Honestly, I get what you’re saying about documenting everything and sticking with the big rental companies, but I still feel a bit uneasy skipping the extra insurance, especially in Montana. Maybe it’s just me being a newer driver, but the idea of getting stuck with a huge bill for “loss of use” or those random admin fees makes me nervous. My credit card coverage is similar—fine for collision, but those exclusions in the fine print are sneaky.
I’ve heard stories where someone thought their regular insurance would cover everything, but then the rental company charged them for the days the car was out of commission, plus some admin fee that wasn’t covered by insurance or the card. That’s the kind of surprise I’d rather avoid, even if it means paying a bit more upfront.
I guess it depends on your risk tolerance. If you’re comfortable with a little uncertainty and have good insurance, it probably works out most of the time. For me, the extra $10-15 a day is worth not stressing about what might happen if something goes sideways, especially with icy roads or wildlife popping out of nowhere. Maybe I’m just overly cautious, but I’d rather not gamble with it, at least not yet.
Yeah, I totally get where you’re coming from. The “loss of use” thing freaks me out too, especially since it’s not always obvious what’s covered until something actually happens. I had a friend who hit a deer in Montana last winter, and even though their insurance covered the repairs, the rental company still charged them for two weeks of lost rental time. Their credit card didn’t help with that part. Honestly, for a few extra bucks a day, I’d rather just have the peace of mind, especially when you’re driving somewhere unpredictable. I’m not super experienced either, so I’d rather not test my luck.