Does Your Auto Insurance Cover A U-Haul Rental?

Does auto insurance cover U-Haul rentals?

Auto insurance generally doesn't cover U-Haul rentals due to the size and weight of these vehicles. However, smaller rental vehicles, such as pickup trucks or vans, may be covered by your auto insurance policy. It's important to carefully review your policy or consult your insurance agent to determine the extent of your coverage.

U-Haul and other rental companies typically offer various insurance options to their customers, providing protection in case of accidents or damage to the rental vehicle. It is recommended to consider purchasing additional coverage, especially if your personal auto policy does not extend to rental trucks.

Does auto insurance cover a small U-Haul rental?

If you're renting a small U-Haul vehicle, like a pickup truck or van, there's a chance that your auto insurance policy may cover it, but it's not guaranteed. Auto insurance policies typically have a maximum weight limit for vehicles they'll insure, and this usually excludes cargo vehicles like moving trucks.

Personal auto insurance policies cover passenger cars, including your own vehicle, but not commercial vehicles or rented trucks. The weight and height of rented trucks don't conform to the coverage the average personal auto insurance policy provides. For example, a policy may cover a maximum gross vehicle weight of up to 10,000 pounds, but an empty 15-foot U-Haul truck weighs 8,115 pounds, or a little over 4 tons.

U-Haul explicitly states that auto insurance through your own policy or any supplemental insurance your credit card may give for rental cars does not extend to its rental equipment.

Therefore, it's recommended to obtain some insurance coverage from the rental truck company. The two most common insurance coverages purchased on moving rental trucks are supplemental liability insurance (SLI) and limited damage waiver (LDW).

It's important to review your policy and contact your insurance agent to clarify if there is any coverage extended in your specific situation.

Does liability insurance cover U-Haul trailer damage?

Liability insurance is a third-party insurance that covers property damage and bodily injury caused by the policyholder. It does not cover damage to the policyholder's own property. Therefore, liability insurance will not cover U-Haul trailer damage caused by the policyholder.

U-Haul explicitly states that auto insurance through a personal car insurance policy does not extend to its rental equipment. Additionally, credit card rental insurance typically does not cover U-Haul trucks or trailers due to size and weight limits.

If you damage a U-Haul trailer, you will be charged for the damage caused, plus any lost rental revenue while the equipment is being repaired. U-Haul requires reimbursement for damages immediately upon the return of the rented item.

To protect yourself from financial responsibility, you can purchase insurance coverage from the rental truck company. The two most common insurance coverages purchased on moving rental trucks are supplemental liability insurance (SLI) and limited damage waiver (LDW).

Supplemental liability insurance (SLI) protects you against claims made by a third party for bodily injury and/or property damage due to your operation of the rental truck. U-Haul offers $1,000,000 of this coverage, and no deductible is due.

Limited damage waiver (LDW) coverage frees you from financial responsibility for any accidental loss or damage to the truck or towing equipment. However, there are exclusions to this coverage, and it can be voided if you use the rental property in a manner that violates the terms of your rental agreement.

Does credit card auto rental coverage include U-Haul?

U-Haul rentals are generally not covered by your auto insurance policy. This is due to the size and weight of these vehicles, which exceed the maximum weight limit for vehicles that auto insurance policies will insure.

Credit card auto rental coverage also typically does not cover U-Haul rentals. Credit card coverage usually applies only to cars and other passenger vehicles. For example, Visa's rental benefits exclude all trucks and vans that seat more than eight people. American Express's exclusions include cargo vans and box trucks.

U-Haul itself notes that auto insurance through your car insurance policy or any supplemental insurance your credit card may give you for rental cars does not extend to its rental equipment.

Therefore, if you are renting a U-Haul, it is wise to obtain insurance coverage from the rental truck company. U-Haul offers short-term insurance policies designed to protect you while renting a vehicle from them.

Before renting a U-Haul, it is important to review your insurance policy and credit card agreement to determine what coverage, if any, is provided for rental trucks. It is also a good idea to speak with your insurance agent to clarify if there is any coverage extended in your specific situation.

What is U-Haul's basic insurance policy?

U-Haul's basic insurance policy, called Safemove, covers accidental damage to the rental truck, including overhead and tire damage. It also covers cargo damaged in a collision, windstorm, or rollover accident. The coverage is $25,000 on a one-way rental and $15,000 on an in-town rental. Additionally, it covers the driver and passengers for up to $1,000 of medical bills associated with an accident. The policy pays up to $25,000 in the event of a driver's death and $15,000 in the event of a passenger's death. It also covers your car while it's being towed on U-Haul equipment or your personal property while stored on a U-Haul trailer.

U-Haul also offers SafeMove Plus, which includes additional driver liability coverage for twice the premium. Other available protection packages include Safetow, Safestor, and Safetrip. Safetow covers damage to the U-Haul rental trailer or towing device and towed property protection. Safestor is storage insurance that covers loss or damage to stored goods from major perils, including floods. Safetrip is supplemental roadside protection that covers events such as a vehicle stuck in mud or snow, trailer hook-up problems, fuel services, and dead batteries.

Does auto insurance cover U-Haul towing damage?

U-Haul rentals are generally not covered by your auto insurance policy. This is due to the size and weight of these vehicles, which exceed the coverage provided by the average personal auto insurance policy. Most personal insurance policies specifically exclude coverage for U-Haul rental trucks and only offer liability coverage for U-Haul rental trailers.

If you are towing a trailer with a vehicle you don't own, your car insurance coverage usually won't extend to that non-owned trailer. In most cases, your auto policy will not cover your car and damage to the towing device while towing it on a U-Haul car carrier. However, if you have comprehensive and collision coverage on the vehicle on the trailer, it should cover the car if it's damaged during transport.

U-Haul recommends that all of its customers purchase a company-provided insurance policy that shields them from liability for any damage to the vehicle. U-Haul's basic insurance covers most accidental damage, including dents and dings, but not "overhead" damage caused by bridges or low-hanging roofs. It also offers medical and life protection for yourself and your passengers, as well as loss or damage to your belongings caused by collision, fire, windstorm, and overturn of the rental truck.

If you damage a U-Haul rental truck, you will ordinarily be charged for any damage you caused, plus any lost rental revenue while the vehicle is being repaired. U-Haul expects to be reimbursed for damages as soon as you return the rented item. Therefore, it is wise to obtain some insurance coverage from the rental truck company offerings.

The two most common insurance coverages purchased on moving rental trucks are supplemental liability insurance (SLI) and limited damage waiver (LDW). SLI protects you against claims made by a third party for bodily injury and/or property damage due to your operation of the rental truck. LDW coverage usually frees you from financial responsibility for any accidental loss or damage to the truck or towing equipment.

In summary, your auto insurance policy likely does not cover U-Haul towing damage, and you may need to purchase additional insurance from U-Haul or another provider to ensure you are protected in the event of an accident or damage to the rental vehicle.

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