If you’re planning a big move and are renting a moving truck, you can purchase special insurance coverage: moving truck insurance. Your standard auto insurance policy usually won’t cover a moving truck. Neither will rental coverage through your credit card.
You’re responsible for any damage the rented moving truck and your cargo may sustain while it’s in your care. You’ll also be responsible for any medical or property damage costs if you're involved in an accident. The best way to avoid major out-of-pocket charges is to purchase moving truck rental insurance.
This article includes everything you need to know about moving truck insurance, including:
- Why your auto insurance doesn’t apply to moving trucks
- What does U-Haul insurance cover?
- Trailer and towing insurance explained
Does auto insurance cover rental trucks?
In most cases, your standard auto insurance policy won't cover moving vans or trucks. If your coverage does apply to rental trucks, it likely excludes moving trucks like a U-Haul because of size and weight restrictions. Many credit card companies also provide rental car insurance coverage, but that typically excludes rental moving trucks.
So, if you don’t buy U-Haul-specific insurance coverage, you’re responsible for all damages to the truck. Not only that, but if you cause bodily injury or property damage to someone else while driving the U-Haul or moving truck, you’ll be on the hook. Check with your auto insurer if you don’t know what your coverage extends to before you decide to decline U-Haul insurance.
What U-Haul insurance covers
U-Haul insurance can cover your cargo, medical bills after an accident and any damage you may cause to the rental vehicle, including a moving truck, van or pickup truck. You can add extra coverage to pay for damage you cause to other people and property.
It’s usually not required to provide proof of insurance or purchase any policies from moving truck companies. Even though it's not required, you can get substantial coverage for around $14 to $28 for short trips, depending on where you’re renting the truck.
Many moving truck companies offer insurance bundles when you rent a truck. Those bundles include the major coverage types, like damage waivers and health protection. These are the insurance policies and coverage options from U-Haul:
| Policy | Coverage | Average cost (depends on trip length and area) |
|---|---|---|
| Safemove | Damage waiver (does not include collision with an overhead object), cargo protection, medical/life protection | $45 |
| Safemove Plus | Damage waiver, cargo protection, medical/life protection, supplemental liability coverage (SLI), exclusion free coverage (includes collision with an overhead object) | $100 |
Safemove and Safemove Plus include many of the same coverage types. The difference is that, along with the benefits provided through Safemove, Safemove Plus includes supplemental liability coverage.
It’s recommended that you purchase Safemove Plus for all-around coverage if you’re taking your U-Haul on a long journey. For a shorter trip, the coverage offered by Safemove is worth it. Liability coverage is important for a long journey because if you are involved in an accident with your rented U-Haul, you won’t be responsible for paying for the other party’s medical bills or damage to their property up to coverage limits.
Types of moving truck coverage
Damage waiver and exclusion free coverage
A damage waiver covers damage to the truck that may occur while you're renting it. You're covered even if the accidental damage is your fault. Since purchasing coverage can start as low as $14, and the cost of fixing a dented or cracked windshield can add up to hundreds, we recommend having a damage waiver.
However, you are not covered for damage caused by colliding into an overhead object, like a clearance or an overpass. For this particular kind of damage, you need exclusion-free coverage to receive reimbursement. There’s no deductible attached to this coverage, so you don’t have to pay if you make a claim.
For example, if you reverse your rental truck into a parked car, any damage your rented vehicle sustains is covered up to your policy limit.
Cargo coverage
Cargo coverage protects your belongings in the rental truck from collision, fire, windstorm and overturn of the truck. You should know that this coverage does not protect against theft or damage caused by improper packing. Additionally, you may not be covered for certain objects such as antiques, art or jewelry.
For example, if a fire starts in the back of the truck and damages your possessions, this coverage protects the items up to your coverage limit.
For a one-way rental, you get up to $25,000 of coverage, and for an in-town rental you get up to $15,000 of coverage. This protection comes with a $100 deductible if you need to file a claim.
Medical and life coverage
This coverage provides up to $1,000 for you and your passengers toward medical bills in the event of an accident. It also provides financial coverage in case of a fatality. Coverage limits for loss of life are up to $25,000 for the driver/lessee and up to $15,000 for passengers.
This coverage acts as a supplement to your own medical coverage, so if you have sufficient health insurance, this protection may not be necessary.
Supplemental liability insurance (SLI)
SLI is only included in the Safemove Plus package. SLI includes $1 million for property damage, bodily injury or lawsuits brought forward by a third party not involved with the rental.
For example, imagine you injure another person with the rental truck. SLI protects you from having to pay for their injuries or any lawsuits they may bring forward. There are also no increased premiums or deductibles connected to SLI.
Trailer and towing rental coverage
If you’re hauling your stuff with a trailer, you can purchase an insurance package to ensure your belongings are safe. Safetow is trailer and towing coverage offered through U-Haul. It protects both the towing equipment and up to $20,000 of your towed property. On average, coverage costs fall between $15 and $75, depending on where you’re driving and how far you're going. Safetow includes these coverage types:
- Damage waiver: Offers protection for accidental damage that occurs from a collision to the towing equipment or rental trailer. Also, there’s no deductible if you need to file a claim.
- Towed property protection: Coverage limits available are $5,000, $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000. Towed property protection covers damage or loss that occurs to your cargo in the U-Haul trailer, up to your chosen coverage limits.
- Medical/life protection: Provides you and passengers with up to $500 of coverage for medical expenses. Medical/life protection also offers life coverage in case of fatality. Coverage limits for a lessee's loss of life are up to $10,000, and up to $5,000 for passenger loss of life.
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