Honestly, this is the exact kind of thing that makes renting cars feel like a trap sometimes. I’ve always been a little skeptical about those “you NEED our insurance” pitches at the counter. Feels like they’re just trying to upsell, but then again, I get why they push it—people probably do get burned sometimes.
I had a similar situation last year, but in Colorado. My regular insurance covered rentals, but then I read the fine print and realized it specifically excluded “off-road” driving. The kicker? The definition of “off-road” was super vague. Like, is a gravel Forest Service road off-road? Or does it have to be actual bushwhacking? I asked my agent and she just said, “If it’s not maintained by the state, it’s probably not covered.” Not exactly reassuring.
The credit card thing is another rabbit hole. Some cards cover rentals, but only if you decline the rental company’s insurance, and some don’t cover trucks or SUVs, which is what you usually need for those backroads. I’ve heard stories about people thinking they were covered, then getting stuck with a bill because they drove on a dirt road to a trailhead. It’s wild.
Curious if anyone’s actually had to file a claim after something happened on an unpaved road? Did the insurance or credit card company give you grief about it? I keep thinking it’s all fine until something goes sideways and then everyone’s pointing fingers. Makes me wonder if it’s worth just coughing up the extra cash for peace of mind, even though it feels like a ripoff.
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from. The fine print on insurance is a nightmare, and it feels like they’re just waiting for you to mess up so they can deny a claim. I’ve never had to file after an incident on a dirt road, but I’ve heard enough horror stories to make me super cautious. It sucks paying extra, but for me, the peace of mind is worth it—especially in places like Montana where “off-road” can mean just about anything. Sometimes it really does feel like you’re paying not to get screwed over later.
Honestly, I hear you on the fine print being a total headache. The way insurance companies word things, it’s like they’re just waiting for a loophole. That line you wrote—
Sometimes it really does feel like you’re paying not to get screwed over later.
—hits home. It’s wild how much of this stuff is just about not getting burned.
I’ve rented in Montana a couple times, and yeah, “off-road” can mean anything from a gravel driveway to some sketchy forest service road. Once, I thought I was being clever by skipping the extra coverage because my credit card supposedly had me covered. Turns out, their definition of “off-road” was basically anything that wasn’t paved. Learned that one the hard way after a close call with a deer and a muddy shoulder. Didn’t even end up filing a claim, but the stress alone made me rethink things.
I get being cautious, but sometimes I wonder if we’re just getting played by all the scare tactics. Like, how many people actually have their claims denied for this stuff? Then again, the one time you need it and don’t have it... that’s when it stings. I guess for me it comes down to how remote I’m planning to go. If I know I’ll be way out there, I’ll suck it up and pay extra, just so I’m not sweating every bump or pothole.
It’s annoying that peace of mind costs so much, but I’d rather be annoyed than broke if something goes sideways. Still, I wish there was a more straightforward way to know what’s actually covered instead of feeling like you need a law degree to rent a car.
I get the paranoia around rental insurance, but honestly, I think a lot of it is just clever marketing. I’ve done a bunch of Montana trips, and unless you’re planning to take the car somewhere that looks like a Jeep commercial, the base coverage plus your regular car insurance or credit card is usually enough. I mean, yeah, they’ll nickel and dime you if they can, but I’ve only actually known one person who had a claim denied—and that was for trying to ford a creek (not recommended). Most of the time, the “what if” scenarios never play out. At some point, you’ve gotta weigh the odds versus the cost... otherwise you’ll end up paying more for insurance than for the rental itself.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve seen people get burned by skipping the extra insurance—usually when something dumb happens, like a rock chips the windshield or a deer jumps out. Montana roads can be unpredictable, even if you’re not off-roading. If your own insurance has a high deductible or doesn’t cover rentals well, that extra coverage can save a headache. It’s not always a scam, just depends on your risk tolerance and what your policy actually covers.
