Do you really need extra insurance for a rental in Montana?

Title: Do you really need extra insurance for a rental in Montana?

You nailed it with the “loss of use” bit - people don’t realize that’s where rental companies get creative. I’ve seen folks get dinged for a week’s worth of rental fees because the car was in the shop, even if the damage was minor. Your own insurance might cover the repairs, but those admin fees and downtime charges? Not always so clear-cut.

One time, I had a guy who swore up and down his card covered everything. Turns out, his credit card coverage only picked up after his regular insurance maxed out, and he still got stuck with a hefty bill for “diminished value.” He was not amused.

Honestly, if you’re renting in a place where hailstorms can blow in out of nowhere (looking at you, Montana), sometimes that extra $15 a day is just paying to sleep at night. The paperwork is still a headache, but at least you’re not sweating every time the sky turns gray.

Yeah, I’ve seen people get burned thinking their regular insurance or credit card had them covered, but those little fees add up fast. The “loss of use” thing is such a gotcha - nobody talks about it until it’s too late. Honestly, Montana weather is wild. I’d rather pay a bit more upfront than stress out every time I park outside. Still, if you’ve got a super solid insurance policy, maybe it’s overkill... but most of us probably don’t read the fine print close enough.

I get where you’re coming from, but I’d push back a bit on the idea that a “super solid” policy always covers you. Even with good coverage, there are weird gaps - like, some policies won’t touch “loss of use” or diminished value, and credit cards almost never do. Ever tried to file a claim for hail damage in Montana? It’s not always as smooth as you’d hope. Sometimes those extra fees are just the price of peace of mind, especially if you’re not 100% sure what your policy actually says.

Even with good coverage, there are weird gaps - like, some policies won’t touch “loss of use” or diminished value, and credit cards almost never do.

That’s a fair point. I’ve actually run into the “loss of use” issue before - ended up paying out of pocket because my regular insurance didn’t cover it. Has anyone had luck getting a rental company to clarify exactly what’s excluded before signing? Sometimes it feels like you need a law degree just to read those contracts...

Honestly, I’ve tried getting a straight answer from rental staff, but they usually just point me to the fine print. One time I asked specifically about “loss of use” and got a vague shrug. In my experience, unless you push hard - and even then - it’s tough to get clear info. That’s why I always budget a little extra for their coverage, even if it feels like overkill. The risk just isn’t worth it to me.

One time I asked specifically about “loss of use” and got a vague shrug.

Yeah, I’ve had that same experience - nobody wants to give you a straight answer. I get why you budget extra. I’ve had my own insurance deny stuff before, so now I just pay for the rental coverage too, even if it feels like they’re upselling me. The peace of mind is worth it, especially since Montana roads can be unpredictable.

I totally get the hesitation - when I rented in Missoula last winter, I stood at the counter forever, going back and forth about insurance. The agent gave me the whole “it’s up to you” routine, but honestly, I just couldn’t shake the worry. Here’s how I broke it down for myself:

First, I called my regular car insurance and asked what they’d cover. Turns out, they’d pay for some damage, but “loss of use” was a gray area (they literally said, “it depends”). That freaked me out because if the rental company lost money while fixing the car, I’d be on the hook.

Second, my credit card had some coverage, but only if I declined everything from the rental place. That felt risky, especially since Montana weather is nuts - ice, gravel roads, deer everywhere...

In the end, yeah, I did pay extra for their coverage. Maybe it was overkill, but I’d rather not stress about it the whole trip. Sometimes it feels like a cash grab, but honestly? I just wanted to drive without second-guessing every pothole or elk crossing.

Sometimes it feels like a cash grab, but honestly? I just wanted to drive without second-guessing every pothole or elk crossing.

Honestly, I’m right there with you. Last time I rented in Montana, I kept picturing myself explaining to the rental company how a moose dented the hood. My own insurance also had that “loss of use” mystery clause - felt like they were quoting Shakespeare with all the “it depends.” In the end, I caved and bought the extra coverage too. Maybe it’s overkill, but peace of mind is worth a few extra bucks, especially when you’re dodging wildlife and black ice.

My own insurance also had that “loss of use” mystery clause - felt like they were quoting Shakespeare with all the “it depends.”

That “loss of use” bit gets me every time. I read through my policy twice and still couldn’t figure out if I’d be covered if something happened to a rental. It’s like, you want to trust your insurance, but then you see those horror stories online about people getting billed for weeks while the car’s in the shop.

I get why it feels like a cash grab, but after seeing how unpredictable Montana roads can be (seriously, I saw a deer just chilling in the middle of a highway last winter), I’d rather not risk it. Maybe it’s not always necessary, but unless you’re 100% sure your own coverage is airtight - including that weird “loss of use” part - it seems safer to pay a bit extra. At least then you can focus on driving instead of worrying about every bump or critter that pops up.

Honestly, I get where you’re coming from, but I keep thinking about how rare it is to actually need that extra coverage.

unless you’re 100% sure your own coverage is airtight - including that weird “loss of use” part - it seems safer to pay a bit extra

Honestly, I’ve rented cars a bunch of times and never needed the extra insurance. My regular policy covered everything, at least according to the fine print. But yeah, those “shoulds” from agents always make me nervous too. The rental desk folks are pros at making you second-guess yourself - like, suddenly you’re picturing a moose running into your car and wishing you’d paid the extra $20 a day. I usually skip it, but I do double-check my coverage every time... just in case Montana’s wildlife gets ambitious.

Honestly, those rental agents could sell sand in the desert. Every time I’m at the counter, they make it sound like not getting their insurance is rolling the dice with my life savings. But I’ve always skipped it too, and never had an issue.

My take - if your own auto policy covers rentals, and your credit card has some backup, why pay extra? That stuff adds up fast. I’d rather spend that $20 a day on decent food or gas. Sure, Montana has big wildlife, but unless you’re planning to off-road through Glacier National Park at midnight, I don’t see the point in stressing over it.

Had one close call in Idaho - deer came out of nowhere, but nothing happened except my heart rate spiked. Even then, my personal insurance would’ve handled it. The only time I’d even consider the extra coverage is if I was traveling abroad or if my regular insurance had a crazy-high deductible.

Agents love to play up those “what if” scenarios. At the end of the day, they’re just doing their job, but I don’t let them shake me down for extra cash unless there’s a real gap in my coverage. Just double-check your policy before you go. If you’re covered, skip it and save your money for something more fun than insurance paperwork.

I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve seen a few folks get burned because they didn’t read the fine print on their own policies. Some auto insurance won’t cover “loss of use” fees or diminished value if the rental gets dinged - even if it’s not your fault. Credit cards help, but coverage can be secondary and spotty. I’m all for saving cash, but I always triple-check the details before declining. Montana’s wildlife is no joke - hit a moose and you’ll wish you’d read the exclusions...

Some auto insurance won’t cover “loss of use” fees or diminished value if the rental gets dinged - even if it’s not your fault.

That’s a solid point - those “loss of use” fees catch a lot of people off guard. I’ve seen claims denied for exactly that reason. Reading those exclusions is tedious but honestly, it can save you a headache later. Montana roads really do have their own set of risks... I’ve handled more than one moose collision claim, and it’s rarely straightforward. You’re smart to triple-check.

Reading those exclusions is tedious but honestly, it can save you a headache later.

Yeah, digging through the fine print is a pain, but it’s wild what gets left out. I learned about “loss of use” the hard way after a hailstorm in Billings - my regular policy didn’t cover the rental company’s downtime fees at all. If you’re driving around Montana, especially on those backroads, I’d say the extra insurance isn’t overkill. The risk of wildlife crossings alone makes me double-check every time.

Honestly, I get where you’re coming from. I used to just skip the extra coverage, thinking my regular auto insurance would handle it all. Then I got dinged for a cracked windshield outside of Missoula and ended up paying out of pocket because my policy had some weird exclusions for rentals. Super annoying.

I’m always trying to save a buck, but Montana roads are no joke - gravel, deer, random hail. The “loss of use” thing is sneaky too; feels like a money grab, but I guess it’s legit if you think about it from the rental company’s side. Has anyone actually had their credit card insurance bail them out in these situations? I’ve heard mixed things, but never tried a claim myself. Just curious if it’s worth relying on that instead of paying the rental company’s rates...

Honestly, I’ve wondered the same thing about credit card coverage. I’ve heard stories where it worked out, but also a few where people got stuck in paperwork limbo. Montana’s rough on cars, though - sometimes paying a little extra for peace of mind just feels worth it, even if it stings.

Montana’s rough on cars, though - sometimes paying a little extra for peace of mind just feels worth it, even if it stings.

That’s a fair point. Credit card coverage can be a real lifesaver, but it often comes with exclusions and a lot of red tape. Some cards don’t cover certain types of damage or specific vehicles (like trucks or SUVs, which are popular in Montana). If you’re driving in more remote areas or on gravel roads, the rental company’s insurance might save you a headache. I’ve seen claims drag out for months when folks relied solely on their cards... sometimes paying a bit more upfront really does buy peace of mind.

I rented a car in Bozeman last year and thought my credit card coverage would be enough, but I got nervous after seeing all the gravel roads. Ended up adding the rental company’s insurance at the counter, even though it felt like a ripoff. Didn’t need it, but honestly, just not having to worry about every little scratch made the trip way less stressful. I guess it depends on how much risk you’re cool with... I’m still not sure if I’d do it again or just roll the dice next time.

I totally get where you’re coming from. I always end up paying for the extra insurance, even if it feels overpriced. With kids in the car and random gravel flying around, I just don’t want the headache if something happens. My credit card technically covers damage, but dealing with claims sounds like a hassle. For me, peace of mind is worth a few extra bucks, especially in places like Montana where roads can be unpredictable.