We had a client call us recently about renting a U Haul. I thought I would share an article that describes what you should know before you rent.
Summer is peak moving season. U-Haul, the moving truck rental company, estimates that nearly 45% of all moves occur between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that a person in the United States can expect to move 11.7 times in his or her lifetime, and reports that in 2018, 10% of people (about 32.4 million) in the United States moved within the year.
U-Haul also says three-quarters of all moves are done by do-it-yourself’ers.
That puts a massive number of motorists behind the wheels of large, unfamiliar vehicles cruising around neighborhoods they don’t know very well.
Done right, moving yourself could save you a ton of money.
But do it wrong and you could end up with a dented truck or damaged belongings that aren’t covered by your car insurance policy. Here is what you need to know to make sure you’re covered.
Your personal auto insurance probably doesn’t apply to rental trucks
“Don’t assume that your car insurance policy extends to a rental truck, because it often doesn’t,” says Penny Gusner, senior consumer analyst for CarInsurance.com. That’s why you need to ask about coverage with the rental company when you are renting the truck.
How does insurance work for rental trucks?
Your moving truck rental agreement or contract typically will include state minimum liability coverage, which is usually quite low, and that’s it. The rental company doesn’t require you to show proof of any other insurance to drive the truck away.
Moving truck rental companies make it clear that whoever signs the contract is fully responsible for the equipment and any and all damages – regardless of fault. You’ll be charged not only for the repair costs, but also loss of income while the truck is out of service.
Rental truck companies such as Budget truck rentals, Penske and U-Haul do, however, offer protection plans that you can purchase.
The details vary, but they all offer the same basic types of coverages, which usually will include:
- Damage waiver – Covers accidental damage to the rental equipment.
- Cargo coverage – Covers the goods you’re transporting for damages resulting from situations such as collision, fire, windstorm and overturning of the rental truck.
- Personal accident insurance – Gives you medical coverage for injuries from an accident as well as loss of life coverage.
- Supplemental liability coverage – Protects you against claims made by a third party for property damage or liability damage sustained as a result of an accident with your rental truck. Limits vary (maximum usually $1,000,000).
- Towing insurance – Damage waiver can include coverage for accidental collision damage to rental auto transport, tow dolly or rental trailer. Also, the towed property coverage portion will typically cover any car, truck, van, motorcycle, ATV golf cart or lawnmower that is being towed with the rental equipment – up to the chosen limits.
Should you buy rental truck insurance?
The cost of the coverage varies depending upon the coverage and limit levels you choose. Deductibles can apply.
“If you’re moving yourself, you are trying to save money,” Gusner says. “But don’t blow it because you don’t know how to back up a trailer.”
All plans with all carriers have exclusions, so read carefully.
For instance, U-Haul’s Safemove coverage has an exclusion for a collision with an overhead object and cut, blown, or damaged tires — which coincidentally are two of the most common types of accidents reported by U-Haul.
Theft is not covered, either — so don’t leave the keys in your moving truck while you go grab a soda.
Common accidents
While U-Haul and the rest of the major moving truck renters won’t talk about specific accident rates, they are willing to talk about the kinds of accidents their customers usually have.
The most common damage is drivers hitting overhead objects, on the upper right-hand side. People don’t realize the height of the truck and crash into awnings, carports, bridges and even the drive-thru at their favorite fast food spot.
Damaged mirrors and tires and cracked windshields are common as well.
Even the safest of drivers can make a mistake. It can be a costly one if it’s in a moving truck since in most cases your personal car insurance won’t cover you — nor will any insurance coverage associated with your credit card.
U-Haul notes that the majority of car insurance companies won’t cover their rental trucks due to their gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 9,000 pounds or higher. And rental trailers aren’t normally covered by personal auto policies, either.
Most credit cards offer some type of car insurance coverage for rental vehicles, but they typically draw the line at covering exotic cars and moving trucks.
Before you rent, make sure you understand how your personal auto policy will respond to an accident involving a rental truck.
