Home › States › Montana

Checked against official sources · Last reviewed October 14, 2026

What homeowners insurance costs in Montana: average premium, 2023 $1,768 a year in Montana vs. $1,737 countrywide · 18th highest of 51 · All states (HO-3 policies; NAIC)

Montana's market right now

In a May 2025 column, Commissioner James Brown wrote that Montana "now ranks second nationally for the percentage of homes at risk of catastrophic wildfire damage," that "Over 50% of properties are vulnerable," and that many homeowners, "especially those near wildland-urban interfaces," are "facing steep premium hikes or non-renewal notices."

In 2025 the Legislature passed House Joint Resolution 61, asking for an interim study of the property insurance market. The resolution states that Montana "had the fifth-fastest increase in rates in the nation in 2024," that cumulative rate increases from 2019 to 2024 were 44.3%, and that "some insurers are withdrawing from high-risk areas." The study was to be finished before Sept. 15, 2026, with results reported to the next (70th) Legislature.

Wildfire refusals in towns: On July 2, 2025, CSI told all property and casualty insurers that it had received complaints about insurers refusing coverage "due to the alleged risks of wildfires," many from areas "not threatened by wildfires, including within the city limits of developed cities and towns." Its example: some insurers refused coverage for homes in Helena because of the Rimini area fire. CSI restated a prohibition first issued in 2000 and repeated in 2023 (see "If your insurer cancels or won't renew" below). [2][5][14][15]

Can't find insurance? No FAIR plan in Montana

Many states have a FAIR plan, a state-created pool that sells basic property insurance when regular insurers won't. PIPSO, the national service office for these plans, lists none for Montana, and the chapters of Montana's insurance code (Title 33, MCA) include no FAIR plan. In his May 2025 column, Commissioner Brown listed these steps to protect your home and wallet, among others:

• "Review your policy annually and ask about discounts for upgrades or bundling."
• "Ensure wildfire damage is covered and that your dwelling coverage reflects rebuilding costs."
• "Consider surplus lines insurance if standard coverage isn't available."
• "Join wildfire preparedness programs like Fire Safe Montana or Firewise USA."

He added: "If you receive a non-renewal notice due to wildfire risk, contact your insurance agent or our office," at (406) 444-2040.

Surplus lines insurers are companies that aren't licensed (admitted) in Montana but may legally cover risks that licensed insurers turn down. Two Montana points to know:

- Montana's cancellation and nonrenewal law (Title 33, chapter 15, part 11) defines "insurer" to include "an unauthorized insurer transacting surplus lines insurance in this state," so its notice rules reach surplus lines policies too. - The Montana Insurance Guaranty Association, which pays claims when an insurer fails, covers insolvent insurers that were "authorized to transact insurance in this state." Surplus lines insurers are not authorized insurers.

See our surplus lines guide and our national FAIR plan guide. [1][2][9][16][17]

If your insurer cancels or won't renew

Montana's general rules are in Title 33, chapter 15, part 11 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA), which covers property and casualty insurance, including homeowners policies. A separate law just for insurance on homes (33-23-401, MCA) sets the notice periods, and part 11 gives way to it where they differ.

The homes law says an insurer may not cancel or refuse to renew a policy "insuring private residences," including homeowners insurance on the home you live in, "without first giving to the insured 45 days' notice in writing," including "a statement of the specific reason or reasons." If the reason is unpaid premium, "the notice to the insured may not be less than 20 days." The general law's shorter 10-day cancellation notice (33-15-1103, MCA) yields to it. CSI's homeowners FAQ gives the same 20 days for nonpayment and 45 days for a nonrenewal.

Ask for more detail. The notice itself must state the reasons. Beyond that, if you send a written request within 60 business days after the insurer mailed a cancellation or nonrenewal notice, the insurer or agent must give you, within 21 days, the information it used to decide. The notice must tell you about this right. (This doesn't apply when the reason is nonpayment and the notice says so.)

Claims and questions.

- An insurer may not refuse to renew because of a single loss during the policy period unless it told you in writing, when you applied or before your renewal, that a single loss is one of its nonrenewal criteria. CSI's FAQ gives the same answer. - A phone call or other question about your coverage that doesn't turn into a claim may not be used to decline or not renew your coverage or raise your premium. - For personal policies such as homeowners, an insurer may not consider your inquiries, or claims that didn't result in a payment by any insurer, when it reviews an application, renewal or policy change. - An insurer may not refuse to insure or renew, charge more, or limit coverage "based solely on adverse information contained in the loss experience that is 7 years old or older."

Wildfire and location. State law (33-18-210(7), MCA) bars refusing, renewing, cancelling or limiting coverage "because of the geographic location of the risk" unless it is for a business purpose that is "not a mere pretext for unfair discrimination" or is required by law. Citing that law, CSI's July 2, 2025 advisory memorandum says any refusal to issue or renew, cancellation, or limit on coverage "based on the threat of wildfires and which involves property that does not have a substantially increased risk of loss due to wildfires will be investigated." It says insurers are expected to decide "on a case-by-case basis and with reference to the degree the property involved is actually threatened by wildfire." The memo is informational and does not change the law. CSI asks anyone who knows of such refusals to report them.

See our nonrenewal guide. [3][4][5][10][11][18][19][20][21]

Wildfire risk scores: you can ask for yours

A 2025 law (HB 533, now 33-16-117, MCA) says a licensed (admitted) insurer that uses a wildfire risk score to rate a home must, if you or your agent ask, give you:

• your home's current wildfire risk score;
• the range of possible scores under the model;
• who created the score and when; and
• "the key factors that adversely affected" your score.

The insurer must send this no later than 30 days after your request. The law does not apply to surplus lines (nonadmitted) insurers. [22]

Discounts for wildfire, wind and hail protection

A 2025 law, House Bill 136 (now 33-24-110, MCA), says an insurer "may provide a benefit or a premium reduction" to a homeowners policyholder for steps that reduce the risk of damage from fire, wind or hail. Insurers are allowed, not required, to offer these discounts. An insurer that gives one must put it in writing to you.

Fire measures listed in the law include:

- ignition-resistant, fire-resistive or noncombustible building materials, including noncombustible roofing; - an adequate outside water source; - defensible space landscaping (with yearly confirmation if the insurer asks); - a border of at least 5 feet of nonflammable landscaping around the property; - following local, state or federal fire prevention or community preparedness programs; - fire or emergency alarm systems; - meeting the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code in a wildland-urban interface area; and - enough access for firefighting equipment and emergency vehicles.

Wind and hail measures listed include an "industry-approved resistant roof shingle," anchoring outdoor furniture, pruning trees, and protective coverings to avoid more damage. Ask your insurer or agent whether it offers anything for these.

Commissioner Brown has suggested wildfire preparedness programs such as Firewise USA. See our wildfire home hardening guide. [2][12][13]

Hail damage claims

CSI's hail page offers tips for filing a claim and avoiding unscrupulous contractors. If you have questions about how your insurer is handling a storm claim, CSI says to call (800) 332-6148 or (406) 444-2040. See CSI's hail page. [23]

Flood is separate

CSI says: "Flood damage is not covered by most homeowners' policies." You can buy a separate flood policy through the National Flood Insurance Program, and private flood policies may also be available. Our sister site FloodHawk covers flood zones and flood insurance. [11]

Where to get help

CSI says it "serves as the official advocate for Montana consumers in disputes with their insurance company." Ways to reach it:

• CSI general line, toll free: (800) 332-6148
• CSI general line, Helena: (406) 444-2040
• Insurance Consumer Services, for insurance other than life and health: (406) 444-3525
• Insurance Consumer Services email: ics@mt.gov
• Complaints: CSI's online complaint form

CSI lists policy cancellations, premium problems and claim disputes among the complaints it handles. To report an insurer refusing, cancelling or not renewing coverage over alleged wildfire risk, CSI's July 2025 memo says you can report online, by phone at (406) 444-2040, or by email. [5][6][7][8]

Questions people ask