One of the most challenging aspects of self-moving is the transportation of household items to the new home – most people don’t have a big enough vehicle to fit furniture and other larger pieces, so they need to rent a truck to move their belongings to their new place. And renting a moving truck is no simple matter.
The actual process is quite straightforward – you call a truck rental company, make a reservation, get the truck on the agreed date, complete your move, return the vehicle, and pay the fee. Finding the right moving truck and the best rental company for your needs, however, is not that easy.
From figuring out what size truck to rent to getting the best truck rental deal, you’ll have to make a lot of decisions – and will need a lot of information in order to make the right decisions. To gather that information, you need to know exactly what to ask when renting a moving truck.
Read on to find out the most important questions to ask moving truck rental companies when planning your self-move.
What size trucks do you have available and which size will be right for me?
The first thing you need to do when planning to rent a moving vehicle is to find out what size truck you need and whether the company you consider working with has that size of trucks available for the preferred time of your move.
Truck rental companies usually have a variety of truck sizes, from 10-foot vans suitable for small apartment moves to 26-foot trailers that can hold the contents of a four-bedroom house. What size moving truck will be right for you depends on the size of your move and the volume of your items (the cubic footage they take up).
You need a moving vehicle that is big enough to accommodate all your belongings (so you don’t need to make multiple trips to move all your items), but not so large that it remains half empty (so you don’t pay for space you don’t actually use).
You can find an estimate for the amount of furniture and boxes that can be loaded on each size truck and the number of rooms that different size trucks are suitable for moving on the companies’ websites, but if these guidelines are not enough to help you determine how big a truck you need, you should ask the experts at the truck agencies before making your final decision.
Do you rent moving equipment and packing supplies?
When moving house, a moving vehicle won’t be the only thing you need – in order to perform a safe and efficient self-move, you’re going to need some specialized moving equipment as well.
The best truck rental companies offer a wide assortment of moving supplies and accessories to help make a DIY-move safer and easier – moving dollies, furniture sliders and furniture pads, moving blankets, moving straps, ropes and tie-downs, moving boxes, wrapping and padding materials, etc.
Some essential equipment like loading ramps and towing accessories may be included in the cost of the rental, packing supplies may be available at a lower cost, etc. – be sure to ask the companies when researching truck rental options and comparing truck rental quotes.
Are there any special requirements for renting a moving truck?
The most basic requirements to rent a moving truck is to have a valid driver’s license (rental trucks are not considered commercial vehicles, so you don’t need a special license – a standard driver’s license will do) and to be at least 18 years old (the age limit can vary from company to company and from state to state).
Keep in mind that renters must present two forms of acceptable identification – a driver’s license and one other valid form of identification (state-issued ID card, passport, social security card, credit or debit card, etc.) – and all credentials must be in the renter’s name.
Who can drive the truck?
If you’re planning to drive a moving truck across the country, it’s a good idea to have an additional driver. Not anyone can drive the rental vehicle though – additional drivers must be specified in the rental agreement.
Usually, you can add up to three additional drivers to the rental policy for an extra fee (some rental companies allow family members to be added at no charge – you need to ask). Additional drivers must be 18 or older and need to have a valid driver’s license.
Do I have to pay a deposit to rent the moving truck?
You need to know whether the truck rental company requires a deposit for a reservation, and if yes, how much that deposit fee is. As a standard practice, the rental agency will put a hold on your credit card to the amount of the deposit when you rent the vehicle.
Be sure to also ask about the company’s cancellation policy (most agencies require at least 48 hours’ notice and some of them charge a cancellation fee) and whether you can change the date of your reservation (usually you can do so, based on availability, without it affecting your rate).
How is the truck rental cost estimated?
Truck rental costs are based on the size of the vehicle and the number of days for which the truck is rented, but other factors (location, mileage, demand, etc.) also come into play.
- The average cost to rent a moving truck ranges from $30 (for smaller trucks) to $100 (for larger trucks) per day;
- For local moves, truck rental companies typically charge a mileage fee (anywhere from $0.59 to $1 per mile). When it comes to cross-country moves, some rental companies include a set number of miles, while others offer free unlimited mileage;
- Most rental agencies charge higher rates during busy periods – on weekends, at the beginning and end of a month, around holidays, etc. – when moving trucks are in high demand.
If you can be flexible with the timing of your move, you’re advised to get quotes for different dates – prices may vary significantly depending on availability (and may change on a daily basis, so if you find a rate that works well for you, it’s a good idea to make a reservation immediately to lock in the rate). See also: How to keep truck rental costs under control
Bonus tip: Don’t forget to ask for discounts, promotional coupons, and special packages when renting a moving truck.
Find out what forms of payment the company accepts – most rental agencies allow payment by cash, debit cards, or personal checks, but some require credit cards.
Are there any additional costs when renting a moving truck?
There can be a lot of hidden charges, additional fees, and taxes that will greatly increase the final truck rental cost, so you need to ask the company about any such charges to avoid unpleasant financial surprises.
You may need to pay extra for:
- Environmental fee – for proper disposal of materials that may be harmful to the environment;
- Vehicle insurance (see below for details);
- Charges for additional supplies and extra services (if any);
- Additional driver fee – for every driver you add to the rental policy;
- Young driver charge – if you or any of the additional drivers are 18–23 years old;
- Late return fee – if you don’t return the truck on time (see below for details);
- Excess mileage fee – if you go over the allotted mileage on one-way rentals;
- Gas fee – if you return the truck with less gas than it had when you picked it up;
- Cleaning fee – if you return the truck in a mess;
- Repair costs – if you cause some damage to the moving truck;
- Cancellation fee – if you cancel your reservation less than 48 hours before your scheduled pickup;
- Taxes.
When budgeting for your DIY move, keep in mind that in addition to the truck rental cost, you’ll have to also pay for fuel, road tolls, parking fees, etc.
See also: How much does a self-move cost?
For how long can I rent the truck? What happens if I return the vehicle late?
Your rental policy will likely be for a set amount of time (a number of days for which you need to complete your move and return the truck) and a set number of miles. You can purchase additional days (and additional mileage), if you need to.
If you fail to return the truck on time (or exceed the mileage limit stated in the rental agreement), you’ll be charged an extra fee (typically, $100 per day and $1 per mile).
Bonus tip: Ask the company if you’ll get a refund if you return the truck early. Typically, for local rentals, you’ll only be charged for the number of days you actually used the vehicle. For long-distance moves, most truck companies include more than enough days on their one-way rentals for customers to safely complete their moves, so there will be no refunds for early returns.
Where should I return the truck in case of a long-distance move?
If you’re moving long distance, it won’t make sense to drive the rental truck back to the place you rented it from – you’ll be looking for one-way rentals, so that you can pick up the vehicle from a location near your old home and return it to a location near your final destination.
This shouldn’t be a problem, as most rental companies have branches in many major cities, so you can return the truck in the city nearest your new home. Just make sure you discuss the matter with your chosen agency beforehand.
See also: Moving one way – options, tips, and tricks
Do I need to purchase additional insurance when renting a moving truck?
Depending on the kind of policy you have, your current auto insurance coverage may or may not protect you while driving a rental truck. Your credit card company may also offer some protection if you pay for the rental with its credit card.
To find out, be sure to contact both your credit card company and your auto insurance company before renting a moving truck to see if you’re covered by them and what exactly the coverage includes. Also, check your home insurance policy to find out if your belongings will be covered while they’re on the truck.
Related: Does home insurance cover moving?
What kind of insurance and protection plans do you offer?
If your auto insurance and home insurance don’t offer adequate coverage and you would like additional protection, you can purchase supplemental insurance from your truck rental company. Each company has its own protection plans, so you need to ask your chosen agency about the types of insurance they offer and choose the option that works best for you.
What happens if there is a problem with the moving truck?
One of the most crucial questions to ask the rental company is what to do if the truck gets damaged or breaks down during the move. (It’s a good idea to ask how often rental trucks are serviced and maintained, as well.)
Each company has its own policy regarding truck malfunctions, but most of them offer roadside assistance and towing (usually through an outside agency). If there is a problem with the truck, you need to call the company’s emergency services – so make sure you get the phone number when you pick up your rental truck.
One last piece of advice: When renting a moving truck, make sure you’re working with a licensed and trustworthy moving truck rental company (read moving reviews, research the BBB database, ask for references and recommendations, etc.) before signing the rental agreement.
