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

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.

I hear you on the “money grab” feeling - those counters really push the add-ons. But have you ever had a claim where your credit card or personal policy actually covered everything? I’ve seen a few cases where folks thought they were good, but then got stuck with downtime fees or “loss of use” charges from the rental company. Ever run into that, or has it all worked out for you so far? Just curious how it’s played out in real life, especially with Montana’s roads being what they are...

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

I’ve seen a few cases where folks thought they were good, but then got stuck with downtime fees or “loss of use” charges from the rental company.

That’s exactly what worries me every time I rent. I know the counter folks are trained to upsell, but I’ve read enough horror stories about those “loss of use” fees to make me pause. My credit card covers collision, but when I dug into the fine print, it specifically excluded loss of use and some admin fees. My regular car insurance is decent, but again, there are gaps.

I haven’t had to file a claim myself (knock on wood), but a buddy of mine did after a fender bender in Bozeman. His card covered the repairs, but he still got hit with a bill for the days the car was out of commission. He tried to fight it, but no luck. That’s when I started thinking maybe the extra insurance isn’t just a money grab - at least not every time.

Montana roads can be rough, especially in winter or out in the sticks. I’d rather pay a little more up front than get blindsided later. Just my two cents...

I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I’ve rented in Montana a bunch (even during some gnarly winters), and I’ve never bought the extra insurance. Like you said,

“My credit card covers collision, but when I dug into the fine print, it specifically excluded loss of use and some admin fees.”

That’s true for a lot of cards, but I’ve found that if you stick to the big rental companies and document everything - photos before and after, mileage, fuel - you can usually avoid headaches. The one time I had a minor scrape near Missoula, my regular insurance picked up the slack. Maybe I’ve just been lucky, but for me, the peace of mind hasn’t been worth the extra cost. Just my experience...