How Long Do Car Subscriptions Last?
A car subscription works just like other pay-as-you-go monthly programs like streaming music from Spotify or videos on Netflix. With a vehicle subscription service, a car is often delivered to you and you’re able to drive it for as long as you pay the monthly fee which could be as little as one month, three or six months, or over a year. When you no longer need the car, you simply cancel your subscription and return the vehicle.
How Long Do Car Subscriptions Last?
Car subscriptions are a flexible alternative to leasing or owning a vehicle and cut out the need to work with a dealership and all the paperwork that comes with it. You simply subscribe for the period of time you need a vehicle and have the ability to cancel at any time. Your monthly recurring fee includes maintenance, roadside assistance and often insurance; generally you only pay for gas, tolls and any penalties like going over the allotted mileage.
Most vehicle subscription services offer the entire booking process online or app based and the terms are the most flexible you will ever encounter when it comes to having access to a car. Every company offers different plans and options, many have penalty-free cancellations and special offers for longer term subscriptions and some even allow you to switch between different cars if your needs change.
If you only need a car for a day, a rental or car share program would likely still be your best bet, but with subscription options for as little as a month, to a few years, or even indefinitely, vehicle subscriptions offer unmatched flexibility and convenience. While car subscription is still a rather new idea, there are increasingly more manufacturers and third party providers offering these services, so we imagine that vehicle subscriptions will continue to grow and be even more readily available.
How to Choose a Car Subscription Service
When considering a vehicle subscription service, the first step is to see if there are options in your area; because car subscriptions are still relatively new, they are not widely available yet. Consider how long you would like access to a car, if you have pets or the need for additional drivers, what your driving habits are like and if they will take you out of state and also what type of car/s you would like to drive.
Next you’ll want to compare companies and see what they offer in terms of flexibility.
A low flexibility plan could include: short term or with a defined contact limit, mileage limits and no ability to choose from or switch to different car models
A medium flexibility plan could include: short term but with the ability to cancel as needed without penalty, additional options like paying for extended mileage and the ability to choose from different cars or swap between models
A high flexibility plan could include: flexible options for duration and cancellation, a fixed monthly fee without mileage limits and the ability to switch cars
Remember that all subscription services will likely have some sort of activation fee and some may have stipulations about pets, smoking, mileage and additional drivers. Driving a car from a subscription service will help you avoid some of the responsibilities of car ownership but does come with some limitations.
Subscriptions are for anyone who wants to take the hassle out of driving, whether you need a car for a short amount of time, or are simply looking for a more flexible, commitment-free way to get on the road. Being able to use a car for only as long as you need to can save you money and hassle in the long run. If you’d like to learn more about our SimpleCar subscription service give us a call at 833-767-5327 or contact us.
