Getaround offers car-lessfolks a new way to get around

Logan Sachon  |  04:36 PM, Friday, May 27, 2011

We've talked about car sharing services before, but now that Getaround has won the TechCrunch Disrupt startup competition, we predict that the services are going to get a lot more popular.

Here's how Getaround works: membership is free and open to drivers over 21 with a good record (no more than two accidents in the past three years). Once registered, members can rent other users' cars for the hour, day, or week. Insurance and roadside assistance is provided with every rental, and the coolest part is that the car-kit and iPhone app renders communication between renter and owner obsolete because users can unlock cars with the iPhone app (users without iPhones have to meet the car owner).

Since its official launch this week, Getaround has registered over 1,600 cars, which range from a $5/hour Honda Civic to a $50/hour Tesla Roadster. And in case you think 1,600 is something to scoff at; Zipcar has 8,000 cars in its entire fleet! The service is only available in San Francisco and the Bay Area right now, but Getaround encourages preregistration for other areas so they know where to go next.

For car owners interested in renting out their cars, the process is equally simple. Cars have to be 1995 or newer with fewer than 150,000 miles. Getaround takes a 40 percent commission, so if you price your car at the average of $8/hour, you take home $5.60 per hour. Insurance is covered by the company, and renters pay for gas. And better yet, it's lucrative: owners who rent out their car 15 hours per week can earn $350 per month! Owners also can deny any rental request, so the service also would be a good way for car owners to rent out their cars to their friends without dealing with awkward repercussions.

What do you think? Would you rent a stranger's car? Or rent out your own wheels to a stranger?

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Related Links:
Why Zipcar is a ripoff Yes you can borrow my car, not you can't take it to Mexico