Part of me feels like the rental insurance is a bit of a money grab, but then again, peace of mind is hard to put a price on, especially when you’re driving unfamiliar roads.
Totally get this. I used to think the same—like, why pay extra when I already have coverage? But after hearing stories about people getting dinged for tiny scratches or “loss of use” charges in the fine print, I started rethinking it. My car insurance did cover a rental once, but dealing with the claim was a slog. Not impossible, just way more hassle than I expected. Sometimes paying for that “peace of mind” is worth skipping the paperwork nightmare... especially if you’re far from home and just want to enjoy the trip.
I’m right there with you—insurance always feels like a gamble. I’ve had my fair share of “oops” moments (parking lot fender benders, mostly), and every time I skip the extra coverage, I wonder if I’m tempting fate. Is it really worth the extra cash, though? Or is it just paying for the chance to avoid a headache later? I get why people just want to enjoy their trip without worrying about paperwork or surprise charges. It’s a tough call, especially if you’ve had to deal with claims before... kinda makes you rethink what “peace of mind” is worth.
Title: Do you really need extra insurance for a rental in Montana?
every time I skip the extra coverage, I wonder if I’m tempting fate. Is it really worth the extra cash, though?
I get where you’re coming from—insurance always feels like a lose-lose, especially when you’ve had a few fender benders (been there, trust me). I used to think it was just a money grab, but after one bad scrape where my regular policy didn’t cover everything, I started rethinking. It’s annoying paying more upfront, but honestly, the stress of dealing with claims later can be way worse. Sometimes “peace of mind” is worth the price tag... even if it stings a little at checkout.
Honestly, I used to skip the extra coverage too, but after a friend’s rental got sideswiped in a hotel parking lot in Bozeman, I started thinking twice. His regular insurance didn’t cover “loss of use” fees from the rental company, which added up fast. Now, before I rent, I check my policy for gaps, see if my credit card covers rentals, and only get the extra if there’s a hole. It’s not always needed, but that one incident made me way more cautious than I used to be.
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I think the rental companies are just looking for ways to squeeze more money out of people. I’ve rented in Montana a few times—family trips, ski weekends, you name it—and I’ve never bothered with their extra insurance. My auto policy covers rentals, and my credit card fills in the rest. Yeah, there’s always that “what if,” but if you actually read your policy (which most folks don’t), you’ll see what’s covered and what isn’t.
That “loss of use” thing is annoying, but in my experience, unless you’re super unlucky or parking in sketchy spots, it’s not worth shelling out the extra cash every time. I’d rather take five minutes to call my insurance and double-check than pay those crazy daily rates. Just my two cents—insurance is already expensive enough without adding more layers for stuff that probably won’t happen.
