I hear you on the “loss of use” thing—it’s like they’re charging you for the car’s existential crisis while it sits in the shop. I used to roll my eyes at the extra insurance, but after a friend got stuck with a bill for hail damage (Montana weather is no joke), I started taking a closer look. Credit card coverage helps, but only if you actually read the fine print... which I never do as thoroughly as I should. It’s a racket, but sometimes the peace of mind is worth a few extra bucks, especially out in the middle of nowhere.
I used to think the extra insurance was just a scare tactic, but after a couple of close calls (one involving a deer and another with some surprise gravel on a back road), I’ve changed my tune. Montana’s weather and wildlife don’t mess around, and even if you’re a careful driver, stuff happens fast out there. The “loss of use” fee always feels like a bit of a stretch—like, really, you’re charging me because your car is sad in the shop? But I get it from their side too.
Credit card coverage is great in theory, but I’ve found it’s full of loopholes. Some cards won’t cover certain types of damage or specific vehicles, and you usually have to decline the rental company’s insurance for it to kick in. Miss one step and you’re out of luck. For me, paying a little extra for peace of mind is worth it, especially when you’re hours from the nearest town. It’s not cheap, but neither is getting stuck with a bill for something totally out of your control.
Honestly, I’ve seen folks get tripped up by those credit card loopholes more than once. It’s wild how easy it is to miss a detail and end up on the hook for repairs. Montana’s beautiful, but yeah, it’s unpredictable. Sometimes that extra coverage just makes sense, even if it stings the wallet a bit.