Co-authored the book “Future Millionaires’ Guidebook”
13 years writing personal finance content
A former chief copy editor at Bankrate and past managing editor at Macmillan, Kim specializes in writing easy-to-understand, actionable personal finance content.
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Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years in content creation and marketing
As Insurify’s home and pet insurance editor, Danny also specializes in auto insurance. His goal is to help consumers navigate the complex world of insurance buying.
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Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
Updated October 30, 2024
At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.
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Table of contents
Helena’s car insurance rates average $126 per month, less than the state and national averages of $134 and $158, 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.
Safeco, Bristol West, and The General are some of the cheapest car insurance companies in Helena.
USAA is the best insurer in Helena for active-duty military members and veterans.
Montana is an at-fault state, which means the driver who causes a crash is responsible for paying the other driver’s repair bills and medical expenses.
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:
Insurance Company ▲▼ | IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Best For ▲▼ |
---|---|---|---|---|
State Farm | 9.3 | $95 | $40 | Affordability |
USAA | 9.4 | $103 | $43 | Military members and their families |
Safeco | 8.3 | $97 | $43 | Safe drivers |
Our editorial team spent more than 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. The team weighted criteria by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.
We rate each company on a 1 to 10 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
- Third-party financial ratings: Insurify uses data from AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
- Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 28,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also consider third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
- Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the U.S., as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
- Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
- Availability and reach: Insurify scores availability and reach by identifying the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share.
Best insurer for affordability: State Farm
User Reviews | 4.2 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.3 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $55/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $121/mo |
Drivers appreciate the helpful local agents and initial service but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.
Drivers appreciate the helpful local agents and initial service but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.
Jannie
October 29, 2024
Good
Marsha
October 29, 2024
Friendly agents!
Linda
October 29, 2024
I also have my homeowners insurance with them. I had a fire in my hot water heater and a year later, someone stayed in my house while I was gone for 2 months. I came home to a floating kitchen floor. After these incidents, StateFarm cancelled my policy.
State Farm started in 1922 and now sells auto insurance in every U.S. state except Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The company offers some of the lowest auto insurance rates in Helena but also has a robust menu of discounts and customization options to help you save further. You even have the option of adding rideshare coverage to your policy.
Strong customer service ratings
Low premiums
Accident forgiveness not available
Diminishing deductible not available
Best insurer for military members and their families: USAA
User Reviews | 4.9 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.4 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $46/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $100/mo |
Drivers appreciate the ease of working with the carrier, competitive rates, and responsive service but dislike the price increases and lack of rideshare add-ons in some areas.
Drivers appreciate the ease of working with the carrier, competitive rates, and responsive service but dislike the price increases and lack of rideshare add-ons in some areas.
Kent
October 29, 2024
Excellent
Dorothy
October 29, 2024
Significant Increase in Policy Payment
Martin
October 29, 2024
My Opinion
The United Services Automobile Association (USAA) debuted in 1922 and now offers insurance and banking products to current military members, former members, and their families.
USAA’s car insurance customers pay low rates in Helena and have access to a number of discounts to boost their savings further. The company has the highest rating of all insurers in every region in J.D. Power’s 2023 Customer Satisfaction Study.[4]
Excellent customer service
Accident forgiveness available
Limited to service members, veterans, and their immediate family members
No 24/7 customer phone support
Best insurer for safe drivers: Safeco
User Reviews | 4.5 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 8.3 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $38/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $82/mo |
Drivers appreciate the polite and helpful customer service and fair pricing but dislike the significant rate increases and difficulty reaching agents.
Drivers appreciate the polite and helpful customer service and fair pricing but dislike the significant rate increases and difficulty reaching agents.
Barbara
October 28, 2024
Insurance Keeps Going Up
Carlotta
October 24, 2024
Excellent
Shirley
October 22, 2024
My insurance has become so expensive that I can't afford it. I'm on Social Security. Both my car and house insurance have about doubled. I'm just trying to find something I can afford.
Safeco opened in 1923 and joined Liberty Mutual in 2008. It now sells car insurance, homeowners insurance, renters insurance, pet insurance, and other insurance products.
Several of the company’s discounts are geared toward customers with a good driving record. So, you may save money with options like accident forgiveness, a diminishing deductible, and a cash-back program for customers who remain claims-free for six months.
Pays cash back to customers who remain claims-free
Diminishing deductible and accident forgiveness available
Limited number of available discounts
Must buy a policy through an independent insurance agent
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.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
Safeco | $38 |
Bristol West | $69 |
The General | $79 |
Foremost | $90 |
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.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
Safeco | $82 |
Midvale Home & Auto | $122 |
The General | $163 |
Bristol West | $175 |
Foremost | $210 |
Cheapest recent rates near Helena, Montana
Recent Helena, Montana car insurance prices for GMC, Subaru, Buick , and more.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Helena, Montana within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 30, 2024
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Helena, Montana within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 30, 2024
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:
Coverage ▲▼ | Minimum Requirements ▲▼ |
---|---|
Bodily injury liability | $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident |
Property damage liability | $20,000 per accident |
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:
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage pays for car repairs and medical bills if someone causes an accident and lacks car insurance or you’re the victim of a hit-and-run accident. Montana requires car insurance companies to offer uninsured motorist coverage, but you can decline it by signing a waiver.
Gap insurance
If your car is totaled in an accident, gap insurance pays the difference between the car’s diminished value and what you owe on your car loan or lease.
Roadside assistance
Roadside assistance pays for services when you’re stranded on the roadside. Services may include flat tire changes, fuel delivery, towing, and more.
Accident forgiveness
If your insurance company offers accident forgiveness, it waives your first accident. This helps you save money because the accident won’t affect your premium.
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.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With Speeding Ticket ▲▼ | With At-Fault Accident ▲▼ | With DUI ▲▼ |
---|---|---|---|---|
Safeco | $38 | $52 | $52 | $64 |
Bristol West | $69 | $92 | $96 | $117 |
The General | $79 | $107 | $112 | $134 |
Foremost | $90 | $130 | $134 | $152 |
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:
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Teen Drivers ▲▼ | Senior Drivers ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Safeco | $74 | $31 |
Bristol West | $113 | $54 |
The General | $122 | $63 |
Foremost | $156 | $70 |
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.
Rates by Credit Tier
Helena car insurance FAQs
Finding the right car insurance can be challenging. Below, you’ll find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about car insurance in Helena.
How much is car insurance in Helena?
The average cost of car insurance in Helena is $122 per month. Helena drivers pay $98 per month for liability coverage and $127 for full-coverage car insurance, on average. Your exact auto insurance premium depends on your driving record, age, credit history, and other rating factors.
Which company has the cheapest car insurance in Helena?
State Farm offers the cheapest liability car insurance in Helena, at $40 per month. USAA is the second-cheapest insurer in the city, with a rate of $43. The third-cheapest insurer, Safeco, has a liability-only rate of $45 per month.
Comparing quotes from multiple car insurance companies is the best way to find the cheapest car insurance for your needs.
What are the best car insurance companies in Helena?
State Farm is the best car insurance company in Helena, with an Insurify Quality (IQ) Score of 9.3 out of 10, an AM Best financial strength rating of A++ (Superior), the highest level possible, and high customer satisfaction ratings. Other top insurers include USAA and Safeco.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Related articles
More cities in Montana
Sources
- Census.gov. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Helena city, Montana."
- Montana Fish, Wildlife &Parks. "2021 Montana State Parks Annual Visitation Report."
- Montana Department of Transportation. "Custer Avenue Improvements - Quarterly Update: Helena Research."
- Jdpower.com. "2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study."
- Office of the Montana State Auditor. "Auto Insurance."
Kim Porter is a writer and editor who's been creating personal finance content since 2010. Before transitioning to full-time freelance writing in 2018, Kim was the chief copy editor at Bankrate, a managing editor at Macmillan, and co-author of the personal finance book "Future Millionaires' Guidebook." Her work has appeared in AARP's print magazine and on sites such as U.S. News & World Report, Fortune, NextAdvisor, Credit Karma, and more. Kim loves to bake and exercise in her free time, and she plans to run a half marathon on each continent.
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years in content creation and marketing
As Insurify’s home and pet insurance editor, Danny also specializes in auto insurance. His goal is to help consumers navigate the complex world of insurance buying.
Featured in
Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.