Moving Soon? Insurance Tips for Rental Trucks
- Jon Kuhlmann
- 15 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Hey everyone! This is Jon Kuhlmann at Citizens Alliance Agency.
I get questions often from clients asking; If moving away, and renting a moving vehicle, can it be added to personal auto insurance?
Short Answer: In most cases, personal auto insurance does not cover rental moving trucks, especially larger ones. Some policies may extend coverage to smaller rentals like pickup trucks or cargo vans, but moving trucks typically require separate insurance purchased from the rental company.
🚚 Why Personal Auto Insurance Usually Doesn’t Apply
Weight & Vehicle Restrictions: Most auto policies exclude vehicles over a certain weight (often above 10,000 lbs). Moving trucks fall outside these limits.
Commercial Classification: Moving trucks are considered commercial vehicles, not personal passenger cars, so they’re treated differently by insurers.
Liability Gaps: Even if your policy covers liability for injuries or property damage, it usually won’t cover damage to the rental truck itself.
✅ When Coverage Might Apply
Small Rentals: If you rent a pickup truck or cargo van, your personal auto insurance may extend coverage, but this varies by insurer.
Credit Card Benefits: Some credit cards offer rental coverage, but this typically applies to cars, not moving trucks.
Homeowners/Renters Insurance: These policies may cover your belongings inside the truck if they’re damaged or stolen, but not the truck itself.
🛡️ Insurance Options for Moving Trucks
Rental companies (like U-Haul, Penske, Budget) usually offer specialized coverage:
Damage Waivers: Protects against damage to the truck.
Supplemental Liability Insurance: Covers third-party injury/property damage.
Cargo Coverage: Protects your belongings inside the truck.
📌 What You Should Do
Call Your Auto Insurer: Ask if your policy extends to the specific vehicle you’re renting.
Check Rental Company Options: Most renters purchase the offered insurance for peace of mind.
Review Home/Renters Policy: See if your belongings are covered during transit.
👉 Bottom line: Don’t assume your personal auto insurance covers a moving truck. For larger trucks, you’ll almost always need to buy insurance directly from the rental company to avoid being personally liable for damages.