Is it possible to have a rideshare car rental?

You don’t have to own a car to drive for rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft. With rideshare rentals from places like HyreCar, Avis, Hertz, or Lyft Express, delivery driving is easy. However, you must maintain a clean driving record and up-to-date auto insurance to drive a rideshare rental car.

Some rideshare and rental companies offer insurance policies, but coverage sometimes can be limited to liability only. So, shop around for the right rideshare insurance policy before you start working.

Keep reading to learn more about the insurance type you need for ridesharing and where you can find the cheapest rideshare rental cars near you.

Is it possible to rent a car to drive for Lyft or Uber?

Yes, you can rent a car to drive for rideshare and delivery companies, like Lyft, UberEats, and DoorDash. These companies either offer their own fleet of vehicles or partner with third-party firms to provide vehicles for drivers who don’t own a car. 

If you drive an older vehicle or don’t want to use your own for work, a rideshare rental can keep you on the road for as little as $30 per day. 

There are certain requirements drivers must meet to rent a car for ridesharing. These requirements will vary by company, but typically you must:

• Be at least 21 years old with a valid driver’s license
• Own a smartphone
• Have no major traffic violations, such as a DUI or reckless driving
• Have a credit or debit card in your name for the security deposit
• Pass a criminal background check

Some rideshare rental companies have a minimum age of 25, while others will check your credit score and criminal background. Each company will also weigh traffic violations differently, and you may not be able to rent a car from certain places if you have too many speeding tickets or other minor violations. 

Fortunately, drivers have many options when it comes to ridesharing car rentals. Keep reading to see which rideshare rental car companies are available in your city.

What companies provide rideshare rental cars?

Uber and Lyft provide rental cars for drivers through Uber Marketplace and Lyft Express Drive. 

However, drivers can also choose to rent rideshare cars from rental car companies. For example, Avis and Hertz partnered with Uber to help drivers find affordable cars — Hertz also partners with Lyft, but Avis doesn’t.

Still, you can find rideshare rentals through third-party companies, such as RideShare Rental, HyreCar, Getaround, Zipcar, and more. Each offers different rates and perks for rideshare drivers, so it’s worth comparing a few of them before deciding where you want to rent your car.

Uber Marketplace

The Uber Marketplace gives drivers three rideshare rental car options: Avis, Getaround, and Zipcar. All three are third-party companies partnered with Uber to provide ridesharing rental cars.

Drivers can find rental cars directly on the Uber driver app — simply log into your account and choose your preferred company.

Double-check the driver requirements before choosing a vehicle and note the different rates. For example, Avis charges an average of $200 per week for ridesharing car rentals. Compare this to Getaround and Zipcar, which charge an hourly rate between $4 and $5. If you only drive for Uber part-time, you may save money with an hourly company.

Lyft Express Drive

Like Uber, Lyft partners with third-party rental companies. Drivers can use the Lyft driver app to rent vehicles from Hertz, Avis, or Flexdrive for around $200/week, but you can lower your rental costs by choosing different pricing and mileage plans.

However, Lyft has certain requirements for rental drivers:

• Drivers must give a minimum number of rides per week.
• Drivers can only use rental cars for Lyft and not other rideshare or delivery companies.
• Drivers must be 25 years or older.

Lyft Express Drive is available only in major cities like Boston, New York, and Phoenix. If you live in a small town, you may have to choose a local rideshare rental company.

Hertz Rideshare Program

Hertz rideshare rentals are only available to Lyft and Uber drivers. However, drivers have unlimited miles for both personal use and rideshare driving. Weekly rates for a four-door sedan average at $200, and drivers can keep rentals for up to 28 days. Hertz has a partnership with Lyft Express Drive in select cities.

The Hertz Rideshare Program also provides state minimum liability coverage regardless of whether you’re working. It also provides an additional $1,000 in loss damage coverages while the rideshare app is on. However, drivers should carry additional insurance to protect themselves in the event of an accident.

RideShare Rental

RideShare Rental is a third-party company that provides rental cars to drivers who work for all rideshare and delivery services. The website connects rideshare drivers with individuals and companies with fleets to rent.

Drivers download the Rideshare Rental app and create an account to verify their identity, driving eligibility, and criminal background. Then, you can choose the type of vehicle you want and book it for the dates you want to drive. Renters and lessors agree on a pickup location and time, and drivers can extend their rentals by the day, week, or month.

Those who want to share their cars must create an account on the RideShare Rental website. RideShare Rental will approve their fleet of vehicles before listing them as available to drivers. 

HyreCar

HyreCar partners with Uber, Lyft, Postmates, DoorDash, and Shipt. It’s one of the most flexible options for rideshare and delivery drivers who work for more than one company at once.

The HyreCar app connects drivers with vehicle owners who want to rent out their cars. Drivers and owners coordinate bookings, pickup times, and leasing lengths. The average HyreCar rental rates are between $35 and $45 per day, making it one of the cheapest rideshare car rentals on this list.

However, this isn’t an extensive list of rideshare rental companies. Ridesharing depends heavily on your city, and you may have other options in your area. Speak with your rideshare company about where to find the best rideshare rental car options near you.

What kind of auto insurance do I need as a rideshare driver?

Don’t assume your rideshare company or rental car company has auto insurance. Most of the time, these companies provide the state’s minimum insurance to protect themselves if you’re in an at-fault accident.

If you don’t carry rideshare insurance or a commercial auto policy, you risk driving without insurance while you work. For example, Uber insurance only provides third-party liability coverage while waiting for a ride. It does offer additional comprehensive and collision insurance when you pick up a passenger, but only if you carry a full coverage policy. 

Carrying full coverage is best if you drive for a ridesharing company. The amount of time you spend on the road increases the odds of getting into an accident, and you need the right coverage to pay for any damages or injuries you incur.

Rideshare insurance provides the kind of coverage you need at all times:

• When the app is off and you’re driving for personal use
• When the app is on and you’re waiting for a ride
• When the app is on and you’re with a passenger or delivery

If you only carry personal insurance, it won’t apply when the rideshare app is on. Only rideshare insurance covers you during the odd times when you don’t have a customer or when the app is off.

Many major insurers offer rideshare insurance or add-ons to help drivers save money on coverage. The table below shows rideshare insurance rates with some of the biggest companies: 

Rideshare Auto Insurance Average Rates

Your rates vary based on where you live and the kind of car you drive. If you rent a car for rideshare, you may have additional insurance coverage from the rental company. Check your policy and your rental agreement terms before comparing auto insurance quotes.

What You Need to Know About Ridesharing Car Rentals

It’s possible to have a rideshare car rental through the Uber Marketplace and Lyft Express Drive, but drivers can also choose to rent a car through a third party. Third-party rideshare rental car options like HyreCar don’t always limit drivers to one platform, making it a better choice for drivers working with more than one rideshare or delivery service.

However, third-party options are less likely to offer auto insurance coverage. While Uber, Lyft, and Hertz provide liability policies, other companies may not. You may have to provide proof of insurance, and you’ll need to carry a rideshare policy.