4 Alternatives to Rental Cars
Hannah DeWitt
· 3 min read
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The
pandemic
has made it difficult to rent a car, and people aren’t happy about it. Not only have rental prices gone up, but it’s nearly impossible to find a rental car
in some locations. Rental brands like Hertz
have experienced car shortages which have forced some people to make vehicle reservations more than two days in advance.On July 8, singer-actor Audra McDonald expressed her frustration on
Twitter
after realizing that Hertz had no rental cars in Atlanta. To avoid similar situations yourself, you’ll want to find other viable transportation options.
The Drive
recommends the following alternatives for renting a vehicle in the United States.
Turo
Turo is a peer-to-peer car-sharing marketplace established in San Francisco. The online platform allows individuals to sign up and post an ad to rent out their vehicle. This website functions similarly to Airbnb and has local hosts across the U.S., U.K., and Canada.
To
book a car using Turo
, you’ll need to register for an account. The age limit for using the platform starts at 18 in the U.S., 23 in Canada, and 21 in the U.K. You must also have a valid driver's license. Once you’ve taken a few minutes to register and been approved by the site, you’re good to start renting.Through the Turo Seed Initiative, any person in the U.S. can apply for an interest-free loan to help finance their Turo car-sharing business. However, it is challenging for Turo owners to operate in states like New York due to insurance complications.
U-Haul
U-Haul is a good option if you are looking for a rental vehicle to haul bulky items or belongings. Established in 1945, U-Haul was founded to meet the growing need for people to self-move their items.
The company offers rental trucks, cargo vans, U-Box containers, trailers, labor, and storage facilities to meet customers’ moving needs.
U-Haul rates are budget-friendly
, and they are determined by factors like the date of the move, trailer size, and the destinations. There is also no mileage charge for trailer or towing rentals. Hagerty DriveShare
Hagerty DriveShare is another online platform with a similar business model to Turo. This service is offered by Hagerty, a car insurance company based in Michigan that specializes in coverage for exotic and vintage cars.
Some people want to drive a classic car for a special occasion and can’t afford to purchase or maintain it, making Hagerty a great
temporary option
. With a free membership, people can list their vehicles for rent or find one to rent themselves as long as they’re over 25.Revel
Revel is a New York based company that offers Tesla rideshare services and moped rentals. With only a driver's license, you can rent an electric moped—and a pair of helmets—with a speed of 30 mph.
The Tesla rideshare service is currently only available in New York City and it’s a solid alternative to Uber and Lyft. The company hires Tesla vehicles and removes the front passenger seat to create more legroom for customers.
Will the rental car deficit last?
The strain on rental car supply
could last for at least another year
. Travelers should plan ahead and look into available local transportation options. If you want to save money on car insurance,
Jerry
can provide you with competitive quotes in under a minute. Swapping is just as effortless. Jerry takes care of all the paperwork and phone calls and even can assist you in cancelling your old policy!
