About 53% of Americans who moved in 2023 had unexpected moving costs, and if your big day is approaching, chances are you may already be looking for alternatives to renting a moving truck.
To cut down costs, you may even consider borrowing a friend’s truck instead of renting one. Sounds simple, right? Just ask your buddy, load up their truck and go. Except it’s not quite so, and your pal has probably had it with how many times friends and neighbors asked them that.
Firstly, not all trucks are up for the task. Your friend’s compact pickup might not be able to handle a queen-size bed or a garage full of tools. And even if it can, there’s the whole issue of insurance and what happens if something goes wrong. While saving money is great, straining a friendship over a few dents or logistics just isn’t worth it. Let’s weigh all the factors of moving with a pickup truck, along with learning how to respectfully ask your friend for this favor and discovering some budget-friendly moving solutions that might keep your friendship intact.
Insurance Considerations
Say you borrow your friend’s truck, and everything goes smoothly until a tight parking spot leads to an unfortunate encounter with a post. Who’s covering that? Is it you, your friend or an insurance company somewhere?
Scenario 1: Accident with standard insurance coverage
If you have permission to use the truck and an accident occurs, the truck owner’s insurance is usually (but not always) the primary coverage. You might still be responsible for the deductible or excess costs not covered by the policy.
Scenario 2: Accident exceeding coverage limits
If damages or costs exceed the owner’s policy limits, you or your insurance might need to cover the remainder, especially if you have applicable coverage.
Scenario 3: Extended borrowing or living together
If you’re borrowing the truck for a long time or live with the truck owner, you might not be covered under the standard policy and should be added as a regular user. However, some policies insure only the person listed on a policy and no one else.
Scenario 4. No collision coverage
If neither you nor the truck owner has collision coverage, and the truck is damaged, repair costs will likely be out-of-pocket. And if you expect to keep a friend, that definitely means out of your pocket.
Still asking your friend to borrow their truck for moving?
Since insurance is a complex topic and policies vary greatly, before you borrow your friend’s truck for moving you must have an upfront conversation with them (and your own insurance agent) about their insurance policy details and any limitations. Make sure you both understand:
- The extent of the coverage and any significant exclusions.
- Whether their insurance will cover you as a driver or if additional arrangements are necessary.
- Potential out-of-pocket expenses in case of minor or major accidents. A good practice is to agree in writing who will handle these expenses should they arise.
How To Borrow a Friend’s Truck for Moving (Successfully)
Show respect for your friend’s property and reinforce trust in a few easy steps:
- Be clear and specific. Say why you need to borrow the truck and for how long.
- Consider your friend’s perspective — a truck is often a prized possession. Acknowledge that you understand this and express your commitment to taking care of it.
- Offer repayment beyond just filling up the tank. You can help them with a project, bring over a home-cooked meal and/or pay for a professional car wash or full detailing service after using the truck.
It’s natural for your friend to have reservations about lending their truck, but you can address these concerns proactively:
- Offer to arrange for supplemental insurance to cover the period you’ll be using the truck.
- Propose leaving a security deposit with them as a sign of good faith.
In the end, if your friend refuses, don’t take it personally. They may have a history of lending items and getting them back damaged or dirtied. A friend might not want to lend their truck, but they might not mind driving you and your stuff around for the day. Sharing a case of beer when all is said and done may be all it takes. Just don’t insist, it’s unpleasant.
Other Budget-Friendly Moving Solutions
Sometimes, no matter how tactfully you ask, borrowing a friend’s truck just isn’t in the cards. But you can still get your stuff from A to B without burning a hole in your pocket.
Rent a U-Haul trailer: Got a ride that can tow? Hook up a U-Haul trailer to it — they come in different sizes, so you can pick one that fits your stuff without paying for unused space.
Use carpooling services: Not moving a mountain of stuff? Grab an UberXL or LyftXL. They’re bigger than your average ride and great for hauling a bunch of boxes or small pieces of furniture across town.
Hire budget-friendly movers: If lifting boxes isn’t your thing, look for companies that specialize in small-scale moves or ‘micro-moves.’ Ever heard of GoShare? They’re the truck version of Uber. And if you’re looking for an app that finds helpful people with trucks in your area, the answer is TruckIt. These drivers can assist with moving tasks, essentially letting you “order” a truck and a driver as easily as ordering a takeaway.
Renting vs. Borrowing a Truck for Moving
When you’re trying to snag a truck for your big move and keep costs down, think about insurance headaches before asking to borrow a friend’s truck for moving. There’s always a risk of dinging up your friend’s ride and an awkward conversation if things go south when moving with a pickup truck, not to mention not every vehicle is fit for every job.
Renting can be easier than that: you pick the size, you handle your stuff and you’re covered by the rental’s insurance. Whether it’s a U-Haul trailer for smaller loads or a full-size moving truck, you pay for peace of mind. At the end of the day, no move is worth a bust-up with your buddies.
And if you want to get creative with alternatives to renting a moving truck, go for UberXL, LyftXL or mover-on-demand services like GoShare and TruckIt.
