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Updated 9/21/2021

This post contains affiliate links that HyreCar may receive a commission for referring you to them.

Millions of people are joining the on-demand economy, also known as the gig economy, in order to earn extra cash as independent contractors. Whether you own a car that you want to rent out, or you are listing a spare room or apartment on Airbnb, there is a huge opportunity to earn money in the gig economy.

Driving for rideshare and delivery companies like Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, and Instacart is one of the most popular jobs in the on-demand economy. In order to do this, you need a qualified car.. Let’s say you don’t currently own a vehicle that can be used for ridesharing. Should you buy one or rent one?

Leasing or owning a car for ridesharing, as well as personal use, can be extra costly, due to huge down payments ,high interest on your monthly payments, and scheduled maintenance services. This is why many drivers are saving money by renting cars. Not from giant pricey companies like Avis or Hertz, but more affordably through carsharing services like HyreCar and Turo.

Similar to how Airbnb works in the sharing economy, carsharing means someone who owns a vehicle, one they don’t use, lists it with a carsharing service, which in turn rents it out to drivers who need a car for either gig work or travel.

When it comes to carsharing, both HyreCar and Turo offer similar services. However, there are definitely some differences hat you should know about. Let’s talk about the main categories you should consider when choosing the best carsharing company for you.

HyreCar

How It Works

For Drivers: It only takes a few steps to rent a car from an owner who has listed theirs with HyreCar.

  1. Download the HyreCar Driver App and sign up using Facebook, Apple, Google or Email.
  2. Complete your profile by entering your personal and driving information. HyreCar then will run a quick background check to verify your driving record. This is so you can be approved as a driver, which usually only takes a few hours.
  3. Browse the marketplace in the app for cars in your area. You’ll be able to filter for your desired vehicle type and see clear photos of the various cars on the platform near you. HyreCar also provides the daily, weekly, or monthly rental charge that owners are asking as well as the distance each car is from your current location. HyreCar has vehicles available in all 50 states.
  4. When you find a car you like, click “Book Now” and select how many days you’d like to start with. The car owner then has 24 hours to approve or decline your booking request.
  5. Once the owner approves your request, you’ll receive the vehicle registration, 19-point inspection, and insurance documents. These three docs need to be uploaded to your gig services (Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart, etc.). Then, drivers arrange a meet up with the owner so you can inspect and pick up the car in person. Sometimes, owners will even deliver the car to you, so don’t be afraid to ask! Now it’s time to slide behind the wheel and start earning some sweet, extra cash by driving with any gig service you desire. Oh, and if you’d like to continue driving, simply extend your rental in the HyreCar Driver App.
  6. When you’re ready to return the car, fill up the tank before you bring it back to the owner, and schedule a drop-off.

For Owners: Here are the steps for renting out your car.

  1. Register your car with HyreCar, at no cost. Get the vehicle inspected, then upload your registration, inspection documents, and quality photos of the vehicle. Make sure the photos are sharp and clear, showing the cleanliness and condition of the car’s exterior and interior. Set your desired protection plan for each car you list.
    • Note: Still need to get your car inspected? Check out our friends at Rideshare Mechanic to get your vehicles inspected remotely. This service conducts a video vehicle inspection, which eliminates the inconvenient process of going to a Jiffy Lube or local mechanic. Their cost is comparable to your local mechanic, and you don’t pay unless your car passes the inspection. Click HERE to sign up with Rideshare Mechanic and get your vehicles inspected quickly and efficiently.
  2. You’ll receive a notification when someone wants to rent your car. We recommend responding ASAP because drivers typically apply to multiple vehicles at the same time.
  3. Once you’ve approved the rental request, arrange to meet the driver so they can pick up your car. Be sure to verify that all of your vehicle documents (registration, personal insurance, inspection, etc) are up to date.
  4. Meet the driver! Verify their license and inspect the condition of your car together. Check the fuel and mileage, and hand over the keys.
  5. When the driver no longer wishes to rent your car, arrange a meeting time so they can return it to you. Inspect the car for any damages, rate the driver, and take the keys back. Then, list your car as available for rent again on the HyreCar platform and earn more extra cash!

HyreCar’s cancellation policy is as follows:

Drivers and owners can easily cancel as long as the cancellation occurs prior to picking up the vehicle. In both cases, a driver or owner must contact HyreCar support to put the cancellation in motion. If a driver does cancel after already being charged for the rental, (but again, before pickup) HyreCar will give the driver a full refund if the reason for cancellation is deemed reasonable.

When a driver cancels the rental after pickup, say, due to car problems or just to return the car earlier than expected, HyreCar will reimburse a monetary amount based on days left in the rental, minus processing fees.How Does Insurance Work?