Getaround

• Customization
• Rental Rates
• Review and Report System
• Getaround Connect

Customization

GetAround is available through their website and mobile app. Information on where to pick up and drop off a vehicle is provided by the car owner, and all payment is performed through the app. Renters can choose which vehicle to rent based on vehicle profiles available.

The ability to customize your own experience is beyond the scope of many of GetAround's competitors. Users have new options every time they go to select a car in a new location, and they can choose a size, style, and price according to their preferences. Users potentially have thousands of vehicle types to choose from. However, the vehicles available vary based on service area.

Rental Rates

Additionally, the rental rates are much lower than many other car share services (obviously depending on the type of car rented). With no initial or annual membership fees, GetAround is a great option for those who want a fast rental and who aren't looking to commit to frequent rides. GetAround offers free memberships and pricing as low as $5/hour. Daily rentals are also available. Prices vary by car type, owner, length of rental, etc.

Review and Report System

GetAround has a review and report system in place to help keep all rentals professional. Additionally, GetAround has taken steps to make the rental experience seamless for both renters and rentees. For example, all GetAround vehicles now come with automatic toll charges for passing through FasTrak toll lanes.

GetAround cars are owned and managed individually by the car owner. For this reason, max usability may vary from owner to owner. Generally, you can go 200 miles each day in a GetAround car. If you exceed those miles, you'll be charged $.40 per mile. Most GetAround cars can be rented by the hour, day, or week.

Getaround Connect 

All cars on GetAround have a special Connect device that allows users to unlock their shared car remotely. Owners and verified renters can access the car's locks. This saves owners the hassle of having to meet renters in-person. It also has an anti-theft function to disable the starter if it is not being used by the owner or a verified renter.

Vehicle owners who list their car on GetAround are charged initial and monthly fees for the Connect device. A 30-day free trial is offered. 

• Quality
• Additional Costs
• Availability

Quality

Because GetAround uses cars that are owned and cared for by individual contractors, there is no guarantee that all cars will have the same quality. GetAround does have a new-car policy (all cars should be from the year 2000 or later) to try to combat this discrepancy, but wear and tear on vehicles could be significantly different.

Additional Costs

Additionally, GetAround's insurance policy has drivers responsible for initial costs, which means increased liability when you get behind the wheel. Gas is not included in the rental price; renters are expected to return the vehicle with the same amount of gas as when the rental period began.

Since GetAround does not include gas or other added benefits, when you pay for GetAround, you are solely paying to drive the car in one round trip. While there are rather apparent benefits of using Getaround, we have a few concerns:

• Fees do not include gas
• Fees do no include roadside assistance
• Only available in 5 cities

Availability

GetAround is only available in San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Los Angeles, Portland, Chicago, Washington DC, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Seattle, Boston, New York City, and Miami. Like popular ride-sharing apps, GetAround allows users to rent cars from everyday car owners, which means availability depends on the number of car owners who volunteer their vehicle in a given area.

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Damage Fee

GetAround offers comprehensive, collision, and liability insurance during the rental period for all members. However, there is a $750 damage deductible per incident, which is the responsibility of the renter. Also, GetAround has a late fee of $50/hour.