Understanding U-Haul Insurance Coverage: What You Need to Know

When renting a moving truck or trailer from U-Haul, understanding your insurance options is crucial. While U-Haul rentals offer various insurance plans to protect you from potential damage or loss, it’s essential to know whether your existing car insurance will cover these rentals. This blog will walk you through the coverage options available, what you can expect if you don't have insurance, and how much U-Haul's coverage options cost.

Will My Car Insurance Policy Cover U-Haul Rentals?

When it comes to U-Haul rentals, standard car insurance policies generally provide little to no coverage. Most car insurance companies exclude coverage for U-Haul moving trucks. Even if your policy doesn’t explicitly exclude coverage for U-Hauls, it likely doesn’t cover vehicles that exceed a certain weight limit. For example, if your policy covers vehicles with a gross weight of 12,000 pounds or less, it probably won’t cover a U-Haul truck, which can weigh 14,500 pounds or more.

However, there may be exceptions. Some personal auto insurance policies might extend comprehensive and collision coverage to rental vehicles, including smaller U-Haul trucks such as pickup trucks or cargo vans. It’s worth checking with your insurance provider to see if your policy covers such vehicles.

Regarding U-Haul rental trailers, some auto insurance providers might extend bodily injury and property damage liability insurance if the trailer is being towed by a vehicle covered by your policy. To apply comprehensive and collision coverage to the trailer, you might need to specifically list the trailer on your policy. Other insurers may exclude coverage for any trailer you don’t own.

Can I Rent a U-Haul if I Don’t Have Car Insurance?

Yes, you can rent a U-Haul without having car insurance. However, if you choose not to purchase insurance, you will be personally responsible for reimbursing U-Haul for any damage to their vehicles or equipment. This responsibility applies even if the damage was not caused by you, such as in the case of vandalism.

Without insurance, you’ll need to pay U-Haul for any repairs or losses out of pocket. You can then file a claim with your car insurance company to seek reimbursement, if applicable. Keep in mind that even if your car insurance does cover U-Haul rentals, you will still need to pay U-Haul directly for any damage and then seek reimbursement from your insurance company.

Does U-Haul Provide Coverage?

U-Haul offers several insurance options to help protect you and their equipment during your rental period. Here’s a breakdown of the available coverage types:

Safemove

Safemove provides physical damage coverage for U-Haul moving trucks, including most forms of accidental damage. However, a $250 deductible applies for claims involving overhead damage. In addition to damage protection, Safemove covers your cargo against damage from collisions, rollovers, fires, and windstorms. It also includes medical and life protection for the driver and passengers in the rental truck.

Safemove Plus

For more comprehensive protection, Safemove Plus includes all the coverages provided by Safemove, along with $1 million in supplemental liability coverage. If your auto insurance does cover U-Haul rentals, Safemove Plus acts as primary coverage, so you won’t need to file a claim with your personal insurance unless the claim exceeds $1 million. This option also eliminates the deductible for accidental damage claims.

Safetow

Safetow covers damage to trailers, tow dollies, or auto transports rented from U-Haul. It also includes towed property protection, which covers items stored in the trailer and the vehicle used to tow it (excluding Virginia). Additionally, Safetow provides life and medical coverage for the driver and passengers in the towing vehicle, though it does not apply to passengers riding in the trailer.

Safetrip

While U-Haul rentals come with basic roadside assistance, Safetrip offers more comprehensive support. This includes jump-starts, lockout assistance, fuel delivery of up to three gallons, and help with trailer hookup or removal if stuck in mud, ice, or snow. However, Safetrip doesn’t cover intentional damage, reckless actions, or equipment abuse.

Safestor

If you need to store belongings temporarily in a U-Haul self-storage unit, Safestor protects against named perils such as fire, hurricanes, tornadoes, vandalism, and more. To make a claim for damaged or stolen property during a burglary, you must file a police report and provide evidence of forced entry.

Safehaul

Safehaul provides coverage for belongings stored in a U-Haul portable storage unit, known as a U-Box. Like Safestor, Safehaul doesn’t cover motor vehicles or valuables like money, jewelry, antiques, or artwork.

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)

For smaller U-Haul vehicles like pickup trucks and cargo vans, a Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) offers coverage for accidental damage with a $150 deductible. Note that CDWs don’t include cargo, medical, or supplemental liability insurance.

How Much Does U-Haul Coverage Cost?

U-Haul offers various insurance options at different price points:

• Safetrip: $5
• Safemove: $15
• Safemove Plus: $28
• Safestor: Varies based on the level of coverage selected

These prices provide a range of options to fit different needs and budgets, ensuring that you can find a suitable level of protection for your rental.

FAQs

Q: Can I rely on my personal car insurance for U-Haul rentals? A: Most personal car insurance policies do not cover U-Haul rentals, especially for moving trucks. It’s best to check with your insurance provider to confirm what is covered.

Q: What happens if I rent a U-Haul without insurance? A: If you don’t purchase insurance from U-Haul, you’ll be responsible for any damage or loss. You can seek reimbursement from your insurance company, but you will need to pay U-Haul directly for any claims.

Q: What does Safemove Plus cover? A: Safemove Plus includes all the benefits of Safemove plus $1 million in supplemental liability coverage and eliminates the deductible for accidental damage claims.

Q: Are there exclusions to U-Haul’s insurance coverage? A: Yes, all coverage types have specific exclusions, including theft of personal property, damage from improper packing, and off-roading, among others. Be sure to review the details of each coverage type to understand what is and isn’t covered.

Understanding your insurance options can make a significant difference in protecting yourself and your belongings during your move. Whether you rely on your personal insurance or opt for U-Haul’s coverage, being informed ensures you make the best decision for a smooth and secure moving experience.