodology.

Complaint methodology

NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2020-2022. To assess how insurers compare with one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, NerdWallet calculated a similar index for each insurer, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary, over the three-year period. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. Ratios are determined separately for auto, home (including renters and condo) and life insurance.

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