Zoe Alvarez
If you're planning to rent a U-Haul van, it's important to consider whether you need insurance. While U-Haul does not require proof of insurance to rent their equipment, it's worth noting that most auto insurance policies have weight limits and may not cover cargo vehicles like moving trucks. U-Haul offers optional protection packages such as Safemove and Safemove Plus, which provide damage waivers, cargo coverage, and medical-life coverage. These packages can give you peace of mind and protect you from financial responsibility in the event of accidents or damage to the rental equipment. However, it's recommended to check with your insurance provider to understand your coverage limits and whether renting a U-Haul van is included in your policy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Proof of insurance needed | No |
| Protection packages cover | Loss of use of rental equipment |
| SafeMove® covers | Overhead damage, tire damage |
| SafeMove Plus® covers | Overhead damage, tire damage, $1 million in liability coverage |
| SafeMove®/SafeMove Plus® cover theft | Yes, if neglect did not play a role |
| SafeMove®/SafeMove Plus® cover theft of personal vehicle or contents | No |
| SafeMove®/SafeMove Plus® cover mechanical damage | No |
| Stand-alone collision damage waiver | Available in many Canadian provinces |
| Supplemental Liability Coverage (SLI) safeguards personal insurance policy | First $1 million of losses |
| SafeTow® covers | Damage to U-Haul rental trailer or towing device |
| SafeTow® covers | Damage to cargo or vehicle while being transported with a U-Haul rental trailer, auto transport, tow dolly or toy hauler |
| SafeTrip® covers | Unexpected roadside hazards |
| SafeStor® covers | No deductible for storage claims in the US, $100 deductible for vermin claims in Canada |
| Minimum age to rent a U-Haul | 16 years for trailers, 18 years for trucks |
| Driver's license | Government-issued, digital licenses not accepted |
| Additional driver | No charge |
| Temporary license | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
U-Haul doesn't require proof of insurance, but it's recommended
U-Haul does not require proof of insurance to rent its vans, trucks, and trailers. However, it is recommended that you purchase some form of insurance coverage for your rental. While U-Haul does offer damage protection plans, these are optional and can be declined. If you decline their coverage, you will be asked for proof of your own insurance coverage. If you cannot provide this, you will be financially responsible for any damage to the rental equipment, even if it is not your fault.
U-Haul's damage protection plans include Safemove, Safemove Plus, Safetow, and Safestor. These plans can provide peace of mind and protect you from financial responsibility in the event of accidental damage to the rental equipment. For example, Safemove covers damage to rental trucks, your personal belongings, and medical and life coverage. Safemove Plus offers the same coverage as Safemove, plus an additional $1 million in liability coverage.
It is worth noting that U-Haul's protection plans do have exclusions. For instance, they do not cover theft of your personal contents in the towed trailer or rented truck. Additionally, mechanical damage, such as damage to the transmission or drive train, is specifically excluded from coverage. Therefore, it is important to carefully review the terms and conditions of U-Haul's protection plans before declining them.
Furthermore, it is important to understand that your personal auto insurance policy may not cover rental trucks or vans. Many insurance policies have weight limits for vehicles they will insure, often excluding cargo vehicles. Additionally, your credit card company may not provide coverage for U-Haul rentals, as they typically exclude cargo vans and box trucks. Therefore, even if you have your own insurance policy, it may not provide sufficient coverage for your U-Haul rental.
In conclusion, while U-Haul does not require proof of insurance, it is highly recommended that you carefully consider your insurance options before renting a U-Haul van. Declining U-Haul's protection plans without having adequate alternative coverage could leave you financially liable for any damage to the rental equipment.
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U-Haul offers various protection packages
SafeMove®: SafeMove is a comprehensive protection package that covers accidental damage to rental equipment, including overhead and tire damage. It also provides cargo coverage for loss or damage resulting from collisions, fire, windstorms, and overturns. Additionally, SafeMove offers medical and life protection for the driver and passengers in case of an accident, up to a certain limit. SafeMove does not include liability coverage.
SafeMove Plus®: SafeMove Plus builds upon the standard SafeMove plan by adding liability coverage. It covers damage to the U-Haul rental vehicle, as well as damage to others' property. This includes $1,000,000 in coverage for property damage, bodily injury, or lawsuits brought by third parties. SafeMove Plus also has a $0 deductible for overhead and tire damage claims.
SafeTow®: SafeTow is designed to protect your personal car while being towed on a U-Haul towing device or your personal property in a trailer. It provides a damage waiver and covers damage to the U-Haul rental trailer or towing device. SafeTow also covers damage to your cargo or vehicle while being transported with a U-Haul rental trailer or towing device.
SafeStor®: SafeStor is a storage insurance option that protects your belongings stored in U-Haul storage rooms from losses due to natural disasters, weather events, and burglary. However, it's important to note that SafeStor does not cover valuable items such as jewellery, money, art, or motorized vehicles.
SafeTrip®: SafeTrip is supplemental roadside protection that offers assistance in various scenarios, such as jump starts, lockout services, lost keys, fuel service, and vehicle extraction from mud, snow, or ice. It provides additional peace of mind for unexpected roadside hazards.
Supplemental Liability Coverage (SLI): This coverage safeguards your personal insurance policy for the first one million dollars in losses. It provides additional protection in case of accidental damage claims related to the U-Haul truck.
U-Haul's protection packages are optional, but they provide valuable coverage for unforeseen events. It is important to review the specific details, exclusions, and limitations of each package before making a decision.
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Personal auto policies often exclude rental vehicles
U-Haul does not require proof of insurance to rent its vans. However, if you decline their optional coverage, you will be responsible for all damage to the rented equipment, and you will be charged for it.
Additionally, some personal auto policies may have specific exclusions for exotic or expensive rental vehicles. It is important to carefully review your policy to understand any exclusions or limitations.
If you frequently rent vehicles, it may be beneficial to consider purchasing a non-owner insurance policy. This type of policy provides liability protection if you are legally responsible for damage or injuries in an accident while driving a rented or borrowed vehicle.
Furthermore, some credit card companies offer rental car insurance as a perk when you use their card to pay for the rental. However, this may vary depending on the company and the specific card you hold. It is important to carefully review the terms and conditions of any rental car insurance offered by your credit card company to understand the extent of the coverage provided.
In summary, while personal auto policies often exclude rental vehicles, there are alternative options available to ensure you have the necessary coverage when renting a vehicle. These include purchasing a non-owner insurance policy or taking advantage of rental car insurance offered by your credit card company. By carefully reviewing your existing insurance policy and exploring additional coverage options, you can ensure that you are adequately protected in the event of an accident or damage to a rental vehicle.
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Supplemental liability coverage is available from U-Haul
U-Haul offers supplemental liability coverage, which safeguards your personal insurance policy for the first one million dollars of losses. This means that U-Haul will cover any accidental damage to the rental equipment, including overhead and tire damage, and there will be no extra out-of-pocket costs for you. This is especially useful as standard rental policies often exclude mechanical damage and damage caused by hitting an overhead object, which are common perils for inexperienced van drivers.
Supplemental liability coverage is not included in the standard SafeMove® plan, which covers the U-Haul rental truck and everything inside it. It provides medical/life coverage for the driver and passengers of the U-Haul for up to $1,000 of medical bills in the case of an accident and provides the driver and passenger with life coverage valued at up to $25,000 and $15,000 respectively. It also includes cargo coverage, which protects your goods from collision, fire, windstorm, and overturn of the rental truck.
SafeMove Plus®, on the other hand, does include one million dollars in liability coverage, in addition to the features of the standard SafeMove® plan. This means that, in the event of an accident, SafeMove Plus® will cover any damage done to another vehicle.
U-Haul also offers SafeTrip® Supplemental Roadside Protection, which provides additional coverage at a low cost. Benefits include lockout services, fuel delivery, and coverage of tow and impound fees.
It is important to note that U-Haul's coverage options are not liability insurance and are optional. However, damage coverage is essential as all major credit cards and most car insurance policies do not typically cover U-Haul's rental equipment. Therefore, it is recommended to carefully review the coverage options and your own insurance policy before renting a U-Haul vehicle.
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U-Haul rental requirements
U-Haul recommends purchasing optional damage coverage as most credit cards and auto insurance policies don't cover rental trucks or trailers. U-Haul's coverage options include Safemove, Safemove Plus, Safetow, and Safestor. These packages cover loss of use of the rental equipment and accidental damage, including overhead and tire damage. Supplemental Liability Coverage (SLI) is also available, providing protection for the first one million dollars of losses.
It is important to note that even if you have personal auto insurance, you may still be responsible for reimbursing U-Haul for any damage caused to the rental equipment. U-Haul will charge you for the damage and lost rental revenue, and you will need to deal with your insurance company separately. Therefore, it is recommended to carefully review your insurance policy and the rental company's coverage options before renting a U-Haul vehicle.
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Frequently asked questions
No proof of insurance is needed to rent a U-Haul van. However, U-Haul offers protection packages such as Safemove, Safemove Plus, Safetow, and Safestor, which cover loss of use of the rental equipment.
Safemove covers damage to U-Haul rental 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 U-Haul moving trucks and includes a damage waiver, cargo coverage, medical-life coverage, and one million dollars in liability coverage.
Yes, if you decline the optional Safemove coverage, U-Haul will ask for proof of insurance. If you cannot provide proof, you will be financially responsible for any damage to the rental equipment.
If you damage the U-Haul rental equipment and do not have coverage, U-Haul will charge you for the damage and lost rental revenue while the equipment is being repaired. You are responsible for all damage, regardless of fault.
