Honestly, I get where you’re coming from about the insurance. Those Montana backroads can chew up a rental in no time, especially if you’re out near Bozeman or Big Sky. Still, I don’t always spring for the extra coverage. It’s pricey, and half the time it feels like you’re paying for stuff your regular car insurance or a good credit card already covers.
You mentioned this:
Honestly, after one close call with a cracked windshield, I just pay for the extra insurance now. It’s not cheap, but neither is replacing a tire or dealing with their paperwork circus.
I had almost the exact same situation—except my regular insurance actually picked up the tab on a windshield chip. Took a few calls and some paperwork, but it was way less than what the rental company wanted for their “protection.” The catch is, not every policy covers rentals the same way, and some credit cards have weird exclusions for gravel or unpaved roads. That’s where it gets tricky out here.
I do get nervous though, especially after seeing what a sharp rock can do to a tire in the middle of nowhere. But if you’re careful—drive slow on gravel, check the spare before you leave town—it’s usually fine. I guess for me, it comes down to how far off the beaten path you’re going. If you’re just sticking to main roads and paved highways, I’d probably skip it. If you’re heading out to some remote cabin or trailhead, maybe it’s worth the peace of mind.
Never hurts to double-check what your own insurance or card covers before you sign anything at the counter. Those agents will try to upsell you hard—can’t blame them, but sometimes it’s overkill. Just my two cents from too many miles on Montana dirt...
Honestly, I think you’re underestimating how picky rental companies can get. Even if your regular insurance covers it, you’re still on the hook for downtime fees or “loss of use,” which a lot of policies skip. Like you said,
That’s bitten me before—thought I was covered, but nope, not on dirt. For me, it’s sometimes worth the extra just to avoid the headache if something goes sideways.“some credit cards have weird exclusions for gravel or unpaved roads.”
I get where you’re coming from, but isn’t it kind of overkill to always buy the extra insurance? I’ve rented in Montana a few times and yeah, the gravel road thing is real, but I just made sure to stick to paved roads and double-checked my credit card coverage. Never had an issue. I guess if you know you’ll be off-roading or hitting backcountry trails, it’s a different story. But for regular highway driving, is the peace of mind really worth the extra $20-30 a day? That adds up fast.
Also, I’ve heard some rental companies will try to tack on “loss of use” fees, but my regular auto policy actually covered that—maybe it depends on the insurer? I just wonder if people are paying for coverage they don’t actually need because of all the scary stories out there. Anyone ever actually had to pay out of pocket for something their insurance didn’t cover, or is it mostly just a theoretical risk?
I’ve rented in Montana a few times too, and honestly, I’ve never bought the extra insurance either. Like you, I just checked my credit card coverage and my regular auto policy. Never had an issue, even with a couple of windshield chips (which, yeah, are almost inevitable out there). My card covered the repairs without a hassle.
The “loss of use” thing is real, but it really does depend on your insurer. Some cover it, some don’t, and some only up to a certain amount per day. I think a lot of people just get spooked by the horror stories at the counter and end up paying for peace of mind they might already have.
That said, I did have a friend who got dinged for undercarriage damage because he took a rental down a dirt road that was technically “off-limits” per the contract. His insurance didn’t cover it because it was a violation of the rental agreement. That’s the only time I’ve seen someone pay out of pocket.
If you’re sticking to paved roads and know your policies, I’d say it’s usually not worth the extra daily charge. But if you’re even thinking about taking a scenic detour down a gravel road, it might be a different story...
That undercarriage thing is what always makes me pause. I’ve had my fair share of “adventures” (read: questionable decisions) on backroads, and it’s wild how fast you can rack up damage you didn’t even notice. Ever tried explaining to a rental company how a rock “just appeared” under the car? Not fun. I guess the real question is, how much risk are you willing to eat if something weird happens? For me, if I know I’m gonna be tempted by those scenic dirt roads, I’ll at least check what the extra insurance actually covers—sometimes it’s not as much as they make it sound.