Honestly, I’m always torn on this. I’ve had friends swear their credit card covered everything, only to find out later it didn’t include “loss of use” or glass. Montana’s just rough on cars—those gravel roads and random wildlife aren’t your average city hazards. I’d rather pay a little extra than risk a $500+ bill, but maybe that’s just my anxiety talking. Has anyone actually had their personal insurance step up for a rental claim in a place like Montana, or is that just what the agents say to get you off the phone?
Title: Do you really need extra insurance for a rental in Montana?
I’ve had friends swear their credit card covered everything, only to find out later it didn’t include “loss of use” or glass. Montana’s just rough on cars—those gravel roads and random wildlife aren’t your average city hazards.
That’s exactly the kind of thing that makes me second-guess skipping the extra coverage. I get what you mean about anxiety—Montana’s not like renting a car in, say, Phoenix or Dallas. I’ve heard stories about people thinking they’re covered, then getting hit with a bill for something random like a cracked windshield or a week of “loss of use” while the car’s in the shop. It’s not always clear what’s actually covered until you’re in the thick of it.
I’ve never had to file a claim myself, but I did have a coworker who thought his personal insurance would cover a deer collision in a rental up near Kalispell. Turns out, his policy only covered his own car, not rentals, and the credit card insurance didn’t touch animal damage. He ended up paying out of pocket for the deductible and some weird admin fees. That was enough to make me pretty cautious.
I do wonder if agents sometimes oversell the risk, but at the same time, those rural roads are no joke. I’d rather pay an extra $10-15 a day than stress about every rock chip or elk sighting. Maybe it’s not strictly necessary, but peace of mind counts for something, right? I guess it comes down to how much risk you’re willing to take on. I’m not sure if that’s anxiety or just being realistic, honestly.
It’s frustrating how complicated all the fine print is. Even reading through my own policy, I’m never 100% sure what would happen if something went wrong in a rental. I wish there was a clearer answer, but I totally get where you’re coming from. Sometimes it feels like you’re just rolling the dice either way.
Honestly, I get why people feel nervous, but sometimes I think the extra insurance is a bit overhyped—especially if you’ve got a solid personal auto policy. Have you checked with your insurer about adding a temporary rider for rentals? It’s usually cheaper than the rental company’s coverage and can fill those weird gaps like “loss of use.” I do agree Montana’s roads aren’t forgiving, but it’s worth double-checking what you already have before shelling out more. Ever notice how rental agents rarely mention those options? Makes me wonder if we’re just conditioned to buy peace of mind without looking at alternatives.
Ever notice how rental agents rarely mention those options? Makes me wonder if we’re just conditioned to buy peace of mind without looking at alternatives.
That’s so true. Last time I rented a car, the agent made the extra insurance sound like it was basically required—like, “You don’t want to get stuck with a $10k bill, right?” I almost caved just from the way she looked at me. My dad actually called our insurance from the parking lot (embarrassing but effective) and found out we were covered for most stuff except “loss of use,” which I’d never even heard of before. I guess it pays to ask, even if you feel awkward doing it. Montana roads are wild, but sometimes it feels like the real danger is at the rental counter...
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I don’t think the extra insurance is always just a scam. Montana roads aren’t just wild—they can be unpredictable, especially if you’re not used to rural driving or sudden weather changes. My friend hit a deer outside Bozeman last year and his own insurance covered most of it, but there was a ton of paperwork and he still ended up paying for “loss of use” out of pocket. Sometimes that extra coverage is worth it just to avoid the headache, even if it feels like overkill at the counter.
