I’m with you on the “upsell” thing—those counters are like a gauntlet of extra charges. I’ve always skipped the insurance too, figuring my regular policy and credit card have my back. Knock on wood, I haven’t needed it yet. One time in Billings, though, I did get a little spooked when the agent started rattling off all the possible scenarios—hail damage, deer, gravel roads... I almost caved.
Has anyone actually had to file a claim through their own insurance or credit card after a rental mishap? I wonder how much of a headache that is compared to just paying for the extra coverage up front. I’m all about saving money, but if it turns into a paperwork nightmare, maybe it’s not worth the stress.
I hear you on the rental counter pressure—it’s wild how fast those “what if” scenarios pile up. Here’s my take:
- I’ve actually had to file a claim through my own car insurance after a fender bender in a rental (not in Montana, but still). It took weeks. Lots of back and forth, paperwork, and calls.
- Credit card coverage is nice, but they make you jump through hoops. You have to pay for everything upfront and then hope for reimbursement.
- If you’re renting somewhere like Montana, with all that unpredictable weather and wildlife, I honestly think the extra coverage can be worth it just to avoid the hassle later.
I’m all for saving a buck, but sometimes peace of mind is worth a little extra.
Extra Coverage in Montana? Here’s Why I Usually Take It
“If you’re renting somewhere like Montana, with all that unpredictable weather and wildlife, I honestly think the extra coverage can be worth it just to avoid the hassle later.”
- I’ve seen folks get burnt thinking their personal or credit card insurance would cover everything, but then they end up stuck with “loss of use” fees or admin charges from the rental company—stuff most policies don’t handle.
- Had a client hit a deer outside Billings last year. Their auto policy covered damage, but not downtime for the rental company. That bill was no joke.
- The peace of mind factor’s real. Montana roads can throw some curveballs... sudden hail, gravel chips, even bison crossings.
It’s not always cheap, but the headache you save if something does happen? Usually worth it in my book.
Honestly, I’m with you on this one. Montana’s got “expect the unexpected” written all over it.
I’d rather pay a bit more than end up explaining to a rental company how a bison dented the hood. Peace of mind’s worth something, especially out there.“Montana roads can throw some curveballs... sudden hail, gravel chips, even bison crossings.”
I get where you’re coming from, but I’m not totally convinced the extra insurance is always necessary. Most credit cards already cover rental car damage, and a lot of regular auto policies do too. I’ve rented in Montana a couple times—yeah, there’s gravel and the occasional wildlife, but I’ve never had an issue that wasn’t covered by my own insurance.
“I’d rather pay a bit more than end up explaining to a rental company how a bison dented the hood.”
Honestly, if a bison dents your hood, that’s a story for the ages... but it’s also pretty rare. I guess it comes down to your risk tolerance. For me, I’d rather save the money unless I’m heading way off the beaten path. Just double-check what your current coverage actually includes before you shell out for the extra.
