Montana

Montana Total Loss Threshold & Appraisal Guide

Licensed independent appraisers serving every county in Montana. Average recovery: +$3,260 above the first offer.

Total loss threshold
Total Loss Formula
Sales tax
0% state (county option tax)
Statute
Mont. Admin. R. 6.6.3001 (Unfair Claims Settlement Practices).
DOI complaint line
1-800-332-6148

Appraisal clause

Montana auto policies include the binding appraisal clause.

Sales tax & fees

Montana has no state sales tax, but insurers must include county option tax, title, and registration fees.

Salvage & title rules

Montana uses a total-loss formula; salvage titles required for totaled vehicles.

Diminished value

Diminished-value claims depend on policy form and case law.

How we help in Montana

We pull genuine Montana comparables within the local market, document trim and option packages, apply Montana-specific tax and fee rules, and rebut every condition adjustment line by line.

Recent Montana case result

De-identified outcome from a Montana appraisal we handled. Settlement ranges reflect actual recoveries.

Vehicle
2020 Toyota RAV4 XLE
Billings, MT
Insurer offer
$18,400
Final settlement
$22,950
Recovery
+$4,550

A Billings driver's 2020 Toyota RAV4 XLE was declared a total loss after a multi-vehicle collision. The carrier's CCC ONE valuation came in at $18,400, with three "fair" condition adjustments and two comps pulled from outside the Montana market. Our appraiser rebuilt the comp set using genuine Montana dealer inventory, corrected trim and option coding, and removed the unsupported condition deductions. Final settlement after appraisal: $22,950 — a +$4,550 increase, plus Montana sales tax and title fees paid on top.

Montana DMV & official resources

Official links for title transfers, salvage branding, and registration after a total loss.

External links open in a new tab. Montana title/salvage procedures change occasionally — verify on the official DMV site before filing.

Montana total loss — frequently asked questions

Lowballed in Montana? Let's fix that.

Free claim review in 24 hours. $1,000 minimum recovery guaranteed.