Homeowners Insurance in Montana

It’s every Montana homeowner’s worst nightmare. You leave for a winter vacation only to come back to burst pipes and a flooded home. Thankfully, if you have a home insurance policy, you're covered.

While no one ever intends for things to go awry, accidents do happen—and usually when you least expect them. Give yourself some peace of mind and protect your home with a home insurance policy that’s right for you.

From what’s covered under a normal policy to optional add-ons, here’s the lowdown on purchasing home insurance.

What is the average cost of homeowners insurance in Montana?

The average annual home insurance premium in Montana is $1,683, although various factors determine your rate, such as the value of your home, when it was constructed, the coverage you choose, and your own insurance history.

What does home insurance cover?

Homeowners insurance covers damage sustained by your home and belongings in the event of a fire, lightning, smoke, theft, vandalism, water, wind, and more.

A standard home insurance policy protects:

• Your property. Your insurance policy reimburses you for the costs of repairing or rebuilding your home and attached structures if damaged by a disaster listed in your policy. 
• Other structures. If structures on your property get damaged by a covered peril (such as fire)—like a fence, shed, greenhouse, swimming pool, or detached garage—standard home insurance coverage comes to the rescue.
• Your personal property. Your policy’s personal property coverage will help reimburse you for the damage to your clothing and furniture, up to your policy limits.
• Additional living expenses. If you need to live elsewhere while your home is being repaired or rebuilt, loss of use coverage—also called additional living expenses coverage—pays for your living expenses.
• Medical bills if someone gets hurt on your property. If a visitor slips in your home and hurts himself or herself, your policy’s personal liability coverage may pay expenses. 

Rugged wonderland

Montana’s natural beauty—from lush alpine meadows to high country glaciers—is nothing short of cinematic. In fact, dozens of movies, like A River Runs Through It and The Horse Whisperer, have been filmed in the state.

If you’re looking for some elbow room, you’ll find it in Big Sky Country: Montana is the state with the third-lowest population density in the country (following Alaska and Wyoming). Montanans tend to embrace an active lifestyle, and snowfall doesn’t stop them—ski resorts are abundant.

The state offers a reasonable cost of living, although some cities like Missoula have become “Zoom towns,” attracting out-of-staters who telecommute to jobs in distant cities, and home prices are steadily increasing.

AAA Home Insurance add-on coverage

A standard homeowners policy works for many people, but depending on your situation, you may need extra coverage.

Standard policies don’t cover flood damage, so purchasing flood insurance is a smart move. That way, you’ll be compensated if your home, cabinets, carpets, appliances, or belongings, are damaged. And Montanans who live along the Intermountain Seismic Belt—which runs from the northwest of Montana to Yellowstone—should talk to an agent about earthquake insurance.

Be sure to talk to your insurance agent about additional coverages for:

• Building code expenses. This will help offset additional building code expenses incurred due to a covered loss or damage.
• Jewelry. AAA offers increased limits for your valuable pieces.
• Identity theft. AAA Home Insurance includes identity theft coverage up to $15,000 for expenses related to a stolen identity.
• Landlord or rental property insurance. This type of policy covers damage to the property, appliances, and any furnishings that you provide for tenants. It may also provide liability protection.

Let AAA insurance agents help you find the right homeowners insurance coverage for your family. See Montana AAA locations.