Do you really need extra insurance for a rental in Montana?

I've always leaned toward skipping the extra insurance, but Montana's a different beast, weather-wise. Had a friend get caught in a sudden hailstorm out near Billings - didn't take the coverage, and his regular policy had some weird exclusions for "weather events" with rentals. Ended up paying out of pocket for dents and glass.

I know some credit cards offer secondary coverage, but I've noticed they often have loopholes for things like “loss of use” or certain types of damage. Anyone actually tested their card’s rental insurance in Montana? Did it cover what you needed, or were there surprises? Curious if the peace of mind is really worth the extra cost or if it's just clever marketing from the rental companies...

I know some credit cards offer secondary coverage, but I've noticed they often have loopholes for things like “loss of use” or certain types of damage. Anyone actually tested their card’s rental insurance in Montana? Did it cover what you needed, or were there surprises? Curious if the peace of mind is really worth the extra cost or if it's just clever marketing from the rental companies...

That “loss of use” bit is exactly where I got tripped up once, though not in Montana - mine was a trip through Utah, but similar wild weather. My Chase card covered the actual repair for a cracked windshield, but then the rental company hit me with a bill for “loss of use” while the car was in the shop. Turns out, my card didn’t cover that part at all. It wasn’t a huge amount, but it was enough to sting and make me read those fine print sections way more carefully.

Montana’s weather can be brutal and unpredictable. I’ve done a couple cross-state drives there and honestly, I’ve seen hail come out of nowhere on what looked like a bluebird day. The regular insurance on my own car is pretty comprehensive, but when I checked the rental agreement last time (in Missoula), there were all these exclusions for “acts of God” - hail, floods, even some animal collisions. That’s when I started thinking maybe the extra coverage isn’t just a scare tactic.

I get being skeptical about paying more at the counter - half the time it feels like they’re upselling you on stuff you’ll never need. But after seeing what happened to my buddy (he got sideswiped by a deer outside Bozeman and his credit card insurance wouldn’t touch it), I’m leaning toward at least considering the extra coverage in places like Montana. Especially if you’re planning to get off the main highways or drive at night.

It’s not always black and white though. If your trip is mostly city driving and you’ve double-checked your personal policy plus your card’s terms, maybe you’re fine skipping it. But if you’re headed into rural areas or during storm season… well, sometimes peace of mind is worth a few extra bucks.

You’re not crazy for questioning whether it’s just marketing - sometimes it is - but Montana does seem to throw more curveballs than most states.

I ran into a similar issue in Montana last fall - hit by a sudden hailstorm outside Billings. My card’s coverage took care of the dents, but the rental company still charged me for “loss of use” and some admin fee. Neither was covered, and honestly, it felt like a bit of a racket. Still, after seeing how quickly things can go sideways with weather or wildlife out there, I’d rather pay extra than risk a big bill later. The fine print is brutal, but skipping coverage in Montana just isn’t worth the gamble for me anymore.

Yeah, Montana weather doesn’t mess around. I used to skip the extra insurance, but after a deer tried to audition for a car commercial with my rental, I’m not taking chances. Those “loss of use” fees are sneaky - almost feels like they make them up as they go.

I get where you're coming from, but I actually think the extra insurance is worth it - especially in Montana. Last winter, I rented an SUV for a ski trip. A truck in front of me kicked up a rock and chipped the windshield. The rental company charged me for the repair plus three days of “loss of use” while it sat in their garage. My own insurance only covered part of it, and the paperwork was a nightmare. After that, I just pay for the extra coverage. It’s expensive, but the peace of mind is hard to put a price on, especially with unpredictable weather and wildlife around.