Does Your Auto Insurance Cover U-Haul Trucks?

If you're planning a move, you might be wondering whether your auto insurance covers rental trucks and trailers. Unfortunately, your auto insurance likely doesn't cover U-Haul rentals or similar services due to the size and weight of these vehicles. However, smaller rental vehicles, like pickup trucks or vans, may be covered, depending on your policy. It's important to carefully review your policy or contact your insurance agent to determine the extent of your coverage.

Even if your auto insurance doesn't cover U-Haul rentals, you still have options. U-Haul and other rental companies offer short-term insurance policies designed to protect you during your rental period. These policies typically include supplemental liability insurance and a limited damage waiver, providing coverage for damage to the rental vehicle, your cargo, and any injuries or accidental death.

Before renting a U-Haul or similar vehicle, it's crucial to understand the extent of your auto insurance coverage and consider purchasing additional insurance to ensure you're protected in the event of an accident or damage to the vehicle.

Does personal auto insurance cover U-Haul trucks?

If you're planning a move, you might be wondering whether your personal auto insurance covers U-Haul trucks. The short answer is, probably not.

Most personal auto insurance policies do not cover U-Haul rental trucks due to their size and weight. Personal auto insurance policies typically cover passenger cars and sometimes leased cars, but not trucks or business vehicles. Additionally, many policies have a maximum weight limit for the vehicles they insure, and U-Haul trucks often exceed this limit.

However, if you're renting a smaller U-Haul vehicle, such as a pickup truck or a van, there may be a chance that your auto insurance policy will cover it. It's important to carefully review your policy or contact your insurance agent to determine if your specific policy provides any coverage for U-Haul rentals.

Even if your personal auto insurance does not cover U-Haul trucks, you still have options. U-Haul offers different levels of damage coverage, and you can purchase a standalone policy to cover any damage or injuries arising from an accident in a moving truck. Additionally, some rental companies provide a minimum amount of built-in liability coverage, but it may not be sufficient to cover all costs related to damage or injuries.

Furthermore, your credit card may provide rental car protection, but it's important to note that this typically only covers cars and other passenger vehicles, and may not include trucks or cargo vans. Therefore, it is always a good idea to review your coverage options and consider purchasing additional insurance to properly protect yourself, your passengers, and your belongings during your move.

What about credit card coverage?

Credit card coverage usually applies only to cars and other passenger vehicles. For example, the rental benefits offered by Visa exclude all trucks as well as vans that seat more than eight people. Similarly, American Express's exclusions include cargo vans and box trucks.

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

Your credit card auto rental coverage won't apply to a U-Haul rental truck because the insurance provided by your credit card has the same vehicle exclusions as your personal auto policy.

Therefore, it is important to purchase the extra insurance offered when renting a U-Haul truck.

What happens if you don't have insurance?

If you don't have insurance, you may face serious financial and legal consequences. In California, for example, driving without insurance is considered a serious offence and can result in hefty fines, license suspensions, and vehicle impoundments. The cost of car insurance in California is high, but the consequences of being caught driving without it are far more severe.

If you are caught driving without insurance in California, you may be fined up to $500 for a first offence and between $200 and $500 for a second offence. Penalty assessments may also be applied, which can significantly increase the total amount owed. California is a "no pay, no play" state, which means that an uninsured driver who is not at fault in an accident cannot sue an insured at-fault driver for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering or inconvenience.

If you cause an accident without insurance, you will be held financially responsible for any damages, including repairs to the other person's vehicle and their medical expenses. If you are unable to pay these costs upfront, the other driver may sue you, and your wages may be garnished until the amount owed is paid in full. Additionally, your license may be suspended for one year, and you will be required to maintain an SR-22 and proof of financial responsibility for three years to reinstate your driving privileges.

If you are renting a U-Haul or other moving truck, your personal auto insurance policy will most likely not cover it. Most auto insurance policies have weight limits and do not cover cargo vehicles like moving trucks. However, if you are renting a small U-Haul vehicle, such as a pickup truck or van, your auto insurance policy may provide coverage, but this is not guaranteed. While it is not legally required to insure a truck or van rental, it is recommended to avoid being held responsible for any damage.

In summary, driving without insurance can result in significant financial and legal consequences, including fines, license suspensions, and vehicle impoundments. It is important to understand the requirements and potential risks before getting behind the wheel to ensure compliance with the law and avoid costly penalties.

What are the insurance options through U-Haul?

U-Haul offers two insurance options: Safemove and Safemove Plus. Both options include coverage for damage to the rental truck and your personal belongings, as well as medical and life coverage.

Safemove Plus includes additional driver liability coverage for approximately twice the premium of Safemove. It also includes a $1 million policy for property damage, lawsuits, or bodily injury from third parties. Safemove Plus is not available in all states, including New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

U-Haul also offers a stand-alone collision damage waiver for customers in many Canadian provinces. This provides protection and peace of mind and covers most accidental damage to rental equipment.

Supplemental Liability Coverage (SLI) is also available, which safeguards your personal insurance policy for the first $1 million of losses.

U-Haul's insurance options are designed to fill the gaps in personal auto policies, which often exclude coverage for rental vehicles, particularly cargo vehicles and vehicles over a certain weight. It is recommended to review your personal auto policy and contact your insurance agent to determine if you have coverage for U-Haul rentals before purchasing additional insurance.

What happens if you damage a U-Haul truck?

If you damage a U-Haul truck, the first thing to do is not panic. Get everyone out of the truck and move it off the roadway if it's drivable. Call an ambulance if anyone is injured, and then call the police to file an accident report. You should also call the U-Haul hotline and have the police report number ready. Remember to write down the other parties' information.

Whether you've purchased U-Haul's SafeMove or SafeMove Plus coverage or not, and if the truck is drivable, will determine what happens next. If you purchased SafeMove Plus, the truck is covered for all accidental damage costs, and roadside assistance will be out soon to fix the damages or bring another truck at no cost. Even if you didn't purchase coverage, if the truck is drivable, you can finish your move and then drive it back to a rental location. You will be billed for damages, which can be expensive, especially as most regular insurance companies don't cover moving truck damages.

If you didn't purchase coverage and the truck is not drivable, call the police and file a report, then call the U-Haul hotline for further instructions. Depending on the proximity of the accident to a rental center, you may get a new truck. As soon as you can get to a center, there will be paperwork to fill out, and you will be responsible for all costs for damages.

U-Haul offers two damage coverage options for your moving truck: SafeMove and SafeMove Plus. Both cover most accidental damage to the rental truck, damage to your goods, and provide you and your passengers with medical and life coverage. SafeMove Plus also includes $1,000,000 in liability coverage for damage to others and their property.

Credit card and auto insurance companies don't usually cover damage to moving trucks, but you should always check with your provider. Even if your policy covers your rental, you must reimburse U-Haul for the full damage amount when you return it and then deal with your insurance company.

Frequently asked questions