How to Contact Zipcar Customer Service: 3 Methods You Can Use

If you want the convenience of a car without the trouble (and expense) of car ownership, then Zipcar can be a great option.

Founded in Boston in 2000, Zipcar is a car-sharing network that now functions as a subsidiary of Avis Budget Group. It’s available in dozens of cities across the U.S. and the globe, and it gives you access to the car you need with a gas card and insurance coverage.

Furthermore, Zipcar has partnered with university campuses across the U.S. to bring them on-demand access to vehicles. And with programs such as Zipcar for Business, small businesses can have the convenience of company cars without the cost or annoyance of maintaining a fleet.

As great as the service is, sometimes you may have a question or issue. During these times, it’s important to know your options for customer support, as well as how to contact them.

To make this easier, we’ve created this guide, which outlines the three different methods you can use to receive Zipcar customer support. We’ll also take a look at how you can resolve some common issues that arise when using Zipcar.

Related: What is car sharing and how does it work?

Method 1: Zipcar Help Center

If you have a general question about using Zipcar, the Zipcar Help Center should be your first stop. In the help center, you can search for answers to many common questions about using the Zipcar service. Visit the Zipcar Help Center page to get started.

From there, type your question or keyword related to it into the search field:

You’ll then be able to see results related to your question:

If an article doesn’t answer your question, you can click the “Thumbs Down” icon below it. This will then automatically direct you to Zipcar email support (though you’ll need to sign in to access it).

Method 2: Zipcar Email Support

If you haven’t had any luck with the Help Center (or don’t want to bother with it), then you can contact Zipcar support via email at [email protected]. Be sure to provide a clear explanation of your problem, including images if you can.

You shouldn’t expect an immediate response, so this isn’t the best method if you have an urgent issue. For specific, non-urgent questions, however, it can be a good method to use.

Method 3: Zipcar Phone Support

If you need help with your Zipcar immediately, then phone support is the way to go. You can contact Zipcar via phone at 1-866-494-7227. Customer service representatives are available at this number Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST.

According to GetHuman, the average wait time when contacting Zipcar customer service via phone is 15 minutes. The precise wait time varies based on the time of day and how popular Zipcar is in your city, as well as the current demand for support.

5 Common Zipcar Issues (and Their Solutions)

Before you contact Zipcar customer service to begin with, let’s look at some of the more common questions or problems that people have with the service.

In many cases, the solution to your issue is already well-documented on the Zipcar website, with standard protocols in place for addressing it. Let’s look at a few such issues:

1. How Do I Become a Zipcar Member?

To sign up for Zipcar, just visit Zipcar.com/pricing.

From there, the Zipcar website will automatically detect your city and prompt you to select a membership plan (if Zipcar is available in your location). In most cities, you have the option of paying either by the month or by the year.

Note that this membership fee gives you access to the Zipcar platform. It does not cover the cost of reserving and using vehicles. For that, you’ll pay a separate hourly, daily, or weekly rate.

2. How Do I Report a Lost or Damaged Zipcard?

If you lose or damage your Zipcard, the company can send you a new one via USPS First-Class mail. Just call the company at 1-866-494-7227 and tell them what happened. You get one free Zipcard replacement per year. Each replacement after that is $15.

3. How Do I Make a One-Way Reservation?

With Zipcar One Way, you can pick up and drop off your vehicle on your terms — no one has the car reserved after you. One-way reservations are only available between select locations in Boston (for now).

4. How Do I Report Damage to a Zipcar?

Before each Zipcar trip, you should inspect the vehicle to ensure that it is clean, undamaged, and safe to drive. If you find any of the following issues, you should report them to Zipcar via the mobile app:

• Damage: Any vehicle damage, including dents or scratches larger than the size of a credit card.
• Fuel: You should have at least 1/4 tank of gas.
• Cleanliness: The car should be clean.
• Warning Lights: Make sure no warning lights are illuminated.

To report the above issues, open the Zipcar app and tap “report a problem” on the current trip screen. You will then be able to submit a photo and provide a brief description.

If you believe the car is unsafe to drive (for instance, if the tire is flat or the windshield is broken), then you should call Zipcar at 1-866-494-7227. They’ll do their best to find you a car that is safe.

5. How Do I Use Zipcar at My University?

Tired of hitching a ride with your friend every time you need to go somewhere? Zipcar could be the solution. The company has partnered with over 600 universities across the U.S. to make cars available to you on demand. To see if your university participates, visit the Zipcar University Car Share page and type in the name of your school.

And for a limited time, you can earn $25 in free driving credit when you sign up with our Zipcard promo code.

Find the Answers You Seek

We hope you now know you to contact Zipcar customer service about any issue you might have, as well as how to solve some of the most common Zipcar problems.

Need support for another transportation platform? Check out our guides to contacting Lyft customer support and Uber customer support.