You no longer have to wait in line at rental car companies only to discover that the car you reserved isn’t available. Peer-to-peer car rental businesses use an online platform to match renters and vehicle owners. Just launch an app, look for a nearby car that belongs to someone else, and drive away. Peer-to-peer networks present certain insurance coverage risks and also convenience and occasionally cost savings. However, does car insurance cover peer-to-peer rentals? No, your car insurance will not cover your vehicle when using a peer-to-peer rental service.
In some states, your provider may refuse coverage if you rent out your car. Renting a car through a peer-to-peer network like Turo may require purchasing the insurance provided by the rental company to cover it. However, peer-to-peer rental services usually require you to maintain your auto insurance, so don’t cancel your policy.
What Are Peer-to-Peer Rentals?
Peer-to-peer (P2P) car rental is a system where car owners rent their vehicles to others on a marketplace or third-party platform, earning payment for each reservation. P2P automobile sharing can occur in several ways:
- Drivers can use social media sites like Facebook to post information about the availability of their cars.
- Owners of cars can list their vehicles on Craigslist and other websites.
- Owners of cars list their vehicles on platforms or services such as Getaround, Avail, or Turo.
Peer-to-peer car sharing is a shared vehicle service, while fleet car rental involves an individual or business operating a fleet of vehicles for rental purposes. The fleet model is used by the majority of conventional auto rental companies. Unused cars can be a great source of income for owners who are vacationing or working from home, as they don’t need to drive. A lot of people do it to partially defray the cost of owning a car.
What Insurance Do I Need to Cover Peer-to-Peer Car Rentals?
To rent out your car to other drivers on nearly all peer-to-peer car-sharing services, you must have full coverage auto insurance. If you use your car for business purposes (such as sharing it on Avail), your policy may not cover it, even though companies like Avail and Turo require you to have full coverage insurance. To ensure coverage for sharing period accidents, purchase additional commercial coverage or list your car on a commercial insurance platform.
How Do Peer-to-Peer Rentals Work?
Peer-to-peer car rental platforms have become increasingly popular globally, offering a wide selection of vehicles to users. Peer-to-peer vehicle rental services usually have a simple procedure:
Registration
On the platform, both car owners and renters must register. While renters submit their personal information and driving records, owners provide information about the make, model, and condition of their vehicles.
Listing a vehicle
Auto owners use the platform to list their cars, determining the rental costs, availability, and any extra terms like mileage or distance limits. To draw in possible tenants, high-quality images and thorough descriptions are frequently recommended.
Reservation and payment
After looking through the various cars, renters select the one that best fits their requirements and make a reservation. Usually, the platform handles payment, guaranteeing a simple and safe transaction.
Vehicle pickup and return
Renters and car owners arrange for the vehicle’s pickup and return. Certain platforms provide lockboxes or keyless entry options to enable smooth exchanges. Moreover, there might be extra costs if the car is returned in need of repairs or additional cleaning.
FAQs
What happens if my car is involved in an accident while being used as a P2P rental?
You are in charge of paying for any repairs and damage yourself if you don’t get self-insurance through a P2P auto company. It may be more difficult to obtain replacement coverage if your insurance company denies your claim or cancels your policy as a result of your failure to notify them that you were renting out your car.
Does my insurance cover me if I rent a car through peer-to-peer car rentals?
It depends. You can find out if you have coverage by calling your agent or checking your auto policy. P2P car rental may not provide coverage extensions and is not the same as rental car coverage.
If I use P2P car rentals, do I need to get commercial insurance?
You should discuss this with your insurance agent before using a peer-to-peer car rental.