Creative Vehicle Options for Snowbirds
Creative Vehicle Options for Snowbirds
Car sharing and multi-month leases
As snowbirds age, transportation to and from their winter communities is increasingly a concern. Perhaps a solo or snowbird couple want to fly to their destination, but aren't aware of the newest options for obtaining a vehicle once they arrive for the season. It used to be that renting a vehicle is cost-prohibitive for a shorter time such as weeks or months. Now the traditional rental companies offer more extended rental options and there's also a car sharing company that is worth exploring. Let's look at multi-month rentals and compare with car sharing rentals.
Traditional Vehicle Lease Company
When it comes to car rentals, the full spectrum is available from very, very short term leases (hours) as well as longer term lease options (months) are available from traditional car rental companies. Examples include Budget, who offers long term and monthly rentals; Enterprise, who offer long term car rentals for weeks, months or more and Hertz, who offers multi-month lease options. A typical auto dealer lease can run a minimum of 39 months and usually involves bank fees, a down payment, mileage penalties and other fees. Preventative maintenance is generally not included with auto dealer leases.
Multi Month Car Rental
Minimum Days: 63
Down Payment: $0
Bank fee: $0
Due at Signing: $0
Mileage Limit/Penalties: None
Vehicle Exchange: Flexible Options
Disposition Fee**: None
Preventative Maintenance Included*: Yes
Credit Qualification: Monthly Cost Based
Total Commitment: Monthly Cost
Additional Drivers: Terms will vary
Pick up at Car Rental Counter: Yes
Delivery: Not likely
Insurance: Options will vary such as possible coverage from your own carrier or purchase a supplemental policy
Age of vehicle: New and late models
* Includes normal wear and tear as well as tire replacement as needed
** A disposition fee, also known as a turn-in fee, is the cost to clean up and prepare the vehicle to be returned to the lease company
Source: Hertz Multi-Month
Car Sharing Rentals
Car sharing is available from Turo, which is a peer-to-peer car rental marketplace. Turo does not own any vehicles, it is a third party marketplace that connects hosts with vehicles. Turo vehicles range in make/model, age, condition and from host to host or location. Because it is a car sharing rental, there are different considerations than a traditional rental company. For example, renting an older vehicle may save money, but it also may have other challenges with that. As always do your research, read the reviews and think of all the scenarios, then ask plenty of questions before making a decision.
Car Sharing Q&A
Minimum Days: Not required
Destinations: Check for availability at your intended US or international destination
Minimum Age: 18 in the US. Other countries vary.
Delivery available: Some hosts offer delivery options
Pick-Up Locations: Generally available at airports, or request delivery to hotels or vacation rentals if it's available from your host
Additional Drivers: Yes, the host must add drivers and there's no additional fee
Car Rental Counter: No, the vehicles are not offered via traditional car rental counters at airports
Insurance: When booking a Turo car in the US, you’ll choose between three Turo protection plans
Age of Vehicle: New, late model and older models are available
"Drive the change you want to see.”
-- Unknown
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