Drivers in Montana must have three different forms of insurance in place: property damage liability, bodily injury liability, and uninsured and underinsured motorist protection. These forms of insurance are put into place in order to cover the driver if he or she causes an accident. With the auto insurance coverage, the driver does not have to pay medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, or other costs that may incur as the result of an accident caused by the driver.
Montana also requires its drivers to carry a minimum of $25,000 in coverage for bodily injuries. This insurance covers the costs that any person harmed in the accident might experience. In addition, Montana requires its drivers to carry $50,000 worth of bodily insurance coverage per accident. The state also requires its drivers to carry $25,000 worth of coverage for property damage.
Bodily Injury Liability, which is known as BI for short, is used when the insured driver is responsible for an accident and injury or death results. This is true if the driver or drivers of other vehicles are hurt as well as any passengers or pedestrians hurt in the accident. This insurance must provide at least $25,000 worth of coverage per person involved in the accident as well as $50,000 of coverage per accident.
Montana residents also must carry uninsured and underinsured motorist protection. This insurance covers insured driver if he or she is in an accident and the other driver does not have insurance or has an inadequate amount of insurance to cover the insured driver’s expenses. Montana drivers are expected to carry $25,000 of coverage per person as well as $50,000 of coverage per accident.
In order for a Montana driver to register his or her vehicle or to legally drive a vehicle in the state of Montana, they must present proof of insurance coverage. The simplest way to prove this coverage is in place is to present a temporary insurance card, which is automatically provided by the insurance company. Drivers may also use their actual policies to demonstrate proof of insurance or may show their receipt from the premium payment. An insurance binder issued by the insurance agent may be used as proof as well.
There are several other documents that a driver may use to prove that he or she has auto insurance coverage in place. For example, the driver can use the current declarations page for his or her policy or the driver may use the certificate of liability insurance policy as documentation of insurance being in place.
For Montana drivers that have recently purchased vehicles, proof of insurance showing that the vehicle that was replaced had insurance in place. This type of proof is only valid, however, if the new vehicle was purchased within the past 60 days. Those that rent a vehicle in Montana must also show proof of insurance coverage, which is to be indicated on the rental agreement. As such, the rental agreement can be used as proof of insurance coverage.