What gig car share is and how it differs from traditional car rental
Gig car share is a service where you rent a car by the hour or day through a mobile app, rather than going to a rental counter. You find available vehicles near you on the app map, unlock and start the car through your phone, and pay only for the time you use it. The company handles insurance, maintenance, and gas — you just drive and return it.
The main difference from traditional rental companies is convenience and pricing. A traditional rental requires you to visit a location, show a driver's license and credit card, sign paperwork, and commit to a full day or longer. Gig car share charges you by the minute or hour, so a one-hour trip costs less than a full day's rental would. You can pick up and drop off at different locations (in most services), and there is no counter interaction at all.
The trade-off is that gig car share works best for short trips within a city or metro area. The vehicles are usually smaller economy cars or compact SUVs, not luxury or specialty vehicles. If you need a car for a week-long road trip, traditional rental is usually cheaper and simpler.
Key Takeaways
- Gig car share charges by the hour or minute through a mobile app, with insurance and gas included in the price.
- You need a valid driver's license, a credit card on file, and to be at least 18 or 21 depending on the service to rent a vehicle.
- Major gig car share services include Zipcar, Car2Go, Turo, and regional options that vary by city.
- Costs run roughly $8 to $15 per hour for hourly rentals, plus mileage fees in some services, making it cheaper than a taxi for longer trips but more expensive than owning a car for frequent use.
- You are responsible for traffic violations, parking tickets, and damage beyond normal wear — the service charges your card directly for these.
How to set up an account and rent your first vehicle
read the app for the service you want to use — Zipcar, Car2Go, Turo, or a local option in your area. Create an account with your email, phone number, and date of birth. You will need to upload a photo of your driver's license (both sides) and provide a credit card. Some services verify your license through the DMV; others do it manually and may take a few hours to a few days.
Once your account is approved, open the app and look at the map. Available cars appear as icons showing their location, model, and price per hour. Tap a car to reserve it — most services give you 15 to 30 minutes to reach the vehicle before the reservation expires. Walk to the car, unlock it through the app (usually by tapping a button), and start the engine. The app shows you how to adjust mirrors and seats, where the fuel door is, and what to do if something is broken.
Drive to your destination, park legally, and end your trip in the app. You will see the total charge broken down by time, mileage (if applicable), and any fees. The charge posts to your credit card within a few hours. If you damage the car or get a parking ticket, the service will charge you separately after they review the incident.
Membership costs and hourly rates by service type
Most gig car share services charge a monthly membership fee, an hourly rental rate, or both. Zipcar, the largest service in North America, charges a monthly membership (around $7 to $15 depending on your plan) plus hourly rates starting around $8 to $12 per hour for economy cars. Some Zipcar plans waive the monthly fee if you rent frequently. Car2Go (now part of Zipcar in many cities) charges no membership but higher hourly rates, typically $15 to $20 per hour.
Turo is a peer-to-peer service where owners list their own cars, so prices vary widely — you might rent a Honda Civic for $40 per day or a luxury sedan for $150 per day. Turo charges a service fee on top of the owner's rate. Regional services like Maven (General Motors) or Getaround vary by city and vehicle type.
Most services include gas and basic insurance in the hourly rate. Some charge a per-mile fee on top of the hourly rate (typically $0.25 to $0.45 per mile), so check the pricing breakdown before you reserve. If you damage the car, you may owe a deductible ranging from $500 to $2,500 depending on the service and the damage.
What insurance covers and what you pay for
Gig car share services include liability insurance (covering damage you cause to other people or property) and collision coverage (covering damage to the car itself) in the hourly rate. This insurance is primary, meaning it covers the claim first — your personal auto insurance does not have to pay anything. You do not need to add the rental car to your own policy.
However, you are responsible for the deductible if you cause an accident or damage the car. This deductible is typically $500 to $2,500 depending on the service. You also pay for traffic violations, parking tickets, and toll charges — the service will charge your credit card after they receive the citation or toll bill. Some services offer optional damage waiver coverage (for an extra $5 to $15 per day) that lowers or eliminates your deductible.
You are not covered if you use the car for commercial purposes (like rideshare driving or delivery), if you drive outside the service area, or if you violate the rental agreement (like letting someone else drive). Read the terms carefully before you rent, because the service will charge you for violations even if you did not know about them.
Finding vehicles near you and understanding availability
Open the app and look at the map to see which cars are available right now in your area. The map shows the exact address or street corner where each car is parked. Tap a car to see its model, mileage, fuel level, and any damage notes from previous renters. If the car has low fuel, you can still rent it, but you are responsible for filling it up before you return it (most services refund the gas cost if you fill up at a partner station).
Availability changes constantly because other people are renting cars at the same time. If you see a car you want, reserve it when ready — the reservation window is usually 15 to 30 minutes. If no cars are available when you need one, check back in a few minutes, or look in a nearby neighborhood. During peak hours (weekday mornings and evenings), cars fill up quickly in popular areas.
Some services let you reserve a car up to 24 hours in advance, which guarantees availability but charges you a reservation fee. This is useful if you know exactly when you need a car, but most people use the on-demand map instead.
Returning the car and what happens if you are late
When you reach your destination, park the car legally in a parking spot (not a loading zone, fire hydrant, or private lot unless the service allows it). End your trip in the app — this stops the clock and locks the car. You do not need to do anything else; the service handles the rest. If you park illegally or in a spot where the car gets towed, you will be charged for the tow and storage fees.
If you keep the car past your reservation time, the app will charge you for the extra time at the hourly rate. There is no grace period, so if your reservation ends at 3 p.m. and you end the trip at 3:15 p.m., you pay for 15 minutes. Some services charge a late fee on top of the hourly overage. Check your service's policy before you rent.
If you damage the car during your rental, report it in the app when ready with photos. The service will investigate and may charge you the deductible. If you do not report damage and the next renter finds it, the service will charge you for the full repair cost, not just the deductible.
Common issues and what to do if something goes wrong
If the car will not start or has a mechanical problem, end your trip in the app and contact customer service through the app. Do not try to fix it yourself. The service will either send a replacement car or refund your rental fee. If you are stranded, most services offer roadside information or will arrange a tow.
If you get a parking ticket or traffic violation while renting, the citation will arrive at the service's address. The service will forward it to you and charge your credit card for the ticket amount plus a processing fee (usually $15 to $25). You can contest the ticket, but you must do so through the court system, not through the service.
If another driver hits the car while you are renting it, report it to the service when ready and get the other driver's insurance information. The service's insurance will handle the claim. If the other driver is uninsured, the service's uninsured motorist coverage applies, and you may owe the deductible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need my own car insurance to rent through gig car share?
No. The service's insurance is primary and covers you while you are renting. You do not need to add the rental car to your personal policy. However, if you cause an accident, you will owe the service's deductible, which is separate from your personal insurance deductible.
What happens if I return the car with an empty gas tank?
Most services charge you a refueling fee (typically $5 to $15) if you return the car on empty. Some services will refund the gas cost if you fill up at a partner station and upload a receipt in the app. Check your service's policy before you return the car.
Can someone else drive the car if I rent it?
No. Only the person whose name is on the account can drive the car. If someone else drives it, the service will charge you for unauthorized use and may suspend your account. The insurance also does not cover other drivers.
Is gig car share cheaper than owning a car?
It depends on how often you drive. If you rent a few times a month, gig car share is usually cheaper than owning a car when you add up the car payment, insurance, maintenance, and parking. If you drive daily, owning a car is cheaper. Most people use gig car share for occasional trips and own a car for regular commuting.
What if the app shows a car available but I cannot unlock it when I get there?
This occasionally happens if the car was just rented by someone else or if there is a technical glitch. End your reservation in the app and try another car, or contact customer service. The service will refund your reservation fee if the car was not actually available.