U-Haul Trailer Rentals: What Insurance Do You Need?

do you need insurance to rent a trailer from u-haul

U-Haul is a popular choice for those looking to rent a trailer or truck for moving. However, it is important to consider insurance when renting such equipment. While U-Haul offers its own insurance plans, including Safemove, Safemove Plus, Safetow, and Safestor, which cover various types of damage to the rental equipment and offer medical and life protection, it is not a requirement to have insurance to rent their equipment. On the other hand, personal auto insurance policies often exclude coverage for trailer rentals, and credit card coverage usually applies only to cars and passenger vehicles. Therefore, it is essential to carefully review your insurance policy and understand the extent of your coverage before renting a trailer from U-Haul.

Characteristics Values
Need for insurance Not mandatory, but recommended
Insurance options Safemove, Safemove Plus, Safetow, Safestor, Supplemental Liability Coverage (SLI), Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)
Safemove coverage Damage waiver, cargo coverage, medical-life coverage
Safemove Plus coverage Damage waiver, cargo coverage, medical-life coverage, $1 million liability coverage
Safetow coverage Damage waiver, cargo protection, medical and life protection
Supplemental Liability Coverage (SLI) First $1 million of losses covered, $0 deductible on accidental damage claims
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) Covers accidental damage to equipment
Cost of insurance Varies, approximately $7 per day as per user experience
Age requirement 16 years for renting trailers, 18 years for renting trucks
Driver's license requirement Government-issued driver's license required

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U-Haul's insurance policy, Safemove, covers accidental damage to rented equipment

U-Haul offers two levels of protection: standard SafeMove and SafeMove Plus. Both SafeMove and SafeMove Plus are optional and are not liability insurance. They are supplemental to your personal insurance policy.

SafeMove covers accidental damage to rented equipment, including overhead and tire damage. It also covers loss or damage to cargo resulting from a collision, fire, windstorm, or overturn of the rental truck. It also covers medical and life protection for you and your passengers in the cab of a U-Haul rental truck.

SafeMove Plus covers all of the above, plus supplemental liability insurance. It covers damage to others and their property, providing $1,000,000 for property damage, bodily injury, or lawsuits brought forward by third parties not involved with the rental.

SafeMove and SafeMove Plus do not cover theft of your owned motor vehicle, accessories, or personal contents in the towed trailer or rented truck. They also do not cover mechanical damage, including damage to the transmission or drive train as a result of attempting to rock the truck back and forth when stuck in ice, mud, or snow.

If you decline SafeMove or SafeMove Plus coverage, you will be asked for proof of insurance. If you cannot provide proof of insurance, you will be financially responsible for any damage caused to the rented equipment during your rental.

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You don't need insurance to rent a trailer from U-Haul

If you already have an auto insurance policy, it may provide liability protection if you are legally responsible for damage or injuries in an accident with a rented trailer. However, many personal auto policies specifically exclude cargo vehicles, trailers, and vehicles over a certain weight. Therefore, it is important to check with your insurance carrier before renting a U-Haul trailer to understand the extent of your coverage.

U-Haul also offers Safemove Plus, which includes all the same coverages as Safemove, plus $1,000,000 in supplemental liability coverage. It also covers damage to your rental truck caused by collisions with overhead objects. Additionally, U-Haul offers Safetow, which covers damage to the rental trailer or towing device, as well as damage to your cargo or vehicle while being transported with a U-Haul rental trailer.

While purchasing insurance is not required, it is worth considering the potential risks and costs associated with renting a trailer. For example, if you are not experienced with driving a trailer, there is an increased likelihood of accidents or damage occurring. In such cases, having insurance can provide peace of mind and protect you from financial responsibility.

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Your personal car insurance likely doesn't cover U-Haul rental trucks

U-Haul is a popular choice for people moving house or transporting goods. The company offers a range of rental trucks and trailers, as well as additional services like storage units and moving containers. When renting a U-Haul vehicle, it is important to consider insurance coverage in case of any accidents or damage to the vehicle.

U-Haul offers its own insurance packages, such as Safemove, Safemove Plus, Safetow, and Safestor. These packages provide different levels of protection, including coverage for damage to the rental vehicle, cargo coverage, medical and life coverage, and liability coverage. While purchasing U-Haul's insurance is not mandatory, it is important to understand that your personal car insurance policy may not cover rental trucks or trailers.

Personal auto insurance policies often have specific exclusions for cargo vehicles, trailers, and vehicles over a certain weight. U-Haul trucks, for example, can weigh over 8,000 pounds when empty, and your personal insurance may not cover vehicles of that size and weight. Additionally, credit card rental insurance typically does not cover truck or trailer rentals due to similar size and weight restrictions.

Even if your personal insurance policy covers rental vehicles, there may be limitations. For instance, you may need to reimburse U-Haul for any damage to the rental vehicle and then file a claim with your insurance company. It is crucial to carefully review your insurance policy's terms and conditions regarding rental trucks and trailers before assuming coverage.

In conclusion, while U-Haul's insurance packages are optional, your personal car insurance likely doesn't cover U-Haul rental trucks. It is important to understand the limitations of your insurance policy and consider purchasing additional coverage to protect yourself financially in case of any incidents during your rental period.

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U-Haul encourages customers to buy company-provided coverage

U-Haul's protection plans are particularly useful for those without personal auto insurance policies, which often exclude cargo vehicles, trailers, and vehicles over a certain weight. Even if your personal insurance covers rentals, you must reimburse U-Haul for any damage upon return and then deal with your insurance company. Additionally, personal insurance may not cover specific issues like tire damage, which Safemove and Safemove Plus do cover.

U-Haul's coverage options provide peace of mind for renters, especially those embarking on long-distance or cross-country trips. The protection packages cover loss of use of the rental equipment, and in the event of an accident, you will be protected from financial responsibility. While it is possible to rely solely on personal insurance or credit card coverage, U-Haul's insurance plans offer comprehensive protection tailored to their rental equipment, ensuring that you are covered for various scenarios that may arise during your journey.

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Safemove Plus covers bodily injury or property damage claims

U-Haul offers various protection plans for customers who rent their equipment. While purchasing these protection plans is not mandatory, it is always recommended, as personal auto policies often do not cover rental trucks or trailers.

One such protection plan offered by U-Haul is Safemove Plus®. This plan provides additional liability coverage of up to $1 million in case a bodily injury or property damage claim is made against you during your U-Haul rental period. This means that if you are found to be at fault and cause damage to another party, Safemove Plus® can help cover the costs of the damage. This coverage is important, as most personal insurance policies do not cover rental trucks or trailers.

In addition to liability coverage, Safemove Plus® also includes a damage waiver, cargo protection, and medical and life protection. The damage waiver frees you from most accidental damage to the rental truck, including dents, paint chips, and dings. It also covers overhead and tire damage with a $0 deductible. Cargo protection covers your goods from collision, fire, windstorm, and overturn of the rental truck, with coverage limits depending on the type of rental. The medical and life coverage provides protection for the driver and passengers of the U-Haul rental truck, covering medical bills of up to $1,000 in the event of an accident and providing life coverage valued at up to $25,000 for the driver and $15,000 for passengers.

It is important to note that Safemove Plus® does have some exclusions. For example, it does not cover mechanical damage, such as damage to the transmission or drive train. Additionally, it is only available for U-Haul's moving trucks and not their pickup trucks or cargo vans.

By choosing Safemove Plus®, customers can gain peace of mind knowing that they are protected from financial responsibility in the event of an unfortunate incident during their U-Haul rental period.

Frequently asked questions

No, U-Haul does not require you to have insurance to rent a trailer. However, you are financially responsible for any damage to the trailer during the rental period.

It depends on your policy. Many personal auto policies do not cover rental trailers, especially those that are larger or heavier. Check with your insurance carrier before renting a trailer from U-Haul to see if your policy provides coverage.

U-Haul offers Safemove, Safemove Plus, and Safetow insurance options for trailers. These policies cover theft, accidental damage, and medical and life protection.

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