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Samuel Singarayer, October 26 2023

Why Renting a Car is still the Ideal Option in Today's Peer-to-Peer Sharing Economy

With the advent of peer-to-peer sharing platforms like Airbnb and Turo, established institutions in the hotel and car rental industry are viewed as 'traditional'. However, with the hype of new renting platforms, much of the utility, efficiency, and overall customer service that adds to any trip or adventure is lost. This blog will outline why established car rental companies still have the upper hand in terms of overall benefits to a customer. 

Flexibility in Choice of Vehicles

Firstly, car rental companies provide a wider range of vehicle options. Whether you need a compact car for city driving or a spacious SUV for a family road trip, car rental companies have a variety of choices to suit different needs. This flexibility is not found in peer-sharing platforms where the options are often limited to what individual car owners are offering. Not only is this aspect important before booking your vehicle but it's vital in the event of needs change and a smaller or larger vehicle is required. With a car rental company,  a simple call or change online ensures the appropriate car is ready for pickup. While on car-sharing platforms like Turo, you need to find another host with another vehicle whose vehicle is available for your specific days, cancel if possible your original vehicle booking and pay the fees associated with a cancellation. With no lack of inventory, car rental companies can always efficiently adapt to your specific needs without any extra hassle. 

Consistent Customer Support

Secondly, car rental companies offer better customer support. When renting a car, there may be instances where you need assistance or have questions. Car rental companies usually have dedicated customer service teams that can provide immediate help and guidance. On the other hand, peer-sharing platforms may not have the same level of customer support, leaving you to rely solely on the car owner's availability and responsiveness. This is important especially when going on long-distance trips as any breakdowns while renting a car from a sharing platform places the responsibility solely on the renter to fix any issues that arise. In contrast, many established car rental companies have a network of roadside assistance workers and equipment that can assist you in the event of an issue such as a flat tire, breakdown, or running out of fuel. In addition, if in issue can't be fixed easily given the network of car rental companies all over the country and internationally a replacement can be arranged usually free of charge. Once again, car rental companies keep the customer's best interest at the forefront of their operations to ensure reliable services at all times. 

Proper Maintenance and Upkeep of Vehicles

Lastly, car rental companies offer more reliable and consistent service. They have proper infrastructure in place to ensure that the vehicles are well-maintained, regularly serviced, and meet safety standards. In contrast, peer-sharing platforms rely on individual car owners to maintain their vehicles, which can lead to inconsistencies in the condition and reliability of the cars available. Renting from a car rental company gives you peace of mind knowing that you will be provided with a reliable and well-maintained vehicle.

In All

Given all these remarkable benefits to customers, you should consider renting a car for your next trip, commute, or insurance process period. If you would like to read a brief article on The Pros and Cons of Turo which further outlines the nuances of peer-to-peer sharing services be sure to give this article a quick read. All in all, if you're looking for the best place to rent a car in Ottawa, there's no better car rental agency than AVIS BUDGET Orleans which will provide you with the best vehicles at the best prices. RESERVE today for all your car rental needs and see the difference and peace of mind AVIS Orleans provides. 

Written by

Samuel Singarayer

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