U-Haul Rentals: Do You Need Extra Insurance Coverage?

do i need additional coverage when i rent a uhaul

When renting a U-Haul, you may need to consider additional coverage. While U-Haul offers its own coverage options, such as Safemove and Safemove Plus, your personal auto insurance policy or credit card company may also provide some coverage. However, it's important to note that many personal auto policies specifically exclude cargo vehicles, trailers, and vehicles over a certain weight. Additionally, coverage provided by your credit card company may only apply to rental cars and not trucks. Therefore, it's essential to carefully review your existing coverage and the specifics of U-Haul's coverage options before making a decision.

Characteristics Values
Is additional coverage needed when renting a U-Haul? It depends on your personal auto insurance policy. Many personal auto policies do not cover rental trucks or trailers, especially if they exceed a certain weight or length.
What does U-Haul offer? Safemove Damage Protection, SafeMove Plus, SafeTow, SafeStor, and SafeTrip.
What do these cover? Safemove includes damage waiver, cargo coverage, and medical-life coverage. SafeMove Plus includes all of the above, plus $1 million in liability coverage. SafeTow covers damage to your vehicle while being transported. SafeStor has no deductibles for storage claims in the US. SafeTrip provides supplemental roadside protection.
What if I don't buy additional coverage? You will be responsible for all damage, including vandalism, regardless of fault. U-Haul will charge you for the damage you caused, plus lost rental revenue while the equipment is being repaired.

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SafeMove and SafeMove Plus

Safemove® and Safemove Plus® are two levels of protection offered by U-Haul. While purchasing additional coverage may seem unnecessary, it can save you from potential financial headaches in the long run.

Safemove®

Safemove® is available for U-Haul moving trucks, pickup trucks, and cargo vans. It has three components:

  • Damage Waiver: This covers accidental damage to the rental truck, including dents, paint chips, and dings. It does not cover overhead collisions with objects such as bridges or low-hanging roofs.
  • Cargo Coverage: This covers your goods from collision, fire, windstorm, and overturn of the rental truck. It does not cover damage to cargo during regular driving.
  • Medical/Life Coverage: This covers the driver and passengers of the U-Haul for up to $1,000 of medical bills in the case of an accident. It provides driver and passenger with life coverage valued at up to $25,000 and $15,000 respectively.

Safemove Plus®

Safemove Plus® is available for U-Haul moving trucks only and offers more comprehensive coverage than Safemove®. It has four components:

  • Damage Waiver: As with Safemove®, this covers accidental damage to the rental truck.
  • Cargo Coverage: This covers your goods from collision, fire, windstorm, and overturn.
  • Medical/Life Coverage: This provides the same coverage for medical and life insurance as Safemove®.
  • Liability Coverage: This provides additional protection should there be a bodily injury or property damage claim made against you during the rental period. It covers damage to others and their property, with $1,000,000 in coverage for property damage, bodily injury, or lawsuits brought by third parties. It also covers tow and impound fees associated with a collision.

It is important to note that Safemove® and Safemove Plus® are subject to exclusions set forth in the U-Haul rental contract addendum. For example, mechanical damage caused by attempting to rock the truck back and forth when stuck is specifically excluded from coverage. Additionally, damage caused by misuse or abuse of the equipment and off-road use are also excluded.

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SafeTrip

  • If you lock the U-Haul® key inside the truck, U-Haul Roadside Assistance will dispatch a Service Provider from their network to open the door for you, free of charge.
  • If you lose the keys to the U-Haul truck, U-Haul Roadside Assistance will arrange for a replacement key to be provided, either a spare if available, or a Service Provider will be dispatched to cut a new key, free of charge.
  • If you disconnect a U-Haul trailer, auto transport, or tow dolly, or if it becomes disconnected and you need assistance reconnecting to the tow vehicle listed on the contract, U-Haul Roadside Assistance will dispatch a Service Provider from their network or a U-Haul System Member to reconnect the trailer, auto transport, or tow dolly, free of charge.
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Personal auto insurance

It is important to note that even if your personal auto insurance policy covers your U-Haul rental, you may still need to reimburse U-Haul for any damage caused during your rental. You can then claim this back from your insurance company.

Some personal auto insurance policies may provide additional coverage for rental trucks or trailers. It is always best to check with your insurance carrier before renting a U-Haul vehicle to understand your level of coverage.

If your personal auto insurance does not cover your U-Haul rental, you may be able to purchase additional coverage from U-Haul directly. U-Haul offers two protection packages: SafeMove and SafeMove Plus. SafeMove includes coverage for damage to the truck, damage to your cargo, medical coverage, and life coverage. SafeMove Plus includes all the benefits of SafeMove, plus additional driver liability coverage.

In summary, while personal auto insurance may sometimes cover U-Haul rentals, it is important to check with your insurance carrier to confirm your specific level of coverage. If you are not covered, you may need to purchase additional protection from U-Haul or another provider.

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Credit card coverage

It is important to note that credit card coverage for U-Haul rentals is not a replacement for insurance. U-Haul recommends purchasing their SafeMove Damage Protection, which offers multiple levels of protection for rental trucks and trailers. This coverage includes damage waiver, cargo coverage, and medical and life protection. Additionally, SafeMove Plus provides liability coverage for bodily injury or property damage claims made against you during the rental period.

When considering credit card coverage for your U-Haul rental, it is essential to carefully review the terms and conditions of your specific credit card. Some credit cards may have weight restrictions on rental vehicles, excluding trucks and vans. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card does not cover U-Haul rentals as its auto rental collision damage waiver excludes cargo vans and trucks.

On the other hand, some credit cards may offer rental car insurance that can be used for U-Haul rentals. It is worth checking with your credit card company to understand the extent of their coverage and any limitations or exclusions. Additionally, keep in mind that even if your credit card provides coverage, you may still need to reimburse U-Haul for any damage incurred during your rental.

In conclusion, while credit card coverage may provide additional protection for your U-Haul rental, it is not a comprehensive solution. It is important to carefully review your credit card's benefits and U-Haul's protection plans to ensure you have adequate coverage for your rental.

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Cargo coverage

When renting a U-Haul, you may want to consider purchasing additional cargo coverage to ensure that your belongings are insured. While U-Haul's basic insurance covers most accidental damage to the rental truck, it does not cover damage to your cargo.

U-Haul offers two types of damage coverage for your cargo: Safemove® and Safemove Plus®. Both options include a damage waiver, cargo coverage, and medical-life coverage. Safemove Plus® also includes $1 million in liability coverage, which can protect you in the event of a bodily injury or property damage claim made against you during the rental period.

It's important to note that U-Haul's cargo coverage only applies to damage resulting from specific events, such as collision, fire, windstorm, or overturn of the rental truck. It does not cover damage caused by improper packing, normal shifting of cargo in transit, or theft. Additionally, the coverage is limited to the actual cash value of your items, meaning you will only be reimbursed for the current value of your items, not their replacement cost.

Before purchasing additional cargo coverage from U-Haul, it's worth checking with your credit card company, auto insurance provider, and homeowners or renters insurance company to see if you already have coverage for your belongings during a move. However, keep in mind that credit cards and auto insurance policies often exclude cargo vehicles, trailers, and vehicles over a certain weight. Additionally, your insurance policy may not cover damage to your rental truck, and you may need to pay for any new damage out of pocket before seeking reimbursement.

In conclusion, while U-Haul offers cargo coverage as part of their damage protection plans, it is important to carefully consider your specific needs and review all your options before deciding whether to purchase additional coverage.

Frequently asked questions

It depends on your current insurance policy. Many personal auto policies do not cover rental trucks or trailers, so you should check with your insurance carrier before renting a U-Haul. If your insurance does not cover U-Haul rentals, you can purchase additional coverage through U-Haul, such as Safemove or Safemove Plus.

Safemove covers moving trucks, pickup trucks, and cargo vans. It includes a damage waiver, cargo coverage, and medical-life coverage. It does not include liability coverage.

Safemove Plus covers moving trucks and includes a damage waiver, cargo coverage, medical-life coverage, and one million dollars in liability coverage.

You can purchase U-Haul coverage when you pick up your vehicle or online before your rental through your account on the order details page.

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