Roam review: Car subscription service
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Our verdict
Pay-as-you-go car subscriptions let you avoid the long-term cost and commitment of car ownership.
Roam is a car subscription service that allows you to rent a car on a monthly basis. Pay a monthly fee and you get access to a late-model vehicle to drive. The cost includes insurance, routine maintenance and roadside assistance. There are no long-term contracts to worry about, and you can choose from sedans and SUVs as well as gas, hybrid and electric vehicles. However, you'll need to consider other options if you don't live in the Greater Toronto Area. Whether Roam is worth it depends on how often you drive.
Pros
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Easy to sign up
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Tailor a plan to suit your needs
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Over 40 models to choose from
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Insurance, routine maintenance and roadside assistance included
Cons
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Only one Canadian location in Toronto
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You need to pay a security deposit
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If the car is damaged and you need to make a claim, insurance deductibles start at $2,500
What is Roam?
Roam is a car subscription service based in Toronto. It allows you to lease a recent-model car for as little as one month, with over 20 models to choose from.
Your monthly subscription fee includes insurance cover, routine maintenance costs and 24/7 roadside assistance. Under a standard subscription, you can drive up to 2,000km per month. You can also lock a car in for a longer subscription if you wish or just pay-as-you-go every 30 days.
A Roam subscription allows you to avoid the long-term contracts associated with leasing a car. You can return the car when you no longer need it or switch to a different vehicle from Roam’s range if your needs change.
Is Roam legitimate?
Yes. Previously known as Curbo, Roam was founded in 2020 by Apoorv Gupta. The company is headquartered in Toronto, has an active online presence and continues to generate independent customer reviews.
According to the Roam website, locations in Calgary, Montreal, Vancouver will be coming soon in Canada as well as locations in Austin, Orlando, and Miami in the US.
What we like about Roam
- Easy sign-up process. You can sign up online with Roam in a matter of minutes. Approvals take up to one business day, and you can then schedule a time to collect your vehicle.
- Flexible plans. Choose from one of four plans: Basic, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
- Drive 2,000km per month. The standard Roam plan includes 2,000km mileage per month, but you can upgrade it to 2,500km or 3,000km (for an additional fee) to suit your driving needs.
- Included features. Your monthly subscription fee includes the use of the vehicle as well as insurance cover, routine maintenance such as oil changes and 24/7 roadside assistance.
- Plenty of choice. Whether you want a sedan or SUV, gas or electric, Roam offers over 20 models.
- Change your vehicle. Unlike buying a car, you’re not stuck with that particular vehicle. You can swap to a different model.
- Delivery available. If you can’t get to Roam’s office to pick up your vehicle, it can be delivered to your door for an additional fee.
- No credit checks. You can sign up for a Roam subscription without undergoing a hard credit enquiry. However, if you have minimal car insurance history, you may need to complete a soft credit check.
What to watch out for
- Not suited to all drivers. If you need a car for the long term, you may be better off buying or leasing a vehicle. For occasional use, it’s also worth considering car sharing services.
- Toronto only. Roam is headquartered in Toronto and doesn’t have any other Canadian locations at the time of writing, so drivers in other cities will need to look elsewhere.
- Security deposit. You’re required to pay a security deposit from $500 to $1,500. Higher deposits apply to more expensive luxury vehicles.
- Insurance deductible. Roam’s insurance coverage comes with deductibles starting at $2,500. So if you’re in a collision or the car is stolen or damaged, an insurance claim could cost you a lot.
Roam reviews
As of April 19, 2024, Roam had the following review scores:
- An average score of 4.9 out of 5 from 468 Google reviews.
- An average score of 4.6 out of 5 from 44 Trustpilot reviews.
Customers who left positive reviews praised Roam for its easy sign-up process, helpful customer service and high-quality condition of its vehicles. Some negative reviewers criticized the need to have past auto insurance history in order to qualify for a subscription.
What vehicles does Roam offer?
Roam offers sedans, SUVs and pick-up trucks, with gas, electric and hybrid models available. Below are some examples:
- Volkswagen Tiguan Comfortline
- Toyota Corolla LE
- Toyota Camry SE AWD
- Chevrolet Trailblazer LS
- Hyundai Elantra Preferred
- Nissan Sentra SV
- Nissan Altima S AWD
- Tesla Model 3 Standard
- Honda CR-V Hybrid EX-L
How to take out a car subscription with Roam
You can sign up with Roam by completing the following steps:
- Click through to the Roam website and click the “Sign Up” link.
- Enter your name and contact details before creating a password.
- Provide your driver’s licence details and any other documentation required.
- Select the vehicle you want, your subscription plan (usually monthly or three months) and whether you want additional mileage.
- The Roam team will process your application and conduct a background check.
- Once you’re approved, you can set up your payment method before paying a security deposit.
- Schedule a date to pick up your car or have it delivered.
- Sign the subscription agreement.
- Get your car and start driving.
Am I eligible for a Roam car subscription?
You’ll need to meet these eligibility requirements to qualify for a Roam subscription:
- Must have a valid Canadian, US or international driver’s licence
- Must be 23 years of age or older
- Must have at least one year of driving insurance history (Roam says an exception may be made for those who have held a G licence for over two years)
- Must not have any major criminal convictions or moving violations
- Must not have had more than one at-fault accident in the past three years
Please note that if you have minimal insurance history, you may be asked to participate in a soft credit check.
Requirements for holders of international driver’s licences:
- Insurance history or Letter of Insurance Experience from previous insurance providers
- Driver’s abstract (typically issued by your home country’s ministry of transportation)
How much will a Roam car subscription cost?
There are several factors that affect how much your subscription will cost:
- The car you choose. As you’d expect, luxury and larger models cost more to rent. We’ve outlined the cost of some popular models in the table below.
- The plan you choose. You’ll pay less per month if you sign up for a three-month subscription instead of a one-month subscription.
- Your mileage limit. A standard subscription allows you to drive up to 2,000km per month. You can increase this to either 2,500km or 3,000km for an additional fee.
- Your subscription fee and security deposit. You’ll need to pay subscription activation fee when you sign up. A refundable security deposit is also required – this varies depending on the vehicle, but it’s $500 for an entry-level model like the Chevrolet Spark.
- If you have your car delivered. If you choose to have the vehicle delivered to your door, you’ll pay extra to cover the cost of this valet service.
Check out the table below to get an idea of the cost of a Roam subscription:
| Model | Monthly subscription fee (three-month plan excluding HST) | Auto insurance | Total monthly cost (excluding HST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Nissan Sentra SV | $292.08 | $200 | $1,124.92 |
| 2024 Toyota Corolla LE | $313.00 | $200 | $1,139.00 |
| 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS | $257.00 | $200 | $1,228.00 |
Bottom line
If you need short-term use of a vehicle from time to time, a Roam car subscription is well worth a look – with a few caveats. If you’re not in Toronto, for example, you’ll need to consider other options. It’s also worth considering the costs of a subscription fee, refundable deposit and insurance deductible that applies in case of a claim on Roam’s auto insurance policy.
Ultimately, consider your driving needs carefully and compare Roam with other car subscription companies to decide if it’s right for you.
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