Filed a claim through my Amex Platinum after a fender bender in a rental—wasn’t as smooth as they make it sound. Here’s what happened:
- Had to pay the rental company up front for “loss of use” and admin fees. Card only reimbursed the actual repair, not those extras.
- Tons of paperwork. They wanted every document under the sun.
- Took almost two months to get paid back.
Honestly, if you’re renting something pricey or driving in remote areas like Montana, I’d just get the extra insurance. The hassle isn’t worth it if something goes sideways.
Extra insurance always feels like a scam until you actually need it, right? I’ve done a few Montana road trips and yeah, those remote highways can be pretty unforgiving. I get what you’re saying about the Amex coverage—on paper it sounds like a safety net, but in practice, all the hoops and exclusions can be a headache. The “loss of use” thing is especially annoying since rental companies seem to tack that on no matter what.
I usually roll the dice with my card’s coverage for city rentals, but out in the sticks or with a high-end SUV, I’ll cough up for the extra insurance. Not because I think I’ll crash, but because I don’t want to spend my vacation chasing down paperwork or arguing with a claims department. Sometimes peace of mind is worth the extra $20 a day, even if it stings a bit at checkout.
I hear you on the “loss of use”—that one always feels like a sneaky upcharge. I’ve had a buddy get burned by that after a fender bender in Wyoming, and his credit card coverage didn’t touch it. Honestly, I think rental companies bank on most people not reading the fine print. Ever notice how they push the insurance hardest when you’re renting something pricier or heading into rural areas? Makes me wonder if anyone’s actually had a claim go smoothly with just their card coverage, especially out in places like Montana where help isn’t exactly around the corner.
That “loss of use” thing tripped me up too. I always thought my credit card would cover everything, but after reading the fine print, turns out it’s not that simple. My cousin rented a car in Montana last year and got a flat way out near Glacier—took hours for help to show up, and the rental company tried to charge him for every minute the car was out of commission. He ended up wishing he’d just paid for the extra insurance. I guess sometimes peace of mind is worth a few extra bucks, especially in those remote spots.
I hear you on that “loss of use” charge. It’s one of those things that sounds like legalese until you’re the one getting billed for it. I’ve rented cars all over the country, and Montana’s a different beast, especially near those big parks where cell service is spotty and help’s not exactly around the corner. The rental companies get pretty aggressive with those downtime fees, and credit card coverage doesn’t always step in—especially if you’re dealing with mechanical issues or something as mundane as a flat tire.
I used to scoff at the extra insurance too, thinking it was just a cash grab. But after a buddy of mine got rear-ended by a deer (only in Montana, right?) and spent weeks arguing with both the rental company and his credit card provider about who was responsible for what, I’ve changed my tune. The fine print on those credit cards is brutal—sometimes they’ll only cover collision, not loss of use, administrative fees, or “diminished value.” Plus, if you’re out in the sticks and you need a tow, you’re not exactly in a position to shop around for the cheapest option.
I’m not saying everyone needs to buy every add-on the rental desk throws at you, but in places like Montana, I’d at least consider the loss damage waiver. Peace of mind isn’t just a cliché out there—it’s the difference between a minor headache and a major wallet-ache. If you’re the type who hates arguing with insurance companies or waiting months for reimbursement, that extra $10-20 a day starts looking pretty reasonable.
One more thing—if you’ve got your own roadside assistance plan (like AAA), check to see if it covers rentals. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn’t. The worst is finding out the hard way when you’re stranded on an empty highway with nothing but cows for company.
