I remember being stranded on the highway with my family in the blazing desert last summer with a U-Haul trailer behind my car that held my cherished family belongings. I wondered what could be done in such a situation. I looked at my brother’s phone, and the dialer read U-Haul Roadside Assistance, and I wondered how long it would take for them to arrive.
U-Haul Roadside Assistance takes between 15 mins and several hours. Although the company has employees standing by 24/7, 365 days a year for assistance, the provision of real help is contingent upon distance, availability, and weather conditions.
In the remainder of this article, I will explore scenarios related to this question. This includes if U-Haul assistance is free, the different insurance plans that cover damages and if the prices are negotiable.
Why Do Assistance Times Vary?
Being stuck in stressful conditions brings out the worst of us. The first thing you do is panic, followed by brainstorming that only adds to the agony and worsens the situation. You feel helpless, and the only thing you look forward to is help wherever it comes from.
Assistance times vary because of natural conditions. Despite the company’s claim that someone is always available, it may take several hours before a tow truck pulls by your U-Haul trailer, truck, or vehicle.
According to the company’s mission statement, its primary concern is to get you, your family, and your possessions to the desired destination with safety and security. Reasons that can potentially alter the plan for help include the following problems.
Distance and Availability
Roadside Assistance availability times vary mainly due to the distance from the nearest company facility. It could take several hours if you’re a considerable distance from their nearest support center unless they have a truck clearing.
Availability of a Roadside Assistance truck and driver is another factor.
However, since U-Haul is the company with a nationwide network and the most significant number of trucks, this is rarely brought into consideration when providing assistance.
Weather and Timings
Roadside Assistance is delivered to the customer using company-sanctioned vehicles, which are subject to harsh weather conditions. This is especially true for rain and snowstorms when traffic moves much slower.
In such situations, expect to spend a couple of hours waiting for help.
The company claims to provide assistance 24/7, but the time of the call can impact it. A call at mid-day in a small town will receive assistance much faster than a call made during rush hours in metropolitan cities.
Is U-Haul Roadside Assistance Free?
If you’re stuck in a secluded area with a U-Haul truck, it is only natural to wonder if the rental company you paid for will provide help and assistance.
U-Haul Roadside Assistance is not free. While the company provides services relative to your chosen insurance plan, roadside assistance is provided at various costs. Timing can also be relative depending upon the circumstances.
U-Haul trucks and trailers are subject to assistance depending on the insurance plan. However, if there is a condition where your personal vehicle is damaged after renting a U-Haul trailer/truck, Roadside Assistance will cater to your needs, but they will not cover the services administered.
How Much Does U-Haul Roadside Assistance Cost?
U-Haul provides variable services and coverage depending on the plan you choose while making a reservation.
U-Haul Roadside Assistance costs from a minimum of $5 to up to $132, which is due to the difference in the services provided. The price you end up paying will ultimately depend upon the situation and your needs.
The tiers of plans that you can choose from include the following.
SafeTrip
SafeTrip is a remarkable roadside assistance plan that only costs $5 and covers the trip. It’s much more than a traditional moving coverage plan, which includes:
- Jump-starting the truck.
- Fuel services if you run out of gas.
- Replacement of keys in case of loss or theft.
- Assistance if the trailer/truck gets stuck in mud or snow.
- It doesn’t cover damages.
SafeMove
SafeMove is the most basic of all plans and costs an average of $77. It includes accidental damage to the truck and your belongings, compensation in case of theft, and medical and life insurance for you and the passenger. The company claims to provide about $80,000 in potential coverage.
SafeMove Plus
As expected, this includes everything SafeMove does and costs a little upward of $132. In addition, SafeMove Plus also consists of exclusion-free coverage and a $1 million Supplemental Liability Coverage. This plan might be right for you if you’re moving your very expensive and cherished belongings.
SafeTow
If you rent a U-Haul trailer, you’re responsible for all damages unless you purchase the SafeTow coverage plan. The prices for SafeTow vary, based on the services you choose, which can include a damage waiver, medical/life protection, and towed property protection.
Note: If you make a reservation without buying an insurance plan and later realize that you need one, you can report it to customer support within 30 minutes and add it to your rental.
Can You Negotiate With U-Haul?
Let’s face it. Saving an extra couple of bucks is something we all look forward to. Especially if you spend thousands of dollars moving, the little you save adds to something big.
You can negotiate a better offer with U-Haul. The offer you get will primarily depend upon your location and the services required. Wildly varying by location, it’s possible to get yourself a better offer.
You will want to make an offer in person and negotiate the best deal to save more money on your U-Haul rental.
Final Thoughts
The company provides rental and moving services at affordable rates to about 21,000 locations across US and Canada so it might be your only option in certain areas. Because of its wide availability, the U-Haul Roadside Assistance might be the only one to provide relief in remote areas.
The customer service isn’t the greatest, but the company claims to cover various problems with its coverage plans. So, if you’ve decided to move and can’t figure out where to rent, U-Haul is a place you might want to look at!