That’s a fair take. I’ve driven rentals all over the Rockies and honestly, my regular policy has always done the trick—even when a deer decided to test my reflexes near Bozeman. The rental company was more interested in paperwork than the actual dent. Like you said, it’s about knowing your coverage and your comfort level. If you’re not planning to go mudding or chase wildlife, skipping the extra insurance usually makes sense.
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from—my regular insurance usually covers rentals too, but I still get a little twitchy about the “what ifs.” Like, sure, I’m not planning to rally through a bison herd, but all it takes is one rogue hailstorm or a parking lot mishap and suddenly you’re arguing with three different companies. Sometimes I just pay for the peace of mind... even if it feels like I’m buying lottery tickets I hope never cash in.
I totally get the “peace of mind” angle—sometimes it’s just easier to pay a little extra and not worry. But I always wonder, has anyone actually had their personal insurance deny a claim on a rental? Or is that just one of those urban legends rental counters use to scare us?
I've actually had a claim go through with my regular auto policy on a rental, no issues. The rental company tried to push their coverage hard, but honestly, unless your personal policy specifically excludes rentals (which is rare), it’s usually just overkill. Never met anyone who got denied outright, unless they were breaking the law or something.
I’ve been digging into this exact thing since I’m about to rent a car in Montana for the first time. My regular auto insurance says it covers rentals, but I keep second-guessing if there’s some weird loophole I’m missing. Has anyone run into issues with damage that wasn’t covered? Like, does it matter if you’re renting a truck vs. a sedan? The rental company’s pitch made me nervous, but maybe that’s just how they operate...
