Home Insurance in Carter County, Montana
Homes in Carter County carry a median value of $199,200 - 47% lower than the Montana median.
The typical home in Carter County was built around 1975. About 37% of homes were built before 1960, about 12 points above Montana's 26%. Because older housing stock often has aging wiring, roofing or plumbing, it can cost more to insure or rebuild.
Mobile and manufactured homes typically need a manufactured-home (HO-7) policy rather than a standard homeowners policy. The housing stock in Carter County is 68% single-family homes, 2% apartments in buildings with 5+ units and 29% mobile or manufactured homes.
About 18% of owner-occupied homes in Carter County have a mortgage. Lenders require hazard (homeowners) insurance on any home carrying a mortgage.
The vacancy rate is 28%; vacant or unoccupied homes typically need a different coverage form than an owner-occupied policy. About 62% of occupied homes in Carter County are owner-occupied.
Homes heated with propane and wood can carry added fire risk. Fuel-tank leaks and spills are often excluded from standard homeowners policies. In Carter County, 70% of homes are primarily heated with propane.
The top hazards for Carter County, per FEMA's National Risk Index, are wildfire (Relatively Low), winter weather (Relatively Low) and hail (Very Low).
Carter County has no active NFIP flood policies on file. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage, so flood coverage needs a separate NFIP or private flood policy.
The statewide average premium for a standard HO-3 homeowners policy in Montana is $1,768 per year, according to the NAIC homeowners insurance report (2023 data).
Key figures
| Median home value | $199,200 |
|---|---|
| Median year built | 1975 |
| Owner-occupied share | 62% |
| Share of owner-occupied homes with a mortgage | 18% |
| Top hazards (FEMA National Risk Index) | Wildfire (Relatively Low), Winter Weather (Relatively Low), Hail (Very Low) |
| Home insurance premium | $1,768 - statewide average (NAIC, 2023 data) |
Towns and cities
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau Gazetteer Files (2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates (2024)
- FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025)
- FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Policies v3 (2026)
- NAIC Dwelling Fire, Homeowners Owner-Occupied, and Homeowners Tenant and Condominium/Cooperative Unit Owners Insurance: Data for 2023 (published 2026) (2023)