Are you planning a move? Considering a U-Haul? Keep reading to find out what level of insurance coverage you need for your U-Haul Rental!
In this article, we’ll explore frequently asked questions about U-Haul’s Insurance offerings. We’ll save you the hassle of figuring out the insurance details and comparing U-Haul’s plans. By the end, you’ll feel confident with making a U-Haul coverage selection.
Is U-Haul Insurance Worth It?
U-Haul Insurance provides important coverage for the moving truck and cargo within the truck. This coverage is unavailable through your auto insurance or a credit card’s rental car coverage.
Pro Tip: The built-in liability insurance with the U-Haul rental will only cover the state’s minimum requirements. This amount is easily insufficient in an accident. U-Haul’s supplemental insurance policy will cover an additional $1,000,000 in liability.
You can select U-Haul’s higher level of protection, Safemove Plus, for only a couple hundred extra dollars for a cross-country move (about 2,500 miles).
Safemove Plus provides supplemental liability insurance and a damage waiver for the U-Haul.
What Is Covered With U-Haul Insurance?
U-Haul’s insurance plans are called Safemove and Safemove Plus, and they offer a collision damage waiver, cargo coverage, and medical coverage. There are differences in coverage between the plans, but they share some basics.
Both plans offer the following coverage:
- Most accidental damage to the U-Haul
- Cargo up to $15,000 in-town and $25,000 for a one-way move in the event of a collision, fire, overturned U-Haul, or windstorm with a $100 deductible
- Medical/Life Insurance: $1,000 in medical expenses for the driver and passenger related to a collision, $25,000 for the death of the driver and $15,000 for the death of passenger
What Are the Differences Between Safemove and Safemove Plus?
Safemove’s collision damage waiver excludes coverage for accidental damage to the U-Haul, but Safemove Plus promises exclusion-free coverage for accidental damage. The other major difference is that Safemove Plus includes an additional $1,000,000 in supplemental liability coverage.
We collected the cost data by using U-Haul’s rental reservation portal. There was no difference in cost between insurance for the 10ft truck versus the 26ft truck or in between. In-town rentals are picked up and returned to the same U-Haul location. One-Way rentals are rentals where the U-Haul is picked up at one location and returned to another.
We created the following table to compare the costs of Safemove plans to the cost of Safemove Plus plans. We recommend using Safemove Plus to get the extra liability coverage and exclusion-free damage waiver.
| Moving Distance | Safemove | Safemove Plus |
|---|---|---|
| In-town Rental (24hrs or less) | $14 | $28 |
| One-Way 500 miles | $56 | $109 |
| One-Way 2,500 miles | $140 | $195 |
What Happens if I Hit Something Driving a U-Haul?
You are responsible for damage to the U-Haul during the rental period, even if it’s accidental. U-Haul offers collision damage waivers that will waive this financial responsibility. Damage to moving trucks is not covered by your regular auto insurance or credit card rental insurance benefits.
Does Car Insurance Cover a U-Haul?
Auto Insurance policies typically do not cover damage to moving trucks. U-Haul requires payment for damage upfront, so if it is covered by an existing auto insurance policy, you will need to pay U-Haul for the damage and get reimbursed by your insurance.
Although the collision and comprehensive coverage on your auto policy is unlikely to extend to the U-Haul, your liability coverage may. Call your agent or insurance company to verify coverage.
Do Credit Cards Cover U-Hauls?
Auto Rental Collision Damage Waivers from credit cards only cover passenger vehicles, so they will not cover damage to the U-Haul. This benefit also excludes cargo vans and open-bed trucks, so none of U-haul’s vehicles are eligible for coverage.
You will need to find other coverage for renting a U-Haul. Coverage can be found through U-Haul during reservation or at the checkout counter.
Will AMEX Rental Car Benefit Cover a U-Haul?
Amex’s rental car benefits do not apply to cargo vans or box trucks like moving trucks. The collision damage waiver through Amex is limited to passenger vehicles that seat under eight passengers.
Conclusion: Do I Need U-Haul’s Insurance?
We recommend purchasing U-Haul’s Safemove Plus to offer the best exclusion-free coverage for the moving truck. This coverage will also protect cargo up to $25,000 within the truck for one-way rentals.
Also, make sure that you pack the truck carefully because improperly packed items will not be covered by U-Haul’s cargo policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel a U-Haul Reservation?
U-Haul reservations can be canceled up to 24 hours before the reservation begins. Cancellations are easiest to complete online.
Does U-haul refund unused miles or time?
U-Haul does not offer refunds or discounts for rentals that are returned early or for unused miles.
Resources
Bauple (2023). Introduction to Bodily Injury Liability. Bauple.com. Retrieved January 17, 2023, from https://bauple.com/car-insurance/introduction-to-bodily-injury-liability/
U-Haul (2023). Damage Coverage. UHaul.com. Retrieved January 10, 2023, from https://www.uhaul.com/DamageCoverage/
U-Haul (2023, January 1). English Play It Safe Brochure. UHaul.com. Retrieved January 10, 2023, from https://www.uhaul.com/Misc/Files/DamageCoverage/English%20Play%20It%20Safe%20Brochure.pdf?3c2373e7=242074104
U-Haul (2023). How To Protect Your Moving Truck Rental. UHaul.com. Retrieved January 10, 2023, from https://www.uhaul.com/Tips/Loading/How-To-Protect-Your-Moving-Truck-Rental-8356/
Jesse Cunningham V is a professional writer and licensed insurance agent. He has worked in the insurance industry in different capacities, starting as a customer service representative and working his way up to an independent agency owner. He is licensed in the states of Maryland and Pennsylvania for Property, Casualty, Life, and Health products. Jesse has worked with many national carriers, including Nationwide, State Farm, Travelers, and Liberty Mutual, and specializes in car and home insurance and health, life, accidental death, and disability insurance. He writes for multiple publications including FIXD and Bauple.com. All articles by Jesse are opinion-based. Speak with your licensed insurance agent about the particulars of your insurance before making any decisions.
