Had a similar wake-up call myself, except it was a Porsche Cayenne and a herd of deer outside Bozeman. I used to scoff at those extra charges too—until I spent weeks arguing over “diminished value” and got stuck with a bill that made my stomach drop. Honestly, in places like Montana, the variables are just wild (literally). For me, the upfront cost is worth sidestepping all that hassle. Not saying it’s always necessary, but I’ll never risk it again out there.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve honestly never bothered with the extra insurance, even in Montana. My credit card covers most rental car stuff, and my regular policy picks up the rest. Yeah, there’s always a risk—wildlife, gravel roads, whatever—but I’d rather save the cash unless I’m driving something super fancy or way off the beaten path. Maybe I’ve just been lucky, but those add-ons always feel like a money grab to me.