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The Best Peer-To-Peer Car Rental Companies For 2024

Looking for a peer-to-peer car rental platform? We take a look at the most popular companies and dive deep into the offerings of each.

Key Takeaways

  • Concept: Individuals rent out their own cars to others, offering a unique, affordable alternative to traditional car rentals.
  • Top Platforms: Turo, Getaround, Avail, HyreCar, and Outdoorsy are leading peer-to-peer rental services.
  • Benefits: Offers cost-effective, flexible rental options and a wide variety of vehicles.
  • Growth and Future: Projected to grow significantly, becoming increasingly popular for convenient, short-term rentals.

What is Peer-to-Peer Car Rental?

The concept of a peer-to-peer car rental differs greatly from the traditional system and offers a fantastic alternative to those looking to rent a car in a foreign city or country.

Peer-to-peer car rental simply involves an individual renting out their car to another person for a short period of time.

In the same way that Airbnb allows people to rent out their homes, peer-to-peer car rental platforms do the same for vehicles.

It differs greatly from traditional car rental services, as all vehicles are privately owned and the platform doesn’t own a fleet of cars in the same way that traditional car rental companies do.

The app or platform used simply acts as a third party to connect users with vehicles! This means that peer-to-peer rentals are advantageous for both parties.

Renting out your car is a great way to earn passive income, and those who do rent the cars often find it is a lot cheaper than traditional car rental services.

The Best Peer-to-Peer Car Rental Platforms of 2024

We’ve included an overview of our top picks below. For detailed information on each pick, scroll down.

  1. Turo
  2. Getaround
  3. Avail
  4. HyreCar
  5. Outdoorsy
1
1. Turo
Best For: International travelers, flexibility

1. Turo

  • Operates in the US, Australia, France, the UK, and select Canadian states.
  • Pricing set by car owners; covers insurance but may include additional fees.
  • Turo Go allows vehicle access at any time; limitations on driving locations.
Read More

Turo is one of the most popular peer-to-peer car rental platforms thanks to its convenient services and ease of use. 

Unlike other peer-to-peer car rental services, Turo is available in the United States, Australia, France, the United Kingdom, and select Canadian states.

In terms of pricing, the rental fee is set by the car owner, and the fee typically covers insurance. However, there are some additional costs you may need to pay, including a Turo trip fee or a pet fee. 

One of the main advantages of using Turo is that users are not limited to operating hours; with Turo Go, they can unlock the vehicle at any time of the day!

However, there can be limitations on where you can drive when using a car rented from Turo, so make sure you research before renting a vehicle via the platform.

2
2. Getaround
Best For: Short-term, local use

2. Getaround

  • Available in 30 states; offers hourly rentals.
  • Pricing varies; mandatory booking fee on each rental.
  • Wide range of vehicles but no delivery service; additional insurance available.
Read More

Getaround is another peer-to-peer car rental service that is taking the market by storm and is often seen as one of the best alternatives to Turo.

The service is available in 30 states, making it a convenient choice no matter where you go.

Unlike other services, you can rent by the hour on Getaround – which is extremely useful if you only need a car for the morning or afternoon.

Pricing is set by the owner, so it can vary based on the location and type of the car, and there is also a mandatory booking fee for each rental.

The default insurance with each rental stull requires users to pay a damage fee which can be thousands of dollars, which is why there is an option to buy additional insurance with each rental!

Getaround is perfect if you want a wide range of vehicles to choose from. However, you should keep in mind that the platform doesn’t offer deliveries, so you will need to pick the vehicle up yourself.

3
3. Avail
Best For: Airport convenience

3. Avail

  • Unique airport-based operation in Denver and Chicago.
  • Transparent pricing; rentals covered by Allstate insurance and 24/7 assistance.
  • Competitive pricing but limited location availability.
Read More

Avail sets itself apart from other peer-to-peer car rental services with one unique feature: it operates out of airports! 

This means that car owners drop their vehicles at the airport before their travels, and Avail will list it on their app as available for another user to rent. 

The pricing of a rental can vary based on the location, make, and model of the car. However, Avail is extremely transparent and you will be aware of all costs before you rent the vehicle. 

One of its best features is that all rides are covered by Allstate insurance and that there is 24/7 roadside assistance available should anything go wrong while you’re out and about. 

Users also love how easy to use the app is, as everything is in one place and you can even pay using the app. 

Avail prides itself on competitive pricing, which is a significant pro of the platform. 

However, its major downside is that it is only available in Denver and Chicago, which greatly limits whether or not you can use the service.

4
4. HyreCar
Best For: Rideshare drivers

4. HyreCar

  • Specializes in rentals for ridesharing/delivery drivers; operates in all 50 states.
  • Flexible rental duration set by vehicle owners; varied insurance options.
  • Ideal for earning extra cash with rideshare/delivery but less profitable than owning a car.
Read More

HyreCar is slightly different from other peer-to-peer car rental platforms, as it only allows users to rent vehicles to use them to drive for ridesharing or delivery platforms (such as Uber.)

The platform operates in all 50 states; however, they have more of a presence in main centers such as Washington D.C, Miami, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. 

The owner of the vehicle will set the rental fee and dictate how long the vehicle is available. Users simply use the app to locate an available vehicle near them, book a car, and pick it up!

Vehicle safety is taken very seriously by Hyrecar, which is why there are four different levels of insurance that car owners can choose from. 

This is a highly advantageous service for anyone who wishes to make some extra cash driving for a company such as Uber but doesn’t own an appropriate car. 

However, keep in mind that drivers using Hyrecar to rent a vehicle will not make as much profit compared to drivers who own their cars due to the rental fees.

5
5. Outdoorsy
Best For: RV/campervan adventurers

5. Outdoorsy

  • Offers RVs and campervans nationwide, especially near tourist attractions.
  • Variable pricing, including peak season rates; includes insurance and 24/7 support.
  • Suitable for short-term, affordable RV/campervan rentals; subject to owner's rules.
Read More

Outdoorsy takes the concept of peer-to-peer car rentals up a notch by providing heavier-duty vehicles such as RVs and campervans on their platform!

It is available across the country, with a particular concentration of vehicles in tourist hotspots such as National Parks and key scenic highways. 

Pricing will vary based on the type of vehicle that you rent, as well as whether you’re renting during peak season and the preferences of the vehicle owner. 

The rental fee also includes insurance, 24,7 roadside assistance, and 24/7 customer service availability – providing peace of mind to the vehicle's owner and renter. 

Outdoorsy is perfect if you need an affordable RV or motorhome for a short period of time but don’t want to rent from an expensive rental company. 

However, due to the vehicles being privately owned, you may find the owner has set a long list of rules you must follow when renting the vehicle.

How to Choose the Right Platform

With so many peer-to-peer car rental services already on the market all offering a similar service and experience, it can be difficult to choose the right platform.

This is why you need to think about your individual needs first, and then choose a platform based on which ones meet your personal requirements!

One of the most important factors is location as not all platforms are available in every area. Do your research and find out which platforms are available in the area that you are traveling to.

Once you have narrowed the platforms down to those based in your desired area, you can start to look at other factors such as price, available car types, and even whether or not the car is able to be delivered to a specific location.

Think about what you want from your car rental.

Are you looking for a budget-friendly way to get around town? Or, are you embarking on a vacation where the main goal is to treat yourself, so you need a higher-end vehicle?

These preferences should help you choose the right platform based on your needs and ensure you are happy with your rental and the platform you have chosen.

Tips for Renters on Peer-to-Peer Platforms

Here are some of our top tips for renters on peer-to-peer rental platforms to ensure you get the most out of your car rental experience:

1. Shop Around

It is a well-known fact that different platforms and companies offer different pricing, and this extends to peer-to-peer car rental platforms.

Before committing to a rental, make sure you have checked all available platforms in your desired area with the required dates to ensure that you are getting the best price possible.

You might be surprised at how much prices can vary between platforms!

2. Check to See if Insurance is Included

The last thing you want when renting a car is to damage it, and find out later that your rental fee didn’t include insurance!

Make sure you check that insurance is included in your fee, and if not, explore the options available to you to ensure you don’t incur any hefty repair bills in the future

3. Take Steps to Avoid Vehicle Damage

Not only are you renting a car that isn’t yours, but it is likely someone’s personal vehicle – so it is important to take care not to damage it!

Familiarize yourself with local road rules and ensure you are driving safely to mitigate the chances of damaging your rental.

The Future of Peer-to-Peer Car Rentals

While traditional car rentals still hold a majority of the market, peer-to-peer car rental services are slowly on the rise and will soon become a staple for travelers across the world.

Companies are popping up worldwide (particularly in Europe), and their user bases are slowly but steadily growing.

In fact, Research and Markets have predicted the industry will see a 17,6% growth by 2030 and see a valuation of tens of millions in no time at all.

This is because peer-to-peer rentals are so much cheaper and more convenient than traditional services.

In the same way we now turn to apps to book taxis, order food, and even reserve accommodation, we may soon do the same for short-term car rentals!

We expect peer-to-peer car rental platforms to soon take the world by storm in the same way that ridesharing apps did in the 2010s; it’s certainly an industry that we will be watching closely to see how it develops!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions surrounding peer-to-peer car rentals to help answer any further queries you may have:

What is the Difference Between Peer-to-Peer and Car Sharing?

The key difference between peer-to-peer and car-sharing services is that peer-to-peer rentals are always privately owned.

While both offer rental services on demand (and usually via an app), some car-sharing services own fleets of cars that are then rented out via their platform.

Peer-to-peer (as the name suggests) only ever offers cars that are owned by individuals.

Are Peer-to-Peer Car Rentals Good or Bad?

Peer-to-peer car rentals are good, as they offer a convenient way to rent a car for a short period.

They offer a whole host of unique features, such as the ability to rent by the hour, the option to have the vehicle delivered to you, and competitive pricing to help keep the overall cost of your vacation down.

Wrapping Up

Peer-to-peer car rentals are an exciting new option for travelers across the world. While the industry is still in its beginning stages, it will likely take off in the next decade due to how convenient the business model is.

While it might not be the most popular rental option yet, we encourage you to get a head start now and explore peer-to-peer rentals as an option next time you are traveling and need a vehicle!

Chances are, there is already a platform that suits you and your individual needs.

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