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Millions of Americans rent moving trucks like U-Haul when relocating each year. While renting a truck is convenient, understanding how insurance coverage applies is crucial. The big question is: does auto insurance cover rental cars, including large moving trucks like U-Haul? Unfortunately, most auto insurance policies do not cover large rental trucks due to their size and weight. Here’s what you need to know to ensure you’re properly protected when renting a U-Haul or other vehicles.
Will My Car Insurance Cover a Moving Truck Rental?
In most cases, your personal auto insurance will not cover a large U-Haul rental, especially moving trucks like the popular 15-foot U-Haul truck, which weighs over 8,000 pounds when empty. While your auto policy might cover smaller rental vehicles such as pickup trucks or vans, these large trucks often exceed the size and weight limits that personal policies typically cover.
This means that if you’re renting a large U-Haul truck to move your two-bedroom apartment, you’ll likely need to purchase additional insurance coverage to avoid being financially responsible for any damages or accidents during the rental.
Do I Need to Buy the Insurance That the Rental Company Is Offering?
Even though you can technically rent a U-Haul without insurance, it’s not a wise decision to go without coverage. Accidents can happen, and you could be left responsible for costly damages if you don’t have the right protection.
Credit cards, which sometimes offer rental car insurance, typically do not cover rental trucks due to their size and weight. For instance, most Visa and Mastercard cards exclude rental truck coverage entirely, meaning you can’t rely on them for protection.
Therefore, it’s often recommended to purchase insurance directly from U-Haul or another rental company. U-Haul offers several options, including:
- Collision and Damage Waivers: These waivers ensure that U-Haul will not pursue you for damages if the truck is involved in an accident or is stolen.
- Supplemental Liability Insurance: This helps cover expenses if the truck you’re driving causes damage to another person’s property.
- Accident and Cargo Protection: This policy provides protection in case of injuries or accidental death of the driver or passengers, and it covers damage to cargo in certain situations.
- Auto-Tow Protection: If you’re using U-Haul’s towing equipment, this coverage helps protect your vehicle from certain types of damage while it’s being towed.
U-Haul’s basic insurance package generally applies to trucks, trailers, and other moving equipment and offers coverage for accidental damage, cargo protection in case of collision, and limited medical coverage for the driver and passengers.
What Additional Charges Could Associated With Using a U-Haul for a Move?
When renting a U-Haul, there are several costs beyond insurance that you should keep in mind:
- Moving Insurance: If you have homeowners or renters insurance, it may not fully cover your belongings during the move. In this case, you might want to consider purchasing separate moving insurance to protect your items in case they are lost or damaged.
- Gas and Tolls: Moving trucks like U-Hauls tend to consume more fuel than standard cars, especially on long-distance trips. Be sure to budget for gas and tolls, which can vary based on the truck’s size and weight.
- Roadside Assistance: If you don’t already have roadside assistance, consider purchasing it from the rental company. This can be a lifesaver if you need help with a flat tire or if the truck requires towing.
- Packing Supplies: Don’t overlook the costs for boxes, tape, and other packing supplies when planning your budget for the move.
What Happens If You Don’t Have Coverage?
If your personal auto insurance doesn’t cover your U-Haul rental and you skip purchasing coverage from the rental company, you could be financially responsible for any damages. This includes repair costs for the truck, damage to other vehicles or property, and even medical expenses if someone gets hurt.
You might be wondering, does auto insurance cover rental cars like U-Haul trucks? Generally, the answer is no for larger vehicles. That’s why opting for U-Haul’s insurance policies, specifically designed for their trucks, can provide peace of mind during your move. Without insurance, even a small accident could lead to significant financial stress.
Conclusion for Does Auto Insurance Cover Rental Cars
Before you rent a U-Haul, take a moment to check your personal auto insurance policy to see if it covers rental trucks. You might wonder, does auto insurance cover rental cars like larger moving trucks? Unfortunately, most personal auto policies don’t cover these bigger vehicles, and credit card rental insurance usually doesn’t apply either.
For most people renting a truck, it’s a good idea to consider U-Haul’s insurance options, like SafeMove or SafeMove Plus. These plans offer important protection for truck damage, cargo, and liability in case something goes wrong. Also, remember to budget for other moving costs, such as fuel, tolls, and packing supplies, so you don’t end up with any surprises during your move.
