Had a run-in with Montana gravel roads a couple summers back—thought I was being careful, but a random hailstorm and some loose rocks left the rental looking like it’d been through a war zone.
That part hit home. My card’s coverage didn’t help because the road wasn’t “maintained.” Ended up wishing I’d just paid for the extra insurance and skipped the headache. Sometimes peace of mind is worth a few extra bucks, especially out there.“Credit card insurance is great... until it isn’t. They love those ‘exceptions.’ Unimproved roads? That’s half the state.”
My card’s coverage didn’t help because the road wasn’t “maintained.” Ended up wishing I’d just paid for the extra insurance and skipped the headache. Sometimes peace of mind is worth a ...
Honestly, I’ve learned the hard way too. Credit card insurance sounds good until you read the fine print. “Unimproved roads? That’s half the state.” — exactly.
- Most rental contracts exclude gravel/unpaved roads.
- Credit cards usually follow those same exclusions.
- If you’re heading off the main highways, that extra insurance is probably worth it.
- Peace of mind vs. arguing with claims adjusters... I know which I’d pick now.
I used to skip it, but after a cracked windshield and a denied claim, I’m not taking chances in Montana again.
It’s wild how many loopholes there are with these insurance policies. I used to think credit card coverage was a solid backup, but the exclusions are sneaky. Last summer, I took a rental up to Glacier and didn’t even realize half the roads I was on counted as “unmaintained.” One rock chip later, I was stuck with the bill.
I get that extra insurance feels like a money grab, but is it really, if you’re driving in places like Montana? The peace of mind is real, especially when you’re hours from the nearest town and cell service is spotty at best. I’m curious—has anyone actually had a claim go through on those backroads, or is it always denied? Sometimes I wonder if the rental companies just bank on people not reading the fine print...
Do You Really Need Extra Insurance For A Rental In Montana?
That “unmaintained road” clause gets people all the time. I’ve seen claims denied just because someone took a scenic detour, even if it was technically a public road. The devil’s in the details—credit card coverage almost always excludes gravel or dirt roads, and rental companies love to point that out when there’s damage. Out here, extra insurance isn’t just peace of mind; it’s sometimes the only way you’re actually covered if you’re exploring off the main highways. It does feel like a money grab until you’re staring at a $900 windshield bill...
That’s a good point about the “unmaintained road” bit—Montana’s full of those little gravel detours that look harmless. I’ve had friends swear their credit card would cover them, only to find out it didn’t when they got a rock chip somewhere outside Bozeman. Makes me wonder—has anyone actually had luck getting a claim approved out here without the extra coverage? Or is it just not worth the gamble?
