I get a little nervous about skipping the extra insurance, especially in places like Montana where the weather can flip in an hour. Once rented a car in Missoula during winter and the roads were basically an ice rink. My regular policy technically covered me, but I kept second-guessing whether they'd find some loophole if anything happened. Has anyone actually had to file a claim after an accident in a rental? Curious if it was as much of a headache as I imagine...
Had to process a couple of these claims for folks who rented in places like Montana, and honestly, it’s not always as bad as people fear—but it can get messy. If your personal auto policy covers rentals (most do, but double-check the fine print), you’re usually good for liability and collision. The headaches start if there’s a gap, like loss-of-use fees or “diminished value” the rental company tries to tack on. Some insurers cover those, some don’t.
One thing that trips people up: if you only have liability at home (no comp/collision), your policy probably won’t pay for damage to the rental car itself. And even if you’re covered, you’ll still pay your deductible and might see a rate bump after.
Rental companies love selling that extra insurance for a reason—it’s pure profit most of the time—but in places with wild weather, I get why people spring for it just for peace of mind. Personally, I’d check what my credit card offers too—some of them fill in gaps your regular policy leaves.
Long story short, filing a claim isn’t always a nightmare, but it’s rarely painless either. Just gotta weigh how much hassle you’re willing to risk vs paying a bit extra up front.
I’ve rented in Montana a few times, and honestly, I never bother with the extra insurance. Like you said,
That’s been my experience too. The only time I’d consider the rental company’s coverage is if I was driving somewhere really remote or during a blizzard. Otherwise, it feels like paying for peace of mind that I don’t really need. Credit card coverage has saved me once—definitely worth checking before you sign anything at the counter.“if your personal auto policy covers rentals (most do, but double-check the fine print), you’re usually good for liability and collision.”
- Been there, done that—never bought the extra insurance either.
- My regular policy covers rentals, and my credit card backs it up.
- Only time I regretted it was when a deer ran out in front of me near Bozeman...luckily, no damage, but it made me think twice about those “peace of mind” pitches.
- If you’re sticking to paved roads and not driving in a snowstorm, I just don’t see the point in paying extra.
- Rental companies push hard for that upsell, but unless you’re super risk-averse, it’s usually not worth it.
Never rented a car in Montana before, but I’m planning a trip this summer and this is exactly what’s been on my mind. I’ve always just assumed you need the extra insurance, but now I’m not so sure. My own policy does have some rental coverage, but I’m still trying to figure out if it’s enough for those “what if” moments—like the deer story. That’s wild.
Only time I regretted it was when a deer ran out in front of me near Bozeman...luckily, no damage, but it made me think twice about those “peace of mind” pitches.
I keep wondering: does your regular insurance cover everything the rental company would charge for? Like, what about those “loss of use” fees or if the car’s out of commission for a week? And then there’s the credit card backup—mine says it covers “collision damage,” but the fine print is kind of a headache.
I guess if you’re just sticking to highways and decent weather, maybe it’s overkill. But what if you end up on a gravel road or get caught in a hailstorm? Anyone ever actually had to file a claim through their own insurance or credit card after a rental mishap? That’s the part that makes me hesitate.