Honestly, I’ve driven all over Montana for work, and I’ve never bothered with the extra rental insurance. My credit card and personal auto policy have always covered me just fine. Sure, if you hit a deer, it’s a mess, but that’s what your own insurance is for. Paying double for “just in case” feels like a ripoff. If you’re careful and know your coverage, it’s not worth the extra cash.
Paying double for “just in case” feels like a ripoff. If you’re careful and know your coverage, it’s not worth the extra cash.
I get where you’re coming from—nobody wants to pay for something they might never use. That said, I’ve seen some folks run into trouble when their personal policy didn’t cover “loss of use” fees or certain types of damage. Montana’s got more than just deer to worry about... hailstorms, gravel roads, you name it. Double-checking the fine print never hurts, even if it feels like overkill.
Extra insurance always feels like a money grab, but I’ve had a couple of close calls that made me rethink skipping it—especially out in places like Montana. One summer, I picked up a rental in Bozeman and ended up with a cracked windshield after just two days on those backroads. My regular policy covered the damage, but the “loss of use” fee from the rental company was a nasty surprise. Turns out, my credit card coverage didn’t touch that part.
I get being careful and reading your own policy, but there are gaps you don’t always see until it’s too late. Montana’s weather is unpredictable, and those gravel roads can be brutal on tires and glass. I’m not saying everyone needs to double up on insurance every time, but sometimes paying extra upfront saves you from headaches down the line. It’s not always about being reckless—sometimes it’s just bad luck or weird fine print.
I get being careful and reading your own policy, but there are gaps you don’t always see until it’s too late. Montana’s weather is unpredictable, and those gravel roads can be brutal on tires...
I get where you’re coming from—those “loss of use” fees are sneaky. But honestly, I’ve rented in Montana a handful of times and never had an issue my regular insurance or credit card didn’t cover. Maybe I’ve just been lucky, but I always make a point to double-check the fine print and call my insurer. Sometimes the rental company’s coverage is way overpriced for what you get. For me, the peace of mind comes from knowing exactly what’s covered, rather than paying extra every time just in case.
Honestly, I’ve seen folks pay for every add-on under the sun and still end up out of pocket because they didn’t read the exclusions. Those “loss of use” fees are real, but half the time your own policy or credit card will cover it—if you know what you’re looking at. I’d rather spend ten minutes on the phone with my insurer than fork over $30 a day for coverage that’s full of loopholes. Montana roads are rough, sure, but so is wasting money on duplicate insurance...