I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I think the rental companies hype up the risk just to squeeze more money out of people. I drove through Montana last summer—yeah, there was gravel and a couple of deer, but nothing wild happened. My credit card covered most of the basics, and I didn’t bother with the extra insurance. Maybe I just got lucky, but sometimes it feels like they’re selling fear more than anything else. If you’re careful and know what your own insurance or card covers, you might not need all those add-ons.
Maybe I just got lucky, but sometimes it feels like they’re selling fear more than anything else.
Ha, you might be onto something there. I’ve seen folks come back with nothing but a bug-splattered windshield, and others who managed to find the only hailstorm in July. Ever try explaining “elk dent” to your insurance? Makes you wonder if the extra coverage is just peace of mind tax or actually useful...
Makes you wonder if the extra coverage is just peace of mind tax or actually useful...
Honestly, I go back and forth on this every time I rent in Montana. Last summer, my buddy skipped the extra insurance and ended up with a cracked windshield from a rogue gravel truck—cost him way more than the coverage would’ve. But then again, I’ve driven the same roads and never had an issue. It’s like rolling dice. I guess it depends how much risk you’re cool with.
I totally get where you’re coming from. I’ve heard stories like your buddy’s, but I’ve also had friends who never needed the coverage and felt like it was just wasted money. I guess what always trips me up is whether my own car insurance or credit card actually covers rentals in Montana—some say yes, some say no, and the fine print is a headache. Has anyone actually had to file a claim through their regular insurance after a rental car mishap? Curious if it’s as much of a hassle as people say...
Honestly, it’s not always as bad as people make it sound, but yeah, it can be a pain. I’ve seen claims go both ways—sometimes your regular insurance steps in just fine, other times they’ll nitpick every little detail. Credit cards are even trickier since their coverage is usually secondary and they love the fine print. If you’ve got a low deductible and don’t mind a potential rate hike, using your own policy isn’t the end of the world... but if you’re risk-averse or just want peace of mind, that extra rental coverage starts to look a lot less like wasted money.
