Car Sharing Insurance for Turo, GetAround, Zipcar and Hiyacar

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Car Sharing Insurance: What It Is and What It Cover

Are you using a car sharing platform such as Turo, GetAround or Hiyacar? Car sharing insurance is specialized coverage designed to protect both vehicle owners and renters participating in peer-to-peer (P2P) car rentals through platforms like Turo, Getaround, or Zipcar. Unlike traditional rental car insurance, car sharing insurance addresses the unique risks of private individuals renting their personal vehicles to strangers. This coverage typically protects against liability, physical damage, and theft that occurs during P2P rental periods

If you’re renting a car through a P2P platform, our coverage ensures renters are protected against potential excess charges and unexpected damages. With tailored policies for flexible and affordable protection, CarInsuRent keeps you safeguarded, so you can focus on a seamless car-sharing experience.

Car Sharing excess insurance

What is insured?

• Excess reimbursement up to US$ 3,000
• Towing charges up to US$ 500
• Improper fuel charges up to US$ 500
• Loss or theft of keys up to US$ 250
• Vehicle return charges up to US$ 250

What is not covered?

• Damage to the vehicle or property of a third party
• Damage caused by a person not authorized to drive the rented vehicle
• Mechanical failure of the rented vehicle
• Loss or damage to the vehicle’s interior that is not related to a collision.
• Parking tickets or fines, traffic violations and such
• Any loss that occurs outside the validity of the insurance
• Any rental contract of more than 45 days

Is the coverage subject to any type of restrictions?

• Any claim resulting from a direct breach of any of the terms and conditions of your rental agreement
• Any person under 21 or above 84 years of age
• Rentals that begin or end outside the insurance period, as indicated on the insurance certificate
• The policyholder must be designated as the main driver in the rental agreement
• The maximum amount that can be claimed for a single loss is US$ 3,000
• Damage to Recreational vehicles (RVs) / Motorhomes / Campervans

Where do I have coverage?

• Anywhere in the world except trips in, to or through Afghanistan, Cuba, Congo, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Liberia, North Korea, Myanmar, Russia, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine and Zimbabwe

What are my obligations?

• When applying for your policy, you must exercise reasonable care to honestly and carefully answer any questions asked.
• You must take all reasonable steps to avoid or reduce any loss (for example, you must report accidents or other damage to your rental company nd to CarInsuRent as soon as reasonably possible).
• If you make a claim, you must provide the documents and other evidence that claims handlers need to process your claim.
• You must repay any sums to which you are not entitled (for example, if we pay your claim for an accident which is later compensated by a third party).
• You must not violate the terms of the rental agreement.

When and how do I make the payment?

• The premium must be paid in full before the policy start date. Payment can be made by credit or debit card or PayPal through our website

What is the start and end date of coverage?

• As set out in the insurance certificate, as agreed in the application process, your policy will cover you from the start date and time of your booking to the end date and time of your booking.

How do I cancel the contract?

• You can cancel your policy before the start date or within 14 days from your purchase through our customer service team.

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Does Your Car Insurance Cover Peer-to-Peer Rentals?

Peer-to-peer (P2P) car-sharing services, like Turo and Getaround, typically require unique insurance policies, as most personal auto insurance policies do not cover cars rented out in P2P networks. In fact, many insurers exclude coverage for vehicles used in commercial rental settings, which includes P2P platforms. However, P2P platforms usually offer their own coverage to protect both the car owner and the renter, though coverage levels and terms can vary. Always confirm with both your insurer and the P2P platform for specific coverage details.

Does Your Credit Card Cover Peer-to-Peer Rentals?

Most credit card rental insurance does not extend coverage to peer-to-peer car rentals, like those on Turo or Getaround. While credit cards often offer collision damage waivers (CDW) for traditional rentals, this benefit usually excludes peer-to-peer platforms due to their unique nature. However, policies vary by card issuer, so it’s important to review your card’s terms or contact your issuer directly.

See How Much You Can Save on Your P2P Car Sharing Rental Coverage

CarInsuRent provides affordable, flexible insurance coverage for rental cars, often at a fraction of the price offered on the Car Sharing Platform. By opting for third-party coverage with CarInsuRent, renters can save significantly while still having peace of mind during their trip. CarInsuRent offers car hire excess insurance policies tailored to travelers who want to avoid costly excess fees in case of damages, allowing car sharing users to minimize expenses without compromising on essential protection.

Let’s take Turo for example:

Turo offers 4 different protection plans for renters. As shown in the table below, each plan costs a different amount and offers different levels of coverage:

Example 3 (Getaround):

Getaround’s protection plans provide insurance coverage for renters in case of vehicle damage from accidents, vandalism, or theft. All rentals are insured regardless of the specific protection plan chosen. Coverage details may vary depending on the renter’s selected plan and your liability can reach US$ 3,000. You can totally eliminate this, if you pay US$ 20.08 per day (see image below). If you are renting a car with Getaround for 7 days, you’ll pay US$ 140.56 for this coverage. If you take out our car sharing excess coverage, with a US$ 3,000 coverage that costs only US$ 103.84 for 7 days, it’ll  save you US$ 36.72, which is 26% less!

Getaround Protection Options

Example 4 (Zipcar):

If you are renting a car using Zipcar, you are responsible for a damage fee of up to the first $1,000 of damage to the Zipcar vehicle. If you wish to eliminate this and reduce your excess to zero, you can pay Zipcar US$ 10.99 a day to cover all car damage fees if your zipcar gets damaged during your trip. If you are renting a car for 7 days, you’ll pay US$ 76.93 for this coverage. If you take out our car sharing excess coverage, with a US$ 1,000 coverage that costs only US$ 43.63 for 7 days, it’ll  save you US$ 33.3, which is 43% less!

Damage During The Rental Period

Before each rental, it is crucial to check the car inside and out and report any damage. This ensures that you will not be held responsible for damage that may have happened before your reservation.

In case of damage, we recommend that you always take pictures of any damages with your phone so we can assess and document the degree of damages if needed.

If your car is damaged, first ensure it’s safe to drive. For serious damage that might worsen by continuing to drive, contact roadside assistance right away. Most car sharing platforms and hosts provide their own roadside assistance. You will find the information on roadside assistance in your rental booking or by contacting the owner.

If the damage is minor and only affects the car’s appearance (like scratches or dents), you can keep driving and report it when returning the car. It’s also recommended to inform the owner about the damage and take photos immediately, storing them on your phone for future reference.

In case of vandalism or theft

The renter should report vandalism or theft of the car to the police. You must immediately contact the owner and inform them about the incident. The owner will immediately (latest straight after finished rental) report the theft to the car sharing platform.

How do you report a damage? 

Report any damages via the app. At the end of the rental period, both you and the car owner should document new damages by uploading photos and providing a brief description during check-in.

Owners may also report damages discovered within 48 hours post-rental using this form.

For accidents with another vehicle, collect the driver’s name, license number, vehicle plate, and witness contacts. Processes vary by country.

What to Do When You are in a Rental Car Accident?

What to Do in Case of an Accident or Damage – If you are involved in an accident while driving a rental car, there are certain steps you should follow to file a claim with the rental car insurance company. First, exchange personal information with the other driver, including name, address, license plate number, rental vehicle information, insurance company, and policy number, and document the accident with pictures and notes. If the other driver is at fault, you should get their contact and insurance information and call their insurance company directly to file a claim. If you are at fault or have non-collision damage, you can file a claim with the rental car insurance company. The process for filing a claim with the rental car insurance company may vary depending on the provider, but typically, you would need to provide details of the incident, including the date, time, and location of the accident, as well as any police report numbers, if applicable. Additionally, you may need to provide documentation of the damage, such as photographs or repair estimates.

For further advice, we encourage you to read our detailed guide to Handling a Rental Car Accident Efficiently.

How to File a Claim

If you are involved in an accident while driving a rental car, there are certain steps you should follow to file a claim with the rental car insurance company.

Required Documentation for Filing a Claim

• A copy of the Certificate of Insurance
• A copy of the rental agreement
• A copy of the police report if:
  • you got in an accident with a third party
  • It is legally mandated in the country of incident
  • your claim is about stolen personal belongings
• A copy of the damage report given by the host or the car sharing platform, detailing each cost incurred. Photographs of the damage are required to help ensure that the charges are reasonable.
• Detailed repair receipts, invoices or other documents showing the breakdown of the amount the host charged you for the accidental damage or loss
• A copy of your credit card statement that reflects your payment for the claimed damages
• A copy of the driver’s license of the person driving the car during the accident

What Documents Do I Need to File My Claim?

Tips for a Smooth Claims Process: Filing an insurance claim can be a complicated and stressful process. The following tips can help ensure a smoother claims process:

• Document everything: Documenting all the details of the accident or loss, including taking photos and notes, can help speed up the claims process and reduce the possibility of disputes.
• Communication: Communication is key in any insurance claim process. Keep thorough records of all communication with the insurer, and discuss your expectations for the claims process with the adjuster. You can also ask about the frequency of updates and the preferred type of communication.
• Avoid duplicate claims: Avoid submitting duplicate claims, as it slows down the claims payment process and creates confusion.
• Understand your coverage: It’s important to understand your insurance coverage, including the limits and deductibles, before filing a claim. Understanding your policy can help ensure that you receive the maximum benefit to which you are entitled.
• Be patient: Claims processing can take time, so it’s important to be patient. 

By following these tips, you can help ensure a smoother claims process, and increase the chances of receiving the maximum benefit that you are entitled to under your insurance policy.

Claims Process 

In which cases is my damage not covered?

In cases where the damage is not covered by our agreement, we will let you know by email. Reasons as to why they don’t cover a damage are one of the following:

• This type of damage is not included in our coverage. For example (but not only); mechanical failure (issues with the engine, battery, clutch or similar – This is not caused by the renter and is therefore not covered by our policy. If this happens, the owner must pay for the repairs by him-/herself), stolen personal belongings, or damaged interior.
• The damage was reported too late.
• The car owner has broken the terms of the agreement.

Depending on the reason for the damage there are different solutions.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Car sharing insurance for renters can be complex due to varying policies and potential gaps in traditional coverage. You should verify your personal auto insurance and consult car-sharing platform policies, as personal insurance and credit card may not cover damages incurred during your rental. Additionally, car-sharing companies often offer specialized policies that may be necessary to protect drivers and vehicles comprehensively. While these policies can increase your rental cost by more than 50%, we recommend that you consider purchasing supplemental coverage to reduce your financial risk during rentals.

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