Man, I totally get where you’re coming from. I’ve had my fair share of “close calls” on those Montana highways—deer, sudden hail, you name it—but honestly, I’ve never once needed the extra insurance. Like you said, credit cards and personal policies usually pick up the slack. Rental counters always make it feel like you’re risking everything, but most of the time it’s just peace-of-mind money. Unless you’re planning to drive off-road or something wild, skipping the upsell seems pretty reasonable.
Rental counters always make it feel like you’re risking everything, but most of the time it’s just peace-of-mind money.
That’s exactly how I feel every single time I’m at the counter. They really know how to crank up the anxiety, don’t they? I’ve rented cars all over Montana for work—Billings, Missoula, even some of those tiny airports out in the sticks—and I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve actually considered taking their insurance. Usually, my regular auto policy plus my credit card covers pretty much everything short of total disaster.
One thing I will say, though: double-check your personal policy and your card’s fine print before you go. Some cards only cover collision damage waiver (CDW) and not liability, and a few have weird exclusions for “trucks” or “off-road use.” Learned that the hard way when I rented a pickup in Bozeman last winter... turns out my card didn’t cover anything because it was technically a “truck.” Ended up having to call my own insurance after a fender bender with a snowbank. Not fun.
Also, Montana weather is no joke. Hail can come out of nowhere and those deer are basically kamikaze pilots at dusk. If you’re not used to driving in that kind of environment, sometimes paying for peace of mind isn’t the worst idea—especially if you’re on a tight schedule or don’t want to deal with paperwork later.
But yeah, for most folks who already have decent coverage, it’s usually just an upsell. Just gotta read the fine print and know what you’re getting into. The rental desk folks are pros at making you second-guess yourself... but half the time they’re just reading off a script anyway.
Extra Insurance in Montana? Here’s My Take
The rental desk folks are pros at making you second-guess yourself... but half the time they’re just reading off a script anyway.
- Couldn’t agree more. I swear, every time I’m at that counter, it’s like they’re auditioning for a role in a disaster movie. “Are you *sure* you don’t want the extra coverage? What if a moose falls on your car?”
- I’ve rented all over the northwest, and honestly, I usually skip their insurance. My classic car policy is pretty robust (though it doesn’t cover rentals), but my regular auto insurance and credit card combo have me covered for most situations.
Here’s where I get skeptical:
- The “peace of mind” pitch is strong, but sometimes it’s just padding their bottom line.
- That said, Montana is wild country. Hail, deer, gravel roads—stuff happens fast out there. If you’re not used to dodging wildlife or driving in snow, maybe that extra coverage isn’t such a bad idea.
A few things I always check before renting:
- Does my credit card actually cover the type of vehicle? Like you mentioned with the pickup—some cards are picky about “trucks” or anything with 4WD.
- Liability is a big one. Most cards only do collision damage waiver (CDW), so if you hit someone else, you could be on the hook.
- Read your own policy’s fine print. Some insurers get weird about rentals out-of-state or in “hazardous conditions.” Whatever that means...
Quick story: Rented an old-school SUV in Kalispell last year for a fishing trip. Thought my card had me covered until I realized—after a close call with a bison—that “off-pavement” wasn’t included. Ended up sweating bullets every time we left the main road.
Bottom line for me:
- If you know your policies inside and out and aren’t planning anything crazy, skip the upsell.
- If there’s any doubt—or if you’re renting something unusual—it might be worth coughing up for the extra coverage just to avoid headaches later.
Rental counters will always try to spook you into buying more than you need. Sometimes it’s justified... most times it’s just theater. Just depends how much risk (and paperwork) you’re willing to take on.
“If you know your policies inside and out and aren’t planning anything crazy, skip the upsell.”
That’s pretty much my approach too, but I learned the hard way once. Rented a sedan in Billings during winter—figured my regular insurance and card would cover it. Then a rock cracked the windshield on a back road, and suddenly I was out $400 because my card didn’t cover “glass damage.” Now I always double-check for those weird exclusions. If I’m driving somewhere remote or in bad weather, I’ll pay extra just to avoid surprises. Not worth the stress for me.
I get the urge to play it safe, but honestly, I usually skip the extra coverage unless it’s a really rough area or I’m renting something fancy. After digging through my auto policy and card benefits, it turns out most “weird” exclusions are buried in the fine print, but they’re not all that common. I just take clear photos of the car before and after, and stick to paved roads if possible. Maybe I’ve been lucky so far, but $400 for a windshield still feels steep compared to years of upsell fees.