Hi there,I am resident in the UK and I am planning on renting a tow vehicle and travel trailer for a maximum of 2 weeks in California in summer 2015. I have found a company (Family RV of Morgan Hill) that can rent me both items, however they tell me that the tow vehicle will not be insured and that I need to provide my own insurance. My insurance company in the UK are not able to help me.I'd be really grateful if there is anyone who can advise me:- How I might go about insuring a rented tow vehicle given I am from outside the USA- Are there any companies who will rent me a tow vehicle that IS insured to tow a travel trailer - ideally both items from the one supplier.Thanks in advance,MikeThanks

I don't think you will be able to secure insurance. You should consider renting a class C motorhome from Cruise America.

Thanks for your reply. I suspect that might be the case. We have rented a class C before, however we got a bit frustrated that we didn't have an separate vehicle for when we are set up on each campsite. And I'm pretty sure we won't find an RV firm that lets us tow a car! My wife is not willing to drive abroad, so we can't drive in convoy. But renting a class C is definitely our fallback option.

Perhaps rent a car locally for the duration of your stay at each of your destinations (or as close by as possible)? Some rental companies will pick you up (within a reasonable distance).

Perhaps contacting one of our larger insurance companies (Progressive, GEICO, Allstate, Ameriprise) would be a good place to start.

Maybe ask Family RV of Morgan Hill who they have their insurance with and call that company (or broker) as a place to start. Things like this often go much smoother if it is kept under one roof, so to speak.

Renting & Insuring a Tow Vehicle | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

boosTT
Explorer
Sep 16, 2014
In the US, some people have an option for rental car insurance added onto their existing car insurance policy. Therefore they would be insured for anything they drive, regardless what coverage is on the car itself.

I think it would be easier to just rent the truck from somewhere else though. Or as everyone else said: Class C and rent a car too.
Eddaminna
Explorer
Sep 16, 2014
Thanks everyone for your replies and suggestions. Plenty of things for me to try. Keep them coming!

Thanks
Mike
Fast_Mopar
Explorer
Sep 16, 2014
Eddaminna wrote:
Thanks for your reply. I suspect that might be the case.

We have rented a class C before, however we got a bit frustrated that we didn't have an separate vehicle for when we are set up on each campsite. And I'm pretty sure we won't find an RV firm that lets us tow a car! My wife is not willing to drive abroad, so we can't drive in convoy. But renting a class C is definitely our fallback option.

We rented a class C a few years ago, and they were fine with us using it for towing (forgot the name of the rental company).
MPI_Mallard
Explorer
Sep 16, 2014
Why not look into the local motorhome rental places and see if they can supply a "toad" with the coach or better still look on craigslist, perhaps you might find a private rental the might have a toad, just a thought.
Ramen
Explorer
Sep 16, 2014
How many people? Maybe rent a class B van? If you want to check out San Francisco in a smaller tow like vehicle, they have many options like car share where you rent by the hour or day throughout the city. But parking it around will be costly. A sightseeing tour/trolley would be more cost effective. LA might have the same car sharing service. Yosemite national park has a bus system. Napa will handle the larger vehicles.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Sep 16, 2014
if you are renting a truck, can't you just get the $19 a day (probably $99 now) extra insurance to cover any damages?
bumpy
carringb
Explorer
Sep 16, 2014
It is nearly impossible to secure insurance for a vehicle you don't own.

I would recommend Enterprise Rent A Truck (not rent a car). They will rent you a fully insured tow vehicle setup for towing an RV trailer.
blangen
Explorer
Sep 16, 2014
Maybe ask Family RV of Morgan Hill who they have their insurance with and call that company (or broker) as a place to start. Things like this often go much smoother if it is kept under one roof, so to speak.
mbutts
Explorer
Sep 16, 2014
Perhaps contacting one of our larger insurance companies (Progressive, GEICO, Allstate, Ameriprise) would be a good place to start.
kvangil
Explorer
Sep 16, 2014
Perhaps rent a car locally for the duration of your stay at each of your destinations (or as close by as possible)? Some rental companies will pick you up (within a reasonable distance).