Montana Homeowners Insurance
Natural beauty and serene lifestyles are guaranteed in the Rocky Mountain state of Montana. Known as “Big Sky Country,” Montana provides remarkable views of open landscapes and tons of fun and engaging outdoor activities to do year-round. From hiking and biking to rock climbing and jet skiing, residents will almost always have something to do in their free time. So it’s no surprise that more and more people are flocking to this hidden gem.
Regardless of whether you’re trying to find protection for a new home or your current one, we’re here to help you through the process. Right now, Hippo is working on reaching Montana as fast as possible, but in the meantime, we’ve created this ultimate guide to Montana home insurance to help ensure you get the coverage you need for the home of your dreams.
How much is homeowners insurance in Montana?
The average cost of a home insurance policy in Montana is $1,319, a 10% increase from the national average of $1,200. This is cheaper than most REI mountain bikes and around the same price as purchasing hiking equipment for a family adventure to explore one of the 66 trails available to nature enthusiasts.
Neighboring states have varying insurance prices, with Idaho and North Dakota being $890 and $1,408, respectively. Why the price difference? The cost of homeowners insurance can change based on the state’s natural disaster risk level since insurance providers adjust policy costs based on the risk of potential damages. For example, Montana is at a greater risk for destructive weather conditions such as tornadoes and wildfires.
What factors influence my home insurance rate?
Your credit history, residential location, home size and inspection results all influence your annual premium. Montana is also experiencing a housing boom due to people being able to work from anywhere. This increases property values in many places, which can raise home insurance rates for new and existing homeowners.
Montana Home Insurance Premiums
What does Montana homeowners insurance cover?
In Big Sky Country, you can expect homeowners insurance policies to protect your property’s structure, the contents inside and your personal liability. Happen to suffer window damage during a severe thunderstorm? You’ll be able to utilize your insurance policy to cover the cost of damages. As you will learn, it's essential to know what exactly will be covered in the event of an emergency.
There are circumstances where your insurance policy may not completely cover the total cost of damages incurred. For example, a tornado may touch down in your area, causing $11,000 in roofing damages, but your policy only covers up to $6,000. Having an insurance rider like extended replacement cost included in your policy can help bear the weight of unexpected expenses.
An insurance rider is an optional add-on to your policy, giving you additional coverage for a small fee. It’s also commonly called an endorsement. Suppose you live in an area that is at a greater risk for severe weather conditions, such as windstorms, wildfires or tornadoes. In that case, your insurance provider may require you to purchase an insurance rider if you want additional coverage. The good news? Riders are often relatively cheap and offer low deductibles and accidental loss coverage. Homeowners add riders to their policies to protect property such as jewelry, bikes, outdoor equipment and electronics.
Montana Insurance Coverage Options
Traditional coverage
Physical Structure
Living Expenses
Liability Protection
Additional Structures
Personal Possessions
Supplemental coverage
Fire
Earthquake
Flood
Tips for lowering your home insurance premium
While Butte, Montana became known as the “richest hill on earth” after blessing residents with gold deposits that made the land exceptionally more valuable, you still deserve to save money protecting your home against the sometimes dangerous weather and terrain.
There are proactive steps you can take to help lower the price of your monthly premium, such as installing a security system and smart home devices throughout your home.
You should also take steps to prep your home for summer storms such as adding smart leak detectors and water shut off systems as well as getting an emergency kit packed so you're prepared for whatever comes your way.
Montana homeowners insurance resources
There’s a lot to love about Montana. You have constant fresh air, beautiful skies, energetic people and abundant wildlife. The only thing that may seem unattractive is it being one of 19 states that doesn’t offer a Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan.
This can be concerning because navigating the process of securing homeowners insurance can be overwhelming. However, you can rest assured knowing that you can turn to the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance to help make finding the right policy easier. If you have a question you need answered or a general direction for next steps, they have plenty of information available to new and experienced homeowners alike.
National Flood Insurance Program
Despite the fact that Montana only gets about 88 days of rain per year, there is still a risk of flooding during the summer months. Unexpected flooding damage can run up a pricey bill, so having extra protection will give you peace of mind. The NFIP is a government-led organization that provides financial assistance to homeowners who experience flooding.
Here at Hippo, we know the value of being there when we’re needed most. So, even though we’re not available in Montana just yet, you won’t need to spend hours on the phone waiting for someone to answer a homeowners insurance question. We do our best to make as many helpful resources available to you as possible, so you can go on that hiking trip you planned out so perfectly.
