What type of insurance is legally mandated for drivers in Montana?

In Montana, it is legally mandated for drivers to carry liability insurance. This type of insurance is essential as it provides coverage for damages or injuries you may cause to another person or their property while operating your vehicle. The purpose of liability insurance is to ensure that drivers can be held financially accountable for their actions on the road, thus protecting other drivers and their property in the event of an accident.

Liability insurance typically includes two components: bodily injury liability, which covers medical costs and expenses for the other party if you're at fault in an accident, and property damage liability, which covers repair or replacement costs for the other party's vehicle or property. This requirement helps uphold safety on the roads and ensures that there is a financial backing when an accident occurs.

While comprehensive, collision, and personal injury protection are important elements of auto insurance that provide various levels of coverage, they are not required by Montana law. Comprehensive insurance protects against non-collision incidents, collision insurance covers damage to your own vehicle from accidents, and personal injury protection covers your own medical expenses, none of which are mandatory to operate a vehicle legally in the state.