Myth #1 – You Need to be at Least 25 to Rent a Moving Truck
Some car companies like Hertz do not allow people under the age of 25 to rent their cars. It was for this reason that many people believe rental moving truck companies function the same way. The truth is that many companies require the person to be at least 18, not 25.
Of course this may change from state to state so it is important to check on state laws, especially in the state of destination. These rules are often bent for military personnel, company employee relatives, and VIP customers.
Always make it a habit to check with the rental company and with local state laws before giving up hope. You never know – you could be able to rent a moving truck even if you’ve just turned 18. Some will require special documents, especially if you only have a student’s permit.
Myth #2 – Special Licenses are Required
If you are driving a commercial truck then yes, you will require a special license but rental moving trucks are personal vehicles. This means you will only have to present your regular driver’s license in case needed.
If you ever get pulled over, all you need to do is present a current and valid driver’s license – the one you normally use for your car – and the papers proving that you are using the truck for relocation purposes. With just those two documents you’ll be able to travel without any legal issues.
Luckily this mostly applies to the whole country. The best advice is to still make sure you check with local state laws to make sure the area you are going to doesn’t have any specific law contradicting the above statement.
Myth #3 – Personal Car Insurances Include Accident Damages to the Truck
A lot of people think “why should I get additional insurance for the truck when my personal car insurance covers that as well?”
Go back and read the fine lines of your car insurance. It will state that it will also cover the insurance for rental vehicles but only barely. It may cover a portion of the costs of damages, more so if you were not the one at fault for the accident, but there will still be a hefty amount expected to come from your pockets.
The best solution is to avail of the additional insurance packages from the rental company. What’s another $75 compared to the thousands you might have to pay after some drunk driver smashes into the truck?
Myth #4 – Credit Cards are the Only Means of Paying for a Moving Truck
This is where things get a bit sticky because some companies are different than others. There are a few that only accept credit card payments while others are a bit more lenient. U-Haul and Penske are pretty lenient but in a certain way.
They will make it far more difficult to seal the deal through the phone so you’ll most likely have to make the payment personally at their office. They might require you to pay an additional deposit for any payment method other than a credit card.
It might seem like a hassle but that’s because automotive accounting systems use credit cards to hasten the process. When you pay with cash you’re a bit of a financial risk and the process of paying, securing, and finalizing the rental has to be done manually, costing them additional resources.
Myth #5 – There are Fixed Prices
When you visit the official website for Budget, U-Haul, or any other rental truck company they will show you prices. You might be interested in a 7-day deal with unlimited miles or a 2-day deal with a price of $0.35 per mile. The thing you need to keep in mind of is that those aren’t the prices you will pay.
At the end of the day, too many factors alter the final price. You have to consider the price per mile, the size of the truck you are renting, and how long you’ll be using it. Then there are packages and other freebies you will need to add into the calculation.
Myth #6 – One Company is Cheaper than the Other
A lot of people think one company is going to be cheaper than the other. Some will argue Budget is cheaper than Hertz or that Penske is cheaper than U-Haul. However, you can put in all the costs together and still end up with different results simply because of scheduling.
Planning to move during the summer? You can expect rental prices to shoot up simply because a lot of people are going to compete with you to rent those trucks. If you move when there are fewer people relocating then the companies will lower their prices. Believe it or not but renting a moving truck is just like getting an airplane ticket.
