Zipcar, a subsidiary of Avis group, is an American car sharing company founded by Robin Chase and Antje Robinson with headquarters at Boston, Massachusetts. Zipcar is available 24/7 and offers low efficient cost effective cars on demand by the hour or daily. Zipcar is geared towards short distances offering a daily mileage of 180 miles. NYC is one of the main cities in the United States that use Zipcar. Read further to know more about Zipcar NYC.
Zipcar NYC registration
To join Zipcar NYC, you need to register online, pay a $25 application fee and:
- Must be 21 years and above and if you are a student, 18 years.
- Must have been driving for at least one year.
- You will have to upload a photo of your driving license, and a selfie of you holding your licence.
- Pick a plan
Approval usually takes a few minutes however in some instances can take up to 48 hours or a few days. Zipcar will usually notify you if they need additional documents. After approval, Zipcar will mail you a zip card within 7 days which serves as a key which you can use to lock and unlock a car after booking. If you have not received your zip card and you have been approved, you can use your app to lock and unlock any car you have booked.
If you are a holder of IDNYC, you are eligible for a free annual membership, however you will still pay the nonrefundable fee of $25 for application.
Reasons for application decline
- If Zipcar is unable to verify your identity
- If you do not meet the registration requirements
In NYC, Zipcar costs $9.94 per hour and $89 per day.
Membership
Zipcar offers monthly membership at $7 and yearly membership at $70. Your membership includes insurance, 180 miles a day, and 24/7 roadside assistance. Only registered members are allowed to drive the Zipcar. If you have a family account, other members of the family are allowed to drive the Zipcar.
Additional fees charged in NYC includes:
- Business account fees $75
- Young drivers fee $1.25 per hour
- Late return fee if $50 per hour up to a maximum of $150
- Low fuel fee $30 if the car is returned with less than a quarter fuel tank
- Lois of parking pass $225
- Vehicle retrieval fee $139
- Zip card replacement fee $15
Why choose Zipcar NYC?
- Cheaper than other car sharing companies
- Easily accessible
- Convenient
- Covers gas cost
- Parking
- Insurance
- Maintenance
How to book Zipcar NYC?
You can book a car at Zipcar through your phone or in their website
- Log into your Zipcar account
- Search the car you will like to book
- Once it meets your requirements, click and book
You must pick up the car at the designated location and also return it at that same location. The fuel card is always on the driver’s seat once you unlock the car. You must always remember to lock the car after returning it to avoid extra charges.
Zipcars closest competitor is car2go which also offers luxury and fleet cars. There are no annual fees payable except the $25 application fee. Their daily rate is $85 and hourly rate $15.
Other car sharing companies in NYC are:
- Let’s drive
- Getaround
- Enterprise car share
- Tory rentals
- Ultimate black car
- Vis transportation
- True Ark
- Gogel car and truck rental
- Empire rent a car
- Dollar car rental
- Monica’s Luxury wagon
The downside of Zipcar
- Zipcar prides itself as offering insurance. It is important to note that Zipcar offers secondary insurance and the driver is still liable for damage cost. If you choose their additional cover you will be paying an additional $5 per month or $50 per year.
- Mileage limit of 180 miles a day
- Membership requirements
- Availability when you need it . Always advisable to book in advance
- No immediate inspection after the car is returned.
Reasons for suspension from Zipcar
- If an unauthorized user uses your Zipcar or account
- If you were involved in a series accident when using the Zipcar
- If your account is involved in a missing or unreturned Zipcar
- There’s an unpaid balance
- Violation of zipcars policy and card rules.
Summary
Zipcar is a carsharing company which has over the years been successful because of its affordability and great positive feedback implementation. To drive a Zipcar in NYC, you must be a member and 21 years and above. They have created a niche in the ride-sharing marketspace where students aged 18 years and above are allowed to use their zipcars. Car sharing using Zipcar is a great innovation but one downside of it is that there is no immediate car inspection and cars can be returned in a mess.
FAQ
Can I cancel my Zipcar membership?
Yes, you are allowed to cancel your membership within 39 days and you will be refunded between 5 and 7 business days.
How does Zipcar track my mileage?
Through GPS mileage
What happens if you exceed your 180 miles per day?
If you exceed your daily mileage of 180 miles you will be billed additional 58 cents for every extra mile.