This guide:

• Describes the types of auto insurance available
• Explains your rights and responsibilities as a driver
• Advises how claim disputes are resolved

Auto insurance rights

Policy rights
You have the right…

• To receive a copy of your policy
• To receive all copies of forms and applications you or the agent sign
• Not to be discriminated against because of your race, national origin, beliefs, or a physical handicap that does not impair your driving ability

Premium rights
You have the right…

• To a fair estimate (quotation) of premium, even though the actual premium may be more or less than the quoted estimate

Claims rights
You have the right…

• To choose which shop will repair your car, unless this right is limited by your policy
• To a prompt and good-faith settlement offer, based on the terms of your policy

How to Use This Guide

This guide is intended to describe insurance for off-road recreational vehicles, such as snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles, as well as the off-road use of any cars, trucks or motorcycles that are not covered under private passenger automobile and are not used for commercial purposes. If you are interested in insurance for commercial operation of recreational vehicles, contact your insurance producer to discuss other insurance, including inland marine insurance.

Your automobile policy may provide coverage for your cars, trucks or motorcycles that have been registered with the Registry of Motor Vehicles, as well as trailers attached to those vehicles, but the standard policy does not cover off-road recreational vehicles such as unregistered trail bikes, all-terrain vehicles, dune buggies, go-carts, and snowmobiles. Your home insurance policy may provide limited coverage for small vehicles such as riding mowers, golf carts or wheelchairs, but does not provide coverage for off-road recreational vehicles. Snowmobiles and off-road bikes are not specifically covered under either your automobile or home insurance and you may need coverage in a special policy or as an endorsement to existing coverage you may have under your automobile or home insurance.

This guide compares how much Montana drivers might pay for auto liability insurance coverage in nine different geographic areas: Billings, Butte, Bozeman, Great Falls, Helena, Kalispell, Missoula, Scobey and Thompson Falls.

Sixteen of the auto liability insurance companies that write the most insurance in Montana chose to participate in our survey.

If you find any terms, phrases or concepts confusing, we encourage you to read the Montana Consumer’s Guide to Auto Insurance.

How to use this guide

The premium quotes from the insurance companies listed in this guide are:

• Based on the amount you pay every six months.
• Based on three years of driving experience.
• Based on rates in effect as of January 1, 2010. If a company’s rates have changed since then, these quotes may no longer be accurate. (Please keep in mind the premiums quoted are only examples. Your individual situation may include other factors that will be reflected in the premiums quoted to you.)

Shopping Tips

Tell your insurance agent or company certain facts about yourself and your driving habits. If these facts apply to you, they may entitle you to a lower premium:

• the existence of an anti-theft device, automatic seatbelts and/or
  air bags;
• the car is used for pleasure driving only; you do not drive it to work;
• you are in a car pool and drive to work an average of no more than two days per week;
• you are a full time student and qualify as a good student (generally B average or above);
• the distance you drive to work is short;
• you drive less than 7,500 miles per year;
• you have had no accidents or violations;
• successful completion of a driver education or defensive driving course.

Many consumers have failed to benefit from various discounts simply because they did not supply the necessary information to their agent.

Types of Coverage

There are many different types of coverages available to meet your auto insurance needs. Some are required and some are optional. Here are brief descriptions of the available coverages:

Liability
Washington state requires liability coverage. This covers bodily injury and damage to property that you cause to others while using your car.

Personal injury protection
This covers a limited amount of medical and hospital costs, income continuation, funeral expenses, and loss of services. Coverage limits are defined in the policy.

Medical payments
This covers medical and funeral expenses (not all companies offer this coverage).

Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury
This covers injuries an uninsured or underinsured driver causes to an insured person.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage
This covers property damage an uninsured or underinsured driver causes to your insured vehicle.

Collision coverage
This covers damage to your car that is caused by a collision.

Why Should You Buy Auto Insurance?

If you cause an auto accident, you may be responsible for the losses of the other people involved. A claim may be made or a lawsuit filed against you for those losses. You may have to pay not only for the property damage you cause, but also for the medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering of any injured person. The amount of money you may have to pay could be substantial.

If you don’t have insurance, anything of value that you own, including your home, savings, future wages, and other assets, may be taken to pay for those losses. Auto liability insurance can help protect you so that this doesn’t happen. Liability insurance also pays for an attorney to defend you against any claim or lawsuit that may be payable under the policy.