Vehicle Appraisal & Insurance Valuation in Montana

The Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance (CSI) provides consumer guidance on how ACV is determined for automobile total-loss claims. CSI guidance emphasizes that ACV reflects the market value of the vehicle immediately before the accident — not simply a book value.

Montana CSI guidance addresses the use of similar vehicles in establishing ACV, including consideration of make, model, mileage, condition, interior, upgrades, and local market availability. Where comparable vehicles are not readily available in the local market, the geographic search may be expanded.

CSI guidance indicates that insurers should provide the information used to establish ACV, allowing the claimant to review and respond to the valuation. If current CSI guidance identifies recognized valuation sources, those sources should be accurately described based on the current guidance text.

Book value is not automatically equivalent to market value in every case. Montana CSI guidance emphasizes market-based evidence over book-value-only approaches, recognizing that a vehicle's actual market value may differ from a published book figure depending on local conditions, equipment, and condition.

ACV in Montana is the market value of the vehicle immediately before the accident. The determination considers make, model, mileage, condition, upgrades, and local market evidence. An independent appraisal can examine the same evidence and develop an objective opinion of value.

Montana does not establish a universal statutory automobile Right of Appraisal independent of policy provisions. If the applicable policy contains an appraisal clause, that contractual provision governs the availability and procedure of the appraisal process for disputes about the amount of a loss.