Honestly, I’d be careful relying just on the card. I ran into a similar thing in Colorado—had to front a $1,200 bill and wait weeks for reimbursement. Not everyone has that kind of room on their card, especially with travel expenses piling up. Sometimes paying for the rental company’s coverage is just less stress, even if it costs more. The “loss of use” stuff can get sneaky too... they’ll nickel and dime you if they can.
I hear you on the “loss of use” fees—those can be brutal, and most credit card coverage doesn’t touch them. Honestly, unless you’re super comfortable with waiting for reimbursement or risking a big chunk on your card, paying for the rental company’s insurance can make sense, especially if you’re on a tight budget. I’ve seen folks get tripped up by the fine print more than once... sometimes peace of mind is worth the extra cost.
I totally get the peace of mind angle, but I’ve always wondered—has anyone actually had to file a claim for “loss of use”? I’ve rented in Montana a few times and skipped the extra insurance, but maybe I just got lucky. How do you weigh the risk vs. cost?
I’ve wondered the same thing, honestly. I’ve never had to file a “loss of use” claim myself, but I always do the mental math—like, how likely is it that something will actually happen? The cost adds up quick if you rent often, but one accident could be a headache. Sometimes I just gamble and skip it, too... guess it’s all about your risk tolerance.
Do you really need extra insurance for a rental in Montana?
I hear you on the mental math—every time I’m at the counter and they ask about extra insurance, I start sweating like I’m on a game show. I usually skip it, too, especially if my credit card already covers some stuff. But I’ll admit, there’s this tiny voice in my head picturing a moose casually strolling into my rental car and me trying to explain that to the insurance folks. Montana seems chill, but then again, it’s got more wildlife than my whole neighborhood.
Honestly, I’m with you—it’s all about how much risk you’re cool with. If you’re the type who loses sleep over “what ifs,” maybe the peace of mind is worth it. For me, I’d rather take my chances and use that extra cash for a few more snacks on the road.