If you are planning to move to a new place, you might be wondering if your car insurance covers u-haul. u-haul is one of the most popular rental truck companies in the US, offering various sizes and types of vehicles for your moving needs. However, before you rent a u-haul truck, you should know that your car insurance most likely does not cover it. In this article, we will explain why car insurance does not cover u-haul, and what are the alternatives to get coverage for your rental truck.
Why Car Insurance Does Not Cover U-haul
There are two main reasons why your car insurance policy does not cover u-haul trucks: weight limit and purpose clause.
Weight Limit
Most car insurance policies have a maximum weight limit for the vehicles they cover. This limit is usually between 10,000 and 15,000 pounds, depending on the insurance company and the type of policy. u-haul trucks, on the other hand, can weigh up to 26,000 pounds, depending on the size and model. This means that most car insurance policies exclude cargo vehicles, trailers, and vehicles that weigh more than the limit .
For example, GEICO states that its car insurance policy does not cover “any vehicle while used as a public or livery conveyance or any vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds”. Similarly, Progressive says that its car insurance policy does not cover “any vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or more”. State Farm also excludes “any vehicle used to carry property for a charge or any vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds”.
Purpose Clause
Another reason why your car insurance policy does not cover u-haul trucks is the purpose clause. This clause specifies the intended use of the vehicles covered by the policy. Most car insurance policies only cover vehicles that are used for personal or business purposes, not for moving or transporting goods .
For example, GEICO states that its car insurance policy does not cover “any vehicle while used to carry property in any business or while used for any business purpose”. Progressive also says that its car insurance policy does not cover “any vehicle while used to transport property for compensation or a fee”. State Farm also excludes “any vehicle used for livery or delivery purposes”.
Read: Does car insurance cover rental cars?
Alternatives to Get Coverage for U-haul
Since your car insurance policy does not cover u-haul trucks, you need to find other ways to get coverage for your rental truck. There are two main alternatives to consider: purchasing coverage from the rental company or purchasing coverage from a third-party provider.
Purchasing Coverage from the Rental Company
One option to get coverage for your u-haul truck is to purchase it from the rental company itself. u-haul offers different types of coverage options for its customers, such as damage waiver, liability, personal injury, and cargo protection .
- Damage waiver: This option covers accidental damage to the rental truck and its equipment. It also waives your responsibility for theft or vandalism of the truck. The cost of this option ranges from $9 to $29 per day, depending on the size of the truck.
- Liability: This option covers bodily injury and property damage that you cause to others while driving the rental truck. It also provides legal defense if you are sued for an accident. The cost of this option is $14 per day.
- Personal injury: This option covers medical expenses and accidental death benefits for you and your passengers while in the rental truck. It also covers loss or damage to your personal belongings in the truck. The cost of this option is $5 per day.
- Cargo protection: This option covers loss or damage to your belongings in the rental truck due to fire, windstorm, overturn, collision, or theft. The cost of this option ranges from $5 to $15 per day, depending on the value of your cargo.
The benefits of purchasing coverage from the rental company are:
- Convenience: You can get coverage at the same time and place as you rent the truck.
- Affordability: You can choose the level and type of coverage that suits your needs and budget.
- Limitations: You do not have to worry about deductibles, exclusions, or claims processes.
The drawbacks of purchasing coverage from the rental company are:
- Redundancy: You might be paying for coverage that you already have from other sources, such as your health insurance or homeowners insurance.
- Restrictions: You might be subject to certain terms and conditions that limit your coverage, such as mileage limits, authorized drivers, or prohibited items.
Read: Does car insurance cover bullet hole damage?
Purchasing Coverage from a Third-Party Provider
Another option to get coverage for your u-haul truck is to purchase it from a third-party provider, such as an insurance company or a credit card company. Some insurance companies or credit card companies offer rental truck coverage as an add-on or a benefit for their customers .
- Insurance company: Some insurance companies offer rental truck coverage as an endorsement or a rider to your existing car insurance policy. This option extends your car insurance coverage to the rental truck, subject to the same limits and exclusions as your policy. The cost of this option varies depending on the insurance company and the type of policy. You should contact your insurance agent or company to find out if they offer this option and how much it costs.
- Credit card company: Some credit card companies offer rental truck coverage as a perk or a reward for their customers. This option covers accidental damage or theft of the rental truck, subject to certain terms and conditions. The cost of this option is usually free, as long as you pay for the rental truck with the credit card that offers this benefit. You should check with your credit card issuer to find out if they offer this option and what are the requirements and limitations.
The benefits of purchasing coverage from a third-party provider are:
- Availability: You might already have access to this option through your existing insurance or credit card account.
- Flexibility: You might have more choices and control over the level and type of coverage that you want.
The drawbacks of purchasing coverage from a third-party provider are:
- Exclusions: You might not be covered for certain situations or events, such as liability, personal injury, or cargo protection.
- Claims: You might have to deal with a complicated and lengthy claims process, involving multiple parties and documents.
Read: Does car insurance cover vandalism?
Final Takeaway!
To sum up, car insurance does not cover u-haul trucks because of the weight limit and the purpose clause in most car insurance policies. However, you have alternatives to get coverage for your rental truck, such as purchasing it from the rental company or from a third-party provider. You should compare the benefits and drawbacks of each option and choose the one that best suits your needs and budget. Remember to read the fine print and ask questions before you sign any agreement or contract. We hope this article has helped you answer the question: does car insurance cover u-haul? If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to share them below.
