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

Honestly, I get being careful, but I’ve seen credit card coverage fall through for friends - like, they only covered part of the damage and left them with a bill. Those rental contracts are sneaky. Sometimes paying extra is just peace of mind, especially out in the middle of nowhere.

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

I get where you're coming from, but I’ve actually had the opposite experience. My credit card coverage came through when I hit a deer outside of Bozeman - covered everything except the deductible, which was way less than what the rental company wanted for their insurance. Maybe I just got lucky, but reading the fine print on both the card and the rental contract helped a ton.

Honestly, those extra fees add up fast, especially if you’re renting for more than a couple days. I’d rather take my chances and put that money toward gas or food. That said, if you’re super far from civilization or worried about gravel roads, maybe it’s worth it... but I’ve found most of it’s just scare tactics to upsell you. Just my two cents.

I’m with you on reading the fine print - it’s wild how much stuff gets buried in there. I get nervous about the “what ifs,” especially in rural spots where help isn’t close by. My card technically covers damage, but I keep worrying about all those exceptions or weird fees the rental place might tack on. Maybe I’m just overthinking it, but peace of mind feels worth a few extra bucks sometimes... even if it is probably overkill most of the time.

I get where you’re coming from. I’ve rented in Montana before, and honestly, those backroads can chew up a car fast. The fine print is a pain, but sometimes that extra insurance is just common sense - especially if you don’t want to argue with a rental company later. Peace of mind’s worth something, even if it feels like overkill.

I hear you about the peace of mind, but do you ever wonder if the rental companies just bank on us being nervous? I mean, has anyone actually had to use that extra insurance, or is it mostly just a “better safe than sorry” thing? I’ve always wondered if my regular car insurance would’ve covered it anyway...