Had a claim once where someone declined the extra coverage, thinking their regular policy would handle it. Turns out, their insurance only covered liability, not collision or loss of use. They ended up paying more than if they’d just taken the rental company’s option. It’s not always a scam, just depends on your policy.
Had a buddy who rented a Mustang in Montana—he figured his classic car policy would cover him, but nope, only liability. He barely tapped a deer and ended up with a bill that made his eyes water. I always double-check now, even if it feels like overkill. Sometimes that extra coverage is worth the peace of mind, especially out in the sticks where repairs aren’t cheap.
That’s a rough way to find out about coverage gaps—deer in Montana don’t mess around. I’ve seen folks assume their regular auto policy or even a credit card benefit would cover everything, only to get a surprise bill later. Out-of-pocket costs for repairs in rural areas can be wild. Has anyone actually had luck with credit card rental coverage, or is that just another myth?
Title: Do you really need extra insurance for a rental in Montana?
I’ve seen folks assume their regular auto policy or even a credit card benefit would cover everything, only to get a surprise bill later.
That’s the thing—people trust those credit card perks way too much. I’ve seen claims denied for “off-road” incidents just because the rental was on a gravel road, which is pretty standard in Montana. The fine print on credit card coverage is brutal. Anyone ever actually get a claim paid out for wildlife damage? Seems like they always find a loophole. Curious if comprehensive personal auto policies ever really step in for rentals, or if that’s just marketing spin...
The fine print on credit card coverage is brutal. Anyone ever actually get a claim paid out for wildlife damage?
Honestly, I’ve read the same horror stories about denied claims, but I think it’s a bit more nuanced. Not every personal auto policy is created equal—some do extend comprehensive and collision to rentals, but you have to check if “wildlife” or “gravel roads” are excluded. My own insurer (GEICO) told me they’d cover deer hits in a rental, but only if I had comp on my regular car. Still, that’s not universal.
Credit cards are even trickier. I once tried to use my Visa benefit for a cracked windshield from loose gravel and got stonewalled because the road wasn’t “paved.” That’s Montana for you... half the state’s roads aren’t paved.
If you’re risk-averse like me, I’d say look at your policy line by line, call your agent, and maybe pay the extra for the rental company’s insurance unless you’re 100% sure. It’s not just marketing spin, but it’s definitely not as clear-cut as they make it sound either.
