SR-22 After DUI
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Montana DUI SR-22 Insurance After Conviction

Montana requires 25/50/20 liability coverage and is an at-fault state.

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Montana at a Glance

25/50/20

Minimum liability limits, in thousands of dollars (per person / per accident / property)

At-fault

The at-fault driver's insurance pays for the damage they cause

Optional

PIP and uninsured motorist coverage are not required by law

$100

State license reinstatement fee

Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026

Minimum Coverage Requirements in Montana

Montana operates under a fault-based liability system, meaning the at-fault driver's insurance pays for damages. The Montana Motor Vehicle Division requires SR-22 filing within 15 days of license reinstatement for DUI convictions. Failure to maintain continuous SR-22 for the full 3-year period triggers automatic license suspension, and the clock restarts from the date you refile.

Bodily Injury Liability

Covers medical bills, lost wages, and legal costs when you injure someone in an at-fault accident. Underinsured motorist claims spike when at-fault drivers carry only the minimum.

Property Damage Liability

Pays for damage you cause to another vehicle or property. If you hit a newer F-150 or cause structural damage to property, you pay the difference out of pocket.

SR-22 Certificate of Financial Responsibility

The Montana Motor Vehicle Division requires your insurer to file SR-22 electronically and notify the state immediately if your policy cancels or lapses. Most major carriers will file SR-22 for existing customers but non-renew at policy term after a DUI — new coverage typically requires non-standard market carriers like Bristol West, Dairyland, or The General. Your filing period begins on your reinstatement date, not your conviction date, and resets to zero if coverage lapses.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Protects you when hit by a driver with no insurance or insufficient coverage. Montana has one of the higher uninsured driver rates in the region, particularly in rural counties where enforcement is sparse. Rejection must be in writing at policy inception — verbal rejection doesn't count and the coverage is added automatically if the rejection form isn't completed.

What Drivers Pay in Montana

$378/mo

Typical monthly rate in Montana, drivers with an SR-22 after a DUI

Rate data: ValuePenguin and NerdWallet, 2026

What Affects Your Rate

  • SR-22 filing period starts on reinstatement date, not conviction date — drivers who delay reinstatement by months or years face the same 3-year SR-22 clock once they refile.
  • Non-standard market placement is nearly universal after DUI — carriers like Bristol West, Dairyland, GAINSCO, and Safe Auto write most Montana DUI-SR-22 policies, with limited competition in rural counties.
  • Vehicle type affects rates sharply in the non-standard market — older sedans with liability-only cost far less than financed trucks requiring full coverage.
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Find an Insurer That Will File After a DUI

Get SR-22 Coverage After a DUI

If your license is suspended

Probationary Driver License (Restricted Probationary)

A restricted license is available while suspended.

A coverage lapse is reported

The state can act when your insurance lapses.

Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I need SR-22 in Montana after a DUI?

Montana requires SR-22 filing for 3 years after DUI license reinstatement, measured from your reinstatement date, not your conviction date. If your coverage lapses for any reason during those 3 years, the Montana Motor Vehicle Division suspends your license immediately and the SR-22 clock resets to zero when you refile.

Does Montana require SR-22 for first-offense DUI?

Yes. Montana requires SR-22 filing for all DUI convictions, including first-offense standard DUI. The Montana Motor Vehicle Division mandates 3-year SR-22 filing as a condition of license reinstatement after any DUI, regardless of whether aggravating factors were present.

What happens if my SR-22 insurance lapses in Montana?

Your insurer notifies the Montana Motor Vehicle Division electronically within 24 hours of policy cancellation or lapse. The state suspends your license immediately and your 3-year SR-22 filing period resets to zero once you obtain new coverage and refile. You cannot drive legally during the suspension, and driving on a suspended license after DUI adds separate criminal charges.

Can I get SR-22 insurance with State Farm or Geico in Montana after DUI?

Most major carriers including State Farm and Geico will file SR-22 for existing customers who get a DUI, but they typically non-renew the policy at the end of the term. New DUI-SR-22 applicants are generally placed with non-standard market carriers like Bristol West, Dairyland, GAINSCO, or Safe Auto, which specialize in high-risk driver coverage.

Coverage Types

SR-22 Insurance

Certificate filed by your insurer proving continuous coverage to the Montana Motor Vehicle Division. Required for 3 years after DUI reinstatement.

Non-Owner SR-22

Liability-only policy for drivers who don't own a vehicle but need SR-22 filing to maintain license reinstatement.

Liability Insurance

Covers bodily injury and property damage you cause to others. Montana requires 25/50/20 minimums for SR-22 filing.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Protects you when hit by a driver with no insurance or limits too low to cover your damages.

Full Coverage

Liability plus collision and comprehensive, typically required by lenders and recommended for financed vehicles.

Find Your City in Montana

Billings

suburban

Missoula

suburban

Great Falls

suburban

Bozeman

urban

Butte

urban