Long gone are the days when you had to fill up lengthy insurance forms and submit a pile of identification documents to be able to rent a car. The transaction also used to be for at least 24 hours even if you needed the rented vehicle only for a few hours. Fortunately, there are businesses out there that have resolved both these issues. Such companies are called Peer to Peer car rentals, (or peer to peer car sharing). Now you can rent the car of your choice from a truck to a Tesla and keep it however long you may need. However, there are a few bits of information that you need to have up your sleeve while going for peer to peer car rental. Let’s go over them briefly.
First word
This service is a blessing for modern commuters but as all good things it comes with a price tag of its own. So here is a list of a few things that will not only save you on costs, but also on time and effort, and will add to the ease and efficiency of the entire process of finding, booking, picking, using and returning your choice of cars.
Collaboration goes a long way!
We’ll start with the definition part of the discussion. The entire concept of peer to peer car rentals is based on ‘collaborative consumption’. Research, by the startup ‘Getaround’, shows that cars are only driven eight percent of the times on average by their owners, writes Forbes. This means that there is a huge community of drivers with underutilized cars. Introduction of the peer to peer lending concept, then, becomes as a blessing for car owners lenders) and borrowers alike. The startup mentioned above got to sign up 1,600 cars on the first day after its launch signifying the importance and utility of the concept.
Insurance is not your problem anymore
Next come the good parts. Most car rentals operating on peer to peer renting model have insurance included in their packages. This means that not only you get to have a ride for the time you want, but you also get insurance as well as roadside assistance. It is a win-win, for car owners, users, as well as for the environment by reducing the need for more and more vehicles thereby reducing the carbon footprint and lower pollution levels.
Technology is your best friend
While traditionally the rental cars used to be a manual job where those interested to lend a car had to go to brick and mortar model of showrooms, submit documentation and take on a massive responsibility. Nowadays, it is all a matter of mobile applications. You can look up the car you want and book it for however many hours or days you might need it without any hassle.
Check for the car’s condition
There are numerous advantages of peer to peer rentals but there is always a downside, if you are not careful in choosing your product. A cursory inspection upon your departure with the car might cost you more than it’ll save you instead of a regular rent a car service. You need to keep an eye out for all big and small flaws of the ride you are renting – scuffs and paint scratches, any loose parts, whether power windows and side-view mirrors are working or not and so on. The problem is not just that the car might spoil your plans while you are using it but it can also cause confusion at the time of return and possible damages that need to be paid. A little care in inspecting the vehicle at the time of picking it up can go a long way. Take a few pictures for extra benefit.
International boundaries are important
Most peer to peer car rentals are working as much on trust as they are on technological advancement. This means that they trust you not to indulge in any illegal or extra-legal activities. Now crossing the international boundaries might not fall outside legal limits but most rental companies still do not allow it. If you have plans of doing so, you need to check it with the peer to peer rental service you are choosing.
Hidden charges
Now that we have gone through the good and the bad of rental cars, let’s visit the ugly now. More often than not, there might be some hidden charges that might come out of nowhere. However, here again there is nothing to worry about with a little care at the time of the transaction. Sometimes there is a tax charge not mentioned in the initial price tags, so while you are comparing the prices from different services keep that in mind. Then there might be some surcharges depending on the places you visit, airports and bus stations etc. These charges might be covered by the peer to peer rental service but most likely they will be your own responsibility so be mindful of that too.
Gasoline is the big player
This is often a point of confrontation when it comes to services that are usually run on friendly and informal mannerisms. Many services offering peer to peer car lending have the option of buying a full tank when you take the car. However, even more common is the premium that you have to pay if you return the ride with an empty tank. The better option is to get that full tank so you can return the car with however fuel left in it, but do remember that you will not get any refund for the fuel you take back.
Location, location, location
This phrase is usually associated with real estate, but it is equally pertinent here to decide on the charges that might cost you if you drop the car at a different location than the one from where you picked it up. Distances also matter so go over them too while signing up for a rental car.
Final word
There are many ways that can save you on money in addition to the facility and ease of peer to peer car lending. These may involve keeping in check that the 24-hour clock doesn’t strike so you don’t have to pay charges for an extra day, capitalize on the possibility of any available discounts on early return, save on the mileage if you can especially of your fuel contract is based on usage – this applies to usage of air conditioning etc. as well, be mindful of peak seasons and timings, and look for any frequent usage packages.