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After a DUI or Violation in Montana: What Happens Next

Montana requires 25/50/20 liability coverage and is an at-fault state.

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Montana at a Glance

25/50/20

Minimum liability limits, in thousands of dollars (per person / per accident / property)

At-fault

The at-fault driver's insurance pays for the damage they cause

Optional

PIP and uninsured motorist coverage are not required by law

75

Age when license renewal rules change, with a vision test at renewal

Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026

Minimum Coverage Requirements in Montana

After a DUI or major violation in Montana, your current insurance company will typically issue a non-renewal notice rather than an immediate cancellation—meaning your policy continues until its expiration date, but will not be renewed. The Montana Motor Vehicle Division requires you to carry continuous liability coverage and file an SR-22 certificate for 3 years following most serious violations. If your insurer drops you entirely or does not offer SR-22 filings, you must find a non-standard carrier before your policy ends to avoid a coverage lapse, which triggers additional penalties and extends your filing period.

SR-22 Certificate Filing

An SR-22 is not a type of insurance—it is a certificate your insurer files electronically with the Montana Motor Vehicle Division proving you carry the state-required minimum liability coverage. Not all carriers offer SR-22 filings; most standard insurers will non-renew your policy rather than file on your behalf, requiring you to move to a non-standard carrier.

Non-Standard Auto Insurance

Non-standard auto insurance is coverage sold by carriers that specialize in high-risk drivers—those with DUIs, violations, lapses, or suspensions on their record. These carriers offer SR-22 filings and accept drivers standard insurers will not renew.

Liability Insurance

Drivers 65 and older may benefit from higher limits—such as 100/300/100—as medical costs from accidents involving senior drivers or passengers often exceed state minimums, and assets accumulated over a lifetime are at risk in liability claims.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Montana does not require uninsured motorist coverage, but it protects you when an at-fault driver lacks insurance or carries only state minimums. For senior drivers on fixed incomes, medical bills from an accident caused by an uninsured driver can be financially devastating—this coverage fills the gap when the other driver cannot pay.

Medical Payments Coverage

Medical payments coverage pays for medical expenses for you and your passengers regardless of fault, up to your policy limit. Since Medicare does not cover all accident-related costs immediately and may seek reimbursement from settlements, MedPay provides immediate funds for deductibles, copays, and uncovered treatments following an accident.

What Drivers Pay in Montana

$164–$189/mo

Typical monthly rate in Montana, drivers 65 and over

Rate data: MoneyGeek and Insure.com, 2026

What Affects Your Rate

  • Time since violation—rates decrease gradually after year 3, with significant drops at the 5-year mark when violations fall off most carriers' rating periods
  • Carrier options—non-standard carriers in Montana such as Bristol West, The General, and Dairyland specialize in high-risk drivers and offer SR-22 filings, but availability varies by county
  • Age and driving history—senior drivers with decades of clean history before a recent violation often qualify for lower surcharges than younger drivers with shorter track records
  • Coverage level—choosing state minimum liability significantly reduces premium but exposes assets to risk; many senior drivers benefit from higher limits relative to the modest cost difference
  • Location—Billings and Missoula have more non-standard carrier options than rural counties, affecting both availability and competitiveness of rates
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Mature-driver discount

Required by state law

Mont. Code 33-16-222 (55+, insurer-determined reduction)

Source: state statutes and insurance departments, verified July 2026

Coverage Types

High-Risk Auto Insurance

Coverage specifically designed for drivers with DUIs, suspensions, lapses, or serious violations on their record. High-risk policies include SR-22 filing capability and accept drivers standard carriers decline.

Non-Standard Auto Insurance

Insurance from carriers that specialize in profiles standard insurers consider too risky—including violation drivers, those with coverage lapses, and drivers with multiple accidents or tickets.

SR-22 Insurance

Liability coverage paired with the SR-22 certificate filing required by the Montana Motor Vehicle Division following serious violations. The SR-22 filing itself costs $15–$50 annually; the larger cost is the premium increase.

Liability Insurance

Covers damages you cause to others in an accident—bodily injury and property damage. Montana's minimum limits are low; senior drivers with accumulated assets should carry higher limits to protect retirement savings and home equity.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Protects you when an at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage to pay for your injuries and vehicle damage. Particularly important in Montana, where rural areas have higher rates of uninsured drivers.

Comprehensive Coverage

Covers damage to your vehicle from non-collision events—theft, vandalism, hail, animal strikes, and weather. Senior drivers with paid-off vehicles should weigh the annual premium against the vehicle's actual cash value.

Find Your City in Montana

Billings

suburban

Missoula

suburban

Great Falls

suburban

Bozeman

urban

Butte

urban