Honestly, I hear stories like yours all the time—people think their regular auto policy or even their credit card will cover everything, but there are always these little gaps that pop up when you least expect it. Montana’s roads can be brutal, especially in winter. Even in summer, you get those gravel trucks and random debris flying around. I’ve seen folks get stuck with bills for cracked windshields, dings from hail, or even just minor scrapes in parking lots.
I get why people feel like it’s a money grab, but sometimes that extra coverage really does save you from a headache later. Out of curiosity, did your credit card offer any rental protection? I know some cards do, but the fine print can be tricky—sometimes they only cover collision and not glass or tires. It’s wild how complicated it gets.
Has anyone else run into weird exclusions or surprises with their own insurance when renting? It seems like every company has its own quirks...
Yeah, I totally get where you’re coming from. I used to think my regular insurance or credit card would have me covered, but then I actually read through the fine print and realized how many things aren’t included—like glass damage or tires, just like you said. It’s kind of wild how each company has its own weird exclusions. I guess it feels like overkill until you’re the one stuck with a random bill for something small, like a chipped windshield. Montana roads really don’t mess around, either... I’d rather pay a little extra than stress about it the whole trip.
I hear you on the exclusions—it’s kind of sneaky how many things aren’t covered unless you really dig into the details. I used to just assume my own car insurance would handle everything, but after a friend got hit with a bill for a cracked headlight (not even his fault), I started thinking twice. Montana roads are no joke, especially with all that gravel. I still hesitate to pay for every add-on, but for glass and tires, it might be worth it just for peace of mind.
I get the worry about glass and tires, but I’m still not convinced it’s worth the extra cash every time. Most credit cards cover rentals for damage, and my regular insurance has picked up the slack before. I guess if you’re super unlucky or driving off-road a lot, maybe it makes sense, but for regular highway stuff? I usually just risk it and save the money.
Honestly, I usually skip the extra insurance too, but it does make me wonder—has anyone actually had their regular insurance or credit card deny a claim for something like a cracked windshield? I’ve never had to file, but I always wonder if it’s as smooth as they say.
