Do You Really Need Extra Insurance For A Rental In Montana?
- Been there, done that—Montana roads are no joke. Even with a solid car, you’re basically playing dodgeball with rocks half the time.
- I drive a luxury car at home and I’m super picky about insurance, but honestly, I usually skip the rental company’s coverage unless my own policy has weird gaps.
- That said, double-check your credit card perks. Some cover rentals but not always glass or tires (learned that one the hard way after a rogue pebble took out a tire in Idaho...).
- If you’re renting something fancy or new, it’s tempting to play it safe. But those daily fees add up fast—sometimes more than the cost of fixing a chip.
- My rule: if the trip is short and my own insurance covers most stuff, I roll the dice. If it’s a long haul through gravel country or I’m feeling unlucky, maybe I’ll spring for the extra.
It’s kind of like paying for checked bags—you hate doing it, but sometimes it saves you from a bigger headache later. Just depends how much risk you’re cool with.
Had a rental in Montana last summer—ended up with a cracked windshield from a rock on a back road, and my regular insurance covered it, but I had to pay the deductible. The rental company’s coverage would’ve cost more than the repair, but for a longer trip or if I was renting something pricey, I might’ve thought twice. Those gravel roads sneak up on you fast out there. It really does come down to how much risk you’re willing to take... and how much hassle you want to deal with if something goes sideways.
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I’d rather just pay for the rental company’s coverage and not worry about it. I’ve seen people get hit with way bigger bills than a windshield—like, someone backed into a boulder and the undercarriage was toast. Your own insurance might cover it, but then you’re dealing with claims, higher premiums, and a bunch of paperwork. For me, it’s worth the extra cash just to avoid the headache, especially in places like Montana where the roads can be unpredictable.
I keep going back and forth on this. On one hand, I’m super cheap and hate paying for stuff I might not need. But then I picture myself explaining to my insurance company how a moose dented the roof or something, and suddenly that $20 a day doesn’t seem so bad. Is it just me, or does it feel like rental car companies are betting you’ll mess up? Like, “Here’s your car, don’t hit any invisible boulders.”
I’ve never actually had to file a claim (knock on wood), but paperwork is my nemesis. The idea of dealing with claims and possibly higher premiums makes me want to just throw money at the problem and move on. Still, part of me wonders if I’m just being paranoid. Has anyone actually had their own insurance cover everything without a hassle? Or is that just a myth parents tell to make us feel better about adulting?
I get where you’re coming from—paperwork is a pain, and insurance claims can drag on. In most cases, your personal auto insurance will extend to rentals, but there are always caveats. Not every policy covers “loss of use” or diminished value, and those costs can add up fast if something weird happens (like a moose incident... which, in Montana, isn’t as far-fetched as it sounds). I’ve seen claims go smoothly, but I’ve also seen people get stuck in a back-and-forth with both the rental company and their insurer. Sometimes that $20 a day really does buy peace of mind, especially if you just want to toss the keys back and walk away if anything goes wrong.
