The Best Cheap Renters Insurance in Montana
The best cheap renters insurance in Montana comes from Travelers at an average cost of $11 per month.
That's 23% cheaper than the state average, which is $168 per year.
Compare Renters Insurance Quotes in Montana
The cheapest renters insurance in Montana
The average rate for renters insurance in Montana is $168 per year, or $14 per month.
Travelers has Montana's cheapest renters insurance, with an average price of $130 per year, or $11 per month. Amica is also cheaper than the state average, at $13 per month.
Compare Renters Insurance Quotes in Montana
Montana has some of the cheaper renters insurance in the country, with the 15th-lowest rate of any state. At $168 per year, that's 22% cheaper than the national average cost of renters insurance.
Cheapest renters insurance companies in Montana
Company | Monthly cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Travelers | $11 |
| Amica | $13 |
| Allstate | $14 |
| Nationwide | $14 |
| Farmers | $18 |
Best renters insurance for most people: Travelers
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Editor rating
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Average monthly rate
$11 ?
Pros and cons
Travelers is our recommendation for the best renters insurance company for most people in Montana. It has the best prices we found overall, and a diverse set of coverage options to let you expand your policy.
The average price from Travelers is just $11 per month. That's 23% less than the average statewide, and 40% less than the most expensive option.
Travelers also boasts some of the best coverage offerings we found, with a wide range of options to add to your policy.
- Replacement cost coverage
- Identity theft coverage
- Extended liability coverage
- Equipment breakdown coverage
- Valuable items coverage
The biggest drawback to Travelers is that it has mixed customer service reviews. The company receives fewer home and renters insurance complaints than an average company its size, but it is also the lowest-rated company in J.D. Power's renters customer satisfaction survey.
Best company for customer service: Amica
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Editor rating
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Average monthly rate
$13 ?
Pros and cons
Montana renters looking for the security that comes with strong customer service should look at Amica. The company has the best-rated service we found in the state and low rates on top of that.
Amica receives only 12% of the home and renters insurance complaints expected of a company its size. It also received a good rating from ValuePenguin's editors.
The average rate for an Amica policy in Montana is $154 per year, 9% cheaper than the state average. The biggest drawback with Amica is a relatively small selection of coverage options and discounts.
Best renters insurance for military members: USAA
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Editor rating
Pros and cons
Montana has a large military and former military population relative to its size, and that group should consider renters coverage from USAA. The company offers a robust basic policy and has some of the best customer service available.
Basic USAA renters policies automatically include flood coverage, earthquake coverage and replacement cost coverage, which pays to replace older property like TVs or computers with newer versions.
The biggest downside of USAA coverage is that it's only available to members of the military, veterans and some of their family members. The company also does not have any agencies in the state, so you will have to work over the phone or online to manage your policy.
Montana renters insurance costs by city
Polson and Kalispell have the cheapest average rate for renters insurance among Montana's largest cities, at $151 per year.
East Helena has the most expensive rate, $184 per year. Billings, the state's largest city, has a rate that is 8% higher than the state average.
One major factor in how much you'll spend on renters insurance is where you live. Areas that are likely to see major disasters, like floods or fires, may have more expensive renters insurance rates. Areas with low crime rates might have cheaper prices.
City | Average annual cost | Change from state average |
|---|---|---|
| Belgrade | $156 | -4% |
| Billings | $175 | 8% |
| Bozeman | $153 | -6% |
| Butte | $158 | -3% |
| Columbia Falls | $154 | -5% |
Best Montana insurance companies
Amica and USAA have the top customer service in Montana, based on a combination of metrics and ratings.
Both companies receive few complaints according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and scored well in ValuePenguin's editor's ratings. USAA is also highly rated in J.D. Power's customer satisfaction survey.
When choosing a renters insurance company, it's essential to find one with great customer service. You'll be more able to have your questions answered when buying a policy or filing a claim. You'll also be more likely to be paid fairly and promptly after you file a claim.
Top-rated renters insurance in Montana
Company |
Rating
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|---|---|
| USAA | |
| Amica | |
| Nationwide | |
| Farmers | |
| Allstate | |
| Travelers |
How to compare renters insurance policies and benefits
Different renters may need different insurance policies — some people need extra liability protection, while others might want extra coverage for valuables. That's why we recommend picking a renters insurance company with a wide range of coverage options, especially since the coverage you need may change over time.
- Replacement cost coverage: Pays for the full cost to replace destroyed or stolen items, without factoring in depreciation.
- Identity theft protection: Pays for costs associated with having your identity stolen, such as legal fees or lost wages due to time spent dealing with the issue.
- Extended liability: Boosts your liability coverage beyond typical levels, which protects you in case you're sued.
- Valuable items coverage: Increased coverage for valuable items like jewelry or musical instruments, which often have limited coverage under typical policies.
Most companies offer all of the following standard coverages. If an insurance company you're looking at is missing any of these, consider that a red flag and try another company if you can.
- Personal property coverage: Pays to repair or replace property that is stolen, damaged or destroyed due to a covered peril.
- Additional living expenses: Pays for temporary housing if your home is uninhabitable due to a covered peril (like a fire).
- Liability coverage: Pays monetary damages to others if you're responsible, such as if your dog injures someone.
- Medical payments coverage: Pays for medical expenses others incur if they're injured on your property. Pays out before liability coverage.
Frequently asked questions
How much is renters insurance in Montana?
The average cost of renters insurance in Montana is $14 per year. Renters can find the cheapest rates in Montana with Travelers, where coverage costs $11 per month.
Is renters insurance required in Montana?
Renters insurance is not required by law in Montana, but your landlord may make it require renters insurance.
How much is renters insurance in Billings, MT?
Renters insurance in Billings costs $15 per month, on average. That's 8% more expensive than the Montana state average. People living in Missoula pay $13 per month for the same coverage, in comparison.
Methodology
To find the best renters insurance prices in Montana, we collected quotes from five major companies across 20 cities in the state. For all quotes, our sample profile is a 30-year-old man who lives alone and has no recent renters insurance claims. He's protected himself with $30,000 of personal property coverage with a $500 deductible, plus $100,000 of liability protection.
To evaluate companies, we considered three main factors: affordability, coverage options and customer service.
- Affordability: Does the insurer provide coverage at a rate that's affordable when compared to other companies?
- Coverage options: Does the insurer offer a wide selection of useful coverage options?
- Customer service: Are customers usually satisfied with the service they receive?
To evaluate customer satisfaction, we weighed three elements and combined them into a single star rating.
- NAIC complaint index: This number compares the number of complaints an insurer has received with its size. A lower number indicates fewer complaints and suggests that renters are more likely to be satisfied with the service they receive from their insurer.
- J.D. Power ratings: This score out of five points is based on a nationwide survey of renters insurance customers, asking renters how satisfied they are overall with their provider. A higher score is better.
- ValuePenguin editor's ratings: ValuePenguin looks at the overall quality of each company, including customer service, coverage options and rates.
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.