Auto Insurance Coverage For Moving Trucks And Vans: What You Need To Know

If you're moving and renting a truck or van, you might be wondering if your auto insurance policy will cover it. Well, it's important to note that most standard auto insurance policies do not cover moving truck or van rentals. This is because they have a maximum weight limit for the vehicles they insure, typically excluding cargo vehicles. So, if you're planning to rent a moving truck or van, it's crucial to understand your auto insurance policy's limitations and consider purchasing separate rental truck insurance to ensure adequate protection.

What types of insurance are available for moving trucks?

When renting a moving truck, it's important to understand the insurance coverage plans and protections offered by the rental company. Most regular auto insurance policies do not cover truck or trailer rentals, so it's crucial to consider purchasing moving truck insurance. Here are the types of insurance available for moving trucks:

Damage Waiver

A damage waiver, also known as a limited damage waiver, provides coverage for accidental damage to the rental truck. It is similar to collision or comprehensive insurance and helps protect you financially if the truck is damaged during the rental period, regardless of fault. This type of insurance usually has a low deductible, and many professionals recommend opting for it as it offers peace of mind.

Supplemental Liability Insurance

Supplemental liability insurance provides additional coverage beyond the state's minimum liability requirements. It increases your bodily injury and property damage liability limits, giving you extra protection if you are involved in an accident. This type of insurance is especially useful if you are driving a long distance, as it reduces the risk of financial loss or damage.

Personal Accident Insurance

Personal accident insurance covers medical bills for you and your passengers if you are involved in an accident with your rental truck. It helps pay for ambulance fees, X-rays, rehabilitation costs, and other related expenses, providing financial protection in the event of injuries.

Cargo Protection Insurance

Cargo protection insurance covers the items you are transporting in the moving truck. It provides financial protection for your belongings in the event of damage or theft during transit. However, it's important to note that there is usually a coverage limit, and certain valuable items like jewellery, electronics, and antiques may not be covered.

Auto-Tow Protection

If you are towing a vehicle behind your moving truck, auto-tow protection provides coverage for any damage that occurs during the journey. This type of insurance typically covers damage due to collisions, windstorms, fire, hail, landslides, and overturns, giving you peace of mind while towing a trailer or vehicle.

In addition to these primary types of rental truck insurance, rental companies may also offer add-on coverage options, such as roadside assistance and towing coverage, to provide further protection during your move.

Does auto insurance cover rental trucks?

Most standard auto insurance policies do not cover rental trucks. This is because they have a maximum weight limit for vehicles they'll insure, typically excluding cargo vehicles like moving trucks. Therefore, your standard car insurance policy likely won't cover your rental truck.

However, if you're renting a small vehicle like a pickup truck or van, there's a chance you can get coverage from your auto insurance policy, but it's not guaranteed.

If you're unsure, it's best to call your insurance agent to see if your personal auto policy covers a moving truck rental. Even if your policy covers some car or truck rentals, there may be exclusions based on the truck's size or weight.

If you're renting a moving van, which is similar in size to a passenger van, there's a better chance that a personal auto policy would cover it, but don't assume this is the case. Many auto insurance policies don't cover large truck rentals.

It's also worth noting that even if your auto insurance policy does cover rental trucks, you may still be responsible for any deductible outlined in your policy.

Supplemental insurance

Whether or not your policy covers rental trucks, you should consider getting supplemental insurance. Truck rental agencies sell specific policies that can provide additional protection.

• Supplemental liability insurance: This covers other people's liability or damage claims if you are in an accident while driving the truck.
• Damage waiver: A personal or limited damage waiver protects you for damage to the rental truck.
• Personal accident and cargo protection: This covers injuries to you, your passengers, and your belongings during transit.
• Auto-tow protection: If you're towing your car behind the moving truck, this policy covers that auto damage while towed.

Rental company insurance

Even if you have some coverage from your auto insurance policy, you should understand how the moving truck rental company handles accidents. Some rental companies require reimbursement for damage when the truck is returned, regardless of coverage or fault. They may also charge for lost rental revenue while it's being repaired.

Questions to ask your auto carrier

If your insurance company tells you it covers moving truck rentals, here are some things to consider:

• What size truck does the policy cover? Trucks vary in size and weight; find out where the policy draws the line.
• What is covered under the policy? Does it cover only property damage and bodily injury to others? Does it cover damage to the rental truck? What is the maximum that the policy will pay out if there’s an accident? Also, ask what the policy doesn’t cover.
• Is there a deductible? Your auto policy probably has a deductible, and it’s important to know how much you will have to pay before the insurance company pays the rest of the claim.
• How will a claim affect your auto premium? If a claim will impact your auto premium, decide whether you want to use your personal auto insurance to cover the truck rental.

What does moving truck insurance cover?

Moving truck insurance is a type of coverage designed to financially protect you during a do-it-yourself move. It can help cover liability for injuries and damage to others, as well as repairs, cargo and towing.

The four to five primary types of rental truck insurance include damage waivers, supplementary liability insurance, personal accident and cargo protection, and auto tow protection. Here's what each of these covers:

• Damage waivers protect against any damage to or theft of the truck. If the truck rental company offers a Personal Damage Waiver (PDW) policy, the renter won't be financially responsible for any damage. If it's a Limited Damage Waiver (LDW) policy, the renter may be responsible for up to $500 worth of damage.
• Supplemental liability insurance protects the renter from claims made against them if they hit another vehicle. The maximum amount covered is typically $1,000,000.
• Personal accident and cargo protection cover you, your passengers and your belongings while inside the truck. This type of protection doesn't usually cover damage caused by theft or shifting cargo.
• Auto tow protection covers damage to a vehicle that's being towed by the rental truck.

In addition to the standard coverage types, rental truck companies often offer add-on coverage options, such as roadside assistance and towing coverage.

When deciding on the right coverage, it's important to first check with your auto insurance provider and credit card company to see if they offer any coverage during the rental period. Once you identify the gaps, consider purchasing as much relevant coverage offered by the truck rental company as you can afford.

What does moving truck insurance not cover?

Moving truck insurance offers significant coverage, but it has its limitations. Here's what you need to know about what is typically not covered:

• Jewelry: Moving truck insurance usually excludes coverage for jewelry and other valuable items. If you're transporting valuable jewelry, you may need to consider additional coverage options or opt for cargo insurance from the rental company.
• Antiques: Antiques are often excluded from moving truck insurance coverage. If you're moving antiques, you may need to explore alternative insurance options to ensure they're protected.
• TVs: Televisions can be expensive, and moving truck insurance typically doesn't cover them. Consider this when planning your move and look into additional coverage if needed.
• Deeds and Documents: Important documents like deeds are not usually covered by moving truck insurance. Make sure to keep these items with you or explore other insurance options to protect them.
• Business Property: If you're using the moving truck for business purposes, note that business property is typically excluded from coverage. You may need to look into specialized insurance options for your move.

Additionally, it's important to understand that moving truck insurance may not cover all types of damage. For example, U-Haul's Safemove coverage excludes collisions with overhead objects and damage to tires. Theft is also generally not covered, so always remove the keys from the moving truck when it's unattended.

Before renting a moving truck, carefully review the insurance options and their limitations. Contact your auto insurance provider and credit card company to check for any existing coverage during the rental period. Filling in any gaps with the appropriate coverage offered by the truck rental company is always a good idea.

How much does moving truck insurance cost?

The cost of rental truck insurance varies by geography and the specific coverage options you choose. For example, U-Haul's Safemove protection starts at $14 per day, while its Safemove Plus with additional liability coverage costs $28.

The cost of rental truck insurance can be either per day or per trip. For instance, U-Haul's Safemove Plus costs $28 per day, while Penske Truck Leasing's coverage options are priced per trip.

Supplemental liability insurance is an add-on that raises your bodily injury and property damage liability limits above the state's minimum required amount. This is important to consider if you need additional coverage because your personal auto policy extends to the moving truck but doesn’t cover your personal property.

Personal accident insurance helps pay for your medical bills and your passenger’s injuries if you get hit by another driver in your rental truck or cause an accident, up to its coverage limits.

Cargo protection insurance covers the items you are transporting, like furniture, clothing, or equipment. There is usually a limit to this coverage, and there may be exclusions for valuable items like jewelry, electronics, or antiques.

Auto tow protection helps cover the moving trailer you use to haul your items behind your moving truck and typically applies to damage due to windstorms, fire, hail, landslides, overturns, and collisions.

When deciding on the right amount of moving truck insurance to purchase, it's essential to consider what isn't covered under your other policies and your comfort level in terms of coverage. Contact your auto insurance provider and credit card company to check if they offer any coverage during the rental period, and then consider purchasing additional coverage offered by the truck rental company as needed.

Frequently asked questions