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

Funny you mention weather - last year I took a Mercedes GLE up to Bozeman and even with AWD, a deer bolted out in the middle of nowhere. My card covered the basics, but “diminished value” wasn’t on their radar. If you’re renting something high-end or just want to avoid those surprise fees, it’s worth double-checking what your coverage actually includes. Has anyone had luck getting their card to pay for diminished value?

“My card covered the basics, but ‘diminished value’ wasn’t on their radar.”

That’s a tough spot. Diminished value is one of those things most people don’t even think about until it’s too late. In my experience, credit card coverage almost never includes it - they’ll pay for repairs, but not the loss in resale value. Some premium cards might have more generous terms, but it’s rare. Honestly, if you’re renting something pricey or new, it’s smart to read the fine print or even call your card company ahead of time. Those little gaps in coverage can end up costing a lot more than you’d expect.

- 100% agree - diminished value is a sneaky one.
- Even with my Amex Platinum, they’re not covering that loss in value after a repair.
- If you’re renting something high-end (think BMW, Range Rover), that hit can be thousands.
- I’ve had dealers lowball me on trade-ins just because of a “minor” accident on the record.
- Honestly, unless you’re cool eating that cost, the extra insurance isn’t just a money grab. Sometimes it’s the only way to avoid a nasty surprise later.
- Fine print sucks, but it’s there for a reason... learned that the hard way.

Had a case last year where someone rented a Mercedes in Bozeman - barely a scrape on the rear bumper, but the rental company came after them not just for repairs, but also "loss of use" and diminished value. The driver's credit card (pretty sure it was a premium one too) only covered the direct repair costs. The extra few grand for diminished value? Out of pocket.

I get that the extra insurance feels like overkill sometimes, especially if you’re careful. But like you said,

“Even with my Amex Platinum, they’re not covering that loss in value after a repair.”

Not saying everyone needs to buy all the coverage every time, but if you’re renting something fancy or in an unfamiliar area, it’s worth thinking twice. Montana roads can be unpredictable - gravel, wildlife, random hail storms... Seen it all, honestly.

Honestly, Montana feels like the Wild West for rental cars. I once dodged a deer and ended up with a rock chip the size of a quarter - rental company acted like I’d totaled the thing. Those “loss of use” fees sneak up on you fast. Sometimes that extra insurance is just peace of mind, especially if you’re not driving your usual beater.

I hear you on the “loss of use” fees - they can be a real surprise. I usually don’t bother with extra insurance since my credit card covers most rental issues, but Montana’s a different beast. Last summer, a hailstorm left a couple of dings on a Mercedes I’d rented in Bozeman. The back-and-forth with the rental company was exhausting, and I still had to pay for their downtime. Sometimes, the extra coverage feels like overkill, but out there? It might just be worth it.

Yeah, Montana weather doesn’t mess around. I used to skip the extra insurance too, but after a run-in with a rogue deer (seriously, those things come out of nowhere), I started rethinking it. Credit card coverage is nice, but the fine print can get you. Sometimes peace of mind is worth a few extra bucks, especially when Mother Nature’s feeling dramatic.

Honestly, I’ve seen folks get tripped up by credit card “coverage” more than once - there’s always some clause about animal collisions or weather events that gets overlooked. I usually tell people to check if their personal auto policy extends to rentals, but even then, stuff like loss-of-use fees can sneak up on you. Have you ever had a claim denied because of a technicality, or was it pretty straightforward? Sometimes it feels like you need a law degree just to read those policies...

Sometimes it feels like you need a law degree just to read those policies...

No kidding - those policies are like a maze. I’ve never had a claim denied, but I did get hit with a “loss of use” fee once that my card didn’t cover. Ever notice how the fine print is always about three pages longer than the actual rental agreement? Makes you wonder if it’s worth just paying the extra for peace of mind, especially in places like Montana where deer seem to have a death wish.

Had a similar experience in Colorado - thought my regular insurance would cover everything, but turns out it didn’t include “diminished value” after a fender bender. Ended up paying out of pocket for something I barely understood. Ever since, I just pay for the extra coverage, especially in places with wildlife all over the roads. It’s not cheap, but neither is the headache if something goes wrong.

Ever since, I just pay for the extra coverage, especially in places with wildlife all over the roads.

That reminds me of our road trip through Montana last summer - saw more deer than cars some days. I’m curious, did your credit card offer any kind of rental coverage? I’ve heard mixed things about relying on that versus paying the rental company.

I’ve actually relied on my credit card’s rental coverage a few times, but I always double-check the fine print. Some cards only offer secondary coverage, which means your own insurance gets hit first. In Montana, with all those deer, I just pay for the extra - it’s not worth the headache if something happens.

I get the logic behind paying extra, especially with Montana’s wildlife situation - hitting a deer is no joke. But honestly, I still question whether it’s worth it every single time. I’ve read so many stories where people paid for the rental company’s insurance and still got stuck with weird fees or loopholes. Like, you think you’re covered, but then they point to some clause about “loss of use” or “diminished value” and suddenly you’re out a few hundred bucks anyway.

I usually stick with my credit card coverage and just drive extra cautiously, but I’ll admit, I’m not super risk-averse. Maybe I’m just stubborn, but if my personal insurance and credit card together cover most scenarios, I’d rather not throw more money at the rental company. That said, if you’re not comfortable with even a little risk, the peace of mind might be worth the extra cost. For me, though, I’d rather gamble a bit than pay those crazy daily fees.

I’ve read so many stories where people paid for the rental company’s insurance and still got stuck with weird fees or loopholes.

That’s exactly what makes me hesitate too. I want to believe the extra insurance is a safety net, but those fine-print “gotchas” are everywhere. I’m pretty cautious behind the wheel, but Montana highways at dusk? Even the best driver can’t predict a deer sprinting out of nowhere. I usually cave and pay for the coverage, just because I hate surprises on my credit card statement... but yeah, it does sting paying those daily fees when you feel like you’re already covered.

I usually cave and pay for the coverage, just because I hate surprises on my credit card statement... but yeah, it does sting paying those daily fees when you feel like you’re already covered.

I totally get the “hate surprises on my credit card statement” thing. That’s what keeps me up at night when I’m booking a rental. I’ve never actually bought the extra insurance before, but I’m planning my first Montana trip and it’s making me second-guess everything. The idea of a deer popping out on a dark highway is exactly the kind of scenario that makes me nervous.

I’ve been combing through my credit card benefits and my regular car insurance policy, trying to figure out if I’m actually covered or if there’s some weird exclusion for rentals in certain states. It’s like, you think you’re safe, but then there’s always some clause you missed. Has anyone actually had to file a claim with their own insurance or credit card after a rental car accident? Did it go smoothly, or was it a paperwork nightmare? I feel like that’s the real test - if it’s more hassle than it’s worth, maybe the rental company’s overpriced coverage is just the cost of peace of mind...

I’ve seen a few folks try to use their credit card coverage and it’s honestly a mixed bag. One friend had to jump through hoops just to get the paperwork right, and the rental company kept charging “loss of use” fees that weren’t covered. Ever notice how those little exclusions only pop up when you actually need the coverage? I always wonder if it’s worth the gamble, especially in places like Montana where wildlife is basically part of the road. Has anyone ever had a rental company push back hard on a claim, or is that just horror stories?

Ever notice how those little exclusions only pop up when you actually need the coverage?

That’s exactly it. I’ve rented in Montana a couple times, and honestly, I just bite the bullet and get the extra insurance. Credit card coverage always sounds good until you’re dealing with paperwork and “loss of use” fees that nobody warned you about. Maybe it’s overkill, but with all the deer and random gravel roads out there, I’d rather pay a bit more upfront than risk a nightmare later. Rental companies definitely don’t make it easy if something goes wrong.

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

Credit card coverage always sounds good until you’re dealing with paperwork and “loss of use” fees that nobody warned you about.

That’s the part that trips up so many people. On paper, credit card coverage seems like a sweet deal, but the fine print is where it gets you. I’ve seen folks come in genuinely shocked that their card only covers certain types of damage, or flat-out refuses to pay those “loss of use” charges. Rental companies are quick to tack on those fees if your car’s out of commission, and they don’t care if your credit card doesn’t cover it - it’s on you.

Montana’s a different animal, too. Between the wildlife and all those backroads, the risk is just higher. I had a client who hit a deer outside Bozeman - total fluke, middle of the day - and even though his credit card picked up the repair bill, he still got stuck with several days’ worth of loss-of-use fees. It added up fast. He said he’d never skip the extra coverage again.

I get why some folks feel like it’s overkill - if you’re just driving around town or in a city, maybe the risk feels lower. But out there? All it takes is one gravel chip or a sudden elk crossing and suddenly you’re deep in paperwork and arguing with both the rental company and your card provider.

One thing I always tell people: check if your personal auto policy extends to rentals. Sometimes it does, but not always, especially for “loss of use” or diminished value. And even then, making a claim on your own policy can mean higher premiums down the road. The peace of mind from just adding the rental company’s coverage is sometimes worth it, even if it feels like an upsell.

I guess at the end of the day, it comes down to how much risk you’re comfortable with. But in Montana? I’d rather be over-insured than stuck arguing about exclusions while standing next to a busted-up rental on some dirt road...

You nailed it with the “loss of use” thing - people always think their credit card has their back until the rental company starts charging for every day that car’s in the shop. It’s like, congratulations, you survived the deer, but now you’re paying for a car you can’t even drive. Makes you wonder if the deer should be footing part of the bill, right?

I get the temptation to skip the extra coverage, especially when you’re already shelling out for the rental. But Montana’s not exactly forgiving terrain. I had a buddy who thought he was saving money by relying on his card, then a rogue hailstorm turned his rental into a golf ball. The paperwork alone nearly broke him.

Honestly, sometimes peace of mind is worth a few extra bucks. If nothing happens, great - you paid for nothing. But if something does, you’re not stuck arguing with three different companies about who covers what. That’s a win in my book, even if it feels like overkill at first.

I’ll admit, I used to roll my eyes at the “additional coverage” pitch every time I rented. Thought it was just a way for them to squeeze a few more bucks out of me. But after what happened with my last rental - let’s just say, Montana’s wildlife and weather have a sense of humor.

Had a Range Rover for a weekend trip up near Glacier. Gorgeous drive, but somewhere between dodging potholes and trying not to become elk roadkill, a freak hailstorm rolled in. I mean, these weren’t just little ice pellets - these were golf balls with a vendetta. The car looked like it’d been through a batting cage by the time I got back. My credit card covered the damage... up to a point. Then came the “loss of use” charges, admin fees, and a whole lot of finger-pointing between the rental company and my insurer. Not exactly the luxury experience I’d planned.

You’re right about peace of mind being worth something. It’s not just about what you pay if something goes wrong - it’s about avoiding the headache of three-way calls and endless paperwork. That said, I still think it depends on your risk tolerance and how much you value convenience over cost. Some folks are comfortable rolling the dice; others (like me, now) would rather pay up front and get on with their trip.

Funny thing is, I’ve never needed the extra coverage when renting in places like LA or Miami. But Montana? Different beast entirely. Maybe it’s the wildlife, maybe it’s the weather, maybe it’s just my luck... but I’m not skipping that checkbox anymore.