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How The Uber Rental Car Program Works For Drivers In 2023

Learn about Uber rental cars, and how they work. We'll cover what they are, what to expect, and how they compare to traditional rental companies.

Key Takeaways

  • Uber Rentals, also known as Uber Rent, allows users to book rental cars from companies like Avis and Hertz through the Uber app.
  • The service includes a simplified rental process and offers incentives like a 10% rebate in Uber Cash.
  • Rental options are flexible, offering a range of vehicles for different needs, and prices start at $180 per week for Uber drivers.
  • Rentals include basic liability auto insurance, and users have the option to purchase additional insurance.

What Are Uber Rental Cars?

Uber Rentals, also known as Uber Rent, is a car rental service integrated into the Uber app, allowing users to book rental cars from companies like Avis and Hertz directly through the app.

The service aims to streamline the car rental experience with a simplified, user-friendly process and offers incentives like a 10% rebate on bookings with Uber Cash.

Uber Rent responds to a shortage of rental cars and provides a convenient option for users needing a vehicle for personal use. Additionally, Uber plans to launch a valet service to deliver rental cars to customers, enhancing the convenience of the service.

How Uber Rental Car Works

Hiring a car from Uber is easy. It works just like a normal car rental – just with a little more flexibility and a greater amount of options to choose from:

1. Booking your rental

Using either Uber Rent online or the Uber app, you can browse available vehicles in the area and select the best option for your needs. The interface will give you options for different vehicle types available, prices, and add-ons you may need.

2. Pick up or use Valet

Pick up your rental car at the rental location; remember to come with your driver’s license! For even more convenience, use the valet service where a driver will drop the car off right to your front door.

3. Return the car

Return your car at the agreed time and place once you are done using it. Easy! 

Types of Vehicles and Rental Options

There are a range of rental options available via Uber, and these will often vary from location to location.

However, you can filter your search when looking for rental options by size. Uber offers vehicles ranging from BMW 3 Series and Ford Fiestas to a Jeep Compass and Kia Souls.

If you have specific needs, Uber rentals can also cater to them! Cars can be customized to suit children, families, and sports people.

Add-ons can include:

  • Bike racks
  • Car seats
  • Ski racks.

Rental Options

Uber allows flexibility when booking your rental car. Whether you need a rental car for two days or two months, there are options for both short and long-term rentals with fair pricing plans.

If you’re planning on hiring a car to become an Uber driver and earning some cash, there are also hourly, daily, and weekly rental options available! 

How Much Do Uber Rentals Cost?

Uber Rental Cars start at a base price of $180 per week. If a driver completes 75 rides in a week, this cost reduces to $0, effectively offering free car rental for active drivers.

However, this base rate does not include additional fees or add-ons. This pricing model is beneficial for ride-share drivers, particularly those who plan to work only a few days a week, as it offers significant savings over time.

Comparing Uber Rental Car Pricing with Direct Rental

Renting directly from a company like Enterprise, an Uber partner, typically costs around $215 per week, excluding extra fees. Opting for Uber Rent can lead to annual savings of about $420 if a car is rented for one week each month through Uber instead of going direct.

Uber Rental Car Pricing Explained in Detail

  • Deposit: depending on the rental company you hire from, you may be required to pay a deposit. For example, with Hertz weekly, you’ll pay a refundable $200 security deposit which is reliable when you return the car. With Avis, on the other hand, you won’t need to make a deposit.
  • Insurance: All rental offers available through Uber’s Vehicle Marketplace will have insurance included in the price. However, some companies offer the option to purchase additional insurance (such as comprehensive insurance).
  • Payment: Weekly rentals start at $260 per week before tax, with different pricing plans depending on the duration of hire
  • Cancellation Fees: Cancellation fees will vary depending on the company’s specific policies.

Tip: Drivers can also explore peer-to-peer car rental options as an alternative way to save on costs when renting a car for Uber driving.

Do Uber Rentals Include Insurance?

Yes, Uber Rentals do include insurance. Each vehicle rented through Uber’s third-party rental partners comes with basic liability auto insurance. This ensures that drivers are protected in case of accidents.

Additionally, maintenance for these vehicles is covered, providing drivers with the reassurance of using a safe and well-maintained car.

Drivers have the option to purchase additional insurance when making their reservations. While this incurs an extra cost, it offers more comprehensive protection in the event of an accident.

Deciding whether to opt for additional insurance depends on the driver’s willingness to bear potential damage costs versus the expense of additional coverage they might not use.

Regarding safety, rental cars, including those from Uber Rent, are generally considered safe. A report by Enterprise Holdings, Inc. found that 60% of drivers perceive car rentals as safe, a higher rate compared to air travel, which only 24% considered as the safest form of travel.

Advantages of Using Uber Rental Car

Convenience

Uber’s rentals provide people with a convenient and flexible option to access a vehicle without the long-term commitment and costs of vehicle ownership.

This is particularly useful for people who may not have a suitable vehicle or those who prefer not to use their personal cars for ride-sharing or personal trips.

Ease of Use

Drivers can use the Uber app or the Uber website to book a rental vehicle and select their preferred rental car type and duration of hire, without the complexities of other traditional car rentals!

Flexibility

Drivers can choose the rental duration that suits their needs, whether that’s for a few hours, a day, or even months!

This flexibility allows people to adapt to fluctuating demand or personal schedules without being tied to a long-term, inflexible lease, especially when they are not using the car.

 Comparing Uber Rental Car with Traditional Car Rentals

Ease of Hire

Unlike most car hire services, Uber’s rental service offers a streamlined process all within the Uber app.

This allows you to easily access rental options, choose a vehicle, and initiate the rental—all from your phone!

However, some people will prefer to go and hire a car in person. These people may prefer using traditional car rental services instead of an online platform.

Flexibility

Uber’s rental service often provides the best flexibility in terms of rental durations. You can hire a car for an hour and up to 6 months! This allows you to effectively plan your work, and budget your finances.

If you need to rent the car for a longer period or cancel your rental, you have the ability to do so all from the app. No phone calls, no emails, no in-person visits are needed!

Earning potential

Uber car rentals allow you to earn money through ride-sharing without the long-term commitment of vehicle ownership.

It provides an opportunity for people who don’t own a car or prefer not to use their personal vehicle for ride-sharing to earn some extra cash.

In contrast, traditional car rentals may not be suitable or permitted to be used for financial endeavors.

Because you are able to hire cars all from your phone, you can quickly choose to hire a car when you have some free time to make some extra cash!

Tips for a Smooth Rental Experience with Uber

1. Choosing the right vehicle

An obvious but necessary tip is to choose the right vehicle for your needs. Uber has access to a wide range of vehicles, so choosing the right one for you is important.

Uber’s cars will vary in terms of their passenger capacity and fuel efficiency and can have additional features such as car seats or bike racks that you may find helpful.

It is important to choose a vehicle that not only aligns with your preferences and needs but also your diverse range of customers if you’re planning on using the car as a rideshare driver.

2. Add additional insurance

In most cases, it can be useful to add on comprehensive insurance so you can drive without the worry of paying excess insurance fees if something goes wrong.

Insurance additions vary between rental partners, but will often start from about $20/week extra – a worthwhile investment!

Have a look at the rental agreement and ask about additional coverage before hiring a car.

3. Familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions:

Carefully read the terms and conditions of the rental agreement. For example, some cars may have mileage limits and it is best to not be surprised by this after you return the car.

 It is also important to understand the insurance coverage and any additional fees or charges so that you can plan ahead and not be left with any nasty surprises!

What I Think of Uber’s Rental Program

Rental prices, set by the rental companies, can be relatively high, often making it more costly than using a personal vehicle.

For instance, renting a Tesla through Uber’s partnership with Hertz in Los Angeles costs around $447 per week, including tax and insurance, plus a $200 deposit. Gas cars start at about $260/week, potentially rising to around $350/week with added costs.

While these rates might be higher than some corporate discounts, like a $30/day rate with Enterprise, they offer an alternative for those without a personal vehicle or seeking a short-term solution.

However, long-term financial viability compared to owning a car is debatable, especially considering car expenses, depreciation, and insurance factors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Did Uber Get into the Rental Car Space?

Uber entered the rental car space due to a shortage of rental cars resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

As travel halted, rental companies sold off their fleets, creating an opportunity for Uber to diversify its offerings, attract new customers, and facilitate easier entry for potential ride-share drivers without personal vehicles.

This expansion also opens avenues for car owners to earn passively by renting out their vehicles.

What Happens to Uber Rent Cars When Uber Is Done with Them?

Typically, once a car has been a rental car for a certain period, merchants sell it within the marketplace.

You can find these cars available at used car dealerships, typically for a great price despite their recent production.

The reduced price often results from the increased mileage.

Wrapping Up

Whether you’re looking at making some extra bucks on the side as an Uber driver or are looking at going away with the family for a weekend, Uber rentals offer a convenient, flexible way to hire a vehicle.

Uber’s flexible rental options allow you to rent cars by the hour, day, or month. Their extensive range of car rentals allows people to choose from a wide range of vehicle types.

Additionally, because they have partnered up with rental companies such as AVIS, you’ll have access to the best availability and a wide variety of add-on options.

Uber rental cars are set to replace traditional car rental services and are becoming an increasingly popular way to rent cars. After all, it can be done all from the comfort of your home (and phone!).

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