Honestly, I’ve had the same frustration. You pay for “premium” and then get blindsided by some random exclusion. Like you said:
sometimes the “extra” insurance doesn’t really protect you unless you’re willing to shell out way more than you planned.
Here’s how I handle it now, step by step: First, I call my own insurance and ask exactly what’s covered with rentals—collision, liability, all that. Then I check my credit card benefits (some of them actually have decent rental coverage if you use the card to pay). Only after that do I even look at what the rental company is pushing.
I’ve noticed in places like Montana, weather can be unpredictable—hail, deer, gravel roads. That makes me wonder: has anyone actually had their personal or credit card insurance come through for stuff like hail or animal damage? Or did they end up stuck with a bill anyway? Just curious if it’s ever actually worked out for someone, or if it’s all just a gamble either way.
Honestly, I’ve always wondered about that too. My buddy got nailed with a windshield chip from a random rock on a Montana backroad, and his credit card insurance actually covered it—after a ton of paperwork. But I’ve heard stories where folks ended up paying for “acts of nature” anyway. Has anyone had luck with animal damage claims? That’s the one that makes me nervous, especially out there with all the deer.
Animal damage claims are kind of a mixed bag, honestly. In Montana, hitting a deer or even smaller wildlife is way more common than folks realize, and it’s not always clear-cut with rental insurance. Standard loss damage waivers from rental companies usually cover “collision,” which includes animal strikes, but some credit cards or third-party policies can get picky about what’s considered an “act of nature.” I’ve seen cases where someone hit a deer and the claim went through without a hitch, but others where they got stuck because the fine print excluded animal impacts.
If you’re just relying on your credit card insurance, definitely read the details—some specifically exclude animal-related incidents, which is wild considering how many deer are out there. The paperwork can be a pain either way. Honestly, if you’re driving rural Montana roads at night or dawn, I’d lean toward extra coverage just for peace of mind. It’s not fun arguing over definitions after the fact... especially when you’re staring at a busted bumper and a rental agency breathing down your neck.
Honestly, I’m with you on this—Montana’s a whole different ballgame when it comes to wildlife on the roads. I’ve had a close call with a deer near Bozeman, and it made me rethink relying just on my credit card coverage. The fine print is a nightmare, and the last thing I want is to get stuck paying out of pocket because of some technicality. For me, the extra insurance is worth it, even if it feels like overkill sometimes. Peace of mind beats arguing with a rental company any day.
Honestly, I get the peace of mind thing, but man, those extra insurance fees add up fast. I’m always torn—like, is it really worth dropping another $20 a day? But then again, one run-in with a moose and you’re out way more than that. I guess for Montana, it’s probably smarter to just suck it up and pay for the coverage, even if it stings a bit.
