Other Car Rental Programs/Partners (ie. Alamo, Enterprise, Sixt) - Zipcar in DC - Recommended?

I'm a college student who's considering getting a Zipcar subscription. I'm in DC. I have heard some horror stories about Zipcar (ie: their insurance not actually covering anything; dirty cars; non-existent cars; poor customer service), so anyone who has an experience with Zipcar in DC, please do share! Thanks!

I'm a college student who's considering getting a Zipcar subscription. I'm in DC. I have heard some horror stories about Zipcar (ie: their insurance not actually covering anything; dirty cars; non-existent cars; poor customer service), so anyone who has an experience with Zipcar in DC, please do share! Thanks!

I am in SF, so the DC experience may be different, but I have nothing but good things to say about ZipCar and their customer service. Fortunately have not had to use the insurance, so I can't speak to that, but I'd hope it covers the same stuff a regular (decent) car insurance policy would. You can ask them for a letter which details the coverages provided.

Hope this helps!

I am in SF, so the DC experience may be different, but I have nothing but good things to say about ZipCar and their customer service. Fortunately have not had to use the insurance, so I can't speak to that, but I'd hope it covers the same stuff a regular (decent) car insurance policy would. You can ask them for a letter which details the coverages provided.

Hope this helps!

ditto in columbus...but i haven't heard any horror stories.

you could always go to where the cars are parked and peer in the windows and see if they're clean

I live in DC and cannot recommend Zipcar highly enough. I sold my car before moving here from California, and usually walk or use the excellent Metro system to get around. For those trips to Ikea or other out-of-the-way places, Zipcar works great. The cars have always been there for me as advertised. There are sometimes obvious stains on the seats, but no abject filth or anything like that. In fact, if there's damage or anything wrong with the car, you're supposed to call Zipcar to report it, and they'll direct you to another car if the problem is bad enough.

I've also used Zipcar for a four-day road trip over Christmas, and it turned out to be cheaper than renting since it was during the peak period, gas and insurance were included, and I'm under 25 and thus would've been subject to the underage surcharge with a rental.

Zipcar's insurance coverage dramatically improved a few months ago; instead of state-mandated minimums, Zipsters now have $300,000 of comprehensive insurance with a $500 deductible for third-party or vehicle damage.

Another great bonus is that Zipcar usage earns Amtrak Guest Rewards points! :D

Also, your Zipcar membership is good in all other Zipcar cities as well. ^

Also, your Zipcar membership is good in all other Zipcar cities as well. ^

In true FT spirit, I must inquire further!

Is there a time limit on how long one can use a Zipcar?

Thanks.

Your zipcard works with zipcars nationwide, the rates just might be a little different. But you can reserve any of them in any city. That's actually great. I've had zipcar since living in SF before law school, maintained membership in law school (Boston), spent a summer in DC, moved back to SF. I actually still pay my annual fee even though I now own a car just in case I'm in some city where I might want it. I kept my zipcar membership despite having regular access to a car for the second half of law school because I liked having access to a broad range of vehicles for moving, etc. In theory, the annual fee varies from city to city, so you could choose which one you want to be your home base, but I haven't looked into it.

Customer service can be a bit slow for stuff that is out of the ordinary. I got a parking ticket in a zipcar, which I paid, but zipcar billed it to my separately and it took forever to get it resolved (though it did get resolved).

Oh, re: time limit, there is no time limit, but you pay hourly (with a cap at 8 hours per 24 hour period, I think), and if you needed it for a long block, you would probably need to reserve far in advance. (Note that there is a penalty for late cancellation).

I've encountered a 4-day maximum reservation length here in SF...

Your zipcard works with zipcars nationwide, the rates just might be a little different. But you can reserve any of them in any city. That's actually great. I've had zipcar since living in SF before law school, maintained membership in law school (Boston), spent a summer in DC, moved back to SF. I actually still pay my annual fee even though I now own a car just in case I'm in some city where I might want it. I kept my zipcar membership despite having regular access to a car for the second half of law school because I liked having access to a broad range of vehicles for moving, etc. In theory, the annual fee varies from city to city, so you could choose which one you want to be your home base, but I haven't looked into it.

Customer service can be a bit slow for stuff that is out of the ordinary. I got a parking ticket in a zipcar, which I paid, but zipcar billed it to my separately and it took forever to get it resolved (though it did get resolved).

Oh, re: time limit, there is no time limit, but you pay hourly (with a cap at 8 hours per 24 hour period, I think), and if you needed it for a long block, you would probably need to reserve far in advance. (Note that there is a penalty for late cancellation).

I use zipcar in DC and have been a member for years and I highly reccomend it. Sometimes the cars are a bit dirty; especially the older cars, this is not Hertz where the car gets cleaned in between every rental but otherwise the car was not there only once. That time happened when a couple of people drove out to Fairfax and did not realize that there was a police funeral that day screwing up traffic; Zipcar ended up comping part of the reservation and they got hit with a fine for being so late. (Quick Zipcar hint if you think you might be pushing your rental period add on an extra 30 minutes; it is a lot cheaper than the late fee). Zipcar's customer service is very good; the policy tends to be non of their rules over ride common sense. About a year ago I reserved a car with expired temp tags which I refused to drive (I pay them to worry about this stuff, best feature of Zipcar is that you don't have to care about expired tags and oil changes) and they put me in a new car a few blocks away and comped the rental because it was their screwup. Overall I highly reccomend zipcar if you live near where they park a few. I am thinking of buying a car soon and will still maintain my membership as a cheap insurance policy.