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How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Zipcar?

There are times in life when you just need a car to get somewhere.

Whether it’s to a cool hiking trail you heard about from a friend, or if you’re planning on making a big trip to the grocery store, some scenarios call for four wheels.

Zipcar is a fantastic service for folks who don’t own a car but need to use one.

Or somebody who needs to rent a car in a pinch, but doesn’t want to learn how to use a service like Hyrecar, Turo or Getaround, or get raked over the coals by rental companies.

Whatever your situation, this service can get you the vehicle you’re looking for.

It’s both convenient and easy to use.

But, if you’re thinking about renting a vehicle through Zipcar, you’re probably wondering how much they cost.

What does on-demand access to a car cost, anyway?

Well, the answer varies depending on a few factors.

Your location, the time of year, and the type of car you want all impact the cost of their service.

We’ve outlined this pricing guide to give you a general idea of what you can expect to pay.

How Much Does Zipcar Cost?

When renting a Zipcar, you can expect to pay for two separate parts; a Zipcar membership, and then the hourly or daily rate in addition to the monthly cost.

Zipcar Subscription Cost

To reserve a car, you must first become a member.

Being a member means that you pay a monthly subscription fee to the company.

Zipcar offers different membership options at different price points.

For example, their Occasional Driving plan costs an annual fee of $70.

The cost is paid up front.

With the Occasional Driving Plan, you’re locked into a subscription for the full 12 months.

This plan allows you to drive up to 180 miles per day.

If you’re above 180 miles on a given day, the company charges $0.47 for each additional mile.

The excess mileage fee is tacked onto your total.

Their Monthly Plan, on the other hand, costs $7 per month.

Unlike the Occasional Driving Plan, this one gives you the freedom to unsubscribe at any time.

This plan is accompanied by the same 180 miles per day policy, as well as the same mileage fee, as the Occasional Plan.

Zipcar’s third membership option is the Extra Value Plan.

This plan is designed for folks who plan to book cars on a daily or weekly basis.

The plan starts at $50 per month, depending on where you live.

In large cities and college towns, it tends to run a bit pricier.

Although Extra Value Plan members pay an increased fee, they enjoy a 10% discount on any car they want.

So, if you reserve an SUV that would usually cost $25 per hour, you’ll get it for nearly $20 per hour instead.

Additionally, all Zipcar members pay a $25 application fee no matter which plan is selected.

You’re required to pay this fee with your credit or debit card as soon as your sign up for the service.

Discounted Memberships for College Students and Professors

If you don’t want to pay full price for a Zipcar membership, you may not have to.

Many college professors and students who have a current university email address are eligible for a discount.

The company partners with roughly 600 colleges and universities to bring affordable rides to students and teachers all over the country.

In exchange for allowing Zipcar to park cars around their campus, the company offers students a discounted rate on memberships.

Currently, the student discount is $15 for the first year.

After that, you’re likely to pay full price unless Zipcar has an exclusive deal worked out with your school.

If you’re affiliated with a college or university, and you’re interested in taking advantage of this discount, click here to find out if you qualify.

When you sign up, you’ll need to use your school email address as your log-in address.

Zipcar Hourly and Daily Rates and Pricing

After you’ve paid your application fee and chosen a membership plan, you’ll pay for every vehicle rental separately.

Rentals are charged by the hour or day, depending on how long you need it.

Hourly rates vary from city to city and increase with higher-end vehicles.

In most cities, hourly Zipcar rental cars start at $9 per hour.

Daily rates also vary on the same factors.

Typically, daily rates start at around $80 per day and increase for bigger and nicer vehicles.

  • Daily rates start at $80
  • Hourly rates start at $9
  • Driving more than 180 miles in 24 hours costs $0.45 per extra mile

As a note, these prices can be offset using a Zipcar promo code.

If you haven’t already used one, grab one today and apply the promotion towards your next ride.

You’re also charged for your mileage.

As we mentioned above, every rental allows you to drive up to 180 miles per day for no additional charge.

Once you exceed 180 miles in a 24-hour period, you’ll have to pay $0.45 per extra mile.

The excess mileage cost is higher for luxury vehicles and cargo vans.

Currently, each mile costs $0.55. The company will notify you of the cost of excess miles before you check out.

Furthermore, you’ll be responsible for paying late fees if the car is returned past your deadline.

Prices start at $50 and begin to accrue the minute after your allotted reservation time ends.

If it’s a luxury vehicle or someone else has the car booked immediately after you, the late fee tends to be much higher.

Zipcar takes returns seriously, so make sure to get it back on time.

Otherwise, you’re likely looking at a late fee, and nobody likes paying those.

Other Transportation Options:

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Have to Pay for Gas?

No.

You don’t have to pay for gas.

The cost of fuel is included in your rental fee.

In each car, there is a Zipcar gas card tucked into a slot on the driver’s side visor.

When you pull up to the gas station, you’ll swipe this card just like you would with your bank card.

Then, you’ll enter your Zipcar identification number or PIN (located on your Zipcard).

It’s a straightforward process.

One of the nicest perks of using this service is that fuel is included in the reservation.

However, Zipcar does ask that you return the car with at least a quarter tank of gas as a courtesy to the next driver.

What Happens if I Crash or Damage a Zipcar?

All Zipcars have insurance coverage, and members are covered under those policies.

So, you probably won’t have to worry about paying for repairs if you happen to damage a vehicle.

According to Zipcar, their plan grants “liability coverage up to the minimum financial responsibility limits required in the state/jurisdiction in which the accident occurs.”

In other words, while their insurance policy does cover you in the case of an accident, it only includes the minimum amount required according to your state’s liability limits.

This is similar to how Uber insurance works, and is fairly standard for rentals.

Each state has a different liability limit.

This means that the extent to which their plan covers you depends on where you live.

In Massachusetts, for example, the state liability limit for personal injury is $8,000 per person, per accident.

So, if you get into a car accident and have to go to the hospital, Zipcar’s insurance plan will cover up to eight grand in hospital bills.

You’re responsible for paying anything more than that.

I Lost My Zipcard! How Much Does a New One Cost?

The Zipcard is one of the most crucial components of the Zipcar experience.

It’s what you use to unlock a car when you pick it up and to lock it after you drop it off.

When you go to pick up your reserved vehicle, you’ll tap the card to the activation sensor on the windshield of the car.

Once the rental is activated, your trip begins.

The same happens when you drop the card off at the end of the session.

This is how the company can tell that you’ve returned the car on time.

So, if you lose your card, you won’t be able to pick up the car or get into it.

Therefore, you’ll have to order a new one.

Luckily, getting a new card is easy.

All you have to do is call customer support.

However, the company will charge you $15 for a replacement card.

Zipcar is a Great Way to Get Some Wheels

This is a fantastic service for anyone who doesn’t own a car but needs access to one now and then.

It can run a bit pricey, especially if you’re renting luxury vehicles, but sometimes the convenience is worth it.

If you just rent a car for an hour every few weeks to pick up groceries, this can be way more affordable than buying a car of your own and paying for the costs associated with car ownership.

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