I get the peace of mind thing, but honestly, I’ve never bought the extra insurance and haven’t regretted it yet—even after a deer tried to play chicken with my bumper. My credit card covered what my regular insurance didn’t. Worth double-checking your card’s perks before shelling out more cash.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had the opposite experience in Montana. My credit card’s coverage looked solid on paper, but when I had a cracked windshield (thanks to a rogue gravel truck), the rental company charged “loss of use” fees and admin costs that my card wouldn’t touch. My regular insurance didn’t cover those either. It was a headache and ended up costing more than if I’d just paid for the extra coverage upfront.
Montana’s got some wild roads and unpredictable wildlife, so I guess it depends on your risk tolerance. If you’re cool with paperwork and maybe fighting with your credit card company, skipping the extra insurance can work out. But if you want zero hassle, sometimes that extra $10-15 a day is worth it—especially in places where stuff goes sideways fast. Just my two cents...
That “loss of use” fee is the sneaky one—most folks don’t even realize it’s a thing until it’s too late. I’ve seen people get tripped up by admin fees too, and honestly, credit card coverage is full of little loopholes. Did you check if your card required you to decline the rental company’s coverage for it to kick in? Sometimes it’s buried in the fine print. Montana’s roads really are a different beast... between the gravel and the deer, I’m not sure I’d risk it without extra coverage unless I was feeling lucky (which, let’s be real, I rarely am).
That “loss of use” fee really does sneak up on people. I learned that the hard way a few years back after a fender bender in a rental—thought my card had me covered, but surprise, it didn’t cover the time the car was out of commission. Had to pay out of pocket for a few days they couldn’t rent it. Not fun. And you’re right about Montana... I’ve driven those highways where it feels like a deer could jump out at any second, and the gravel roads are no joke. I get why some folks roll the dice, but I’d rather have the peace of mind, even if it means shelling out a bit more. The fine print on credit cards is brutal—sometimes it feels like you need a law degree to figure out what’s actually covered. You’re definitely not being overly cautious. Better safe than sorry, especially out there.
I hear you on the fine print—those “loss of use” fees can feel like a trap. But honestly, I’ve rented cars all over the place (including Montana) and never once sprung for the extra insurance. Maybe I’ve just been lucky, but my auto policy plus my card’s coverage has always been enough. I get wanting peace of mind, but sometimes I feel like the rental companies play up the risks to upsell. If you read your policies carefully and know what’s actually covered, you might be surprised how much protection you already have. Just my two cents...
