That “loss of use” fee caught me off guard once in Colorado—thought I was being careful, but a rock chipped the windshield and suddenly I was paying for days the car sat in their shop. I always wonder if those credit card policies actually pay out, or if it’s just a hassle to get reimbursed. Has anyone actually gone through a claim with their card? I’m never sure if it’s safer to just bite the bullet and pay for the rental company’s coverage, or trust the card.
I’ve actually filed a claim with my credit card (Chase Sapphire) after a minor bumper scrape in Utah. It took a few weeks and a bunch of paperwork, but they did pay out in the end. The hassle was real, though—lots of back and forth with both the rental company and the card company. Personally, I still skip the rental coverage to save money, but I always read the fine print and keep all receipts just in case. It’s not a perfect system, but I’d rather deal with some paperwork than pay extra every time.
That paperwork grind is real, huh? I always wonder if it’s worth the hassle versus just paying for the rental company’s coverage, especially in places like Montana where wildlife and gravel roads can be unpredictable. Did your Chase card cover “loss of use” charges from the rental company too, or did you have to argue that one? Sometimes those little fees sneak up on people. I get why folks skip the extra, but I’ve seen a few cases where a small ding turned into a bigger headache than expected...
I totally get what you mean—those “loss of use” charges are sneaky. Did you have to go back and forth with Chase or did they just handle it? I’ve always wondered if it’s worth the risk, especially in places where a random rock can mess up your day. Do you think the peace of mind is worth the extra cost, or is it just paying for convenience?
I wrestled with this exact question before my last trip. I’d never bought extra insurance before, but Montana’s gravel roads had me second-guessing. Ended up springing for it, mostly for peace of mind. It felt a bit like paying for convenience, but honestly, not having to stress every time a truck kicked up a rock was worth it for me. I get why people skip it, though—if you’re comfortable with your credit card coverage and don’t mind a little paperwork, it might not be necessary.
