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.
That’s exactly the kind of thing that makes me nervous about relying on credit card coverage. I’ve had a similar experience—my Amex Platinum supposedly covers rentals, but when I actually read through the exclusions, it was a minefield. Wildlife, unpaved roads, even certain weather conditions... all potential outs for them.
I do think it’s worth paying for the rental company’s insurance if you’re driving in places like Montana. I know it feels redundant, especially if you have a solid personal policy, but the peace of mind is hard to beat. I’ve had a friend hit a deer in a rental SUV out near Bozeman, and the only reason he didn’t end up in a months-long fight with insurance was because he’d sprung for the extra coverage. The rental company just swapped him into a new car and sent him on his way.
It’s not cheap, but neither is a denied claim. If you’re driving anything you care about—or just want to avoid a headache—it’s probably worth it.
Wildlife, unpaved roads, even certain weather conditions... all potential outs for them.
That’s the kicker, isn’t it? I once rented a BMW X5 in Missoula and figured my Amex would have me covered. Then the agent pointed out the “no coverage on gravel” fine print... and, well, I was basically driving a luxury sled on marbles half the time. Ended up shelling out for the rental’s insurance just to sleep at night. Out here, it’s less about the odds and more about how weirdly specific those exclusions get.
Yeah, those exclusions are wild. I learned the hard way in Kalispell—thought my regular car insurance would cover everything, but nope, “off-pavement” wasn’t included. One pothole on a dirt road and suddenly I’m arguing with two companies about who’s paying for a busted rim. Honestly, in Montana, it feels like you’re rolling the dice unless you read every line of the policy. Sometimes I just grit my teeth and pay for the extra coverage, even though it stings.
I get what you’re saying, but is the extra coverage always worth it? I mean,
I’ve rented in Montana a couple times and just stuck with my credit card’s rental insurance. Never had an issue, but maybe I’ve just been lucky? Do those policies really not cover stuff like dirt roads? It feels like they should, considering how common that is out there.“Sometimes I just grit my teeth and pay for the extra coverage, even though it stings.”
Honestly, I wouldn’t count on credit card coverage for everything, especially out in Montana. Most of those policies have fine print about “unpaved roads” or “off-road use”—and a lot of Montana is just that. I’ve seen folks get burned when they thought they were covered but weren’t because the road wasn’t technically maintained. It’s annoying, but sometimes that extra insurance saves you a real headache if something goes sideways. Ever try arguing with a rental company over a busted undercarriage? Not fun.
