Had a buddy get dinged for “loss of use” after a deer ran into his rental in Billings. His regular insurance covered the damage, but he still had to cough up for the days the car was out of commission. The paperwork circus was real. I usually just bite the bullet and pay for the extra coverage—cheaper than stress wrinkles, honestly.
Honestly, that “loss of use” thing is wild. I never even thought about it until my cousin got hit with the same deal after a hailstorm trashed his rental in Bozeman. His regular insurance helped, but he still had to pay for the days the car was in the shop. Now I’m kinda paranoid and usually grab the extra coverage, even if it feels like a ripoff. It’s like buying peace of mind, you know? Montana wildlife doesn’t mess around.
I never even thought about it until my cousin got hit with the same deal after a hailstorm trashed his rental in Bozeman.
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve seen a lot of folks pay for that extra coverage and never actually need it. The “loss of use” charge is real, but sometimes your credit card or even your own auto policy will cover it—just gotta check the fine print. I had a client who got dinged for a deer collision outside Missoula, and his Visa actually picked up the tab for the downtime. It’s not always a ripoff, but it’s not always necessary either. Just depends how much risk you’re willing to take on.
I get the “just check your credit card” angle, but honestly, those policies can be full of loopholes.
—that’s exactly it. Most people don’t read the fine print until it’s too late. I’ve seen folks think they’re covered, then get stuck with a fat bill for “loss of use” or diminished value because their card only covers certain types of damage or specific rental agencies. For me, if you’re renting in Montana where wildlife and weather are wildcards, that extra $10-15 a day can save a lot of headache. Not saying it’s always needed, but I’d rather pay a little more upfront than gamble with my wallet.“just gotta check the fine print”
Honestly, I’ve been burned before thinking my card had me covered, only to find out about “loss of use” after a deer ran into my rental. In Montana, I just pay the extra—it’s not worth the stress if something weird happens.
