What hosts should do if their car needs towing during a trip

As much as we don’t want them to, sometimes bad things happen. For Getaround hosts, that means occasionally dealing with cars that need towing. Below, we’ve outlined who is responsible for the costs of these tows, and what hosts should do when they’re notified about the issue.

When guests will be billed for towing services

If a driver experiences a vehicle collision or accident during their trip, we’ll provide towing and roadside assistance after they reach out through the Getaround app. 

Guests are required to document the issue with photos or videos, and must stay with the vehicle until roadside assistance arrives. They’ll be billed according to the protection plan purchased for their trip. 

Sometimes, guests and hosts may want to bypass a Getaround tow by ordering through another service provider. In those instances, the party ordering the tow must inform Getaround of the details. Visit our Help Center to learn more.

When you will be responsible for towing costs

If a guest needs towing or roadside assistance for one of the reasons listed below, you may be responsible for the costs. The good news is, many of these situations are avoidable with regular car care and maintenance.

Hosts may be responsible for towing costs if:

• Mechanical failures or maintenance issues are the reason for the row, i.e. lack of oil, faulty brakes, worn tires, etc.
• A flat tire occurs during a trip and the car does not have a spare tire or flat tire kit inside.
• The problem that led to the tow originated outside of a Getaround trip.
• A host chooses to tow or repossess their vehicle without authorization from Getaround.

More information is available on the Roadside Assistance page in our Help Center.

When you’ll need to retrieve your car after it's been towed

If the car is drivable, hosts should make every effort to retrieve it. If the car is not drivable, we’ll work with our partner vendors to help you recover the vehicle.

We’ll compensate you for the recovery — the further you have to travel, the more money you’ll receive. To receive 100% reimbursement of impound fees, be sure to recover the vehicle within 48 hours of our notification that your car has been towed. 

Click here to see our table outlining reimbursement types and amounts based on the car’s distance from your car’s home location.

Preventative steps you can take

Keep a replacement tire and flat tire kit in your car. Guests who experience a flat tire during their trip will appreciate having the option to avoid waiting for a tow — and you’ll save on potential service charges if you have these options available.

Create a "quick reference safety guide" and place it in your car for guests. Include information such as what type of fuel your car uses, where to find the spare tire, the location of charging stations for EVs, how to contact roadside assistance in your area, and more. It’s an easy way to give yourself (and your guest) peace of mind. 

Perform routine maintenance and safety checks. Whenever possible, inspect the tire pressure, check fluid levels, and confirm no warning lights are on inside the vehicle. Regular check-ups can prevent big hiccups down the line.