If you travel for business or pleasure, renting a car is always an excellent option for exploring a new city or simply getting to where you need to go. But, like buying a car, renting a car can be a time-consuming and expensive process.
With insurance coverage, mileage limits and the extensive paperwork needed to be signed, sometimes it feels easier just to take a taxi or use a ride share versus renting a car.
We’ve seen a trend in alternatives to traditional car rentals in the form of one-to-one vehicle rentals. Let’s look at three alternatives to the big-name, big-budget conventional car rental companies.
Get a car or rent out your own
Getaround is an option for those looking to rent a car for an upcoming trip and those looking to make extra income by renting their vehicle.
The rental process is very simple. You can browse hundreds of rental cars in your area. Choose the one you like and within 60 seconds, your driver’s license and credit card will be verified. There are convenient hourly and daily rentals and no membership or annual fees.
If you wish to share your car, choose when your vehicle is available and Getaround will handle the rest. Getaround screens prospective drivers, ensuring that your car’s driver has a safe driving record.
They also include $1,000,000 in primary insurance with each rental. Getaround provides the car owner and driver with 24/7 roadside assistance and customer support during a rental.
You can list your car or find a rental car using the Getaround apps available on Android and Apple devices. To learn more, check out the Getaround website here.
Airbnb for rental cars
Turo is similar to Airbnb but with rental cars. Its process is also very simple to navigate. You simply browse cars shared by real people, choose the vehicle that meets the availability and location you are searching for, and then meet the owner at the car’s location or have the vehicle delivered to you.
When booking a car through Turo, you can choose the insurance package that fits your budget and you will have access to Turo’s 24/7 roadside assistance and customer support. Turo promises rental car prices 35% lower than traditional car rental agencies. Like Get Around, you can also list your car on Turo and they estimate your car’s worth based on the model, year, and make of your vehicle.
You also have the option to set your own price, and Turo will pay you via direct deposit within five days. Now, the payment amount you receive is based on the vehicle protection package you choose and whether or not you have commercial rental insurance that covers you, your car, and your customers. Turo also allows you to set a mileage limit on your vehicle to avoid customers taking your car on a cross-country road trip.
Turo may not be for everyone. For example, if you are flying into a new city, you may have to arrange to meet the driver at the airport or another location. Turo may not be the best option if you are under a time constraint. To learn more about Turo, tap or click here.
Rent a car for rideshare
Hyrecar is a little different from Get Around and Turo. It’s more geared toward drivers who don’t have a reliable car but still wish to make extra income driving for rideshare programs like Uber and Lyft.
The process is simple, but it is a little time-consuming. You create an account with Hyrecar, locate the car you wish to rent, and then submit an application. Hyrecar will conduct a background check, and if you’re approved, you will then upload three documents to your Lyft and Uber accounts. Hyrecar does charge a fee, so keep that in mind before committing.
Once the process has been completed, you can arrange with the car owner and voila! You can make extra cash by being an Uber or Lyft driver using someone else’s car. You can also list your vehicle on Hyrecar and allow other people to drive your car while still making passive income.
Hyrecar does take some time and effort, and of course, you will want to read the fine print in terms of insurance coverage and consider the risk of loaning out your car for somebody else to make money from!
Hyrecar’s website is very informative and they do have apps available for Android and Apple devices. Hyrecar also offers its services to car dealership owners. According to its website, dealership owners can earn up to $1,100 monthly for each car on their lot. To learn more about Hyrecar, tap or click here.
One more thing to remember with these three sites is that not all of them may be available in your area. You can browse these websites to determine if their services are available and if their insurance and application processes will fit your needs and budget. And, as always, be mindful of safety and use each company’s customer service options if you run into trouble on or off the road. Buckle up and happy driving!