I get what you mean—those counter pitches can feel pushy. I’ve never had a claim fully denied, but my own insurance left me with a pretty hefty deductible once after a fender bender in a rental. The weather up here really does make things unpredictable, so I usually play it safe and get the extra coverage, just for peace of mind. It’s probably not always necessary, but I’d rather not gamble with those repair bills...
I get the peace of mind angle, but I’ve always wondered if the extra coverage is really worth it, especially if you already have solid primary insurance. I drive a couple of higher-end cars and my policy’s pretty comprehensive, so I tend to skip the rental company’s add-ons. The thing is, most credit cards (at least the premium ones) offer secondary coverage for rentals, which can help with deductibles or gaps. Have you checked if your card does that? It’s saved me once when I had a minor scrape in Bozeman—didn’t pay a cent out of pocket.
That said, I get that Montana weather is unpredictable—hail, black ice, deer out of nowhere. But if you’re already paying for good coverage, isn’t doubling up just handing money to the rental company? I guess it depends on your risk tolerance. For me, I’d rather put that extra $20-30 a day toward something tangible unless I’m driving somewhere truly remote or sketchy.
One thing I do wonder about: those “loss of use” fees rental companies tack on if the car’s out of commission. Some personal policies don’t cover that, and neither do all credit cards. That’s probably the only scenario where I’d consider the extra insurance, but even then, it feels like a rare edge case.
Curious if anyone’s actually had a claim denied by their own insurer or credit card when it comes to rentals. I keep hearing horror stories from the counter, but in practice, I haven’t seen it play out. Maybe I’m just lucky... or maybe the odds aren’t as bad as they make them sound.
That’s a really solid breakdown, and honestly, you’re not alone in skipping the rental add-ons. I’m pretty meticulous with my coverage too—drive a couple of German cars and keep my personal policy as bulletproof as possible. You nailed it about premium credit cards; I’ve had Amex Platinum step in for a cracked windshield on a Tahoe rental once, and it was all handled without drama. The “loss of use” thing is the one wrinkle that bugs me, though. My State Farm policy doesn’t cover it, and neither does my Chase Sapphire, so I’ll admit I get a little twitchy if I’m renting something rare or out in the sticks.
I’ve never had a claim denied either, but I wonder if some of those horror stories are folks who didn’t read the fine print or tried to claim stuff outside the policy’s scope. It’s easy to get spooked at the counter when they’re throwing worst-case scenarios at you. In practice, if your primary insurance is strong and you know exactly what your card backs up, you’re probably right—doubling up is just padding their bottom line. Just gotta know your gaps.
- Been there with the “loss of use” paranoia—Montana’s got more cows than people, so if you ding a rental out in the boonies, who knows how long it’ll sit in the shop.
- My own policy (Progressive) is solid for liability and collision, but yeah, “loss of use” is that sneaky gap. I called once and the rep basically shrugged and said, “Not our circus.”
- Credit card coverage is great until you realize they all have their own weird exclusions. My Capital One card covers a lot, but not if I’m off-roading or driving on gravel... which is like, half of Montana.
- I’ve never bought the rental company’s insurance, but I do get a little nervous when they start talking about “unicorn-level” repair costs for a bumper scratch.
- Honestly, if you’re renting something basic and sticking to paved roads, your own insurance + credit card combo is probably fine. If you’re renting a lifted Bronco to chase bison or something, maybe spring for the extra coverage just for peace of mind.
- Pro tip: Take a million photos before you drive off. Rental folks have memories like goldfish when it comes to pre-existing scratches.
Bottom line: Know your gaps, read the fine print, and don’t let the counter agent scare you into buying insurance you don’t need... unless you’re feeling lucky (or unlucky) that day.
I totally get the nerves around “loss of use”—been there, paid that. Once tapped a deer outside of Red Lodge, and the rental company tried to bill me for two weeks while the car waited for parts. My insurance covered the damage, but not a dime of that downtime. I still wing it with my own policy most trips, but yeah, if you’re heading off the beaten path or renting something fancy, a little extra coverage can be a sanity-saver. Photos are everything—snapped so many once, the agent joked I was starting a photo blog. Better safe than sorry, right?