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Private car sharing can be a cheap alternative to owning your own car. Before you decide, there are a few things you should consider.
Private car sharing: what is it and how does it work?
In private car sharing, private individuals rent out or share their own vehicle with others. The principle is simple and is usually organized via platforms.
- In the original form of private car sharing, people who know each other share a car.
- Providers such as SnappCar, Turo or Getaround offer digital solutions for searching, renting or renting out vehicles.
- In larger cities, there are also public providers – often in cooperation with public transport – that provide a fleet of vehicles. As a member, you can quickly and easily rent a car whenever you need it. For example, “Stadtmobil” is one of the oldest providers on the market.
- Private car sharing is often cheaper than traditional car sharing because prices are set individually. In addition, many platforms offer integrated insurance to cover both the renter and the lender.
Which car sharing is right for you?
Of course, there is no general answer to the question of whether private car sharing is worthwhile or not. It depends crucially on the individual situation.
- It starts with the geographical location. If you live in a rural area, public transport connections are usually limited. Car sharing is therefore usually more effective than a bus or train journey.
- In large cities, the situation is somewhat different. Cities like Munich, Berlin or Hamburg have an excellent public transportation network. You can find the connection you want, more or less right on your doorstep, every five to ten minutes.
- If you only occasionally need a car – for example, to transport something – private car sharing via one of the corresponding car sharing internet platforms is most likely to be worthwhile for you.
- If you need a vehicle quickly and at irregular intervals, commercial car sharing could be the optimal solution for you.
- If you own a car but rarely use it, you can earn money by renting it out and reduce your own maintenance costs.
