“only to find out about ‘loss of use’ after a deer ran into my rental”
That “loss of use” thing gets me every time. I’ve always wondered, do they really lose THAT much money when a car’s in the shop? Had something similar happen a few years back—hailstorm, not a deer, but still, the bill for downtime was nuts. Makes me question if those extra fees are padded or legit. Anyone ever actually see the math on that? I usually roll the dice, but Montana’s wildlife does make me think twice...
Title: Do you really need extra insurance for a rental in Montana?
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually seen the “loss of use” charges add up, especially with higher-end rentals. A few years back, I rented a BMW for a road trip and a rock cracked the windshield. Even though my own insurance covered the repair, the rental company still charged me for the days it was out of commission. They claimed it was their “average daily rate” times the days in the shop. I asked for proof, and they showed me their fleet utilization numbers—honestly, it looked legit, but who knows if it’s padded a bit.
I used to skip the extra insurance too, but after that, I started adding it, especially in places like Montana where wildlife is everywhere. It’s not just about the repair bill—it’s the hassle and those sneaky fees. If you’re renting something basic, maybe it’s not worth it, but with luxury or specialty cars, the risk feels higher. I’d rather pay a little extra upfront than get hit with a surprise bill later. Just my two cents...
“It’s not just about the repair bill—it’s the hassle and those sneaky fees.”
Man, you nailed it with the “sneaky fees.” I once rented a Camry in Bozeman and thought, “What’s the worst that could happen?” Cue a deer playing chicken at dusk. My insurance covered the dent, but the rental company still charged me for “loss of use” and some cleaning fee for the fur. Never thought I’d pay extra for wildlife drama. Now I just pay the extra insurance—cheaper than therapy after dealing with their paperwork.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’m not convinced the extra insurance is always worth it.
Personally, my credit card covers collision damage, and my regular auto policy handles liability, so doubling up feels unnecessary. Sure, those “loss of use” fees are a pain, but if you read the fine print and document everything, you can often dispute them. For me, the added cost of insurance every time just doesn’t add up, especially if you rent often.“Now I just pay the extra insurance—cheaper than therapy after dealing with their paperwork.”
I totally get wanting to save where you can, but for folks like me with a not-so-great driving record, I always double-check the fine print on credit card coverage. Some cards exclude drivers with recent accidents or tickets—found that out the hard way once. Here’s what I do: 1) Call my card company before booking, 2) Ask about exclusions, 3) Compare with what the rental offers. Sometimes it’s just less stress to pay a bit more upfront than risk a denied claim later. Not saying it’s for everyone, but if your history’s spotty, it might be worth considering.
