First West, Inc. has been in Bozeman, Montana since 1972, offering extensive knowledge and personal concern, not just about insurance, but about people. We are the largest locally owned independent agency in the Gallatin Valley.First West is an independent insurance agency, with access to over 100 different insurance companies. We take care to assure the most appropriate coverage for you.Our history of working with these companies means we have built a relationship with them that benefits you. Best of all, you have everything taken care of under one roof.
What if I lease a car? If you lease a vehicle, you'll still need to buy your own auto insurance policy. The auto dealer or bank that is financing the car will require you to purchase Comprehensive and Collision  coverage, in addition to the others that may be mandatory in your state, such as Liability Coverage. The leasing company may also require Gap insurance. If you have an accident, and the leased car is damaged beyond repair, there's likely a difference between the amount you still owe the auto dealer and the check you get from your insurance company. That's because the insurance company's check is based on the car's actual cash value, which takes into account depreciation. The difference between the two amounts is know as the "gap".
Motorcycle Insurance
We provide coverage for motorcycles. We also can coordinate your entire insurance program to include your auto, home, business, and other property.Â
Boat Insurance
RV Insurance
This broad category of vehicles includes unpowered units towed behind vehicles, units attached to motorized units (pick-up trucks), self-powered units, and off-road vehicles. Various state laws determine registration and insurance requirements. We can advise you on the requirements and best insurance options for your situation.
If you rent a home or apartment, you have a high risk of losing everything without insurance. After a fire, not only are you left without a place to live or clothes to wear, but you may also be sued for the damages to the building.
Home Insurance
We provide coverage for most types of homes. We can also coordinate your entire insurance program to include your auto, business, and other property.Â
Life insurance is a crucial step in planning for your future and your family’s future. It can fulfill promises and obligations to your family if you are no longer living. The death benefit is income-tax free and can be used to cover funeral expenses, repay debt, provide education, pay estate taxes or any other expenses your survivors may incur. Life insurance may also be used to help ensure that a family business will pass to your intended survivor. There are also benefits to certain types of life insurance plans during your lifetime.
Health Insurance
Health care costs are high and getting higher. Who will pay your bills if you have a serious accident or a major illness? With health insurance, you protect yourself and your family in case you need medical care that has the potential to be very expensive.Â
Long Term Care
Long-Term Care has been defined as "medically necessary assistance, recommended by a physician for the treatment of a chronic illness or debilitating injury on a long term basis. Recovery is usually not expected. Care is oriented toward helping a person function, not toward a cure".Â
We can help you understand and obtain workers compensation insurance to help protect your business. There are many work comp insurance carriers we partner with, and our
Commercial Liability Insurance
In case of the average (smaller) business, the commercial umbrella liability policy is a newer insurance coverage option. Not very long ago, the coverage was considered to be only needed by very large business entities. Today, a different set of circumstances exists. Liability claims and court decisions involving millions of dollars are no longer uncommon; any business can be found legally responsible for this type of judgment.
Professional Liability Insurance
Professionals, such as doctors, lawyers and accountants, have long been held highly accountable for the consequences of their decisions. While such professions are still the “Big Three,†there are a growing number of other occupations that represent an exposure to liability loss that needs special protection, including pharmacists, architects, engineers, opticians, beauticians, insurance agents, consultants, and many others.
Builders Risk Insurance
The Builders Risk Policy is designed to provide coverage for direct loss or damage from covered causes of loss to buildings and structures under construction. The form applies to new construction as well as to renovations, remodeling, and improvements to existing buildings. This is one of two coverage approaches for construction and renovation risks. The other is provided by a variety of Inland Marine coverage forms. While these forms are basically similar to one another, each takes a different approach to providing the coverage.
Annuities can provide a series of payments that typically start at retirement and continue for the rest of the contract owner's life. Annuities can provide retirement income for either a fixed period of time or for the rest of an annuitant's life. Retirement income payments can begin immediately with the purchase of an annuity or be deferred to some time in the future.
Liability Insurance
An umbrella liability policy could be the difference between bankruptcy and an on-going business venture. The umbrella policy would take over where the business auto policy stopped, providing defense coverage and additional limits to pay large judgments.
According to the National Flood Insurance Program, NFIP, the average homeowner is five times more likely to incur flood damage than fire damage--with 25% of all claims coming from low to moderate risk areas. If you have a standard homeowners policy, it's unlikely you have coverage for damages after a flood. Here's a few things to know about flooding, from floodsmart.gov