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Compare carshare car insurance
Make sure you have enough coverage when you borrow a car with Turo, Zipcar or Getaround
If you live in a city where owning a car is more expensive and a bigger hassle than you want, carshare services can be a great alternative. After all, gas, maintenance, parking and insurance are all included in the package. But if you get in an accident, its insurance coverage may not be enough to make it through unscathed.
Carshare insurance, explained
Most carshare services provide insurance as part of the rental process. But limits in coverage and high damage fees could push you to purchase extra insurance.
What kind of car insurance do I need for carsharing?
One of the benefits of using carshare services is that you don’t need a personal car insurance policy to have protection. But these services often only provide the minimum coverage required by the state where you rent.
If you want to make sure you — and your wallet — are fully protected, consider the following options:
- Your existing auto policy. If you own your own car and only use carshares for special occasions, the part of your personal policy that covers rental cars should also cover damages to carshare rides.
- Your credit card coverage. Similar to personal car insurance, some credit cards offer rental car coverage that can extend to carshare services. Simply check with your credit card provider before relying on it.
- Nonowner car insurance. Some insurance companies offer policies for drivers of other people’s cars, which could be worth looking into if you’re going to regularly use a carshare service.
What kind of insurance do carshare companies provide?
The fine print of your membership contract spells out the coverage offered by your carshare service, but the table below can give you a more specific idea of what some of the more popular companies offer.
| Service | Coverage type | Amount of coverage | Damage fee | Additional protection plans | 24/7 roadside assistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zipcar | Comprehensive Liability PIP | Minimum required by jurisdiction Varies by enrollment date | Up to $1,000 | Plus: Reduces your fee to $375 Premium: Reduces your fee to $0 | Yes |
| Getaround | Comprehensive Collision Liability | Up to $1 million | Standard Cars: up to $1,000 Specialty Cars: up to $2,500 | Plus: Reduces your fee to $250 Premium: Reduces your fee to $0 | Yes |
| Enterprise CarShare | Varies by program and the state where the care is rented | Minimum liability as required by law, with the option to purchase additional liability protection | Varies by program and state, but averages a $1,000 physical damage fee | None | Yes |
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How much does carshare insurance cost?
Most insurance is included in your annual membership fees, or is listed as an additional fee on your rental total when you reserve a car. But make sure to read your membership contract so you know exactly what coverage you have. You may find options to purchase additional coverage as you pay for your rental.
How do I make a claim after an accident in my carshare vehicle?
If you’re involved in an accident or other incident where someone is injured, call 911 immediately then follow the steps below as soon as you’re safe. If no one is injured, you can skip to following these steps:
- Call the police to report the accident.
- Call the carshare service to inform them of the accident and follow any directions they give you.
- File a police report, take pictures of the damage and gather information about any other cars and drivers involved.
- Following the terms of your policy, you may need to fill out a company incident report in addition to the police report.
- Let the carshare service deal with the towing and repairs to the vehicle. If you have the car towed or repaired on your own, you could end up responsible for those charges with no reimbursement.
- Help the claim administrator as much as you can, and then wait for the carshare company to contact you about any damage fees you may owe.
Bottom line
The insurance provided as part of your carshare membership should be plenty to cover any small incidents that occur. But regular users might benefit from shopping around for extra coverage.
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